Having achieved promotion to League Two via the Blue Square Premier play-offs in the 2012/13 season; I was pleased to once more gain promotion the following season. Oxford had not been expected to achieve promotion from League Two; due to some strong performances from frontmen Luke Hobbs and Vince Asante though, the team was therefore able to move up the league and actually finish the 2013/14 season as champions.
For the second season running Chris Carruthers was named Fans Player of the Year, and in addition to this I also managed to win the League Two Manager of the Year award. Loanee Luke Hobbs finished the season as Oxford’s top scorer with 21 goals, with Eddie Johnson contributing 12, and Vince Asante finding the net 16 times in 31 appearances.
Eddie Johnson had been the club’s top scorer with 31 goals in the Blue Square Premier promotion season; with attacking options covered for the League Two campaign though he therefore dropped into a central midfield role for much of the season.
Loan players and free transfer signings played a huge part in Oxford’s success, with experienced goalkeeper Matt Glennon joining from Huddersfield, Rudolf Skacel signing for free from Burnley, Adam Prince being released by Wigan, and Jamie Guy signing on a free transfer from Shamrock Rovers in the January transfer window in order to increase the options in attack. All players that signed for the club performed incredibly well throughout the season, and it was the exciting free transfer signings and on-loan attacking duo that sealed many of Oxford’s 88 points for the season.
It all went right down to the wire, and with one game to go Oxford and Port Vale were level on points, with Port Vale having a distinct goal difference advantage. Oxford’s final game was against Grimsby, Port Vale meanwhile had to play Kidderminster Harriers who had already been relegated. Eddie Johnson put Oxford in the lead after just 14 minutes, Port Vale went ahead just three minutes later though and it looked as though any Oxford victory would ultimately count for nothing in the title race. Kidderminster pulled one back before half time though, and sealed victory in the 68th minute of the match. Vince Asante scored two more goals for Oxford providing a 3-0 final day victory, and we therefore won the league by a clear three point margin.
With Wrexham having won the league the previous season with Oxford left to secure promotion from the Blue Square Premier via the play-offs; the roles were reversed in League Two, and Wrexham, finishing in seventh, went on to win the play-off final on penalties against Chesterfield.
Not only did Oxford win the league in the 2013/14 season, but also had a supreme cup run which took the team to the 4th Round of the FA Cup. The most satisfying win in the cup run was a 4-0 3rd Round demolition of MK Dons at the Kassam. The Dons were floundering in the league at the time, and with Oxford thriving on all fronts we were really able to show up the supposedly superior team from two leagues above.
For me, Luke Hobbs was the absolute star of the season, and he’s therefore been brought back on loan from Bristol City for life in League One. More signings have been made, the squad has again been strengthened, and Oxford will now look to do as strongly as possible in League One.
Can I now achieve my third promotion in three seasons with Oxford United? I certainly believe we’ve got what it takes to put up a serious challenge, and will now be looking to dominate as many League One matches as possible.
