Going down, going down, going down

Apologies for the recent dearth of updates – once again the hard drive of the Rage Online computer decided that discretion is the better part of valour and went on hard disk strike. However, we're back now with a brand new PC BIOS battery and ready to fill you all in on what's occurred in our absence.

Held to account

The first event of any import over the weekend was the release of the club's accounts last Friday for the 1998/99 financial year, only one month late which makes them practically early compared to the previous regime. Rage Online has yet to see a set of the accounts and so is only able to provide second hand analysis, but the more important aspects include the fact that United made an operating profit after tax of £2.17 million, compared to a loss of £2.7 million in 97/98. Turnover was up £0.8 million to £3.44 million and costs fell £0.22 million to £2.7 million. The wage bill for the 70 staff employed by the club amounted to £2,312,189. The rusting hulk of Minchery Farm is considered an asset worth £7 million, whilst the club had liabilities of £10.9 million, of which £9 million was owed to unsecured creditors. The Creditors Voluntary Agreement gave 10p in the pound to all unsecured creditors after the first one thousand pounds, which was paid in full. The CVA reduced United's assets by £7 million by transferring the new stadium to a new company, and reduced the liabilities by removing Oxford City Council's and Thames Water's debts of £1.85m plus a maximum of 90% of £9m. Hence the maximum possible benefit to OUFC accounts would be about £3 million, less the CVA costs. If this is at all comprehensible to you then Rage Online suggests that you get a life!

Friendly fire

United's programme of pre-season friendlies sees the U's take on clubs of a variety of levels. The build-up to the new campaign starts with two games on the south coast, against Havant & Waterlooville on Wednesday July 19th and Gosport Borough on Saturday 22nd. This is followed by the only game so far arranged against league opposition, as Birmingham come to the Manor to compete for the Bill Halsey Memorial Trophy on Tuesday 25th July. United then travel to Crawley Town on Friday 28th July as part of the deal which brought Ben Abbey to the Manor and finally, on Tuesday 1st August, Oxford take on Hereford United at Edgar Street. The last Saturday before the season starts, on August 5th, has also been set aside for a possible game which has yet to be arranged.

Squad numbers

The Reading Chronicle is suggesting that Joey Beauchamp won't be a Royal next season after all, as apparently his wage demands have put off the Biscuitmen from adding Joey to his crumbs. Or maybe Joey has rejected them and they want to save face?
Derek Lilley has claimed that he would like to go back up north, which has led to speculation that St. Johnstone could be interested in coming in for him. Livingston have also been linked with the former Leeds and St Mirren player. Meanwhile Kevin Francis, after just three games with his former club Stockport County before being injured, has been released by them.

Permanent fixtures

United supporters now know all the teams that they will be facing in next season's league programme as the play-offs saw Peterborough United promoted from Division Three, after beating Darlington 1-0 in a match which gave United fans a sight they never thought they'd get to see: Martin Gray striding the Wembley turf, his crab-like posture complementing the twin towers. The other variable was whether Gillingham or Wigan would be promoted to the First Division for the first time in either club's history. As it turned out the Gills made it, courtesy of a goal from Oxford old-boy Andy Thomson who scored the winning goal just a couple of minutes before the whistle.

Andre makes Maltese cross (sorry)

South Africa beat Malta 1-0 in Valetta yesterday with a goal from Thabo Mngomeni in the 89th minute. South Africa featured United 'keeper Andre Arendse, one of two goalies in a squad of just 14.