Behind The Badge

With the third international break of the season upon us we spoke to Dave Pritchard, formerly the Oxford Mail's chief football writer.In his eight-and-a-half years at the Mail, Dave saw United mature from a mid-table League Two team under Chris Wilder to promotion winners under Michael Appleton and League One play-off chasers under Karl Robinson.In that time he followed the rise of a certain Des Buckingham, who this week celebrates a fairy-tale first year in charge of United. Dave also shares his memories of the late George Baldock, a player he got to know while covering the club and one who left his mark on every United fan during his two loan spells here.Last but not least, there is the usual chat about life in the Championship as United gear up for a busy winter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've reached another international break, which means it's time for another episode of Behind The Badge - and this time we're joined by the BBC's Chief Football Writer, Phil McNulty.Although a northerner by birth, Phil has lived in Oxford for almost a quarter of a century. He spoke at great length about watching United with his family and friends, working for the BBC and his growing passion for the club in a place he now calls home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four games in, six points on the board, and Oxford United have transitioned rather seamlessly (so far) into a Championship club. As we hit the first international break of the season, Dan and James caught up with the Oxford Mail's Liam Rice to discuss United's start to the campaign.We also reflect on transfer deadline day, the announcement of United's 25-man squad and look ahead to the next five games before the break for October's internationals. We hope you enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the new season, Dan and James are joined by the Oxford Mail's Chief Sports Writer Liam Rice to discuss the excitement ahead of United's first season back in the second tier of English football for a quarter of a century.We discuss new players, potential line ups, where the U's still need to strengthen and make (bold) predictions as to how United will fare! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only the most optimistic Oxford United fans would have predicted that we'd be talking about promotion-winning bonus edition podcasts just a couple of months ago, but here we are.With great joy, pride and emotion, Dan and James look back on the unbelievable last couple of months of the season, taking you through their journey and the one that saw Des Buckingham's side win promotion to the second tier of English football after an absence of 25 years.What an end to an incredible season! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan and James bring the curtain down on a brilliant fourth series of Behind The Badge. We look back at some of the best bits from the past eight weeks and talk about the here and now at Oxford United.Our thanks to everyone who listens to our podcasts and engages on social media. We'd like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2024! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the last time in Series 4, Behind The Badge is out and about - and this time Dan and James had the pleasure of meeting the former United goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.'Brownie' was on top form and gave up more than an hour and a half of his time to look back fondly on his time with the U's. He also had some fascinating insight into his career before joining United. Our particular favourite was his time in South Africa!We asked Wayne about his United exit, which he answered with unbelievable honesty.We know that we say this every week, but this really is an episode that you won't want to miss! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The penultimate guest of Series 4 of Behind The Badge is the former Oxford Mail photographer Dave Fleming.An Oxford lad, who grew up just around the corner from the Manor Ground, Dave is a lifelong United fan and landed what some would say is the dream job as a photographer capturing images of famous matches both home and away.Please check our social media platforms for the photos that we discuss with Dave, from fabulous derby wins and promotions to desperate times in the Conference.Find out the stories behind the stories and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Behind The Badge speaks to a player that didn't spend long at United but will forever be remembered as part of the side that completed the double over Swindon in the 2011/12.Oli Johnson scored the second goal in a nail-biting 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium, as the U's played 80 minutes with 10 men after James Constable's early red card.Oli tells us of his sharp rise into professional football and his equally rapid decline back into non-league, which began when he was told he would be leaving United. His insight into the dressing room at a time when Chris Wilder's team had just missed out on a play-off spot is interesting...to say the least! