Soundtrack to a season

We started this website to celebrate the images and feelings entwined with them that stay with us from games; but as much could be said about the songs that become inextricably linked with particular moments for whatever reason. And music is something that can catch us at unexpected moments, evoking a time on a terrace in a land long since lost.

So here's the soundtrack to the season we've just lived. Looking at it now, for someone who knew nothing of those months to stumble on this post, it's a rather motley collection. But if you were there, with us, then you'll know. And when these songs catch you unexpectedly, on the radio, on a television advert, or at a friend's, the hair will stand up on you, or you'll smile and shake your head. And you might catch someone else doing the same: and you'll know.


#1: Saturday 8th August 2009, and before every home game. Begin at the beginning. Not the most stirring or memorable song for an Oxford side to come out to, but given the season it will be linked with, we'll remember it.

#2: Saturday 5th December 2009, Ebbsfleet at home. Turned out we were more 'Livin' on a prayer' than 'half way there'...

#3: 2009/10, Most games, home and away. It was always there, lurking on our terrace, waiting to burst into life. Sometimes hopeful, sometimes chest-out cocky, sometimes defiant (the loudest rendition was at Kenilworth Road after Matt Green scored), and, finally, tearful and disbelieving. We sang it that final time in case those victory celebrations would stop being real if we stopped singing it.

#4: Tuesday 9th February 2010, Luton away/Sunday 16th May 2010 York at Wembley. The counterpoint to a hollow feeling following the final whistle at Kenilworth Road. It would haunt you on the radio, out shopping, in bars, taunting you: remember this?

We stole it back after the final whistle at Wembley.

#5: 7am, Monday 17th May, 2010, kitchens around Oxfordshire. Tears for the first time as Radio Oxford plays a montage of commentary from the play off final, backed by this song.

[All songs/videos taken from youtube. Video #3 of the London Road in full voice after the second leg of our play off semi final against Rushden courtesy of TimOUFCWalker]

Time's arrow

'And I within, who came at the wrong time - either too soon, or after it was all too late.'

- Time's Arrow

'...fuck you and fuck this stupid club…’

*********************************

Dear Mr. Smith,

I’m writing to you to tell you about my son, Luke.

He is currently playing for Stalybridge Celtic in the Conference North, but I truly believe that he has the ability to play at a higher level, having played for Lincoln in the football league and York in the Conference. Luke was a trainee at Sheffield Wednesday, and I’m sure you can talk to some people there who will tell you about him, but if you were to offer him a trial, you’d see a strong central defender who will give his all for Oxford, but also knows how to play a ball.

*********************************

‘…I am so proud. It's great to get the award from the lads, but to receive the supporters’ award as well is fantastic and I'd like to thank them for that. I wasn't in the team at the start of the season but was determined to do everything I could when I got my chance, and that seems to have paid off. I'll be taking the trophies home in the summer to show my family, and they will take pride of place…’

*********************************

Luke is desperate to play for Oxford under you, and should he get a chance to show what he can do, you will be getting a fully-committed professional footballer. All Luke wants to do is be the best footballer he can be, and playing for a manager of your experience would enable him to do this.

*********************************

‘…Fozzie has been disappointing in his attitude, which has affected why he's not involved. Lifestyle is very important for a footballer and he maybe needs to look at changing his…’

*********************************

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Foster

*********************************

‘…He's played for Lincoln and York and I got a letter from his dad - it's probably because he's a Sheffield lad that I took a bit of interest in him. And I spoke to Marvin Robinson, who played with him at Lincoln. He said that he crunches people - so I thought that might do us well in this league!..’

[Image credits: sand adapted from a photograph by Manfred Morgner courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons; Images of Luke Foster courtesy of Steve Daniels/Rage Online, and reproduced here with kind permission]