Behind The Badge

Dan and James bring the curtain down on a brilliant fourth series of Behind The Badge. We look back at some of the best bits from the past eight weeks and talk about the here and now at Oxford United.Our thanks to everyone who listens to our podcasts and engages on social media. We'd like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2024!

For the last time in Series 4, Behind The Badge is out and about - and this time Dan and James had the pleasure of meeting the former United goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.'Brownie' was on top form and gave up more than an hour and a half of his time to look back fondly on his time with the U's. He also had some fascinating insight into his career before joining United. Our particular favourite was his time in South Africa!We asked Wayne about his United exit, which he answered with unbelievable honesty.We know that we say this every week, but this really is an episode that you won't want to miss!

The penultimate guest of Series 4 of Behind The Badge is the former Oxford Mail photographer Dave Fleming.An Oxford lad, who grew up just around the corner from the Manor Ground, Dave is a lifelong United fan and landed what some would say is the dream job as a photographer capturing images of famous matches both home and away.Please check our social media platforms for the photos that we discuss with Dave, from fabulous derby wins and promotions to desperate times in the Conference.Find out the stories behind the stories and more!

This week, Behind The Badge speaks to a player that didn't spend long at United but will forever be remembered as part of the side that completed the double over Swindon in the 2011/12.Oli Johnson scored the second goal in a nail-biting 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium, as the U's played 80 minutes with 10 men after James Constable's early red card.Oli tells us of his sharp rise into professional football and his equally rapid decline back into non-league, which began when he was told he would be leaving United. His insight into the dressing room at a time when Chris Wilder's team had just missed out on a play-off spot is interesting...to say the least!

On this edition of Behind The Badge we had the pleasure of speaking to the former Oxford United manager Brian Horton.'Nobby' is one of the most experienced men to ever grace the game with over 2,000 matches in professional football as a player, manager and assistant manager.He kept United in Division Two (now the Championship) against all the odds during a turbulent time off the pitch, but on it the U's were bringing through fantastic young players and selling on the likes of Paul Simpson, Mark Stein and Andy Melville for huge profits.Brian’s relationship with Kevin Maxwell is well documented throughout and he recalls the day he was famously asked to succeed his good friend Mark Lawrenson as manager.We also hear about numerous other interesting parts of Brian's long career in football. It's a fascinating listen!

Behind The Badge is back with a special episode discussing the recent departure of Oxford United Head Coach Liam Manning to Championship side Bristol City.We're joined by the Oxford Mail's Liam Rice to discuss Manning's time at United, how events unfolded and what happens next. Who could fill the role and be United's third permanent manager of 2023?

Behind The Badge speaks to a man who helped launch the United careers of the likes of Joey Beauchamp, Chris Allen, Jamie Brooks, Paul Powell, Dean Whitehead, Chris Hackett.....the list goes on!Malcolm Elias has worked in football for almost 40 years, starting as youth development officer at the Manor Ground in the 1980s. He's still going strong at Fulham in 2023, via spells at Swansea City, Southampton and Liverpool.Malcolm had plenty of fantastic stories to tell, including how he started the Centre of Excellence at United before going on to help discover the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott at Southampton and begging Liverpool to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a chance - despite his strong roots on the blue half of Merseyside.A fascinating listen!

Dan and James start Series 4 on the road with a trip to meet former United No.1 Ryan Clarke.'Clarkey' joined in 2009, made well over 250 appearances for the club and will forever be remembered for being part of the team that won promotion back to the Football League at Wembley.Behind The Badge hears how the 'keeper played through the pain barrier, fought back from injury to win player of the year under Michael Appleton - only for the club to then let him go - and how he forged a lasting bond with fellow members of the goalkeepers' union, Alan Hodgkinson and Wayne Brown.

Behind The Badge is back for Series 4 and, as always, we kick-off with a preview of what you can expect this time around.Dan and James discuss a positive few months for United - on and off the pitch - and also reveal our guests for this series. We hope you enjoy!