U's News
More heartache for Hargreaves
Former Oxford United midfielder Chris Hargreaves is trying to pick himself up after experiencing play-off heartache for the second year running.
The similarities between what Hargreaves and his Torquay United teammate Chris Zebroski have endured this May and last May are remarkable, which makes their pain doubly acute.
Like Oxford United the year before, Torquay led the Conference for some time, only to fall some way behind eventual champions Aldershot, who clinched automatic promotion.
Then in the play-offs, they won at Exeter in the first leg of the semi-final, just as Oxford had done 12 months earlier, and in the second leg they scored first to take a two-goal aggregate lead - just as the U's had done.
Like Oxford, Torquay were still in pole position to qualify for the play-off final with 20 minutes to go.
But on 70 minutes, Ryan Harley fired home from 20 yards to bring Exeter level, and they went on to win.
A year ago, Oxford were looking good until the 70th minute of their second leg, when Adam Stansfield netted, and the Grecians went on to win on penalites.
Hargreaves, 36 next week, was Torquay's player of the year this season and he is trying to get over the bitter disappointment of history repeating itself.
"I am just so sorry for our fans," he said.
"It feels as if we've let them down. They must be so hurt, but no more than I am, believe me.
"The fact that it was our local rivals makes it worse.
"Personally, it's just that so much effort goes in over a season and it all comes down to a kick in the teeth.
"You look at yourself first of all and keep saying 'what more could I have done?'
"Even for Exeter's first goal, Rob Edwards final ball came off the inside of my leg and went straight to Ryan Harley to score. Why didn't it go somewhere else?
"The penalty for their second goal was such a big decision. Chris Zebroski is such a great lad and he's been brilliant for us this season. If it was his tackle that the referee picked on, he doesn't deserve that."
Also in the Oxford side last year was current Exeter striker Steve Basham, who watched the match because of an injury.
"Steve is a good friend and he lives just round the corner from me," said Hargreaves.
"He sat in the stand and, with 20 minutes to go, he thought he was going to be in the same boat as last year.
"Instead, it was me, and he's going to Wembley."
There they will face Cambridge United after two goals from former Oxford United midfielder Rob Wolleaston earned a 2-1 win (agg 4-3) over Burton in the Conference play-off semi-finals.
10:14pm Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Rosie Dodds on 10:25pm Tue 6 May 08
Hargreaves come back to the U's. Torquay might have slipped up this season like Oxford did but we are looking like a tighter unit. I hope you enjoy your summer
Hargreaves come back to the U's. Torquay might have slipped up this season like Oxford did but we are looking like a tighter unit. I hope you enjoy your summer
Posted by: Axo Mon, Oxon on 9:40am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Rosie Dodds[/bold] wrote:
Hargreaves come back to the U's. Torquay might have slipped up this season like Oxford did but we are looking like a tighter unit. I hope you enjoy your summer[/quote] Come back? No thanks, Torquay have learned the same lesson as us about the sort of players required to get back in the league.
To quote Greavsie "Rob Edwards final ball came off the inside of my leg and went straight to Ryan Harley to score"
Sounds ooooh so familiar....
Why would we want to make the same mistake? Durr....
Rosie Dodds wrote:
Hargreaves come back to the U's. Torquay might have slipped up this season like Oxford did but we are looking like a tighter unit. I hope you enjoy your summer
Come back? No thanks, Torquay have learned the same lesson as us about the sort of players required to get back in the league.
To quote Greavsie "Rob Edwards final ball came off the inside of my leg and went straight to Ryan Harley to score"
Sounds ooooh so familiar....
Why would we want to make the same mistake? Durr....
Posted by: dan, oxford on 10:06am Wed 7 May 08
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)
Posted by: Andy, Oxford on 1:58pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]dan[/bold] wrote:
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)[/quote] Hargreaves and Murray would be a quality midfield pairing.
And one that may happen too, Torquay will need to cost cut now and I would imagine that Hargreaves is one of the highest wage earners. I know he won their player of the year but needs must.
I'd like to see him back, he certainly gives 100% every game.
dan wrote:
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)
Hargreaves and Murray would be a quality midfield pairing.
