They're back

United players resumed training today joined by the two new signings we knew about (Phil Bolland and Scott Guyett), plus former Swansea and Brighton midfielder Martin Thomas as well as a surprise appearance from Mark Wright's former Liverpool team mate Neil “Razor” Ruddock.

Thomas joins United as an out of contract player. He was signed by Brighton from the Swans on deadline day last season (apparently Swansea supporters nicknamed him “Psycho”, which doesn't exactly fill us with glee) but made only one appearance for the Seagulls and his contract wasn't renewed. He comes to Oxford to try his luck with a team that doesn't have a bird's nickname.

Ruddock, training with United with a view to signing, was most recently larding around the pitch for Crystal Palace, but otherwise has a reasonably impressive CV. He started his career as a Millwall apprentice and also turned out for Southampton and Spurs before he somehow ended up at Anfield. Should he join United it is to be hoped that he will be a more effective defensive lynchpin than that other veteran Andy Linighan. Although it seems like he's been around forever Ruddock is only 33 years old (or is that 33 stone?) and so could conceivably be around for another couple of seasons.

Kitted out

United's new kit will be available from the club shop from July 11th, costing £40 for adults and £30 for kids (so the Rage Online brood may have to wait a bit longer before they get decked out). The club shop itself will be housed in a portakabin at Minchery Farm as a temporary measure, although how temporary remains to be seen as it has no logical home until the fourth side is built.

Oxford friends

United's first pre-season friendly, against Oxford City at Court Place Farm, takes place in less than three weeks, on Saturday 21st July. Tickets are not available in advance and seats will be sold to the first 250 who turn up wanting to sit. City are only expecting a crowd of around 1,000 and so could be in for a surprise when over twice that number turn up!