THREE head coaches, a nail-biting fight against relegation and a resurgent side looking to compete for promotion – it’s been another jam-packed year at Oxford United.
Never mind matters on the pitch, it’s also been an eventful year for the U’s off it, with important stadium meetings at the county council and various staff changes.
Here, we take a look back at how the second half of 2023 unfolded for United.
JULY
The second half of 2023 began with the exit of Erion Zabeli to Brentford, having starred in the heart of the U’s defence in their run to the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup.
United’s first team continued to strengthen though, with striker Mark Harris joining on July 11.
Three days later, Stuart Findlay and Steve Seddon left the U’s on season-long loans to Kilmarnock and Burton Albion respectively.
Matty Taylor signed for Sky Bet League Two side Forest Green Rovers, following his release by United earlier in the summer.
Pre-season got underway with a goalless draw at Eastleigh, off the back of a behind closed doors victory against Barnet, which the U’s won 5-1. Marcus Browne’s early goal then saw United beat Swansea City at Grenoble Road.
On July 27, Stan Mills signed on loan from Everton, with the U’s ending pre-season with a handsome 5-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers. Cameron Brannagan, Harris, Browne, Mills and Jordan Thorniley were all on the scoresheet.
AUGUST
Liverpool forward Max Woltman was signed for an undisclosed fee on August 3, while after all the positivity of pre-season, the campaign began with a tame 2-0 defeat away to Cambridge United, followed by a 5-1 humbling at Bristol City in the Carabao Cup.
Harris struck in the final quarter of an hour as Liam Manning’s side picked up their first three points of the season at home to Carlisle United.
Harris continued with his early season form, netting a brace as United won 2-1 at Derby County.
Yanic Wildschut left the U’s by mutual consent on August 18.
His former teammates made it three wins from three with a 3-1 win at Barnsley, before two signings in two days arrived as both Greg Leigh and Sonny Perkins were added to the squad.
Tyler Goodrham’s double in the 2-1 win at home to Charlton Athletic sent United to the top of League One.
Simon Eastwood and Gatlin O’Donkor signed new deals before the end of August.
SEPTEMBER
The summer transfer window deadline day saw Kyle Edwards sign on loan, prior to the jam-packed defeat at home to Port Vale. Both Harris and Leigh were sent off for the U’s, with the latter also scoring.
United began their EFL Trophy campaign with a 3-1 win at Northampton Town, while Fraser Barnsley – the goalkeeper who starred in the previous season’s FA Youth Cup run – joined Everton.
Manning ended the 18-year curse for a U’s boss to win a manager of the month award, when he scooped the League One gong on September 7.
Stephan Negru then became the latest player to sign fresh terms with the club.
On September 11, club legend James Constable took up the role of head of player care in United’s academy, while three days later, Sam Baldock confirmed his retirement from football.
The U’s returned to action after the international break with a 3-0 win at Fleetwood Town.
September 19 saw Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approve in principle the lease of land at The Triangle, one of the biggest step forwards in the club’s search for a new stadium.
Not that it mattered in comparison, but the same evening saw United lose at home to MK Dons in the EFL Trophy.
A 3-0 win at home to Exeter City followed, as did a new contract for skipper Elliott Moore.
The month ended with birthday boy Leigh netting a brace in a 3-1 win at Stevenage.
OCTOBER
Leigh netted again, alongside Fin Stevens and Ciaron Brown, as the U’s began October with a 3-0 win at home to Shrewsbury Town.
Billy Bodin and Sam Long scored as Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-1, although Oisin Smyth and Mills were both sent off for United deep in stoppage time.
October 9 proved to be a memorable day for U’s fans, as seven CGI images of what the club’s proposed new stadium could look like, were published.
Leigh collected the League One player of the month award for September after netting three goals in his first full month with the club.
Brown became the latest player to sign a new contract, doing so on October 17, while Alex Gorrin agreed a short-term deal prior to the 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool.
United then lost at Wigan Athletic, while the 2-2 draw at home to Wycombe Wanderers was overshadowed by refereeing decisions.
Manning was sent off in that game, while October finished with the victory at Lincoln City.
NOVEMBER
The penultimate month of the year began with progress in the Emirates FA Cup, at the expense of Maidenhead United.
Manning’s 29-game spell as head coach came to an end when he left for Bristol City, yet the U’s put it behind them to beat Chelsea Under-21s 5-0 that night, in the EFL Trophy.
The 3-2 win at Leyton Orient followed, while the search for Manning’s replacement resulted in Des Buckingham returning to his hometown club on November 16.
His reign began with a 2-0 loss at Cheltenham Town and goalless draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Joe Bennett arrived as a free agent at the end of November, to negate the loss of Leigh to injury.
DECEMBER
Buckingham claimed his first victory with a 2-0 win at home to Grimsby Town in the second round of the FA Cup, with progress then ensured in the EFL Trophy after beating Forest Green Rovers.
A lacklustre U’s were beaten 3-0 at Peterborough United, before the first league derby with Reading since April 2001 finished in a 1-1 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
A brace from Ruben Rodrigues earned Buckingham his first league win in the 3-0 victory at home to Burton Albion.
The festive schedule to end the calendar year saw United lose at Northampton, win at home to Cambridge and suffer defeat against Derby.
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