HOOPS

The Official Match Programme

Oxford City
v
Hereford

Tuesday 4th November
7.45pm

Oxford City
The MGroup Stadium, Marston
Oxford, OX30NQ
www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk
Phone: 01865 744493
Pitch Enquiries: events@oxcityfc.co.uk

HONOURS
National League South: play-off winners: 2022/23
Southern League Premier: play-off winners: 2011/12
Southern League Division One South & West:
play-off winners: 2007/08
Spartan South Midland Football League Premier: Champions: 1992/93, 2005/06
Isthmian League Division One: Champions 1995/96
FA Amateur Cup: Champions: 1905/06
Oxfordshire Senior Cup: Champions: 36 times

VICE PRESIDENTS
Sheila Holt
Charles Eld
Tim Reynolds
Colin Rosser

Owner Justin Merritt
Chairman Andy Sinnott
Head of Strategy Allan Steele
Head Coach Ross Jenkins
First Team Coach Andy Ballard
First Team Analyst Dom Wheway
Head of Performance Martin Wilkinson
Physio Jazmine Simkin
Women's Manager Lyon Theoharous
Head of Partnerships Chris Williams
Club Secretary Lee Pankau
Media Manager Andrew Gate
Duty Managers Joey Aust and Henry Neal
Head of Facilities Shaun Fisher
Head of Hospitality Rachel Burt
Club Chaplain Headley Feast
Kit Co-Ordinator Phil Duffy
Fan Access Executives Owen Cawley
Alex Cawley

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Editor/Designer Chris Williams
Club Photographer Simon Godfrey
With thanks to Darrell Fisher, Andy Gate, Phil Duffy, Zoe French, Skye Foley, Wills Hatton, Alex Whyte

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Oxford City FC. No part of the matchday programme may be used without permission of the club.

THE GAFFER

Ross Jenkins

Welcome back everyone and a warm welcome to those who have made the trip across country from Hereford tonight. It's a big club and like ourselves will want to start climbing the table as quickly as possible.

We go into the second of three home games this week looking to make amends for Saturday's result where we were bitterly disappointed to lose to Bedford here. I'm afraid it was a familiar story where we did enough to win the game, looked comfortable throughout and still managed to gain zero points.

We showed a bit of character to get back into the game after conceding a soft early goal, Josh Ashby made it 1-1 and then a combination of bad luck, brave defending and good saves kept us out. To then concede a second goal was cruel.

I felt for the players who had given their all once again, but effort and commitment are givens. Every player will give that but now we need to add a little quality and a little bit of know how. We need to kill off games when we are on top and we need to make sure that we focus and concentrate for the full 90 minutes. Positives need to become points, and that needs to start tonight.

We need your support to achieve that. You have been superb, home and away and right now we need everyone here pulling in the same direction.

Get behind the players, enjoy the game, and let's make sure we all leave the ground smiling after a win this evening.

ROSS

A Bluffer's Guide To
Hereford

How old are the club? 102 this year, or 12 depending on your viewpoint. Hereford United were founded in 1924 with the merger of two local clubs St Martins and RAOC (Rotherwas). From the Birmingham & District League Hereford successfully applied to join the Southern League – but played only a few games in this league before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 27 seasons in the Southern League, Hereford finished as runners-up three times, and also lifted the Southern League Cup three times. When the league was regionalised for one season in 1958–59, Hereford also won their regional division to add to their third League Cup win.

Where do they play?
Edgar Street since 1924

Any particularly famous former players?
In 1966 they made national headlines when they signed Welsh legend John Charles, formerly of Leeds United and Juventus, boosting the support of the club. He became manager a year later and soon with the club becoming one of the best-supported non-league clubs in the country Charles used his standing within the game to canvass votes from member clubs for election to the Football League.

Ah, you’re coming to THAT goal in THAT game aren’t you…
Yep. After building the reputation as a progressive non-league club the 1971–72 season saw the club finish second in the Southern League and gain national prominence in the FA Cup. Colin Addison’s side beat top-flight Newcastle United thanks to goals from Ronnie Radford and Ricky George. The Cup run played a major part in the club's successful election to the Fourth Division, replacing Barrow.