And one that may happen too, Torquay will need to cost cut now and I would imagine that Hargreaves is one of the highest wage earners. I know he won their player of the year but needs must.
I'd like to see him back, he certainly gives 100% every game.
Posted by: Richard Wickson, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire on 4:03pm Wed 7 May 08
While i have sympathy with Hargreaves who does give 100% i agree with Axo Mon, we really dont want him back despite his renowned effort and the fact he was Torquays player of the year, just take a look at the Champions Aldershot, mainly players in there 20s with energy to burn, thats what it takes to get to the top of the Blue Square and get US back in the League. We have a good nucleus but we still need to build and i do hope things are moving already as i think one of our big problems last close season was Jim sunning himself in Spain and no EARLY signings being made, look at how long before Darren righted things, lets learn from past mistakes so we hit the ground running at the start of next season.
While i have sympathy with Hargreaves who does give 100% i agree with Axo Mon, we really dont want him back despite his renowned effort and the fact he was Torquays player of the year, just take a look at the Champions Aldershot, mainly players in there 20s with energy to burn, thats what it takes to get to the top of the Blue Square and get US back in the League. We have a good nucleus but we still need to build and i do hope things are moving already as i think one of our big problems last close season was Jim sunning himself in Spain and no EARLY signings being made, look at how long before Darren righted things, lets learn from past mistakes so we hit the ground running at the start of next season.
Posted by: Rosie Dodds on 5:25pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]dan[/bold] wrote:
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)[/quote] Do you think then Dan that Greavsie will stay at the gulls? We haven't signed Murray on a long term deal yet have we?
dan wrote:
Yeah i think were okay without Greavsy, we have Murray now :)
Do you think then Dan that Greavsie will stay at the gulls? We haven't signed Murray on a long term deal yet have we?
Posted by: Mikel on 7:35pm Wed 7 May 08
Murray is under contract until the end of next season...he signed on an 18 month deal.
Murray is under contract until the end of next season...he signed on an 18 month deal.
Posted by: boris, Oxford on 8:43pm Wed 7 May 08
Lest people forget, Hargreaves was our captain when we were relegated. Why on earth would we want him back here?
Lest people forget, Hargreaves was our captain when we were relegated. Why on earth would we want him back here?
Posted by: Pattos army1,2and3, Oxfordshire on 7:11pm Thu 8 May 08
Murray is a quality player, I liked Hargreaves a lot, He was a very good player for us, gave us his all, no need to be harsh on the lad, unlucky Chris.Still at least your not an Oxford fan try spend money on this club and get hurt every season!2 years of hurt is nothing compared 10-20 yrs!!
Murray is a quality player, I liked Hargreaves a lot, He was a very good player for us, gave us his all, no need to be harsh on the lad, unlucky Chris.Still at least your not an Oxford fan try spend money on this club and get hurt every season!2 years of hurt is nothing compared 10-20 yrs!!
Posted by: Nick Cusack, League 2 on 4:38pm Fri 9 May 08
If Hargreaves comes back then i for one will not be going back to watch us next season. The guy is a con man, the Arthur Daley of football. He has no talent, no skill and nothing to make an impact on a team. Anyone can run around for 90 mins if they train all week.
If Hargreaves comes back then i for one will not be going back to watch us next season. The guy is a con man, the Arthur Daley of football. He has no talent, no skill and nothing to make an impact on a team. Anyone can run around for 90 mins if they train all week.
Posted by: pete, Oxford on 4:44pm Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]Nick Cusack[/bold] wrote:
If Hargreaves comes back then i for one will not be going back to watch us next season. The guy is a con man, the Arthur Daley of football. He has no talent, no skill and nothing to make an impact on a team. Anyone can run around for 90 mins if they train all week. [/quote] Did you actually watch the previous season's performance's of ~Hargreaves. He was easily the best player they had. Politics cost Oxford their most influential player in recenty years.
Nick Cusack wrote:
If Hargreaves comes back then i for one will not be going back to watch us next season. The guy is a con man, the Arthur Daley of football. He has no talent, no skill and nothing to make an impact on a team. Anyone can run around for 90 mins if they train all week.
Did you actually watch the previous season's performance's of ~Hargreaves. He was easily the best player they had. Politics cost Oxford their most influential player in recenty years.
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