Jim Smith believes Oxford United’s value as a football club has risen immeasurably by them regaining their Football League status.

And the fan base of the club, and having such fanatical supporters, would make them an attractive proposition to anyone interested in buying a football club.

There is no suggestion that Kelvin Thomas or Woodstock Partners have any intention of selling the club, and indeed that is probably the last thing on their mind following Sunday’s success.

But former U’s boss Smith said Oxford’s fans helped to make the Wembley occasion so special.

They took more than 33,000 to the national stadium, more than either of the FA Cup finalists, Chelsea or Portsmouth, were permitted to have there for the previous day’s FA Cup final which saw the Blues clinch the double.

“It just shows you the potential size of this club, a club that has been decimated the last seven or eight years,” said Smith.

“I’ve been in advisory situations about people buying football clubs and anyone wanting to buy Oxford United . . . well, it’s a seriously big football club to buy.

“And going into the Football League has given it even more potential for a secure future because of the size of the ground – and obviously there’s a fourth side to build – and the fan base.

“People looked at us in the Conference and took note. If you want to invest and you see a club with 3,000 (supporters) well . . . but if you see a club with over 30,000 going to Wembley . . .

“If we could have had 25,000 at the Manor, we would have had 25,000.

“So it’s not a one-off.

“Yes, this is a strange, southern university town, but because of BMW and the works around here there’s a big football-going base.

“By winning at Wembley and getting back into the Football League, I think we’ve got tremendous potential.

“For me, personally, I think we’re definitely big enough to be competing in and around the Championship.”