When were the Glory Years?
The 1970s when they went up to the Second Division after finishing runners-up in their first season in the Fourth Division and winning the Third Division title in 1976. Dixie McNeil was the leading goalscorer in the top four divisions of English football in the same season, but Hereford would only spend one season up there before dropping back into the Fourth Division.

And then?
The early 80s saw financial problems and those resurfaced in the mid-1990s. The club enjoyed brief glimpses of their past success in the Cup competitions, holding Arsenal to a 1–1 draw in the FA Cup in 1985 and narrowly losing 1–0 to Manchester United in 1990. The club's first trophy for 14 years was the Welsh Cup won in the same season. In 1997 season after a terrible run of form Hereford were ultimately relegated after a relegation-decider at Edgar Street with Brighton & Hove Albion.

It took until 2005–06 for Hereford to return to the Football League and in 2007/8 they were promoted to League One. Sadly by 2012 they were back in the Conference and in December 2014 the club was wound up in the High Court after a petition had been brought against it by HM Revenue and Customs. Following the demise of United, a new 'phoenix club' was being set up, Hereford. The new club incorporates the words 'Forever United' into its crest design, as well as the iconic Hereford Bull.

The City Squad

Our Visitors

Oxford City's Under 18s now know that they will take on Walton & Hersham in the next round of the FA Youth Cup

Eddie Odhiambo's side triumphed over Chippenham Town on penalties in the First Round after initially drawing 0-0.

The Hoops have beaten Basingstoke Town, Thatcham Town, AFC Portland and now Chippenham to reach this stage of the competition for the first time in nine years.

Details are to be announced in due course.

There will be no divided loyalties for the Burroughs family tonight as George looks to play his part in an Oxford City win.

The 23-year-old has been ever present since joining this summer but that sometimes presents a problem for his parents with big brother Jack playing up the road for Northampton Town this season. The Cobblers don’t have a game this evening but usually how do mum and dad choose which son to go and watch?

“I think Burnout BBQ have tipped things in my favour!” George laughs. “They switch though. It's normally who’s at home that’s the determinator but it also depends what sort of game each of us is playing. They normally go to the closest one if we are both away, if not they tend to alternate who it is. And if we're both at home, then sometimes one will go to see my brother and one go to me".

Is the traditional brotherly rivalry strong in the Burroughs family?

“I’ll beat him at padel, golf, snooker… actually I can’t think of any sports he’d beat me at. He’d probably say the same though! We’re very competitive ever since we were kids, and it would usually end in a fight back then!”

There should be a big group supporting George tonight as the Hoops take on The Bulls.

“They’ve got a player who was in my Sunday League team so a few of them are coming down to watch the game. That was for Coventry Jags when I was probably 8 years old, so it's been a while, but we both played for them. Not in the same team or anything, but obviously the coaches are all the same. So I think they're all coming to the game.

“I was a striker back then and I’ve gradually moved backwards!

Football wise we could do with a win…

“Yeah, we could. I think we're overdue one, and I think it's coming. I think every game's just one goal isn't it? So at some point it will change, and hopefully it can be against Hereford. We were the better team again on Saturday and it's one goal that decides the game. We know they were poor goals to concede, and we know how many chances we did have so it’s all of us who need to deal with the situation we are in.

“It was horrible on Saturday night. I hate losing and when you know there's not much we've done wrong in the game and we still lose that’s something you need to get over pretty quickly because the games come thick and fast. We definitely have the ability to get out of this and once a win comes we can build from that and go on a run. Hopefully that starts tonight”.

City Women Face Swindon Town

City fans, after the drama of a win over Sherborne we're hoping to SMASH our attendance record AGAIN for our Women's FA Cup game against Swindon Town

The atmosphere was electric last time out, and we need you again to help us make history.

Almost 700 were here last time. Be our twelfth player and cheer us on in the cup! Adults are just £5 when you buy online and Under 12s are FREE entry (both online AND on the door).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

The Season So Far...

