2004/2005 Preview - Oxford United

LAST SEASON

A season that promised so much ended so dismally for Oxford as they slipped out of the promotion and play off zones to finish 9th, 12 points ahead of us

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN UP TO THIS SUMMER?

Tommy Mooney from local rivals Swindon is their biggest signing of the summer and one that will undoubtedly strengthen their forward line for next season. Also into the three sided stadium this summer have been Leo Roget (Rushden), David Woozley (Torquay), Lee Bradbury (Walsall), Rob Wooleaston (Bradford), Dave Mackay (Dundee), Chris Tardif (Portsmouth), Barry Quinn (Coventry), Terry Parker (Portsmouth) and Mark E'Beyer (Wimbledon) as Graham Rix builds his own squad after taking over from Ian Atkins

Through the door marked Exit is Dean Whitehead, Andy Crosby, Andy Woodman, Lee Steele, Matthew Bound, Paul McCarthy, Richard Walker, Courtney Pitt and Manny Omoyinmi.

WHO ARE THEIR FAMOUS FANS?

Mega rich Richard Branson is one of five people as famous Oxford fans - the other four being Britains No 1 Tennis player- Tim Henman, Former TV-AM nut Timmy Mallett, Sesame Street lookalike Jim Rosenthal and Neil Smyth - the Colonel from Soccer AM

5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT OXFORD

1. Oxford have won 71 University Boat Races. Only Cambridge with 78 have won more. Co-incidentally Oxford have 78 runners up places in the competition whilst Cambridge have 71. Both have also been involved in one dead heat.

2. Oxford's own web site suggests that "Oxford has so much to offer that you may want to spend more than 2 hours getting to the heart of your own chosen theme" - 2 whole hours - can you spare the time?

3. Never forget as well the first Thursday of every month when it is farmers market time. Buy farmed produce and if you are lucky you can even talk about how they are produced and grown. This Thursday flies by every month in the excitement.

4. They're a scandolous bunch there as well - their benefit fraud team has saved taxpayers £1.66million in the last year alone.

5. For the sum of a bargain £6.50 you can have a guided walk around the City. What else will you do with your hard earned cash?

ARE WE ANY GOOD AGAINST OXFORD?

Quite frankly no. Just 8 wins from 25 meetings between the two although I guess Oxford only have 10 despite leading 42 goals to 34. More worryingly for Swansea, they have won just 1 of the last 10 meetings and Oxford have only twice lost league games at the Vetch. For the full list of results, click here

WHEN DO WE PLAY THEM?

Wednesday 8th December Swans fans will be able to look out over the empty end at the Kassam whilst Oxford visit the Vetch for the last time on 16th April in the penultimate game at the ground.

IF I WANT TO FIND OUT MORE WHERE DO I GO?

May as well try the Rivals site, what have you got to lose?

WHAT ARE THEIR CHANCES NEXT SEASON?

It's a bit hard to say as there have been so many changes this summer at Oxford but I will go for them to get promotion - some of those signings look pretty useful.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?