Please Visit This Link
From Left to right, Marc( Nappy's Nephew), Myself,
Russ(at back), Gill (Nappy's Sister in Front), Michelle and Sarah, all
outside Rosie O'grady's, 19-05-01.
17-05-01
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News Page
United
We Stand's Memorial to our Good Friend "Nappy"
Please sign my messageboard
with messages of Condolences
for His family and I will pass them
on, Thank you.
See Oxford's stats on Soccer base
Thursday May 31st
As stated below I had
some pictures of the New Stadium at Minchery Farm taken by Georgia Gill
in the Flying Fox,
Click Here to
view all 16 Pictures, A very big thank you to Georgia and the Flying Fox
for taking the Pictures,
Our new stadium looks even more marvelous from the sky's as it does on
the ground,
----------------------------------------------
First of all I would like to wish a very happy birthday today to my Wife
Pauline and my brother Grayson,
Pauline is 30 today and Grayson is 32 today, hope you both have a great
day.
----------------------------------------------
Hopefully later today I should have some really special pictures of the
new stadium for you to see,
courtesy of FOX FM's Georgia Gill and the Flying Fox.
--------------------------------------------
Click here to see a list of Players in the 3rd Division being released
by there clubs.
---------------------------------------------
Mark Wright has expressed how impressed He is with Paul Powell coming in
during the summer break to catch up on his fitness, He has also
impressed with his pace and sharpness on the ball and should be a force
in Division 3 if he can steer clear of injury.
He has also said that Joey Beauchamp impressed too, giving us the
inkling that he will be playing them both together as Wingers, something
Kemp never did.
Wednesday May 30th
Went to the new stadium
yesterday, the results were very impressive, Seats in the East stand
clearly visible, the mainstand cladding is nearly finished-just the bit
either side of the Quadrangle to be fitted up now, there loads of people
working on site and I'm optimistic that it will be finished in time for
the new season, all looks to be going well.
To see Pictures of the stadium click here-there
are 26 pictures.
--------------------------------------------------
So Mark Wright has had his meetings with the Chairman and is ready to
buy some new players, ok-like every other season-we will believe it when
we see it.
Tuesday
May 29th
Welcome Back
Pictures have been added to the Manor Ground section
of this site, all pictures were taken on the last day at the Manor, some
in the morning and some just before and during the game, some of friends
and family too.
I have loads more from that day but have uploaded 32 pictures of the
days events.
-----------------------------------------------
No news on the playing side of the club is quiet at this early stage of
pre-season, Most of the U's players are still on Holiday-so are
unavailable for contract talks.
News on the new stadium is exciting, The seats are actually going in,
will be going up there later to take some pictures, haven't been able to
upload the Pictures that I took last week, BT have been having trouble
with there free service and have been unable to sign in, after 4 days of
trouble I finally get another number to use-so hopefully this will be
all systems go.
This site is looking for new idea's so that it can improve the service
and information for the future, Please email the site with your requests
and idea's for the site, If anyone would like to write match reports
next season (Comical if you wish), or anyone would like there own page
on my site just like the Late Great Nappy has-then please let me know.
------------------------------------------------
Not long now before the release of the new History book name"Oxford
United-The Headington years",
For each book, please send a
cheque for £12.50 to Andy Howland, 10, Redshots Close, Marlow, Bucks
SL7 3LW.
Please enclose your address and phone number. Cheques are to made
payable to "Andy Howland".
This book will be a Great read full of all the great Memories and times
we had at the Manor,
Seems very strange already-talking about it in a past tense, but we have
to move on.
Wednesday
May 24th
So the same old story, the Oxford
Manager has again been told to go for Free transfers or Bosman's for
next season, OK we don't want Millions to spend on players, just enough
to get some decent players to get us out of Division 3 at the first
attempt, Admittedly most of the money available will go for
players wages, Is he hoping to sign some big names and fork out for high
wages or just get in nobody's and pay them pittance and hope they do the
job.?