Date	Venue	Opposition	Comp	Result	Scorers
Sun 31 Aug	H	Sholing	League	W 3-2	Edwards, Walecki, E White
7th Sep	a	Southampton	League	D 4-4	Edwards (2), E White, OG
14th Sep	a	Wycombe Wanderers	League	L 3-0
21st Sep	a	Farnborough	FA Cup	W 3-2	Parsons, E White, Craven
5th Oct	H	Denham United	FA Cup	3-3*	E White (2), Craven
12th Oct	a	Portchester	League	2-2	Tayman, E White
19th Oct	H	Tower Hill	County Cup	BYE
26th Oct	H	Sherborne Town	FA Cup	3-2	Edwards, Parsons, Leach
2nd Nov	a	Wycombe Wanderers	League Cup	L 6-0
9th Nov	H	Fleet Town	League	2pm
16th Nov	A	Launton Ladies	County Cup	2pm
23rd Nov	H	Swindon Town	FA CUP	TBC

OFF THE BALL

CHRIS WILLIAMS

Only photographer Darrell Fisher will be able to tell you if tonight’s Off the Ball is actually true or not.

Games against Hereford always remind me of the first time I went to Edgar Street as an eager youngster. It’s a nice old ground, full of tradition and memories, and back then they were a firm fixture in the Football League. I sincerely hope they get back to that level because their fans have been through all sorts of trials and tribulations since those days.

Anyhow, I travelled to Hereford with my father and as usual we were early into the ground and minding my own business when, a few minutes before kick off, I became aware of a very loud ‘moo’ sound from behind me and I was asked to move a little to my right.

With a growling thunder and a bronchial sound like my wife waking up I gradually became aware that a full size Bull was coming through. It was ENORMOUS. The guy leading it via a ring through its nose appeared to have control and it appeared docile but I still hid my Bovril, just in case they were related.

As the bull moved on its traditional pre-match lap of honour it became clear that the subs were threatening to cause chaos as they took it in turns to spray matchballs at it from the centre circle. The Bull was blissfully unaware but one glancing blow in the cajones and we were in for a Pamplona style incident in the away end. I hid behind my dad and hoped for the best.

As pre-match entertainment went, it was a little odd, but (Darrell will back me up) at Carlisle they used to bring out a Fox in a little cage and let it run round the pitch. How do you train a fox to do that? What if it gets distracted and start rooting around in a bin? Other than Basil Brush, foxes aren’t very tame are they? Certainly the one in my green bin the other night seemed very angry about my whole recycling plans.

When the fox died it became far more controllable. Carlisle didn’t want it to miss out on the matchday fun so they stuffed it, put it on a plinth and they still bring it out before matches to gaze out at the confused Brunton Park faithful. It’s carried by a bloke in a Fox costume.

I like that sort of tradition. You can keep your fireworks and flamethrowers, give me taxidermy and livestock any day of the week.

Billie Bough-French

Captain

Ellie White

Striker

Emily Harris

Forward

Amy Leach

Defender

Sophie Lester

Midfield

Grace Craven

Midfield

Oxford City FC are happy to clarify that new temporary congestion charges in the city centre should not affect supporters coming in to Oxford for matches at the MGroup Stadium.

As of last week new permits are required on certain routes into the city centre. However, Marsh Lane, the B4150,the road that most fans use to drive to the MGroup Stadium is unaffected.

The closest Congestion Charge point is on Marston Ferry Road and applies betweem 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

The club works closely with our partners at the Oxford Bus Company and their fleet of electric buses can get you quickly and conveniently to The MGroup Stadium from all across Oxfordshire. CLICK HERE for a route planner and timetables.

FIXTURE CHANGES

FA TROPHY
It's Peterborough Sports at home in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
The Hoops will take on Phil Brown's Peterborough Sports in the competition at The MGroup Stadium on Saturday 15th November (3pm KO).

Last season, we equalled our best run in the competition as Ross Jenkins' side reached the Quarter-Final stage of the Trophy, before we were beaten on penalties by National League side Woking.

