Latest news with #OxfordUnited
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford defender Long signs new 'long-term' deal
Defender Sam Long has signed a new "long-term" contract with Oxford 30-year-old has spent his entire career with the U's and made 272 appearances in 13 years with the played a crucial role in the U's promotion to the Championship under Des Buckingham in 2023-24, making 29 league appearances and playing the full 90 minutes of the play-off final win over Bolton Wanderers at played 24 times in the league last season as Oxford consolidated their Championship status with a 17th-placed finish."I am so proud to play for Oxford United. This club has been my life for as long as I can remember," he told the club's website., external"I have given absolutely everything for the badge since I first pulled it on at the age of nine in the academy, and I'm excited to give more in the years to come."I had no hesitation at all when it came around to signing a new deal. This is the only place I want to be."I've been privileged to be part of this club for all 13 years of my professional career. From League Two to [the] Championship, it's been an incredible journey which has many more exciting times ahead."The U's did not disclose the length of Long's new contract but described it as "long-term" in a post on their X account.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘We want to be pushing towards the top half, top 10'
MARK Harris hopes Oxford United can make a break for a top 10 spot in Sky Bet Championship next season. The U's finished 17th this year, four points above the relegation zone, but the club's form under Gary Rowett would've seen them finish 10th across the 25 matches he took charge of. READ ALSO:Six promising players United could snap up from League One Harris joined United from Cardiff City in July 2023, and has been with the club on its journey from League One to the Championship, scoring 25 goals in 102 games. He said: 'The last two seasons have been brilliant. To get promoted and then come into the league, and stay in it as well, we're all close enough now to realise what we're doing. 'It's about kicking on now next year. We want to be pushing towards the top half, top 10, and hopefully we get there. 'We got written off this season. Everyone but Oxford supporters and players had us 24th. We were written off last year and I'm sure we'll be written off again, but I'm fine with that.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) The Wales international striker added: 'The aim was when I came to Oxford to get promoted, but obviously you don't know whether that's going to happen or not. 'Last season was unbelievable and this year our aim was not just to be safe, but push as high as we can. 'We knew the situation we were in, we knew the league we were in, and we achieved what we set out to do. 'Coming in from pre-season, I thought we had the squad to do it, and I think we showed that over the 46 games. 'It was up and down, we knew that was going to happen, but I knew we had the fight and the determination, and also the quality in the dressing room. 'At times it was a bit worrying, but I never thought 'that's it, we're down'. 'We're all good mates, but we all know when something's not going right or something needs to be said, it's done and said, and it's said in the right way. 'After that, we're not sulking, we're not moaning, we're straight back at it trying to put things right, and I think throughout this season and last season, you've seen when times are tough, we battle through and come back. 'We have got quality in the team. Sometimes we do have to grind out results because of the league we're in and the situation that the Championship throws at you. 'Hopefully now we can add in the summer and go again next season.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
New deals for U's academy products
Oxford United have agreed new deals with 20-year-old academy products Josh Johnson and James Golding. Midfielder Johnson joined the club as a scholar and has made seven first team appearances in cup competitions since making his debut at 16, in addition to loan spells with Dartford, Welling, Banbury and Republic of Ireland under-19 centre-back Golding has featured for the senior side nine times since making his debut in 2021, including three times in League One, and had loan spells at Maidenhead and Southend last of football, Ed Waldron, told the club website, external: "It's really important for the club to have a strong core of young, promising players who have been developed within our system."Josh and James are two players who have shown real qualities over each age group and have since enjoyed strong loan spells at first-team level across the pyramid."We look forward to continuing to work with both as they aim to make an impact on our first team group."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
MP urges residents to comment on Oxford United's stadium plans
An MP has urged her constituents to take part in a public consultation on Oxford United's proposed move to a new purpose built Dodds, who represents Oxford East, said she would "urge all local representatives at all levels to get behind the Yellows and support the club's proposals".She has previously spoken of her support for the club's plans for a new 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle, near proposals are currently being considered by Cherwell District Council, with a public consultation into the plans due to end on Friday. More than 3,800 people and organisations have so far submitted their views on the scheme, which would include a hotel, restaurant and gym. Urging residents to take part in the consultation, Dodds said she "wholeheartedly" supported the plans as the club's current stadium, the Kassam, was "not up to standard"."It lacks a fourth stand, the club is being charged unviable rent, and there are many other problems," the former cabinet minister said."The loss of a stadium would be a huge hit to our football club – I will keep fighting for the new stadium to be built." Earlier this month, the U's reached an agreement with the stadium's owner, Fikora Group, to stay at the Kassam for a maximum of two further parties said no further extensions or new lease agreements would be possible following the its plans for the new stadium, the club predicts 1,000 new jobs will be created and £32m a year added to the local development would also become the UK's first all-electric stadium, the club say.A decision on the plans is expected to be made by Cherwell District Council by the end of July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mark Harris set to come up against huge names after Wales inclusion
MARK Harris has been named in the Wales squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers taking place in June. The Oxford United striker was previously included in a 29-man training camp, and is now set for involvement at home against Liechtenstein (June 6) and away to Belgium (June 9). The Belgium squad includes the likes of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, plus Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) and Romelu Lukaku (Napoli). READ ALSO: Fans issued rallying call ahead of fast-approaching stadium deadline Wales began their World Cup qualifying campaign in March with a 3-1 victory at home against Kazakhstan and a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia. Harris, who has 10 caps for Wales, scored six goals in 46 Sky Bet Championship appearances for the U's this season, and was the only player to feature in every single league game. Mark Harris on the ball for Oxford United (Image: Mike Allen)