----------------------------------------
Oxford are believed to be interested in Midfielder Danny Williams who
was released by Wrexham at the end of the season, Williams 21 has been
capped approx 10 times for Wales under 21's, He is a strong, battling
Midfielder, we will need one of those in the 3rd next season.
---------------------------------------
Oxford have received some more of the T-shirts commemorating the last
league game at the Manor Ground, you will have to get in there quick to
avoid missing out again, Give them a call and get one put by, they are
not open on Saturdays until mid June now, but still open Mon-Fri.
----------------------------------------
Oxford are waiting to hear
from Matt Murphy who is on holiday, he is out of contract and is
reported to be having talks with another club, Good luck to them.
As printed on the forum, ( Some girl made a pass at Murphy- He is
currently still trying to find it)...:-)
----------------------------------------
Parking at the new stadium will be restricted to just parking in the
stadium carparks after the council meeting today to protect the
residence of the surrounding estates, No parking will be allowed in the
streets around the ground on matchdays.
Tuesday
May 22nd
This site is under going
changes for Next Season, Please bear with it as I am re-designing all
the pages and adding new items, any of the Pictures that were on this
site and are no longer here and you wish to see them again please ask.
If there is anything you would like to see appear on this site please
say so.
------------------------------------------------------
Denis Smith Finally left the club yesterday, Smith who was sacked last
October is surplus to requirements now that Mark Wright is here and will
want to bring in his own staff, Many supporters have always wondered why
he had stayed on at the club after being sacked as Manager, he was in a
roll as Chief scout.
-------------------------------------------------------
Wright himself will be guest of honour at Pride park on Friday when
England take on Mexico in a friendly, Sven Goran Eriksson choses an ex
England international as guest of honour at each England game.
Sunday May 20th
Yesterday Myself and a few
other collectors of the Andrew" Nappy "Knapton memorial fund
spent the day in Oxford with Nappy's Sister and Nephew( Gill and Marc),
Gill wanted me to pass on a letter she wrote to thank you all for your
kind words and donations since the loss of her big brother.
Dear Darrell,
I am writing to all the many Oxford United
fans who attended Nappy's farewell at the Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday
15th May.
My father, My brother David and Myself would like you all to know how
touched and overwhelmed we were to see so many of you there. We knew of
course how often Nappy went to the Manor and how passionate he was about
Oxford United, but what we did not know was how well known, loved and
respected he was by you all.
All my family would like you to know how your love for Andrew was felt
by us all and helped to make what was a bloody awful day so much more
bearable, we felt surrounded by kind thoughts and that was very
comforting.
We were so glad that some of you were able to come and join us
afterwards and I for one would like to thank you personally for making
me feel so...............Drunk!!
I usually only have a glass of wine at Christmas, so I must have had
atleast 10 years supply of Alcohol on Tuesday, luckily I wasn't too bad
on the Morning after.
I really don't know what to say about the memorial fund, that it was
setup at all was something we all appreciated, but that it should have
taken off like it has is beyond belief, we cannot begin to find the
words to express our gratitude to everyone who contributed, it makes me
feel so proud of the big man who was my baby brother and whom I loved
dearly.
I hope you don't mind Darrell that I am using you to convey this message
to everybody, but I am not good with computers and I am only really
comfortable with word processors, its definitely and age thing, I'm
afraid that at times like these the 20 years between myself and Andrew
is all to apparent!!
I hope you will all feel able to keep in touch , I know Dad and I would
be very sorry to lose touch with you completely now.
Thanks again for your kind support,
Love and best wishes, Gill-Nappy's big sister
Friday May 18th
Went up the New Stadium last night and it is looking very good
indeed, The Pitch area is looking green and the walls all seem to be
built in the South stand, The stadium is at a stage now where you can't
see anymore progress inside the stands, So only information from site
workers and the club will let us know how things are going.
Will add pictures soon, having Server trouble uploading the pictures.
Thursday May 17th
Firstly I would like to say Thank you to some very special people,
without these people I would never have got through my speech at Nappy's
funeral and they mean a lot too me, Steve, Chris, Rob, Michelle, Russ,
Sarah, Laurence, Graham and Jaggsy were all there and between us all
managed to get through the day somehow, The day was very special even
though we said goodbye to our friend Nappy, For we were there to
celebrate his life and it was very moving.
