"Oxford United took the long road back to the second tier of English football. After they were relegated from what was then Division One in 1999, they spent the next quarter of a century dropping and then climbing again. Where some teams bounce around from one level to another, Oxford committed to the way down and then the way back. They changed direction only once, in 2009-10, when they were promoted after four years in the Conference."
"Oxford have been through all the usual things a football club goes through in 25 years but the focus this season is simply to avoid going into reverse. Now managed by former Birmingham City and Derby County boss Gary Rowett, the U's started Friday's home fixture against Ipswich Town not only in the relegation zone but winless in five matches."
Oxford United fell from Division One in 1999 and spent a quarter of a century moving down and then back up the English league system. The club reached its lowest point in ninth place in the fifth division and returned to the Football League with promotion in 2009-10 after four years in the Conference. Promotion to the Championship came via the 2023-24 play-offs under Des Buckingham. Gary Rowett became manager ahead of a season focused on avoiding relegation, with the team starting a home match against Ipswich in the relegation zone and winless in five games.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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