Ticket details for this tie will be announced in due course.

South Shields New Date

There's a new date for Oxford City's postponed away fixture with South Shields.

The Hoops will now travel to the 1st Cloud Arena on Tuesday 18th November with a 7:45pm Kick-Off.

Boxing Day Kick Off Time

Our home game against Merthyr at the MGroup Stadium on Friday 26th December will now kick off at 1pm

Look out for great hospitality offers on the official website

1. Sam Lewis

2. Byron Wilson

3. Jacob Roddy

4. Josh Ashby

6. Darnell Johnson

7 Jack Bearne

9 Isaac Westendorf

10 Zac McEachran

11 DJ Campton-Sturridge

12 Charlie Wiggett

13. Max Treml

14 Josh Parker

15 Tom Scott

16 Alfie Potter

17 Ewan Clark

18 George Burroughs

20 Latrell Humphrey-Ewers

22 Brayden Daniel

24 Josh McConnell

PAST PROGRAMMES

Oxford City Fixtures 25/26

Date

H/A

Opposition

Competition

Score

Att

Sat 9 Aug

AFC Fylde

National North

L 2 -3

821

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Bearne
(Campton-Sturridge 75)

McEachran

Westendorf

(Potter 75)

Parker

Sat 16 Aug

Macclesfield

National North

W 2-1

946

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Bearne

McEachran

(Humphrey-Ewers 71)

Potter

(Westendorf 75)

Parker

Tue 19 Aug

Kidderminster Harriers

National North

D 1-1

2,526

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Bearne

(Campton-Sturridge 90+5)

McEachran

Westendorf

(Potter 75)

Parker

Sat 23 Aug

Spennymoor Town

National North

L 1-2

620

Lewis

Burroughs
(Wilson 76)

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott (Bampoh 90)

Potter

McEachran

Westendorf

Campton-Sturridge (Parker 57)

Mon 25 Aug

Chester

National North

L-1-2

2,137

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy
(Campton-Sturridge 85)

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Humphrey-Ewers (McConnell 78)

Potter

Daniel (Scott 62)

Westendorf

Parker

Sat 30 Aug

Radcliffe

National North

L 1-5

456

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy
(Humphrey-Ewers 84)

Wiggett

Wilson

Ashby

Scott (Daniel 84)

Potter (Campton-Sturridge 78)

McEachran

Westendorf (Lacey 59)

Parker

Tue 2 Sep

Alfreton Town

National North

W 5-0

527

Lewis

Burroughs

Wilson

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Campton-Sturridge (Daniel 72)

McEachran

Westendorf (Humprey-Ewers 76)

Parker

Sat 6 Sep

Buxton

National North

L 2-1

705

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy (Bacon 79)

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Campton-Sturridge (Daniel 69)

McEachran (Humphrey-Ewers 69)

Westendorf

Parker

Sat 11
Sep

Westbury

FA CUP

L 3-2

328

Lewis

Burroughs

Wilson

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott

Campton-Sturridge (Daniel 81)

McEachran

Clark

Parker

Sat 20 Sep

Scarborough Athletic

National North

L 1-0

722

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott (Humphrey-Ewers)

Potter

McEachran (Kauan)

Clark

Parker

Sat 4 Oct

Curzon Ashton

National North

L 1-2

704

Lewis

Burroughs

Wilson (Roddy 46)

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott (Westendorf 78

Campton-Sturridge (Daniel 85)

Humprey-Ewers

Clark

Parker

Sat 11 Oct

Chorley

National North

D 3-3

1,440

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson

Ashby

Scott (2)

Campton-Sturridge (Wilson 88)

Humphrey-Ewers

Clark

Parker (Westendorf 73)

Sat 18 Oct

Southport

National North

L 2-1

795

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Johnson (Francis 46)

Ashby

Scott (Campton Sturridge 59)

Bearne
(Kauan 85)

Humphrey-Ewers

Clark

Westendorf
(Parker 46)

Tue 21 Oct

Bedford Town

National North

L 1-0

901

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy

Wiggett

Francis

Ashby

Scott

Bearne

Humphrey-Ewers (McConnell 62)