However we must not forget to keep in touch like Nappy wanted us too, He
wanted us all to meet up regular during the pre-season and we never did,
Now it is too late, So now I think we have to Meet up at least once a
fortnight if not once a week to have a drink in His name in the
Chequers in Town starting this Saturday where his<Nappy's> Sister
can say a big thank you to us for Helping Her and her family through
there sad day too, Because we are all one now, We all lost someone who
was a part of our lives, so we need each other to continue on regardless
in the future, Here's to you guys, Thank you.
We did Nappy proud on Tuesday.
and we were.
-----------------------------------------
Mark Wright signs on all the Youngsters to make sure the club has a good
future.
Wednesday May 16th
Yesterday was a very long day, We said our farewells to Nappy at the
Oxford Crematorium, I read a speech during the service, it was the
hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, The service was a Very
sad but very funny, We heard all about Nappy's life out of football and
he certainly enjoyed life, We met his family who were great, I
personally got on well with them all, especially his dad, sister and
Brother, They were brilliant and got through the day somehow, only they
will know how, there was approximately 140 at the Service, after my
speech they played my recording of Nappy singing in the London road,
everyones eyes lit up when they heard him, afterwards everyone was in
shock at hearing his voice again, Afterwards we went to Bicester to the
Ex-servicemans club for a few hours to tell his family some great
stories of Nappy from his years at the manor,
-------------------------------------------------------
Between the Funeral and going to the wake yesterday we had a meeting
with Mick Brown, Gary Hooper and Bill Smith at the Manor, the results
were brilliant,
We saw all the plans for the ground and they
asked us to pass on how good it is looking, We were there to discuss the
Andrew"Nappy"Knapton memorial fund, the club have been very
good, they have done Nappy proud.
We have agreed a plaque in his name, A tree, plus The
"Andrew Knapton Memorial Supporters player of the season
trophy" and maybe an executive box, all in memory of Nappy.
Other news we were told were that we are having TV's in the bar area,
Yes we will be having Alcohol in the bars, there is just under 3000
seats in the east stand and 5000 in the north stand, 1100 is the section
that the away fans will get, that will increase to whatever the other
team brings, if need be the north stand can go to just away fans should
they bring 5000,
The seats are not going to be multi coloured.
We are not having a scoreboard for now, maybe in the future, they said
would you rather have refreshments or a scoreboard.?
There is going to be a memorial garden to remember fans and players who
have passed away which will cost £50 a year to maintain a stone in the
wall(Marble),
There will be a section of the manor ground being dug up and transfered
to the new stadium to be used for the memorial garden, then people who
had there ashes scattered at the Manor can still be remembered at the
New stadium.
There will be NO viewing platform as Firoz Kassam mentioned, the club
said that the first they knew of it was when the Oxford Mail mentioned
it.!
There will be no open day because of the timescale, but they might be
erecting a tower or portacabin that supporters can walk up onto and view
the pitch and the stands.
When Bill Smith asked us what would we like the most in the new
stadium-he said apart from a good football team...we were stuck for
words then because we have never had anything at the manor...Decent
toilets for a start.
There will be no restricted viewing in the new stadium, every seat will
have a perfect view.
if you want an executive box start saving, they will cost you anything
up to £14,000.....!!!
We also spoke to Alan Judge who said that he was over the moon
with the amount we raised on Sunday, He also mentioned that He was
pleased with the amount who went to the game on Sunday, He raised almost
£17,000 for Cancer charity's, That was Superb.
Rosie said that if I gave him a recording of Nappy singing he would play
it over the new tannoy, We are taking the stick tape with us from the
manor tannoy so that we get the same effect he said..:-).
Over all we got great results and news from the club who are really
going to town to look after there supporters, after all without us they
are nothing really.
-------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday May 15th
Today we will gather together to say goodbye to our Great friend
Andrew" NAPPY "Knapton
Rest in peace good friend.
Below is my speech which I will read at Today's Service,
Below that is a Message Michelle has asked me to print for her.
