Football fans catch trams to watch Oxford Boys play in final

The picture above shows the players who set the standard by coming close to winning the cup in the 1907-8 season. They went down 2-1 to Derby in the final at Walsall.

The Oxford Journal newspaper reporter wrote: “There were a good number in the stand and the asphalt banks were well patronised.

Read again: Oxford Boys stole limelight from top football teams

“The 320 Oxford excursionists arrived about 2.15 and those who did not patronise the electric trams, of which there is a poor service, walked the three miles to the ground through one of the dirtiest and most unlovely districts I have ever seen. Ugh!

“Bearing in mind the pressure Derby applied, Oxford were lucky to have escaped with a 2-0 deficit at half-time.

“Brown reduced the deficit and with time approaching, Oxford realised that great effort was required. How heroically, how pluckily they played.”

David Brown, of Jordan Hill, Oxford, found the picture of the team in his collection but sadly, the players’ names were not recorded.

Read more: Oxford Boys brought glory to Oxford

Oxford had to wait until 1966 for their next appearance in the final of the under-15 competition when they lost to East London by an aggregate 5-3 in the two legs.

In 1972, Oxford went down 6-1 to Chelmsford, and there was further disappointment two years later, as we reported last week, when Manchester beat them 4-3.

Stuart Beavon and Fitzie Dyce celebrate the first goal as Oxford head for a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the 1974 semi-final at the Manor Ground

However, the teams won widespread praise for reaching the final, beating teams from more highly populated areas and with a greater number of schools.