Clark
(Maragh 90)

Parker

Sat 25 Oct

Leamington

National North

D 1-1

702

Lewis

Burroughs (Potter 70)

Roddy

Wiggett

Francis

Ashby

Scott (Daniel 70)

Maragh

Humphrey-Ewers

Clark

Parker

Sat 1 Nov

Bedford

National North

L 2-1

523

Lewis

Burroughs

Roddy (Westendorf 79)

Wiggett

Francis

Ashby

Scott (Potter 79)

Maragh (Bearne 74)

Humphrey-Ewers

Clark

Parker

Tue 4 Nov

Hereford

National North

7.45pm

Sat 8 Nov

Worksop Town

National North

3pm

Sat 15 Nov

Peterborough Sports

FA TROPHY

3pm

Tue 18 Nov

South Shields

National North

7.45pm

Sat 22 Nov

Marine

National North

3pm

Tue 25 Nov

AFC Telford United

National North

7.45pm

Sat 29 Nov

King's Lynn Town

National North

3pm

Sat 6 Dec

Darlington

National North

3pm

Sat 20 Dec

Spennymoor Town

National North

3pm

Fri 26 Dec

Merthyr Town

National North

1pm

Tue 30 Dec

Peterborough Sports

National North

7.45pm

Sat 3 Jan

Radcliffe

National North

3pm

Sat 10 Jan

Buxton

National North

3pm

Sat 17 Jan

Macclesfield

National North

3pm

Sat 24 Jan

AFC Fylde

National North

3pm

Tue 27 Jan

Hereford

National North

7.45pm

Sat 31 Jan

South Shields

National North

3pm

Sat 7 Feb

Leamington

National North

3pm

Tue 10 Feb

Bedford Town

National North

7.45pm

Sat 14 Feb

Worksop Town

National North

3pm

Sat 21 Feb

Marine

National North

3pm

Tue 24 Feb

AFC Telford United

National North

7.45pm

Sat 28 Feb

King's Lynn Town

National North

3pm

Sat 7 Mar

Scarborough Athletic

National North

3pm

Tue 10 Mar

Curzon Ashton

National North

7.45pm

Sat 14 Mar

Southport

National North

3pm

Sat 21 Mar

Chorley

National North

3pm

Sat 28 Mar

Kidderminster Harriers

National North

3pm

Fri 3 Apr

Merthyr Town

National North

3pm

Mon 6 Apr

Peterborough Sports

National North

3pm

Sat 11 Apr

Alfreton Town

National North

3pm

Sat 18 Apr

Chester

National North

3pm

Sat 25 Apr

Darlington

National North

3pm

LINE UPS

OXFORD CITY
1. Sam Lewis
2. Byron Wilson
3. Jacob Roddy
4. Josh Ashby
5. Chris Francis
6. Darnell Johnson
7. Jack Bearne
9. Isaac Westendorf
10. Zac McEachran
11. DJ Campton-Sturridge
12. Charlie Wiggett
13. Max Treml
14. Josh Parker
15. Tom Scott
16. Alfie Potter
17. Ewan Clark
18. George Burroughs
20. Latrell Humphrey-Ewers
22. Geneiro Maragh
23. Brayden Daniel
24. Josh McConnell
25. Kauan Bitencourt de Oliveira

Referee: Jason Porter
Assistant Referees: Richard Cutts
Mudiwa Manyanhe
Fourth Official: Chad Greatorex

Follow the action on the App

HEREFORD
1.Theo Richardson
2.Aaron Skinner
3.Lewis Hudson
4.Gus Mafuta
5.Matt Preston
6.Lawson D’Ath
7.Sam Osborne
8.Matt Richards
9.Remaye Campbell
10.Andy Williams
11.Eno Nto
14.Keenan Quansah
15.Mitch Roberts
17.Adam Rooney
18.Omari Sterling-James
19.Madou Cisse
21. Ollie Lewis
22. Michael Parker
23. Preston Bitemo
27. I-Lani Edwards
28. Kyle Howkins