Southern League days: Towards Football League status

Harry Thompson was appointed manager and the club made massive strides, winning the Southern League Cup and League double in 1953 and retaining the cup the following season.

Making strides: Harry Thompson

FA Cup controversy, concerning United's fielding of future England World Cup keeper Colin McDonald against Wycombe, resulted in United's expulsion in 1951. Two seasons later, Headington received great publicity through their elimination of Millwall and Stockport in midweek afternoon FA Cup replays at the Manor.

United reached the fourth round where a then record Manor crowd of 16,670 saw the previous season's losing Finalists Bolton triumph by four goals to two. Thompson was replaced by Arthur Turner during 1958-59 and the incoming manager decided to stay with Headington when Ron Coppock, Couling and the other directors decided (almost unbelievably) to match the offer made to Turner by First Division Leeds.

Oxford was one of the largest places in England or Wales to be without a League football team and in a time when clubs had to depend on being elected into the Football League, Turner felt that a change of name to Oxford United was absolutely essential.

Turner appointed more full-time professionals and signed many youngsters from top flight clubs such as Villa and Wolves. Among these were Ron and Graham Atkinson, both of who were to play a major role in the club's massive advances of the 1960s.

United changed their name in 1960 and were Southern League champions in their first two seasons as Oxford United. Following the folding of Accrington Stanley in mid season, United were the obvious choice to gain election to the League in 1962.

History compiled by Andy Howland