Behind The Badge

Four games in, six points on the board, and Oxford United have transitioned rather seamlessly (so far) into a Championship club. As we hit the first international break of the season, Dan and James caught up with the Oxford Mail's Liam Rice to discuss United's start to the campaign.

We also reflect on transfer deadline day, the announcement of United's 25-man squad and look ahead to the next five games before the break for October's internationals. We hope you enjoy!

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On the eve of the new season, Dan and James are joined by the Oxford Mail's Chief Sports Writer Liam Rice to discuss the excitement ahead of United's first season back in the second tier of English football for a quarter of a century.

We discuss new players, potential line ups, where the U's still need to strengthen and make (bold) predictions as to how United will fare!

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Only the most optimistic Oxford United fans would have predicted that we'd be talking about promotion-winning bonus edition podcasts just a couple of months ago, but here we are.

With great joy, pride and emotion, Dan and James look back on the unbelievable last couple of months of the season, taking you through their journey and the one that saw Des Buckingham's side win promotion to the second tier of English football after an absence of 25 years.

What an end to an incredible season!

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Dan and James bring the curtain down on a brilliant fourth series of Behind The Badge. We look back at some of the best bits from the past eight weeks and talk about the here and now at Oxford United.

Our thanks to everyone who listens to our podcasts and engages on social media. We'd like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2024!

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For the last time in Series 4, Behind The Badge is out and about - and this time Dan and James had the pleasure of meeting the former United goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.

'Brownie' was on top form and gave up more than an hour and a half of his time to look back fondly on his time with the U's. He also had some fascinating insight into his career before joining United. Our particular favourite was his time in South Africa!

We asked Wayne about his United exit, which he answered with unbelievable honesty.

We know that we say this every week, but this really is an episode that you won't want to miss!

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The penultimate guest of Series 4 of Behind The Badge is the former Oxford Mail photographer Dave Fleming.

An Oxford lad, who grew up just around the corner from the Manor Ground, Dave is a lifelong United fan and landed what some would say is the dream job as a photographer capturing images of famous matches both home and away.

Please check our social media platforms for the photos that we discuss with Dave, from fabulous derby wins and promotions to desperate times in the Conference.

Find out the stories behind the stories and more!

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This week, Behind The Badge speaks to a player that didn't spend long at United but will forever be remembered as part of the side that completed the double over Swindon in the 2011/12.

Oli Johnson scored the second goal in a nail-biting 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium, as the U's played 80 minutes with 10 men after James Constable's early red card.

Oli tells us of his sharp rise into professional football and his equally rapid decline back into non-league, which began when he was told he would be leaving United. His insight into the dressing room at a time when Chris Wilder's team had just missed out on a play-off spot is interesting...to say the least!

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On this edition of Behind The Badge we had the pleasure of speaking to the former Oxford United manager Brian Horton.

'Nobby' is one of the most experienced men to ever grace the game with over 2,000 matches in professional football as a player, manager and assistant manager.

He kept United in Division Two (now the Championship) against all the odds during a turbulent time off the pitch, but on it the U's were bringing through fantastic young players and selling on the likes of Paul Simpson, Mark Stein and Andy Melville for huge profits.

Brian’s relationship with Kevin Maxwell is well documented throughout and he recalls the day he was famously asked to succeed his good friend Mark Lawrenson as manager.

We also hear about numerous other interesting parts of Brian's long career in football. It's a fascinating listen!

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Behind The Badge is back with a special episode discussing the recent departure of Oxford United Head Coach Liam Manning to Championship side Bristol City.

We're joined by the Oxford Mail's Liam Rice to discuss Manning's time at United, how events unfolded and what happens next. Who could fill the role and be United's third permanent manager of 2023?

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Behind The Badge speaks to a man who helped launch the United careers of the likes of Joey Beauchamp, Chris Allen, Jamie Brooks, Paul Powell, Dean Whitehead, Chris Hackett.....the list goes on!

Malcolm Elias has worked in football for almost 40 years, starting as youth development officer at the Manor Ground in the 1980s. He's still going strong at Fulham in 2023, via spells at Swansea City, Southampton and Liverpool.

Malcolm had plenty of fantastic stories to tell, including how he started the Centre of Excellence at United before going on to help discover the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott at Southampton and begging Liverpool to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a chance - despite his strong roots on the blue half of Merseyside.

A fascinating listen!

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