Latest news with #U's
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boxers deliver standout performances across three days of action
TWO boxers from Blackbird Leys ABC delivered standout performances across three thrilling days of action at the Ed Bilbey Box Cup in Grantham. Senior middleweight Jamal Franklin, 19, and youth welterweight Yousef Elmgraif, 17, represented the Oxford club. In the quarter-finals, Franklin was drawn against the highly-rated Tommy Naismith from York. Over three intense rounds, Franklin displayed sharp technical ability, adapting to his opponent's style and forcing a standing count in the final round. Franklin's dominance was reflected in a unanimous decision victory, setting the tone for a strong weekend. READ ALSO: Great and good pay tribute to former U's youth chief Elmgraif began his campaign against Nauman Ilyas of Solihull. Using his range and dynamic level changes, he overwhelmed his opponent, delivering three standing counts and forced a stoppage in the third round. Day two brought fresh challenges. Franklin faced local veteran Nathan Wallace (34) from Grantham ABC in the semi-finals. Despite Wallace's cut from the previous day reopening early in the bout, Franklin controlled much of the action, effectively evading wild charges while landing cleaner shots. In a result that surprised both corners, the bout was awarded to Wallace on a split decision. Elmgraif's semi-final saw him matched against Hayden Lloyd of Touch Gloves Grantham. Lloyd's style was no match for Elmgraif's relentless pressure and composed aggression, and earned another unanimous decision to book his place in the final. On finals day, Elmgraif faced Aidan Perry of White Rose Boxing Club for the Youth Class B under-67kg title. Undeterred by Perry's height advantage, Elmgraif worked both head and body with relentless forward pressure, again securing a unanimous decision and taking home the gold medal.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three goals in three games as progress made with World Cup hopes
OLE Romeny scored the only goal of the game as Indonesia made progress with their hopes of 2026 World Cup qualification with victory at home against China. The Oxford United forward, who joined the U's for a record fee from FC Utrecht in January, netted the crucial winner from the penalty spot at the end of the first half. In doing so, Romeny made it three goals in three matches for Indonesia, having made his international debut in March. Romeny played 89 minutes against China before being withdrawn late on, as Ramadhan Sanata took his place. READ ALSO: Bristol Rovers expert gives verdict on loan of U's striker Australia's 1-0 win at the death at home against Japan earlier in the evening ensured Indonesia were no longer able to secure direct qualification, but they have still booked a fourth round qualification berth. Asia has been allocated eight direct spots to next year's World Cup, and another potential berth via the play-offs. In the third round of qualifying, 18 countries are divided into three groups of six. The group winners and runners-up qualify for the World Cup automatically, while the third and fourth-placed nations make it to the next round of qualifying. Indonesia are fourth in Group C, six points clear of Bahrain and China, with just one match left to play, and travel to group winners Japan for their final game on Tuesday.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- 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
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Young duo sign new deals with United
OXFORD United duo James Golding and Josh Johnson have both signed new deals with the club. The 20-year-old players have featured 16 times between them for the U's, although neither have made an appearance for the club since January 2024. READ ALSO: Six promising players United could snap up from League One Centre back Golding made his United debut in October 2021, and has played nine times for the club across all competitions, including two starts in Sky Bet League One. Golding spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan in the Vanarama National League with both Maidenhead United and Southend United, and across the two loan spells, he scored five goals in 23 appearances. James Golding heads the ball clear for Oxford United (Image: David Fleming) Central midfielder Johnson made his U's debut in August 2021, and has featured on seven occasions for the club, although he is yet to make his league bow. Johnson featured in two separate loan spells for Maidenhead this season, and played in 22 National League matches. United have reported that the two players will 'remain with the club ahead of the 2025/26 season'. U's head of football operations Ed Waldron told the club website: '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 men's first team group.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) Both players are understood to have impressed United head coach Gary Rowett from afar, with Rowett previously suggesting that he wants younger players to have a more prominent squad role next season, as opposed to having senior professionals on the fringes and not getting minutes. Rowett previously said: 'We've got quite a big squad, and I think something we need to do next year is maybe create more of an opportunity for some of the younger players to come through from the academy and some of the younger players that have been on loan. 'There'll be an opportunity for some of those to stake their place, and then maybe we can streamline and create a little bit more value from the places that are currently left. 'I would always work off an ideal number. That ideal number would always have probably four young players within that, so if you do get a spate of maybe six or seven injuries, a couple of those young players can come in and be part of the matchday squad because they're training with you all the time. 'That's preferable to me to do that rather than two senior players. You've seen it this season. We've had two or three senior players sat out of the matchday squad for most of the time.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How have players who left last summer fared for new clubs?
SEVEN first team players left Oxford United last summer, and most of them have enjoyed varying levels of success in the debut campaigns with their new clubs. Of those seven, four were released – Billy Bodin, Marcus Browne, James Henry and Steve Seddon – while another free agent, Josh Murphy, ultimately left for Portsmouth. Midfield duo Marcus McGuane and Oisin Smyth were sold by the U's, and here, we profiled how each of the seven have got on since leaving the club. READ ALSO: How is U's squad shaping up following retained list? Billy Bodin The attacker was released by United following three years at the club, during which time he scored 25 goals in 106 matches. Bodin joined Burton Albion as a free agent, and after four goals in 12 Sky Bet League One games, on January deadline day he switched to Reading on loan, where he netted twice. Marcus Browne The 27-year-old forward was without a club until he joined League Two side AFC Wimbledon in January. Browne has been an important figure for the Dons, and scored four goals in 18 league games, helping the club to the play-off final against Walsall. James Henry After seven years with the U's, the 35-year-old midfielder switched to Vanarama National League club Aldershot Town, and has scored an impressive 15 times in 44 matches. Henry scooped the National League player of the month in August, and registered an assist with a wonderful cross as the Shots won the FA Trophy at Wembley earlier this month. Marcus McGuane United activated a one-year option in the midfielder's contract, and then sold him to Bristol City three months later. The move saw McGuane reunited with former U's head coach Liam Manning, although the 26-year-old featured just 21 times in the Championship as the Robins earned a place in the play-offs. Josh Murphy An initial offer was made to Murphy almost immediately following promotion, and talks continued for weeks, but after much deliberation, the winger opted to join Pompey. The 30-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding debut season for Portsmouth, registering seven goals and 14 assists in the Championship. No player grabbed more assists in the Championship, with West Bromwich Albion attacker Tom Fellows matching the total of 14. Josh Murphy on the ball for Portsmouth (Image: Zac Goodwin/ PA Wire)Steve Seddon The left back signed for Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell at the start of July, and has played 17 times across all competitions. Injury though has hampered his playing time for the Well. Oisin Smyth The 25-year-old midfielder also made the move to the Scottish Premiership, joining St Mirren for an undisclosed fee. He scored twice on his debut in a 3-0 victory against Hibernian, and has played 24 times this season. Smyth opened the scoring from the penalty spot as the Buddies won 2-1 at home to Rangers on Boxing Day.
