Oxford United’s supporters are returning home from the club’s pre-season training camp today after making a large contribution to a memorable few days in Austria.

An estimated 200 made the journey to watch Tuesday’s goalless draw with SC Wiener Neustadt, with around 50 attending an open training session and barbecue the following day.

Many had a tale to tell, but few could match Lewis Stratford, who made the 2,000-mile round trip from Oxford on his own by coach.

The 23-year-old from Blackbird Leys left Oxford at 4.30am on Monday, arriving in Vienna more than 24 hours later after becoming a Twitter sensation en route.

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“I don’t like flying, so when I heard about this pre-season trip I wanted to go and I booked straight on the coach,” he said.

“The first 12 hours dragged and the next 12 dragged even more.

“My phone was going mad with all the messages, it helped me get through it and I’ve been quite taken aback from people talking to me about it since I’ve been here.

“I would like to say I’d never do it again, but I’m doing it again on the way home. It was all worth it, though.”

The highlight for many was being able to socialise with the players after Tuesday’s game.

Joe Nicholls, who has helped organise the trip as part of the Yellow Army, said: “I think that’s achieved the goal of creating that spirit.

“When you have Danny Hylton singing his own song with a load of fans, it’s brilliant. You can’t plan something like that.

“For the 200-plus people here it has been a once in a lifetime thing to watch Oxford United in Europe.

“It has exceeded expectations.”

Jeremy Faulkner, chairman of United’s independent supporters’ trust, said: “I think the pictures of it went everywhere, it’s been on a fan site in Turkey and supporters from other clubs in England have been in touch saying well done.

“I know supporters who couldn’t come wish they had been here, but I think everyone can feel the optimism.

“I’m not sure the club could do much more, all credit to the club for working hard and getting it to feel right. “Maybe it will prove to be a special moment for the club going forward.”

The travelling party were also a hit with their hosts, according to SC Wiener Neustadt manager Gunter Kreissl.

He said: “I think in the whole of Europe that’s not normal.

“Many of the Austrian fans cannot believe so many people are travelling here and making such an atmosphere.”