ROSS Jenkins says the work to prepare Oxford City for life in Vanarama National League will start almost straight away.

The Hoops bulldozed past St Albans City in the National League South play-off final, winning 4-0 in front of a record crowd at Court Place Farm.

The victory means Jenkins’ side will be competing at the highest level in their history next season when they embark on life in Step 1 of the non-league pyramid.

READ ALSO: Oxford City head coach delighted by tactical tweak which helped historic promotion

Games against various former Football League sides such as Hartlepool United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale and Southend United will no doubt be the first ones Hoops fans will look for when the fixtures are released, and also highlight the step up City are making.

Former Watford midfielder Jenkins said: “We’ve done so well to get where we are and we’ve achieved something great for the football club.

“Its a massive achievement but the work starts when we’ve all had a bit of a celebration and time to relax, and we can get our head around things for next year.

“The best we can do is prepare as best we can. We did it this year in pre-season and it was difficult at times.

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“Logistics, when it comes down to part-time football, play a big factor but I was lucky enough to keep this team together from last year.

“There was something that we smelt last season, that we could achieve again.

“We kept the local boys together and kept the core together.

“We added some experience here and there, and some youth and energy, and some hunger.”

Jenkins took over as Hoops head coach in March last year, having been caretaker since the January.

He guided City to the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten 3-0 at Dorking Wanderers.

Jenkins said: “Last season, it was important to tweak a few things around February time that I could see happening, to give us the best opportunity to get into the play-offs.

“We did that and got to Dorking away, and we just fell that little bit short.

“Maybe it was that lack of experience, but I think this year, it oozed experience.

“We never looked troubled against Worthing here, and we looked ready for the occasion and up for it, clear and focused.”

Jenkins also praised the support from Hoops fans throughout the season and in their play-off final against St Albans.

The 32-year-old said: “The fans and the noise was brilliant, we didn’t let it affect us, and we played the game, and not the occasion.

“That was the message – to play the game and not the occasion, and then we can celebrate the occasion after.

“We can’t ask any more from the fans, apart from to come and support us next year – it’s a big challenge and we’ll need the home crowd.

“They were definitely our 12th, 13th and 14th man, and we said that in the build-up, that the fans can contribute to our win.

“They need to realise that they did contribute.

“Everybody who turned up in a blue and white shirt to come and support Oxford City in the home end or at the sides, a big credit to them.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.