Success on the pitch for Oxford United this season is going hand in hand with success off it.

The club are on course to be one of probably just a handful to make a profit – and that in their first year back in the Football League.

While Chris Wilder’s team are making an impact in League Two, and challenging for promotion for the second year running, behind the scenes considerable work has gone into making sure that the club live within their means.

And the product is good, says chairman Kelvin Thomas, which is why fans keep coming back.

After Leyton Orient’s 1-1 draw in the FA Cup against Arsenal earned a lucrative replay at the Emirates Stadium, O’s chairman Barry Hearn announced what a financial fillip it is to his League One outfit.

“We lose money every year, but the Cup run is taking away our losses and I think we are in danger of being the only club in the Football League to make money this year,” he said.

However, U’s chairman Thomas says Oxford, too, should be in the black.

“I think we’ll be pleased to say that we’ll join Barry in actually showing a profit at the end of this year,” he said.

Oxford have the second best average gate in League Two, of 7,168, behind Bradford (10,771).

Yet the much-improved financial situation at United is not just down to bigger crowds.

Thomas said: “It’s down to better attendances, more League money being available, living within our means, and down to the sustainability that comes with that.

“We’ve spent money on players this year, but we’ve done it in a sustainable manner, so we’ll always look to break even or better.

“We’ve made some improvements to the structure of the club in regards to bringing in a finance director, which has helped us tremendously.

“I think we’re in a good place, financially we’re stronger than we have been, and it’s all about sustainability.

“And I think Barry’s a big proponent of trying to keep things sustainable, living within your means, which is very much in line with our thinking and what we’re trying to do.”