Is it just another match where three points are up for grabs or is it far more than that for you ?
Living where I do there is a mix of Town and Oxford fans with a sprinkling of Royals. We all get on well in general and can talk about football without having to insult each other. As a result I tend to think of it as just another game which gives me a bit more of a warm feeling if we win.
However, as other forums have shown the rivalry has been taken to extremes and I feel these matches have been ruined by idiots who have no place in football. I know a number of parents that would not take their kids to the match in August because of these pr@tts and I certainly would not take mine to the Kassam. Is it just me or do others feel similar ?
COYMR
Saturday's Game
posted on 29/2/12
I can remember seeing Oxford when Ron Atkinson was their centre half (kicking everything that moved). I've been to the Manor Ground in the past, didn't feel threatened but that's probably because they were playing Torquay. My image of them has always been of a boring, rather negative team. That's nothing to do with them being 'rivals'...I feel the same about Gillingham too. I feel affinity with lots of League 2 supporters from other clubs, but Oxford don't come in this list. I don't wish them ill but neither do I wish them well.
For me Saturday is about the 3 points at stake... no more no less. I want us out of this League and more points on the board will get us that bit closer.
posted on 29/2/12
Brings back memories for me. As I remember, games v Oxford were always a bit boring 0-0 affairs. Unlike those v the gas!
I do remember one 3-0 win there, when my hero, Mel Nurse fired in a free kick from 25 yards! What a defender he was!
But, from Chipp, it wasn't an easy place to get to on public transport as I remember. I think that we took the train to Swindon & got on a supporters coach there - the same coming back. Made it a long day.
Quite expensive for a paper boy!
posted on 29/2/12
Something worrying has occurred to me...Paolo is surely a certainty for League 2 Manager of the Month with all the awful connotations that has...poisoned chalice, impending total doom etc.
Can this award be declined, given to a substitute (Fatty Evans???).
Help!
posted on 29/2/12
Don,
He is nailed on to get it and would be surprised if anyone else is actually nominated. Would be a brilliant put down if he refused it and suggested it should go to the large Bobby Davro impersonator. After all we know who deserves it !!!
COYMR
posted on 29/2/12
Great idea!
Alternatively, on checking I see that Aldershot have a 100% record in February so I think it's only right that it goes to Dean Holdsworth.
posted on 29/2/12
Not being born or never lived in Swindon i don't have the dislike of Oxford that most have. Would like to beat them because I know how much it means to the majority of fans but for me the most satisfying thing would be the points. To be honest I just think of Oxford as not important. Ive been to the old a manor ground a few times but never had any real bother although I would never take my children there. Beating Bristol Rovers has always been more satisfying but that's because I've seen much more nastiness from their fans than anyone else. Remember gas heads throwing half bricks over the fences into the Swindon fans at the old Eastville Stadium and don't think they have become any friendlier ! I'm away in Dorset this weekend at a big family get together and Im not going to be panicking about the result. If we pick up points I'll have a whiskey or two and if we come away empty handed I'll have a whiskey or two
posted on 1/3/12
Notts - that's a very sound philosophy, I'll be doing the same!
I think the Oxford 'rivalry' is an age thing. To older fans like myself I don't think it has much, if any, significance. In the early 1960s when I started supporting STFC I honestly didn't know that Oxford had a football team. Our rivals were the pair of Bristols and Reading. When Oxford turned up at the County Ground it was very curious, who were these people?
I soon realised that whoever they were they played dire football, always seeming to be set up for a 0-0 draw. They had no players worth watching and I just regarded them as totally insignificant. That view hasn't changed.
Of course I realise that tomorrow is their cup final...but it isn't ours I'm very glad to say!
posted on 2/3/12
Don,
My thoughts exactly! Me, you & Notts can have a toast together at Five o'clock! Or earlier 'cos I think it is an early kick off.
But the old rivalries - coming from Chipp, it was always the gas, never city.
Reading was the other direction for me, but, as a schoolboy I had to get my hair cut at the local barbers. There were two of them. One supported the gas, the other, Reading.
I was in the middle! When the question came "How would you like it cut?" I always replied "in silence"
posted on 3/3/12
Our run had to come to an end, the fact that it was to Oxford is neither here nor there to me.
h
We have a game on Tuesday and an early opportunity to get back on track and hopefully start another run.
posted on 3/3/12
When we desperately needed a goal, why didn't he put Connell on? Benson had gone by the middle of the 2nd half.