To mark Oxford United’s 125th season, we are looking back at what made the news this week in three of the club's promotion-winning campaigns.

1964

OXFORD United directors were due to meet to discuss the cancellation by the Oxfordshire FA and the Berks & Bucks FA of a propsed friendly match at Grendon Prison, Aylesbury.

Mr SW Jacobs, secretary of the OFA, said the match was called off because the clubs had not complied with FA rules governing such matches before the start of the season.

Mr Ken McCluskey, the Oxford United secretary said: “It was nearly 8.30pm on Saturday when I received a call from Mr Jacobs telling me our game could not take place.

“I told him we did not think permission had been necessary for the fixture on a private ground inside the prison.”

United also had to call off a game for juniors on the Magdalen College ground because nine of the invited triallists failed to turn up.

“What can you do when youngsters don’t even let you know they’re not going to turn up,” complained manager Arthur Turner.

“It just shows how much interest they have in the game – and these were players recommended to us.”

1984

BILLY Hamilton was set to join Oxford United in an exchange plus cash deal.

The Northern Ireland and Burnley striker held talks with manager Jim Smith and agreed personal terms.

United’s Neil Whatmore spent the day with Burnley manager John Bond ahead of his move in the opposite direction of the deal.

The fee was £80,000 plus Whatmore, who was rated at around £15,000.

Smith said: “I’ve gone for Hamilton because he is a proven goalscorer with a great deal of experience.

“He is possibly the best striker outside the First Division.”

1995

OXFORD United Denis Smith urged fans to have a bet on his side’s chances for the season.

“I reckon the bookies’ odds of 16-1 for Oxford to win the title is a good bet. I’m not a betting man, but I think that’s worth having a few bob on.”

Smith was speaking at a shareholders’ meeting where new owner Robin Herd said United wanted to have a substantial stake in the new stadium they are moving to at Minchery Farm.

Herd said the stadium would almost certainly be a separate company to Oxford United.

He stressed: “I want to see Oxford United owning a substantial part of the stadium.

“Huddersfield Town own 40 per cent of the Kirklees Stadium, I would like it to be much more than that, maybe up to 80 per cent.”