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Behind The Badge we had the pleasure of speaking to the former Oxford United manager Brian Horton.'Nobby' is one of the most experienced men to ever grace the game with over 2,000 matches in professional football as a player, manager and assistant manager.He kept United in Division Two (now the Championship) against all the odds during a turbulent time off the pitch, but on it the U's were bringing through fantastic young players and selling on the likes of Paul Simpson, Mark Stein and Andy Melville for huge profits.Brian’s relationship with Kevin Maxwell is well documented throughout and he recalls the day he was famously asked to succeed his good friend Mark Lawrenson as manager.We also hear about numerous other interesting parts of Brian's long career in football. It's a fascinating listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Badge is back with a special episode discussing the recent departure of Oxford United Head Coach Liam Manning to Championship side Bristol City.We're joined by the Oxford Mail's Liam Rice to discuss Manning's time at United, how events unfolded and what happens next. Who could fill the role and be United's third permanent manager of 2023? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Badge speaks to a man who helped launch the United careers of the likes of Joey Beauchamp, Chris Allen, Jamie Brooks, Paul Powell, Dean Whitehead, Chris Hackett.....the list goes on!Malcolm Elias has worked in football for almost 40 years, starting as youth development officer at the Manor Ground in the 1980s. He's still going strong at Fulham in 2023, via spells at Swansea City, Southampton and Liverpool.Malcolm had plenty of fantastic stories to tell, including how he started the Centre of Excellence at United before going on to help discover the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott at Southampton and begging Liverpool to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a chance - despite his strong roots on the blue half of Merseyside.A fascinating listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan and James start Series 4 on the road with a trip to meet former United No.1 Ryan Clarke.'Clarkey' joined in 2009, made well over 250 appearances for the club and will forever be remembered for being part of the team that won promotion back to the Football League at Wembley.Behind The Badge hears how the 'keeper played through the pain barrier, fought back from injury to win player of the year under Michael Appleton - only for the club to then let him go - and how he forged a lasting bond with fellow members of the goalkeepers' union, Alan Hodgkinson and Wayne Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Badge is back for Series 4 and, as always, we kick-off with a preview of what you can expect this time around.Dan and James discuss a positive few months for United - on and off the pitch - and also reveal our guests for this series. We hope you enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was worth the wait! Stuart Massey played the best football of his career on the hallowed Manor Ground turf. As an Oxford United fans' favourite of the mid 90s, he loved every minute of it.Sometimes you listen to a podcast and hang off every last word that the guest has to say....this is one of them. Get in there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Burt reports on the very best that football has to offer in his job as The Telegraph's Chief Football Correspondent.Now settled with his family in Oxford, he is very much an Oxford United supporter and loves it when the chance arises to report on the U's - or watch them as a fan when he's not working.With interesting views on the new stadium proposal, especially when you consider he's a North Oxford resident, Jason offered an intriguing insight into the club that he's now adopted as his own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in the summer of 2011, Oxford United announced the signing of a former Premier League defender. Not only that, this man had played in Champions League semi-finals and had the look of someone that could tell a good story.Sure enough, Michael Duberry didn't disappoint! Unfortunately for 'Dubes', his spell at United ended following a career-threatening neck injury. We speak to him about that, his interesting first impressions of the club and, of course, doing the double over that lot up the road. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next up on Behind The Badge is a man whose voice is forever etched in supporters' memories for his clever and witty reports as Oxford United went from the top of English football to the bottom, with further ups and downs along the way.Tim Russon was the Central News South sports editor for more than 30 years, covering United as they won the Milk Cup and gained promotion to Division One. He was even offered a senior role at the club by Firoz Kassam! Listen in on some great stories, and some embarrassing fanboy chat! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last man to lead Oxford United to promotion is the next guest on Behind The Badge.Little was known of Darryl Eales before he headed up the takeover from Ian Lenagan. Buried in the same press release was the news that Michael Appleton was United's next manager.What followed was a season of consolidation before promotion to League One and a number of glorious cup matches.It wasn't all plain sailing though, and we find out more about his reasons for leaving the club when he did. A must listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Basham played for United for five years, signing in 2002 under Ian Atkins before leaving at the end of the first season in non-league football in 2007.'Bash' was top scorer on three occasions in his time at the club as the U's twice came close to reaching the League Two play-offs before suffering a heart-breaking relegation in 2006.He relives the ups and downs of his United career and reveals how the players coped with particular restraints under the ownership of Firoz Kassam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.