, Appleton’s Rejuvenated Oxford Hoping For A Successful Season

Appleton’s Rejuvenated Oxford Hoping For A Successful Season

When Michael Appleton was revealed as Oxford United’s new Head Coach in the summer of 2014, it came after a few months of turmoil at the Kassam Stadium. Chris Wilder had jumped ship to seemingly relegation doomed Northampton Town leaving Oxford in the middle of their annual collapse. Caretaker manager Mickey Lewis steadied the ship but was never considered the long term solution by the fans or then chairman Ian Lenagan. Gary Waddock was eventually named the permanent successor to Wilder but won just one of his eight games in charge as the U’s missed out on the play-offs completely. That summer saw big changes at Oxford with a takeover led by Darryl Eales taking control of the club, a new Chief Executive in Mark Ashton being appointed and Waddock being replaced by Appleton. Fans were sceptical about the new owners reasons for getting involved with Oxford United and a slow start on the pitch did little to raise expectations.

Here we are twelve months on and there is a huge wave of positivity sweeping right across the club and the fanbase. Appleton’s side lost just two of their final fifteen games to finish in thirteenth place, a position that had seemed a million miles away at Christmas. The U’s Head Coach had shown he was able to change his ‘total football’ approach that hadn’t worked in the first half of the season and alongside this change in style, had brought in a number of key signings as well as clearing out those he considered deadwood.

Appleton’s transfer dealings so far this summer have been one of the driving factors behind the positive atmosphere spreading around the club. Headline targets Liam Sercombe and Ryan Taylor were secured without any trouble whilst the return of Kemar Roofe on a permanent transfer could be considered the signing of the summer in League Two. George Baldock has rejoined on a season-long loan from MK Dons and whilst fans favourite and long standing number one goalkeeper Ryan Clarke has left for Northampton Town, he has been replaced by the highly rated Sam Slocombe who won promotion with Scunthorpe the last time he played in League Two. Promising youngsters, Sam Long, Sam Humphreys and Aidan Hawtin all signed new deals whilst three of last years youth team – Robbie Cundy, AJ George and Freddie Grant – signed their first professional contracts.

baldock
George Baldock
Kemar Roofe
Kemar Roofe

Appleton has also shaken up his backroom staff with Chris Allen promoted from Youth Team Coach to Assistant Head Coach to replace Mickey Lewis who has left the club whilst former QPR man Scott Daly has taken over from Ally Lane as Lead Sports Scientist.

Off the pitch, Eales and Ashton have improved every department at the club with a number of new appointments right across the board. Sky Sports presenter David Jones joined the board as a non-executive director whilst Director of Business Operations Kevin Smith and Commercial Manager Andy Wooldridge have led the way with a number of intriguing and exciting projects, not least the decision to reduce season ticket prices in all areas of the Kassam Stadium for the new campaign. The introduction of Sarah Gooding, the Supporter Services Manager and Supporters Liaison Officer, has been met with great feedback right across the fan base with many stating that communications between club and fans are the best for many years if not ever. Elsewhere, a new pitch, the introduction of print at home tickets, bar-coded season cards and the announcement that the club shop is to be brought back in house have all added fuel to the positivity fire that is fully alight with all things Oxford United.

The huge success of a pre-season training camp in Austria has been the cherry on the cake this summer with over 200 fans travelling to watch the U’s take on SC Wiener Neustadt. The club and Yellow Army arranged pre and post match entertainment in local bars in the Austrian town whilst fans were invited to attend an open training session before joining the players and Michael Appleton’s staff for a BBQ.

Michael Appleton has put together a squad on paper that is more than capable of challenging at the right end of the table, the new pitch is almost ready and the players and fans are together.

This season marks 30 years since Oxford won the League Cup.

It’s time for Oxford United to rise again.

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