Oxford United legend Joey Beauchamp says he wishes he could turn back the clock 15 years and help them to victory against another former team Swindon in Sunday’s derby clash at the County Ground.

Beauchamp, 40, made 362 appearances for the U’s, scoring 63 goals, between 1989-2002 be-fore retiring from the professional game due to a persistent toe injury.

But he said the derby games against Swindon were the best ones to play in.

Beauchamp signed for United as a trainee in 1987 before being sold by the then cash-strapped U’s to West Ham for £1m in 1993, where he made one appearance for the Hammers – in a friendly at Oxford City.

But six weeks later Beauchamp moved to Swindon for £800,000, where he made made 39 appearances before 16 months later returning to Oxford)) for a cut-price £75,000.

“For me personally, being an Oxford boy, it was great playing in derby games against Swindon,” said Beauchamp, who won’t be at Sunday’s game as he is on holiday.

“I played in quite a few and scored a few goals. I always seemed to play well in all the big games – I loved it.

“And to score in a derby game means everything.

“If an Oxford player scores and it’s 1-0 then they become a cult hero for the rest of their lives.

“I wish I could turn the clock back 15 years and help Oxford to go and win at Swindon.

“When Oxford were in the Conference and Swindon were in League One, I always hoped one day that it would happen again and it has.

“I hope Sunday goes well and we get a win – that would make everyone and me very happy.”

Beauchamp said one of his worst experiences was having to play for Swindon against Oxford on August 30, 1995.

“It was weird. I was sitting on the bench thinking ‘don’t bring me on, don’t bring me on,’ and then when I did I just wandered around – I was so worried what would happen if I had smashed one in.

“And when I played back at Swindon for Oxford I was getting kicked all over the place – maybe they thought I was a dangerous player, but I thrived on it.

“The main one was my first game back when we won 3-0 at the Manor and I scored the last goal in front of the Swindon fans.”

Beauchamp added: “I still get stick for playing for Swindon, but I never had a choice – end of story.

“It was the only club I could go to to get out of West Ham – I didn’t want to go to Swindon.”