Weatherstonegate

Ross Weatherstone, and three of his friends, appeared in court in Reading today charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour towards an Asian taxi driver in Upper Caversham. Allegedly the abuse was of a racist nature which can not be tolerated in society at all, in football in general and at Oxford United in particular. Whilst not wishing to prejudge the outcome of the case (and innocence must be assumed until guilt is proven) if Weatherstone is found guilty then Rage Online will be calling for the club to administer the stiffest punishment at its disposal (presumably instant dismissal with no compensation). We sincerely hope that the charges are untrue.

A load of Graham Parkers!

It's been an unusually quiet week so far, U's-newswise, thus allowing us to concentrate on scurrilous and unfounded rumour and gossip, for a pleasant change. Stories concerning United's players refuse to lie down and die (unlike the U's defence) and newspaper reports are suggesting that Wimbledon are the latest club to show an interest in Paul Powell, for whom Denis Smith has said he would consider bids of around £2 million (which would make him United's record sale).
Another player who is constantly the subject of transfer speculation is Joey Beauchamp. Stories are now circulating that the ROPD, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has already agreed a deal which will take him to Reading at the end of the season.
Following the rather excellent story by Iconoclast on James Beard's Help Save Oxford United site concerning United's alleged interest in two obscure (in most meanings of the word) Italians, Rage Online can reveal that United are also apparently showing an interest in an unnamed American, currently a student at Oxford University. The American, whom we shall call Hank (not his real name, perhaps), was spied in his Oxford University AFC tracksuit visiting the Manor and allegedly had an appointment with the coaching staff. The new Ceri Evans, perhaps? (Thanks to NN for this information.)

Spireites crooked

Bury's victory at Chesterfield tonight effectively relegated the division's bottom club whilst at the same time ensured the Shakers' survival for another season. Better news for United was Wrexham's 3-1 victory over Scunthorpe which leaves Scunny still one point behind United in 22nd place.