Our Friend Nappy.
Our Friend Nappy was
always full of Love and Joy,
When you first saw him on a matchday he would always greet you with His
usual warmth and respect-
"Hello mate how are you? And then to Me it would be-Hows the
website?",
As most people knew He had a page on my internet website which I
dedicated to Him,
He was so happy about being portrayed as the Hero of the London Road,
People would stop him in the street He said and say things like..
" Hey you are voice of the London Road aren’t you, Give us an O’ooo.?"
He felt so proud-that people recognised him for what He did,
So many people have signed the Guest book on my website and many other
websites most saying the same thing-
"I did not know you, but I could hear you", I will miss
hearing your voice on matchdays, it will never be the same again".
On the rare occasion
that Nappy missed an Oxford match at the Manor-The Stand would fall
Silent, then you would hear the voices in the left side of the London
Road saying "Where’s Nappy"?
Don’t know would be
the reply and everyone would be concerned for his welfare,
For the Knapster to
miss a match at the Manor was as rare as Mike Ford Jumping off
wardrobes, or Gary Briggs not drawing blood from an apponent,
It was always hard to drum up the same atmosphere when he wasn’t
there, The London Road wasn’t complete and we would yearn for a Shush
and a Give us an O’ooo.
Nappy voice would carry all the way to the other side of the ground,
even the far reaches of the Beech Road where the Disabled section and
the Manor Club was.
Now that must have been loud!
The right side of the London Road would always try and mimic Nappy by
singing give us an O, but it would always go flat, then we would turn
around and say " Go on Nappy-Do your stuff", You would have
the usual Shush and then all would go Quiet.
Then he’d proceed to Expel His Love for the Club, Oxford United
Football Club was His Life,
That is why a Group of us have set up a Memorial Fund to continue His
Name and love for the Club at the New Kassam Stadium,
We Walked around the Ground on Sunday shaking our buckets for Nappy’s
Memorial Fund and the result was beyond our wildest dreams, there was So
many generous people in and around the ground that we raised £913.58p ,
Now that is how much Nappy was thought of at the Manor Ground and that
figure will rise and rise in the next few days, We plan to do quite a
number of things with the Money, Planting of a tree in His name outside
of the stand where he would have sat with us, A Plaque in the stand and
maybe even an award in his name, they are just for starters.
He was Loved by
everyone that knew Him, He was good at keeping us entertained when the
Football was worse than watching Crossroads.
But the best thing was-We were all Proud to have been associated with
you.
At that I would like to Quote Rosie’s Words from the Manor at the Last
ever League game, The last time we saw You, just before you shook all
our hands and said one last goodbye at the Manor ground.
"We have Time for one last Song together before we go".
At that I would like to Ask for a shussssh for one last time………………
Over to you Nappy. Do your stuff.
Give us an O’ooo!
Michelle's Message
To Those that knew Him He
needs No introduction
My Very deepest sympathy to this terrific bloke’s Father (I know He
loved you Very much)
and to the rest of His Family and His many many friends inside and
outside of football.
Everytime I and all of His
football friends put on our yellow shirts it will be impossible not to
think of him, anyone who didn’t know him personally at the Manor
certainly knew and will miss his voice.
The 11 years of standing next to Nappy will be a great memory to
cherish and will be hard if not impossible to beat.
I will miss everything about this brilliant man and good friend, from
his silly stories to the comments towards the men on the field, from
our hair raising away trips to S***don to our pub sessions in the
Chequers, from the bear hugs and slobbers to the Male Voice Choir, but
most of all for his friendship and attitude for life.
Nappy-you were always unforgettable and this will never change, to us
all you will always be in the same place as Oxford United-in all our
hearts forever.
