1985–86 Oxford United F.C. season

During the 1985–86 English football season, Oxford United competed in the Football League First Division, after promotion from the Second Division the previous season. They secured survival with an 18th-place finish, and won the League Cup, the first major trophy win of their history.

Oxford United
1985–86 season
ChairmanRobert Maxwell
ManagerMaurice Evans
StadiumManor Ground
First Division18th
FA CupThird round
League CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague:
John Aldridge (23)

All:
John Aldridge (31)

Season summary

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Despite the departure of manager Jim Smith, who left for Queens Park Rangers after guiding Oxford to two successive promotions, Oxford United narrowly survived their first ever season in English football's top flight. They required a win in their last game of the season to avoid relegation, which they achieved by beating Arsenal 3–0 at the Manor Ground. The club had greater success in the League Cup, reaching the final at Wembley, where they beat Queens Park Rangers 3–0 to win their first ever major trophy. Unfortunately, due to the ban on English teams competing in English competition as a result of the Heysel disaster, Oxford were unable to compete in the UEFA Cup the following season.

Oxford United's kits were manufactured by English company Umbro, who introduced a new home kit for the season. Wang Computers became the new kit sponsors. The home kit featured both navy shorts (for the first time since 1950) and navy socks (for the first time since 1935).

Squad

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ENG Steve Hardwick
GK   ENG Alan Judge
DF   ENG Gary Briggs
DF   ENG Malcolm Shotton
DF   ENG John Trewick
DF   WAL Neil Slatter
DF   SCO Bobby McDonald
DF   IRL Dave Langan
MF   ENG Kevin Brock
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF   ENG Trevor Hebberd
MF   ENG Mark Jones
MF   ENG Les Phillips
MF   ENG Peter Rhoades-Brown
MF   IRL Ray Houghton
FW   ENG Andy Thomas
FW   WAL Jeremy Charles
FW   NIR Billy Hamilton
FW   IRL John Aldridge

Results

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First Division

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17 August 1985 (1985-08-17) West Bromwich Albion 1–1 Oxford United West Bromwich
Varadi   McDonald   Stadium: The Hawthorns
7 September 1985 (1985-09-07) Manchester United 3–0 Oxford United Manchester
15:00 BST Barnes  
Robson  
Whiteside  
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 51,820
11 January 1986 (1986-01-11) Oxford United 1–3 Manchester United Oxford
Leworthy   Gibson  
Hughes  
Whiteside  
Stadium: Manor Ground
Attendance: 13,280