Heroes & Villains – Oxford United
Heroes – 1986 Milk Cup Winners
On 20th March 1986, Oxford United won 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in their first major Cup final.
Goals from Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton and Jeremy Charles sealed a famous win and a place in Oxford United’s history books.
Villain – Robert Maxwell
Just saying the former Chairman’s name to any Oxford United fan and you will be sure to get an evil glare back at you.
The media mogul presided over the club for years and oversaw United’s rapid rise from the Third to the First Division in successive seasons. A victorious trip to Wembley in the 1986 Milk Cup gave the fans an extra reason to be cheerful but Maxwell had already infuriated the Oxford fans.
In 1983, Maxwell intended to merge Oxford United with Reading to form a new club, the Thames Valley Royals. The ludicrous suggestion was met with huge protests from both sets of supporters and the idea was dropped a month later.
Whilst in charge of Oxford, Maxwell tried and failed to buy Manchester United. He left the club in 1988 after buying Derby County. His son and daughter became directors at Oxford United and the club dropped out of the First Division.
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