Love Always
Michelle
Monday May 14th
£913.58p
That is how much you kind people
who were at the game yesterday at the Manor gave to the
Andrew"Nappy"Knapton Memorial fund, Not only at the Manor, We
collected in all the Local pubs near the ground, The Britannia, The
Standard and the White Horse,We are proud of everyone of you who donated
so much of your money so that we can have a lasting reminder of the
Knapster in the New Kassam stadium, The final total was beyond our
beliefs, Nappy's Family are over the moon with the amount raised in just
4 hrs and 30 minutes before the kick off of the Milk cup reunion, Nappy
showed his feelings on the day during the second half, the
supporters had been singing we are the leftside and rightside song for a
good five minutes when all of a sudden-Bang!, A huge bolt of lightning
came flashing across the Manor ground, That was him signaling us to say
He was watching over us, the rain then belted down and the beech rd
terracing just emptied, Fans running for cover to save a good soaking,
it wasn't long before Dermot Gallagher brought the game to an early end,
the rain being the main reason for that.
It was great to see all the old stars back at the ground for the finale
to the stadium, the highlight of the day for Me was meeting David Langan
in the White Horse, He was so proud to be there, He wasn't well but was
brought to tears when told He would probably get the biggest cheer of
the day should he go on the pitch, He was so happy to be there.
Was also good to see Gary "Rambo" Briggs back on Home
soil, He looked a lot slimmer than in his playing days and could still
move about a bit, winning everything in the air as usual, even taking
lumps out of the opposition.
More will appear here later, With Pictures.
Sunday May 13th
Today is the day, Oxford United vs QPR, Reunion of players from the
past, Time for one last day at the Old Manor ground, Time to say goodbye
to the manor forever, Time to remember and say goodbye to a Good friend.
Gates open at 10am this morning for the 5 a side matches which feature
supporters, The main match kicking off at 2.30pm, Please get there early
and enjoy the proceedings before the big match,I will be there with my
Wang shirt, hat and flag from the sunny day at Wembley in 86.
We will be collecting donations for the
Andrew"Nappy"Knapton memorial fund today, Yesterday We
received a start to the fund-A kind donation of £5 from Andy Bennett
from Carterton, Thank you Andy for getting the ball rolling, Nappy would
have been proud.
Oxford will be without Malcolm Shotton Today, He could not make the game
because He is out of the country in Jersey, Ray Houghton has other
commitments but the other 2 goal scorers Trevor Hebberd and Jeremy
Charles will be there, John Aldridge should make it, Big Billy Hamilton
will be there along with Dave Langan, Dave is very ill with Cancer so I
hope today's attendance is high to raise asmuch money for the Cancer
Charity as Possible, Please everyone give Generously to both collections
today, they are both for a worthy cause.
Friday May 11th
Oxford are reported days away from signing 4 players for next season,
Mark Wright is not messing about after getting rid of 4 players this
week.
There are rumours flying around that Mark Wright has gone back to his
previous club Southport to sign up four of their best players. Club
captain Andy
Gouck and leading scorer Ian
Arnold , with 24-year-old defenders Phil
Bolland and Scott
Guyett also reportedly coming to Oxford too.
-------------------------------------------
Sunday will be a very happy occasion for all at the manor, We will see
loads of players from the past coming back to say farewell to the old
ground, The Milk cup team will start the game and will then be brought
off to save there energy for the final few minutes when they will come
back on to end the game, should be a very special day, There is reported
to be a minutes silence before the game in Remembrance to our good
friend Nappy who sadly passed away last week, We will be walking around
the ground all day on Sunday with Buckets for you to kindly Donate some
money to His memorial fund, Please don't forget to give generously
to Alan Judge's Cancer charity too though, that is why this day has been
arranged, we are just sorry that Nappy is not going to be there as he
was looking forward to the game, please click on the link to Nappy's
memorial page to view what we are hoping to do once we have raised
enough cash.
Thursday May 10th
We are meeting tonight to Iron out some of our idea's for a Memorial
to Andrew"Nappy"Knapton, If anyone has any good idea's on how
they think We can remember Nappy in the new stadium then please Email me
on unitedwestandoufc@yahoo.co.uk
anytime, this mail will go direct to my mobile phone, As soon as we have
a firm list of options then the club can be notified on what we want to
do, The Oxford Mail are hoping to print a special piece on Nappy in the
Sports section of the Mail when they do the special for the Charity
match which is this Sunday, It is good to see the Media taking notice of
the Loss to Football of a Great Supporter, It is now a week since Nappy
was tragically taken from His Family and Friends, We hope that Sunday
will be a day that Everyone in the London Road aswell as all other
area's will give generously to not only Nappy's Memorial Fund but Alan
Judge's Cancer charity aswell, after all the day was setup for the
reunion of the Milk Cup winning team to raise money for the Cancer
Charity.
