THREE head coaches, a nail-biting fight against relegation and a resurgent side looking to compete for promotion – it’s been another jam-packed year at Oxford United.
Never mind matters on the pitch, it’s also been an eventful year for the U’s off it, with important stadium meetings at the county council and various staff changes.
Here, we take a look back at how the first half of 2023 unfolded for United.
JANUARY
The year began with a 1-0 defeat at home to Exeter City, before Brandon Fleming became the club’s first signing of the transfer window, arriving on loan from Hull City.
The left back arrived just in time for United’s glamour tie at home to the at the time Premier League leaders Arsenal in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The U’s held their own for more than an hour, before Mohamed Elneny opened the scoring prior to a brace from Eddie Nketiah, with all the goals coming in a 13-minute spell.
United returned to action in Sky Bet League One with a late 2-1 win at Fleetwood Town, Kyle Joseph and Ciaron Brown on the scoresheet for Karl Robinson’s side.
On January 20, U’s defender John Mousinho left the club to take his first steps in management, as head coach of Portsmouth.
United put the exit of Mousinho behind them, to beat promotion-chasing Ipswich Town 2-1 at a foggy Kassam Stadium. Yanic Wildschut and Cameron Brannagan netted for the U’s.
January 24 proved to be an important day for United’s search for a new stadium at The Triangle, after Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet allowed officers to begin talks on ‘outline legal and commercial terms’.
On the pitch, the bubble was burst somewhat after a tame 2-0 loss at Wycombe Wanderers the same evening. Another 2-0 defeat, away to Burton Albion, rounded off January, with Nottingham Forest winger Ateef Konate added on loan ahead of deadline day.
The transfer window closed, with one striker in and one striker out on loan. Hull forward Tyler Smith joined, while U’s legend Matty Taylor headed to Port Vale.
FEBRUARY
Poor form continued to hamper United, as Barnsley and Shrewsbury Town both won at Grenoble Road.
Lewis Bate rescued a point at MK Dons, but a 3-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle followed.
On February 16, Sam Long signed a new deal until the summer of 2026, but a lacklustre 1-0 loss at Cambridge United was followed by the departure of head of recruitment Mark Thomas, who left for Derby County.
Robinson’s almost five-year stint in charge of the U’s came to an end following the humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers, a seventh loss in eight games for the club.
MARCH
Craig Short stepped in for his first caretaker spell of the calendar year, overseeing losses by one goal to Lincoln City and Derby, the latter game watched in the stands by incoming boss Liam Manning.
Meanwhile, United’s youngsters continued to do the club proud, reaching the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup, where they were beaten 3-0 at Manchester City.
Manning though was denied a winning start, as home side Morecambe grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
March ended with the confirmation Ed Waldron would step up and replace Thomas as head of recruitment.
APRIL
Manning’s first full month in charge began with a goalless draw at Peterborough United, before further draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale over the Easter bank holiday.
The first loss of the Manning era came in a 1-0 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers, with another draw then secured at home to Portsmouth.
A 2-0 defeat at Barnsley saw the U’s slump to 20th in the table, and above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
A crucial clash at home to Cheltenham Town was next for United, and the club’s 17-game winless run came to an end with a 4-0 victory against the Robins.
Tyler Goodrham, Joseph and a Marcus Browne double found the target for the U’s.
April ended with League One safety pretty much secured, thanks to a 3-0 win at Forest Green Rovers. Joseph, Goodrham and Billy Bodin were all on the scoresheet, with only a ridiculous goal swing on the final day enough to send United down.
MAY
Brown scooped both the players’ player of the year and the Andrew Knapton supporters’ player of the year, while the season ended with defeat at home to Accrington Stanley.
Manning quickly set to work reshaping his squad, with Taylor not offered a new contract, so joined Djavan Anderson and Jodi Jones in leaving when their deals came up the following month.
On May 15, Brown was cleared of any wrongdoing after the FA closed an investigation into his booking during the FA Cup defeat at home to Arsenal. The yellow card was being looked into by the FA due to alleged spot-fixing.
First team coach Leon Blackmore-Such’s departure from the club was officially announced on May 17, after 15 years with the U’s.
JUNE
United acted quickly in the transfer market, making Ruben Rodrigues their first summer addition on June 13.
He scored 19 goals and bagged 15 assists to help Notts County secure promotion to League Two, while he arrived at the U’s as a free agent, with his Magpies contract expiring.
Jordan Thorniley and Josh McEachran swiftly followed Rodrigues through the door at United, before goalkeeper Jack Stevens left for Cambridge United.
James Beadle and Fin Stevens then arrived on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford respectively, as Manning stamped his authority on the side.
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