For the first time since the start of the summer Oxford United has witnessed some player transfer activity, and it is all positive. The first piece of news was the leaving of Tim Sills to newly promoted Fourth Division outfit Hereford United. Sills was widely rumoured to be one of the top earners at United, but despite that he was only able to score one goal in his 14 appearances for the club, despite him arriving on the back of an excellent record at Aldershot. He joined the Bulls on a free transfer, although he still had another 18 months or so to run on his current contract. However, United will be happy to see him off their payroll, given the strict wage cap enforced in the Conference.

Following Sills’ departure came the news that midfielder (or defender, depending on your viewpoint) Barry Quinn has agreed to sign a new contract at the club. The former Eire international has signed a one-year deal, despite alleged interest from a League club, claiming that being at United was pretty much akin to joining a new club anyway, with the new owners and improved atmosphere at the United Stadium. Quinn was one of three out-of-contract players to be offered a new deal, and United are still waiting for goalkeepers Billy Turley and Chris Tardif to decide (or at least the club has yet to announce any decision).

Finally, the piece of news that just about everyone wanted to hear, even though it had been widely rumoured for the past few weeks, was announced. Former United centre-back Phil Gilchrist has rejoined the club, signing on for two years. Gilchrist was originally bought from Hartlepool for