For most of us though our minds have been taken off of the fact that all
our hero's are coming back to say farewell to the Manor, We are going to
the Manor to say farewell to our Hero, NAPPY.
---------------------------------------------
There is a possibility that after Nappy's Funeral and wake on Tuesday
May 15th that A group of us will return to Oxford and watch the Youth
Cup Final at the Manor, This will be the Last Ever game at the Manor
Ground, If anyone is going to the Funeral and would also like to go to
that game, please inform us and we can form a group on that night in the
Beech Road and Say Farewell to the ground together for one last time.
---------------------------------------------
Mark Wright has told all of the players who have been retained that He
will not take any slackers on the pitch, anyone not pulling there weight
will lose there place in the team, He will be one of the most strict
managers Oxford have had in a long time, Wright has even called the
players back in for training even though the season is over, He wants to
see what the players are like now so that he knows what to expect in the
pre-season and also for players that he will need to bring in to help us
get back into Division 2 next year, Wright and his No2 Ted McMinn are
both experienced defenders, so lets hope that between them they can
block up the holes that have seen the U's leek 100 goals this season.
Wednesday May 9th
Nappy's Funeral/New Manager
Nappy's Family has said today that they would like His Friend who stood
with Him at the Football to wear there Oxford shirts at the Funeral on
Tuesday, I Spoke to Nappy's Dad who said He would be delighted to see
people wearing there shirts on the day, He recalled the last word that
He said before He died, He was watching the TV with His Dad and started
saying Shit-Shit-Shit and then that was it, He didn't suffer to much,
There was a column in the Oxford Mail today with the statement of No
Flowers, Just donations, All moneys will go to His Memorial at the New
Kassam Stadium.
-----------------------------------------------
Oxford this morning Announced Mark
Wright as the successor to Departed Kemp, Wright who made His debut for
Oxford back in December 1980 has signed a 3 year contract and has also
brought his No2 from Southport to Oxford with him, Ted McMinn, they both
played in the same team together when at Derby.
-----------------------------------------------
Reply from Alan Judge about Nappy:-
So sorry to hear of the
sad and untimely death of Andrew Knapton. I'm sure he would
have enjoyed the charity game on 13th May.
Of course there will be
no objections to you arranging for a collection to be made on his
behalf. I hope you are able to raise a generous amount for
whatever purpose you deem fit as a lasting reminder of his support of
Oxford UTD F.C during the good and lets say less successfull periods
in the clubs history.
I would suggest that
maybe you could tie some flowers to the London road fence behind the
goal so that the supporters will be reminded of 'Nappy' during the
game on Sunday. I think this will be an appropriate way to
remember him on what I hope will be a joyous occasion full of happy
memories of times past.
Tuesday May 8th
7th
January 1966-3rd May 2001
Andrews Family have informed
Me that they would like everyone that knew Him to come to the Funeral if
possible, The Funeral will be at the Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday 15th
May at 11.30am, afterwards everyone is welcome to return with them to
the Ex-servicemans club at Bicester,
Also the Family wish is that No flowers be took to the Funeral, They
would rather people make donations to Our Memorial Fund for a lasting
rememberance to His Name at the New Kassam Stadium, His Ashes will be
scattered at the Kassam stadium in August at the First game which He
would have been Proud of, Please pass on this message to others, The
Knapton Family also want to thank everyone for the kind words at this
very sad time.
