The Conference fixtures were released this morning, and United start off the season with a cracker: a home tie against last season’s Conference Play-off finalists Halifax Town. There won’t be many tougher games than this one next season, and it gives the Us a good yardstick to measure their close-season progress. As if that wasn’t enough, the fixture computer has been kind to Oxford again by giving United fans a seaside trip to Weymouth on August Bank Holiday Monday, followed two weeks later by a trip to Morecambe. Another prestigious date is the Boxing Day game, and again United will be at home, hosting Woking, although there is a lengthy trip to Exeter on New Year’s Day. United are also at home on Easter Monday, with Weymouth dropping by to pay their respects, while the season concludes with a party at York.

Another signing was announced this morning, as former United youth player Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet signed a two-year deal, joining from Southampton. Eddie is originally from Tanzania, but was brought up in Oxford. He joined Southampton five years ago, and had loan spells at Chester City and Tamworth Town. Eddie is a highly promising player, and although he started as a striker has since settled down to play on the left side of midfield, and he can also perform defensive duties.

United are also offering one-month pre-season trials to two non-league strikers. Robbie Dale comes from Blyth Spartans, where he was a prolific scorer last season, hitting 35 goals in the Unibond Premier League (equivalent to the level that Banbury United play at). He is only 21 years old. The other triallist is Robert Duffy, formerly with Kettering, Rushden, and most recently Stevenage Borough. He was recommended by Malcolm Elias, who recently left Southampton to join Liverpool’s academy.