Thursday, 6 February 2025

Are Oxford City 'southern softies'?

‘There is surely one thing we can all agree on: Oxford is in the south,’ writes Matt Slater in The Athletic.

Yet last season, Oxford City were relegated from the National League (English football’s fifth tier) into the National League North, alongside Brackley Town and Needham Market, two other places on nobody’s list of northern football towns.

“It is weird for a lot of people when they hear we’re in the National League North,” says Mark Neal, the Oxford City supporter behind the Headington Hoop fansite and a committed groundhopper, before pointing out that this is not Oxford City’s first north/south rodeo.

“When we were promoted from the Southern League Premier in 2012 we had to head to the Conference North (the precursor to the National League North) for a few seasons as there were loads of southern teams already at step two.

“I appreciate that there’s a line drawn every season by relegations and promotions, and it’s generally around the Oxfordshire area, but opposition fans do joke about us being ‘soft southern bastards’. And having clubs from South Shields to Oxford City in the same regionalised league is a bit strange.”

Neal and his fellow Oxford City fans have their cost-benefit analysis to make.

"I haven't missed an Oxford City match since 2016 — it's coming up to 500 games now. It's very addictive. Most of our fans were unhappy when we were put in National League North again but, from a purely selfish point of view, I was delighted as it meant new grounds to visit. We had been in the National League South for eight years before our promotion in 2023.

"But being in the North is definitely harder for our club, as we will have one of the lower budgets in the division anyway, and the travel and hotel costs don't help."

But let us finish where we started. With vibes. Are northern clubs different to southern ones?  "Chalk and cheese," says Neal. "The northern clubs are much better supported and they are also much friendlier. This season, we have really enjoyed being in the clubhouses at all these grounds."   [Hopefully Leamington earlier in the season despite the resuky].

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Brakes seen as one of three title contenders in 1975

In January 1975 Brakes faced ‘a tough task at Alvechurch in the quarter finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.  The Leamington club have a proud record in the county’s senior cup competition and are again determined to make the final.  But Alvechurch, great cup fighters and current leaders of the West Midlands League, are a match for most non-league sides in the Midlands.’

 In the event Brakes scored ‘a fine win.  In a superb first half performance, AP banged home two goals in the space of five minutes to send the amateur side reeling.   A Roger Brown header in the 22nd minute from a Micky Boot free kick put AP one ahead and Adrian Stewart hit home a beautiful 25 yarder five minutes later to stamp the visitors’ authority on the game.’   Alvechurch did get one back in the 47th minute, but ‘Brakes held out with Jones making a couple of fine saves to thwart the home attack.’

In the league ‘the onus is still on Brakes to keep banking the points.  And manager Jimmy Knox – completely happy at his side’s gritty performance in overcoming West Midlands League pacesetters Alvechurch to progress into the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup – selects the same side for tomorrow’s encounter against Kidderminster. 

“The team that was good enough against Alvechurch will be good enough against Kidderminster,” said a determined Knox.  Once again it is unlikely that he will decide risking striker Ivor Talbot – who is still suffering the after effects of the gashed ankle he received at Enderby on New Year’s Day.  

Despite the defeat of league leaders Bedford by contenders Worcester, Kmox still rates them along with Cheltenham – and of course AP – as real promotion contenders.  “I told the committee a couple of weeks ago that at the end of the day it would be between Bedford, Cheltenham and ourselves.”  

Surprisingly Knox doesn’t believe that Worcester – whom many Windmill fans reckon to be the best outfit they have seen all season – have enough consistency about their game to really push for the top.  “If any side can get any degree of consistency they’ve got to have a shout when it matters.  It took us 12 games to inject some consistency into our play, but now the players are completely confident.   We know we have to win tomorrow at Kidderminster.  And we have to keep winning, especially when we meet Cheltenham at home a week on Tuesday,” said Knox. 

