Behind The Badge

It has been an interesting first month of the season, with as much on the pitch to talk about as there was off it.Dan and James catch up with the now former Oxford Mail reporter Liam Rice, who recently left the paper for pastures new. We speak to him about the four winless league games, United's dealings in the transfer window and the huge stadium news from Cherwell District Council, before reflecting on Liam's time at the newspaper including his favourite OUFC manager, player and what he's doing next! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the new Football League season, who better to speak to than Oxford United supporter and EFL expert George Elek to get his thoughts ahead of United's second campaign back in the Championship.Lifelong fan George will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his first United match this season and tells us his own tale of being known as 'that Oxford United fan' whilst growing up in London, how his career in podcasting and support for the U's have intertwined and where the club still need to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's hard to believe it now but back in the late autumn of 1998 Oxford United were on the verge of going into oblivion.A fire sale of players including Phil Whitehead and Simon Marsh had been unsuccessful in keeping the wolf from the door and the club looked doomed, with United facing a trip to Watford without an away kit and players and staff going unpaid.Something had to change and thanks to around a dozen ardent supporters the club was saved, bought by a London-based businessman who eventually managed to (nearly) finish off a half-built new stadium....but that would be just half the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know that Oxford United have the best supporters the world has ever seen but few can lay claim to making hundreds of trips to watch their beloved U's from outposts such as the Shetland Islands, the Scottish borders and even the relatively short journey from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Former youth-team player Gary Silver is such a person, and a recognisable face on the terraces ever since he was released by United on the eve of their first season in the top flight back in July 1985.Initially from Didcot, there isn't a corner of the UK that Gary hasn't graced and his stories range from the hillarious to the downright unbelievable.You won't want to miss this - from a glimpse behind the scenes of the heady days of the mid-80s, to a hefty prediction as to how the next Championship season could unfold for the U's..... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fifth full series of Behind The Badge wraps up with a fascinating chat with the former Oxford United striker Peter Foley.Born and raised in Bicester, Foley went on to represent his boyhood club more than 300 times and scored 90 goals in the process. He played in an era when football was changing and that was certainly true at United, as the club went from a Third Division also-ran to flying up the pyramid.Peter talked in depth about his time after leaving the Manor, including his spell as manager of non-League Marlow and the infamous FA Cup match against United in 1994! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On many levels, Paul Simpson could be regarded as one of the best players to have pulled on an Oxford United shirt. A shrewd signing from Manchester City after United tumbled out of the First Division in 1988, 'Simmo' found his feet under the stewardship of Brian Horton and David Fogg and quickly became a huge crowd favourite.Some of his strikes are among United's greatest of all time and he recalled some fantastic stories of a wonderful friendship with Mickey Lewis. After leaving the Manor, Simmo went on to have a stellar career in the Premier League with Derby County, before going into management and international coaching.A fascinating listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Badge had the pleasure of spending well over an hour in the company of the former Oxford United defender Eddie Odhiambo.Eddie's football journey started in the parks of Oxford with his brothers, before he was 'poached' by Southampton just as he was beginning to make his way through the ranks at United.Returning to his boyhood club under Jim Smith during the club's tumultuous first season in the Conference was an 'experience' for Eddie, before he enjoyed recalling a roller-coaster spell playing for Graham Westley at Stevenage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Level with Bud Houghton on 75 goals, only six players have found the net more times for Oxford United than Paul Moody.A true goalscoring legend, Moods is as much remembered for the different types of goals he scored as the sheer number.As well as being a crucial part of the 1995-96 promotion winning team, the striker's goals in his second spell probably saved the club from back-to-back relegations during a torrid first season at the Kassam Stadium in 2001-02.Dan and James spoke to Paul about everything, both on and off the pitch, the majority of it good but some of it not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the 1980s Oxford United developed some of the greatest homegrown players they have ever produced. Some went on to have fantastic careers at United, others found their feet elsewhere.Behind The Badge had the pleasure of speaking to former midfielder Robbie Mustoe, who still considers Oxfordshire his home despite spending more than a decade at Middlesbrough, where he won promotions, played in major cup finals and established himself in most supporters' all-time best XIs.He's now a familiar face to all football fans on the other side of the pond, having covered the Premier League for more than 10 years as a pundit on US sports channel NBC.Quite simply one of the most fascinating pods that Dan and James have ever done! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special episode of Behind the Badge, Dan and James speak to Leo Ackerman and Alex Urwin, the authors of Mad Dog: The Mickey Lewis Story.On the fourth anniversary of Mickey's passing, it was our pleasure to speak to two people with such a strong connection to Mickey and to hear the stories behind their book and a true legend of Oxford United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There wasn't a single job that Les Taylor didn't do at Oxford United during an association with the club that spanned five decades. After moving down from his native North East in the early 70s, the combative midfielder quickly became a cult hero with his full-blooded displays.Les then moved to Watford, playing in the top flight and captaining the Hornets in an FA Cup final, and he recalled some fantastic stories - including some about his relationship with Sir Elton John!He returned to United in the early 90s and went on to help bring through some of the greatest players the club has produced through the school of excellence, YTS scheme and academy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Badge is back! Ahead of a new series packed with incredible guests, Dan and James are joined by Scott Walkinshaw - aka Oxblogger - as we reveal the six former players you'll hear from in the coming weeks. We also speak to Scott about his brilliant new book, 'The Glory Years: The Rise of Oxford United in the 1980s', which looks back at what can only be described as the best time to be a U's supporter.Available in all good book shops and of course online, 'The Glory Years' has so many stories, so many good times, and so many trophies. Click here to find out more: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/glory-years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a dramatic week at United so Dan and James chew the cud over Des Buckingham’s departure and what to expect from new manager Gary Rowett.Des will always be remembered fondly by us fans for leading us to promotion as a hometown boy and also for the exemplary way that he conducted himself on and off the pitch.One of us, he will always be a Yellow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.