Name: Oxford United
Manager: Michael Appleton
Ground + Capacity: Kassam Stadium – 12,500
Sat Nav Post Code: OX4 4XP
Nearest Train Station: Oxford
Odds: 12/1
Last Meeting: Oxford United 0-1 Millwall – JPT South Final Second Leg – 03/02/16
Club Website: www.oufc.co.uk/
ALONG with Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers, Oxford United complete the trio of clubs automatically promoted to League One from last season.
Oxford had a successful campaign in league and cup competitions in 2015-16 – they finished runners-up in League Two and claimed the scalp of Swansea City in the FA Cup, but perhaps the more joyous cup run came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
After defeating Millwall over two legs in the Southern Section Area Final, the U’s advanced to Wembley Stadium to play Barnsley – the winners of the Northern Section – in the Final.
Unfortunately for Michael Appleton’s men, the game finished in a 3-2 defeat, but such success was a sign of things to come, as they gained promotion on the final day of the League Two campaign, defeating Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium.
At 12/1, the bookies are of the belief that Oxford could be looking at back-to-back promotions.
In Kemar Roofe, the U’s possess a real talent. As Lions fans saw at The Den in the first leg of the JPT South Final, Roofe terrorised the Millwall defence all night and added both goals in a 2-0 victory to a stunning performance.
In addition to that, players such as Liam Sercombe and John Lundstram pull the strings for the League One newcomers in the middle of the park.
Oxford could well be the dark horse of League One in 2016-17.