Already Knox is thinking ahead – and evidence of that was provided when he told me: “If I feel we’re in with a shout in the last nine or ten games, then I will approach the powers that be to see about a player just in case of injuries.   I don’t think that would be the time to start blooding youth team players, although John Woodhouse served us well not so long ago.  I can’t get an experienced player because the club can’t afford it.  But if we get a spate of injuries then another man would be handy

‘Playing in a tricky wind, Brakes won 1-0 at Aggborough, their goal coming in the 44th minute after slack defending enabled ‘Mick Keeley to run in and ram the ball firmly into the net.’   Kidderminster keeper Keith Ball prevented Roger Brown scoring in the closing stages with a fine save.

Saturday, 18 January 2025

Journos see weaknesses as Brakes make good start to 1975

Brakes made an impressive start to 1975 building on success in the festive season, although doubts continued to be expressed by reporter Roger Draper.  Bedworth United were beaten 3-1 on Boxing Day and this ‘win at the Windmill did Brakes’ league position a power of good, but despite the profit of two more, very valuable points, the way in which it was achieved was far from impressive.’ 

Roger Brown put the home side ahead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes but seconds later an effort from Stewart hit the post.   ‘The home side then entered a sticky phase, and almost allowed their punchless visitors to grab the equaliser.    Dave Garrett had to work hard to make the save.   After shooting straight at the keeper, Bobby Horne made amends in the second half by chipping the ball over him to make it 2-0.   

‘With Leamington again hitting a barren pitch, ex Coventry City and World Cup star Gerry Baker put Bedworth back in the hunt with a well-executed goal 13 minutes from time.’   However, seconds later Stewart made it 3-1 for the Brakes, taking advantage of a neatly headed pass from Lee.

Brakes then faced Stevenage at home.  ‘Two goals down within a mere 13 minutes, Brakes staged a superb recovery to storm to their most impressive win of the term at the Windmill on Saturday.  High-riding Stevenage boasted one of the best records in the league – just 19 defeats in two outings – and indeed shook AP to their roots in the opening spell with some fine soccer in near gale-force conditions.’ 

 The visitors took advantage of the ‘hopelessly exposed home rearguard’ to go 2-0 ahead ‘and things were beginning to look very black for AP.  But Brakes then began to pull themselves together and 12 minutes from the interval managed to reduce the deficit.  A superb right-wing cross from Ivor Talbot found centre forward Adrian Stewart, who smacked a first time attempt into the back of the net. 

Eight minutes into the second period Stewart struck again to put AP back on level terms, and just on the hour Brakes forged ahead with Keeley tapping home a fine Dennis Taylor centre.  The closing phases were then furiously contested as the visitors battled to salvage the result, but with Brown, Taylor and Griffiths superb at the back, and Adrian Stewart having the game of his life, Brakes hung on deservedly to take the points.’

Brakes then went on to beat Wellingborough 1-0 with a ninth minute goal from Stewart to extend their unbeaten run into double figures.  ‘Brakes ruthlessl y laid bare Wellingborough’s defensive limitations – and then conspired to fritter away a bunch of chances with slip-shod, almost farcical finishing. 

And although manager Jimmy Knox was pleased with the result, he must be dismayed by the reckless finishing that allowed Boro’ to stay in the hunt after being given a right Royal run around.   This finishing slackness must place a large question against AP’s right to demand a promotion interest.  But they again underlined their claims with a sound defensive action dominated by powerful Doug Griffiths.   And with Mickey Boot putting in a tremendous 90 minutes, effectively backed by Steve Lee and Bobby Horne, they had a classical dominance in midfield that promises to breathe late life into AP’s challenge for honours.’

Monday, 13 January 2025

The car parking dilemma

There are good arguments on either side about charging for car parking, but I do think it should not have been introduced mid-season at very short notice.  It would have been better to consult the fans on a number of alternatives and then introduce the agreed one in August.

The free bus from 'town' is actually from the station which means that I would have to pay to park there to use it (my mobility is a bit limited but not really Blue Badge).   It also doesn't help the fans who come in from surrounding villages such as Harbury.

I take the point about damage to the training pitch and in the longer run a bus may help with attendances (I am assuming it can't run down The Parade for logistical reasons).

The board may well be right on the substantive issue, but I think that the process could have been handled better .

Saturday, 4 January 2025

Battle of the Spas off

A frozen pitch has led to the cancellation of today's game against Buxton, so let's go back to a sunny August 2000 when the revival of the Brakes was under way: