Latest news with #McEachran
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hoops talisman extends stay at club going into next season
ZAC McEachran has agreed to extend his stay at Oxford City going into the 2025/26 season. The 30-year-old creator scored 11 goals and registered seven assists in Vanarama National League North during the most recent campaign, and has been a long-term key player for the Hoops. City finished 19th in National League North this season, 14 points above the relegation zone, and McEachran is looking forward to pushing higher up the division in the next campaign. READ ALSO: Midfielder on when conversations will take place regarding future He told the Hoops website: 'It was a simple decision to make. This is a fantastic football club, I enjoy playing here and I think this year we are all determined to make amends for what was a disappointing season last time round. The club is certainly moving in the right direction, and I want to be a part of that.' City manager Ross Jenkins added: 'Everyone knows the talent and ability that Zac possesses and he's never going to be short of admirers, but as soon as we sat down to talk about a new deal, he made it clear that he wants to be here and is truly committed to what we are trying to build. 'I am sure fans will love this signing. He is hugely popular with them, and this is a great start to the summer as we strengthen and prepare for a successful new season.' Last month, it was announced that both Hoops skipper Reece Fleet and Lewis Coyle will be leaving the club this summer, with a further seven players later released.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Midfielder hoping to unearth next Oxford gem with education academy
JOSH McEachran is hoping to unearth the next Oxford-born professional footballer while providing educational opportunities through his new academy. The 32-year-old midfielder has launched the Josh McEachran Education Academy in his home city, partnering with Wychwood School in Banbury Road. A football education programme for 16-19-year-olds will allow students to gain the equivalent of three A levels and earn up to 168 UCAS points, with training from UEFA qualified coaches. READ ALSO: How real is second season syndrome in the Championship? The programme will start in September and operate from Wychwood. Oxford-born McEachran has been searching for the right base for his new academy, and found it in the form of Wychwood, a former all-girls private school which became co-educational in September 2023. McEachran told this newspaper: 'It's been a busy few years, but the main thing was getting the right location. I've tried numerous locations, and they just didn't seem right. 'I met Jane [Evans], the headteacher at Wychwood, and had a few good conversations with her, and I knew this was the place for me, right in the heart of Oxford. 'The facilities here are fantastic and I'm really looking forward to it now. 'The education side of it is massive. It gives the parents a bit of comfort. They'll be training every day, I'll be down here as much as I can, and all the coaches have got their badges. 'It'll be proper training, but on the flip side, they'll be doing their education every day as well, so if we don't get them into playing football, there'll be so many pathways, even with the US. 'There are different roads they can go down, and if I can help them in any way, that's the main aim.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) McEachran came through the academy system at Chelsea, where he played 22 times, with permanent stints following at Brentford, Birmingham City and MK Dons. He joined Oxford United in June 2023, then played at Wembley as the club won promotion to Sky Bet Championship just over a year ago, and will leave the U's as a free agent this summer. McEachran said: 'My dream was to come back and play for Oxford United. I had two successful seasons. In my first season, we got promoted, and then we stayed in the Championship. 'All my family are still here, I'm an Oxford lad, so I wanted something to stay here for years and years to come. 'I'll get this up and running now in September, with a few launch nights, including one on June 24. 'We've had a lot of kids overseas who want to join already in September. We've got the boarding options here, so this isn't just for Oxford locals.' For more information, visit:
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club
JOSH MCEACHRAN has woken up unemployed following Oxford United's brutal end-of-season cull. The former to summer of 2023 on a one-year deal following the expiration of his contract with MK Dons. 3 Josh McEachran has been released by Championship side Oxford United Credit: GETTY 3 The former Chelsea midfielder spent two seasons with the U's Credit: GETTY He inked a second-straight one-year deal with the club following the culmination of the 2023/24 season. But the U's brass have opted NOT to hand the Oxford-born midfielder a new deal following their first season back in the Championship in 25 years. An excerpt of a club statement read: " Oxford United have confirmed the list of players to be retained and released following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. " summer ." READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS Oxford 's Head of Football Operations, Ed Waldron, said of the departures: 'I would like to offer my thanks to each of the players departing the Club. 'Both Joe Bennett and Josh McEachran have played important roles in the progression of Oxford United over the last few years, helping to deliver promotion and then stabilise the Club in the Championship . 'Their quality and experience have been crucial in our development, and I'm certain both will be real assets to whichever club they continue their fantastic careers with. 'Max Woltman has been through an incredibly difficult period with the Club due to injury. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Josh McEachran was once tipped to become a big star at Chelsea Credit: ACTION IMAGES "Despite this, he has been an extremely popular figure at the Training Ground, and I want to wish him and the rest all the best going forward. 'The recruitment process has been in motion for several months for the upcoming 2025/26 season. Cole Palmer eats sandwich and ketchup as Brit music legend makes cameo in brilliant Chelsea kit release video "We will continue to look at ways to improve the squad to build on what was a successful first campaign back in the Championship.' McEachran has bounced from club to club after leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2015 following FIVE loan moves in five years. Many at Stamford Bridge had high hopes for the midfielder, who made 22 appearances for the club, including former manager Andre Villas-Boas. In August 2011, the Portuguese gaffer said of McEachran: 'This is a youngster with so much talent. "Physique-wise, there is nothing to him at the moment. "In the changing room you see him getting ready to go and train and he looks nothing like a footballer. "His power and pace is in his head. But you could say the same about Luka Modric, Jack Wilshere or Samir Nasri. " All are built with slight physiques but they are all among the finest midfield players in the world. "Josh is going that way. His brain is always five yards ahead of the rest. "I see in him very much as part of the future of this club.'