------------------------------------------------------
Oxford United have announced the name of their/our New stadium, it
will be called the KASSAM stadium, exactly what I told Mr Kassam in my
letter to Him 2 weeks ago, I wrote that the stadium should be called
after Him after all he has done in getting the club in the thing after
all the hassles trying to get somewhere for the last 50 odd years,
Supporters are being asked to nominate names for the executive boxes at
the Kassam stadium, Names of Old players and staff that have been
influential in the history of the club, All Oxford fans think that one
of the boxes should be called the Andrew Knapton Box after Nappy our
great friend who Died last Thursday, other names are Maurice Evans box,
Arthur Turner box, Ron Atkinson box, Ken Fish box, Winnie Crawford box,
The Maxwell box-well perhaps not hehehe-Even the Malcolm Shotton stadium
and the Gary Briggs stadium.
Oxford United could have a new manager as early as next week after Talks
between Firoz Kassam and Mark Wright, they were due to take place this
week and Wright was hoping to take charge of His first league club soon,
Wright made a handful of games for united in the early 80's before
moving to Southampton-Derby and Liverpool, Mike Ford would be ideal
choice for Number 2 with Jim Smith being Director of football-which is
unlikely.
Sunday May 6th
Thursday night Oxford United lost
one of there most Loyal London Road supporters,
Andrew"Nappy"Knapton Died just 2 days after seeing His beloved
Oxford play there last ever league game at the Manor, He shook my hand
when He left and said "If I don't make it to the charity game mate
I will call you about the New Stadium next week, He will be missed by
all that stood in the London road, I would like to send my condolences
to His family, We will be having a collection to get a memorial to Him
at the New Stadium, Even if it is just a brick or a plaque.
Please visit my "Give us an O'ooo" which was
dedicated to Nappy, it will now be changed into a Memorial page.
U's to make Wright move 6 May
Oxford United are poised to make a move for their
former player Mark Wright.
The one-time U's defender resigned from his post as
manager of Southport at the weekend and is believed to have been
targeted for the managerial vacancy at the Manor Ground.
Once an outstanding defender with Southampton, Derby
and Liverpool, the 37-year-old former Sandgrounders boss had become
increasingly despondent with life at Haig Avenue, citing the necessity
for the club to go full-time as a major frustration.
The outspoken Wright began his playing career with
Oxford 20 years ago and is certain to be a popular choice to replace
David Kemp, who was dismissed recently as manager of the recently
relegated club.
----------------------------------------------------
The season came
to a very sad end yesterday for most U's supporters, There was bad news
filtering through that one of Oxford most famous London Roaders had died
on Thursday (more when I know the facts) and the result at Nott's County
with the U's losing 2-1 and finishing with the 100 goals against, but
yesterday's result really meant nothing to us, The County fans spoilt
the day for the loyal band of U's fans by running on the pitch, there
must have been between 50-60 stewards and police lined up in front of us
to stop us getting on the pitch and the players coming to see us, County
fans ran on at the final whistle to the disgust of the U's players who
tried to come over to see there fans-only to be pushed away by stewards,
that angered the U's fans as they threw abuse at the mass line of
illuminous jacketed morons in front of the stand.
Goodbye to Division 2, Roll on next season and Division 3, as much we
hate it.
Friday May 4th
Tomorrow Oxford play there last game in division 2
against Nott's County, let hope that we can go out with another bang
like on Tuesday night, this time with the performance and a win, There
should be plenty of youth in the team as Fordy will be planning for Next
season by playing the younger players who will be here next season, no
point in playing the deadwood that won't be here.
Let's hope we get some good support, we have been well supported on our
travels this season considering the way we have played, lets hope that
the County fans stay off the pitch to allow the U's players to thank
there loyal band of Fans.
Firoz Kassam has bought
the Manor Ground himself as no one has been interested in buying the
ground without planning permission for future use, The club needed the
money to move forwards so he did what was he thought was right for the
club, The Manor was sold for £6 million to Firoka which is one of Mr
Kassam's companies.
Should have a good collection of picture for this site
from Notts County as i'm picking up my new Camera tonight, so watch this
space..........................
Wednesday May 2nd
To view the above pictures save them all to file and view them full
size.
