Hooper's blooper
Former Commercial Manager and latterly Chief Scout for Oxford United, Gary Hooper, has resigned from his post and gone to join Northampton' commercial department. According to the Oxford Mail Hooper claims that he was only paid expenses for his scouting trips, which often left him out of pocket. Hooper's departure effectively means that United now has no scouting network, meaning that the team will have to play the same tactics every game next season, regardless of the opposition, so unlike this season. It also means that the club is likely to miss out on the plethora of signings that it habitually makes throughout the season. Unless, of course, someone takes Hooper's place.
Play offs
United now know that, unfortunately, they will have games against Scunthorpe and Bury next season, as both these clubs have been unsuccessful in their bid to get to Cardiff and escape this hellhole. Bury were beaten 3-1 at Bournemouth last night after drawing 0-0 at Gigg Lane. Scunthorpe tonight lost 1-0 at home to long-ball hoofmeisters Lincoln City, whose Simon Yeo scored the goal that gave them a 6-3 aggregate win. Football purists will be hoping that Bournemouth can win the play-off final, while everyone else will be praying that they don't have to suffer Lincoln's brand of football next season.
Making friends
United's pre-season campaign is already starting to take some sort of shape as more games were announced today. They wil start with their traditional curtain-raiser at Oxford City on July 15th or 16th, two whole months away. Spurs visit the Us on July 20th, allegedly bringing a full first team squad, and then Coventry also come to Oxford on July 26th. United then visit Aldershot three days later and on August 2nd, one week before the start of the new season, Moor Green host the Yellows for the second successive season. In addition to the above Oxford will also play games at Farnborough, Didcot (again) and Wantage. There is also supposed to be a game against Thame by way of thanks for Jefferson Louis.