PEP Clotet was sacked as Oxford United’s manager after just 205 days in charge.

A 2-1 home defeat to bottom side Bury was the final nail in the coffin for the Spaniard who won 12 of his 36 games in charge, leaving the U’s tenth in Sky Bet League One.

Life had started brightly under the former Leeds assistant manager, with United topping the table in the opening month.

The sales of Marvin Johnson and John Lundstram did not help, but a flurry of foreign imports failed to fire.

United’s Emirates FA Cup exit at League Two strugglers Port Vale angered fans and a humiliating 7-0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic in December – after which Clotet defended his players – signalled the end was near.

Although United won their first two games of 2018, defeat to Bury saw the axe fall and assistant manager Derek Fazackerley appointed caretaker boss.

Kirsty Miller was named sportswoman of the year at the Oxfordshire Sports awards.

Oxford Mail:

Kirsty Miller   Picture Ed Nix

A fantastic 2017 saw the Didcot taekwon-do star win six medals at the European Championships and World Championships.

Eddie Pepperell took the men’s crown after recording seven top-ten finishes in eight European Tour events, including finishing tied 16th at the US Open.

Jade O’Dowda was selected by Great Britain to compete at the Indoor Combined Events International in Madrid.

The Oxford City athlete had won silver in the indoor pentathlon at the England Athletics under 20 Combined Events Championships in Sheffield.

FEBRUARY

SUMRITH Thanakarnjanasuth took over as Oxford United’s new chairman.

Oxford Mail:

Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth takes over as the new Oxford United chairman from Darryl Eales    Picture: Richard Cave

The Thai businessman completed a deal to become the club’s majority shareholder, replacing Darryl Eales at the helm, although the departing chairman remained on the board.

Known as Tiger, the new chairman outlined his ambitions for the club, including promotion to the Championship.

His appointment, however, did hinder the process of appointing a new manager.

A deal had been reached with Craig Bellamy to replace Pep Clotet, but the takeover scuppered the move, with Tiger wanting his own man.

The new owner said he was aiming to finalise an appointment within ‘a day or two.’ Golfer Eddie Pepperell secured a first European Tour title after a one-shot victory over Oliver Fisher in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Oxford Mail:

Eddie Pepperell after winning the Qatar Masters   Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

The Frilford Heath member carded a closing 70 at Doha GC to finish on 18 under-par and secure a place back in the top 100 of the world rankings.

Henley RFC’s Archie Van Dijk made his debut for the Dutch under 20 side in their 42-10 defeat to Portugal in Lisbon.

The youngster scored a try and later revealed he had been asked to train with the senior team.

Former Oxford United coach Des Buckingham took up a dual role as head coach for New Zealand’s under 20 football side as well as being named assistant manager for the senior side.

MARCH

KARL Robinson was appointed Oxford United manager after an exhausting 59-day search.

Oxford Mail:

Karl Robinson is unveiled as Oxford United’s new boss  Picture: Ed Nix

Pep Clotet’s successor was unveiled hours after his departure from Sky Bet League One rivals Charlton Athletic had been confirmed.

In his first interview as United boss, the former MK Dons manager insisted it would take time to implement his philosophy in what he called a ‘long-term plan.’ The U’s fell to a 3-0 defeat away at Portsmouth in Robinson’s first game in charge, and were just six points above the relegation zone heading in to April.

Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run a sub four-minute mile, died aged 88.

The legendary athlete, whose name is synony-mous with Oxford, achieved the feat at Iffley Road on May 6, 1954.

Oxford City Stars sealed the English Ice Hockey National League South Division 2 crown.

A 3-1 victory against Solent Devils in front of a packed full house at Oxpens sparked huge celebrations.

Oxford were well beaten by Cambridge in the 164th Boat Race.

The Dark Blues were no match for their rivals, who recorded a clean sweep in all four Boat Races (men’s, women’s, plus reserve races for both) for the first time since 1997.

Banbury made history by becoming county rugby champions for a third year in a row.

They sealed the feat with a convincing 44-8 victory over Witney at Iffley Road.