Oxford United fans yesterday got the news they were praying for when it was announced that manager Chris Wilder has signed a new three-year contract.

The 41-year-old former Halifax Town boss, who attracted strong interest from Burton Albion, completed the paperwork on the deal yesterday morning.

And he was excited about the prospects for the future at the club.

“Talks had been ongoing for a while, but we hadn’t had time to finalise things during the season,” he said.

“As soon as we got time to draw breathe, I sat down with the chairman, who has been great to work with.

“We talked about our plans for the club and we both want the same thing, which is to get this club promoted.

“I am delighted to have signed the new contract. It gives me and my family a bit of stability and gives the club protection as well.”

And there was some relief that everything had now been finalised. He had previously been on a rolling contract.

“From a football point of view it’s good to have it all sorted,” he added.

“It is an ongoing process to bring players in and players who are here already and those who we have been talking to for next season will see that I am committed to the club and that everything is settled.

“We have the nucleus of a very good side and will add some exciting names to that.

“We know there is plenty of hard work to be done over the summer and it’s not always going to be plain sailing.

“We have always been one of the clubs to beat in this league and the way we ended the season will only have increased that.

“I think the fans appreciate what we are trying to do and I certainly appreciate the way they have got behind us.

“I can’t wait for the new season already and am looking forward to that magnificent backing and a successful future for Oxford United.”

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We are delighted. These are exciting times for the club.

“Season ticket sales are going really well and there is a really positive feeling about the club.

“We will continue to work hard and do all we can to make sure we bring success back to Oxford United.”

Wilder currently has the best win-loss record of any United manager, with 16 victories from 24 games since taking charge in December – a 67 per cent winning record.

Jim Smith previously had the best record, with 125 victories from 252 games – a 49 per cent win rate.

One of United’s longest-serving and most travelled supporters, Andy James, said the fans are thrilled by the news that Wilder has signed a three-year deal.

“I’m well chuffed, and I know a lot of fans I go to matches with will be as well,” said James, nicknamed Wom-ble, who has followed United, home and away, for more than 40 years.

“When I saw in the paper the Burton chairman was an admirer of the job Wilder has done at Oxford I was nervous, so it didn’t surprise me when they tried to go for him.

“He’s a manager who knows what he’s doing. We’ve all been quite impressed with him.”

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