To mark Oxford United’s 125th season, we are looking back at what made the news this week in three of the club's promotion-winning campaigns

1965

OXFORD United lost both heart and form at Chesterfield when they went down 2-1 to decidedly undistinguished opposition in awkward conditions.

It was not a case of missed chances, the U’s just played badly.

Not since the defeat at Darlington the previous October had Arthur Turner’s side looked so devoid of ideas and as likely to lose.

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United, who were 2-0 down before Graham Atkinson struck 12 minutes from time, stayed in fifth position, but the defeat gave them less margin for error.

1985

OXFORD United fans were urged to act quickly to buy tickets for their big home clash with Birmingham City.

In the build-up to the game United had more than 3,000 unsold for the all-ticket clash at the Manor.

“I just can’t understand it,” secretary Jim Hunt said.

“Hopefully there might be a surge for tickets before the game.”

A crowd of 11,584 watched the meeting of the Division 2 promotion rivals, which Birmingham won 3-0.

1996

A ROW broke out over whether a referee should be allowed to take charge of a game involving a club for whom he used to play after Oxford United’s 2-0 win over Bradford City.

Referee Steve Baines, who was the only ex-professional on the Football League list, was a centre half for the Bantams in three seasons from 1978.

It was the first time he had refereed his old club, but far from appearing to favour them, the Yorkshire club complained he went overboard the other way.

“He used to play for Bradford and he gave every decision against us, just to show there was no bias,” said furious City manager Chris Kamara.

“The second goal was a disgrace, the player was yards offside.”

Paul Moody and Martin Aldridge were on target for the U’s.