Behind The Badge

Over a fantastic 10-year period, Les Robinson played more than 450 games for Oxford United at an amazing ratio of 45 per season.A more than reliable right-back, Les was a mainstay of a team that not only competed superbly in the second tier but also enjoyed some memorable cup runs.Les tells Behind The Badge about his relationships with various managers, players and a chairman who he didn't see eye-to-eye with at the end.Another must-listen for any United fan!

While the likes of Kemar Roofe, Chris Maguire and Danny Hylton brought the goals, creativity and flair to Oxford United's 2015/16 promotion winning season, the likes of Joe Skarz added the defensive brilliance that enabled the aforementioned stars to take League Two by storm.United signed left-back Skarz in the January 2015 transfer window and he had racked up more than 100 games by the time he left two-and-a-half years later. That included a couple towards the end of the 15/16 season where he played mightily through the pain barrier...as you'll find out.

For the first time since being sacked as Oxford United boss in February 2023, Karl Robinson has exclusively told Behind The Badge how his exit unfolded and why he never wanted to leave.It has been more than two-and-a-half years since a 3-0 home defeat by Bristol Rovers sealed Karl's fate and you can now hear all about his story in an explosive start to the latest series of the unofficial Oxford United podcast.Dan and James speak to Karl about his near five-year spell as manager, from dealing with payment issues and training ground problems to scoring 100 goals in a calendar year and some great cup nights during the 2019-20 season.This is a must listen for any United fan!

Behind The Badge is back with another new series, as Dan and James reveal who they've been speaking to from Oxford United's history.Former U's manager Karl Robinson pulled no punches in his assessment of his five-year spell at the club, which included many highs but ended very low.BBC Radio Oxford's Nick Harris took us back through the decades as he reflected on his turbulent time as a United director and spoke about his continued enjoyment of covering the club that he loves.Defender Joe Skarz was the ultimate 'never-say-die' professional who won supporters' hearts, both during the 2015-16 promotion winning season and the campaigns either side.They aren't the only guests, of course, with more to be revealed!All of this, plus a look back - and forward - at what is a very interesting and important time of the current season for the club.

Nine games into the season and it's time to reflect as we reach another international break.Dan and James were delighted to welcome back Scott Walkinshaw to dissect the season to date. It's been quite a couple of months both on and off the pitch, but if anyone is the voice (or writer) of reason then it's certainly Oxblogger!

It has been an interesting first month of the season, with as much on the pitch to talk about as there was off it.Dan and James catch up with the now former Oxford Mail reporter Liam Rice, who recently left the paper for pastures new. We speak to him about the four winless league games, United's dealings in the transfer window and the huge stadium news from Cherwell District Council, before reflecting on Liam's time at the newspaper including his favourite OUFC manager, player and what he's doing next!

On the eve of the new Football League season, who better to speak to than Oxford United supporter and EFL expert George Elek to get his thoughts ahead of United's second campaign back in the Championship.Lifelong fan George will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his first United match this season and tells us his own tale of being known as 'that Oxford United fan' whilst growing up in London, how his career in podcasting and support for the U's have intertwined and where the club still need to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.

It's hard to believe it now but back in the late autumn of 1998 Oxford United were on the verge of going into oblivion.A fire sale of players including Phil Whitehead and Simon Marsh had been unsuccessful in keeping the wolf from the door and the club looked doomed, with United facing a trip to Watford without an away kit and players and staff going unpaid.Something had to change and thanks to around a dozen ardent supporters the club was saved, bought by a London-based businessman who eventually managed to (nearly) finish off a half-built new stadium....but that would be just half the story.

We all know that Oxford United have the best supporters the world has ever seen but few can lay claim to making hundreds of trips to watch their beloved U's from outposts such as the Shetland Islands, the Scottish borders and even the relatively short journey from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Former youth-team player Gary Silver is such a person, and a recognisable face on the terraces ever since he was released by United on the eve of their first season in the top flight back in July 1985.Initially from Didcot, there isn't a corner of the UK that Gary hasn't graced and his stories range from the hillarious to the downright unbelievable.You won't want to miss this - from a glimpse behind the scenes of the heady days of the mid-80s, to a hefty prediction as to how the next Championship season could unfold for the U's.....