And then it was all over, last night was probably the saddest
day in the life of an Oxford United fan, After years of thinking we were
moving out of our beloved Manor Ground to Finally play the last
game knowing that this time that is it was very sad, No more roars from
the Packed London Road, no more magical night of cup upsets, no more
playing down the 7' slope to which we have come accustomed to, But the
worst thing will be no more standing on the terraces at home games, we
will still be standing at some away games next season but that won't be
the same.
During the game which
ended 1-1, we were bringing memories flooding back by singing the names
of many of our hero's who had played on our hallowed turf, from the
likes of "Moody to Gary Briggs-Rambo", Tears in the eyes when
eventually getting to Martin Aldridge, When his name was sung the whole
manor ground erupted with applause for a great player who was tragically
taken from Football when he was killed in a car crash just like Peter
houseman was 24 years ago, there was also great applause when getting to
Maurice Evans, He was the most successful manager at the manor,
obviously for winning the Milk Cup in 86, but also for his great skill
of picking the best players, he knew when a player was special-Boy do we
miss you Maurice.
There was also the new
song "Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, we're going to
Minch-ery, Que sera sera " which really brought home we were moving
and sounded quite good.
Andy Scott popped up after 82 minutes to finally send the U's fans into
delirium, by that time Firoz Kassam was already standing with the London
Rd fans-albeit from in front of the barriers,
After the game was time to really party, not that we didn't enjoy
the game, We brought back all the memories during the game and then
enjoyed the finale which brought Fireworks and a brilliant speech from
the Chairman, He promised U's fans that he will give us what we want, a
new manager, new kit, new players but most of all a new stadium and a
secure future, He also reverted to taking the Piss out of David Kemp and
Joe Kinnear, Saying that Kemp had to go and Kinnear did well to relegate
2 teams in one season, plus personally thanking the fans for the great
support that we had given the team over the season and the great backing
that we had given him since he has been at the club, that is why he
wanted to publicly state that he was going to reward us, Also saying
that there was a free drink for us all at the Priory( probably not I
think) and also asked the fans to buy there season tickets next season
to help him take the club forward to a new era.
After a long speech firoz then push the control to set off the
Mass amount of Fireworks that took quite a while to setup for safety
reasons, They were well worth the wait, lighting up not just the manor
ground also the headington sky, there was a fitting end to the fireworks
with the Oxford United emblem appearing in the Cuckoo lane fence with
fireworks, Now that was impressive and every U's fan was then close to
tears. Firoz then ran off with a yellow and blue wig on, much to the
delight of Rosie.
The evening was nearly drawing to a close when Rosie said
over the tannoy" We have time for one last sing song", Then
the music started," When you walk through a storm-hold your head up
high" and then the tears came as that is my favourite song and how
fitting it was to be singing that as our last song at the manor, I have
been to Anfield twice this season and it is sung with some voice there,
but last night it was sung with pure heart, Scarves waving all across
the london road stand and people all around the ground singing it, That
was the most emotional night of my life and will remember it until the
day I die, To finish the night of we left the manor and took a slow walk
around the deserted ground, past the Osler Rd, up to the cuckoo lane,
back past the beech Rd and finally back along the London Rd for a final
look of the night, We will be back for the Charity match a week sunday-but
it won't be the same, the era is over, Time for a new beginning.
Tuesday May 1st 2001
So Today marks the End of an
era, Tonight We will see Oxford United play there last ever League game
at the Old Ground, Tonight will be all about celebrating our time at the
Manor, Reflecting back on all the good times and even some of the sad
times of the last 76 years, But none will rate sadder than this, Many
Tears will flow tonight as Supporters will probably take a bit of time
to leave when the farewell party has finished, Many people will stand in
there positions and take one last look at the Beautiful pitch before
finally moving on to the Exit for the last time and saying Goodbye, We
know this isn't quite the end for the ground itself, But for Oxford
United this is it, How fitting that it should be Brian Horton who is the
last visiting manager to visit the Manor, Lets hope we can go out with a
bang, literally.
Please feel free to go to the United We Stand Group chat/Forum and let
us know about your favourite time or times at the Manor.
Picture taken before the Swansea game, The last ever Saturday game at
the Manor.
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