Liam Rice

Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Oxford

@OxfordMailOUFC reporter, previously covering local politics and education/ MA Journalism and history undergrad/ northerner in the south

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Articles

Fine margins mean defender wants to ‘push for the top half’ next season

6 days ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

The U’s ended 17th in the 2024/25 campaign, their first season back in the second tier of English football for 25 years. United recorded 53 points, but Brown says that with three more wins for example, the club would’ve been in a stronger position to challenge for not just the top half, but perhaps even the play-off places.
Pre-season, transfer and contracts in Oxford United round-up

6 days ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

Matt Ingram and Mark Harris have signed new deals this week, while Stuart Findlay joined Hearts on loan (Image: Steve Edmunds & Mike Allen & Richard Parkes) WELCOME to a new feature where we round up the biggest Oxford United headlines from the week. We’ve seen pre-season announcements, transfer activity and new contracts in the past few days, so here’s our digest of the key headlines.
Ex-Oxford United striker Slavi Spasov joins Southend United

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

The 23-year-old made eight appearances for the U’s in all competitions, scoring once. That goal came from the penalty spot on his United debut, a 3-0 victory at home against Fulham Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in September 2018. Spasov played six times during the 2022/23 season, including three substitute appearances in Sky Bet League One, and was released by the U’s in May 2023.
Why striker deserves new deal – but centre forward still needed in summer

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

Simon Eastwood and Matt Ingram in the goalkeeping department, plus defenders Ciaron Brown and Sam Long, have also agreed new contracts. As a striker though, Harris is arguably the most divisive of those players among the U’s fanbase. It comes with the territory of being a centre forward. Goals win games, and therefore strikers are often the easiest target after a negative result. But it’s my opinion that Harris is deserving of his new deal.
Striker becomes latest player to sign new U’s contract

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

MARK Harris has signed a new contract to extend his stay at Oxford United. The 26-year-old striker was set to see his previous deal expire next summer, however the exact length of the fresh contract hasn’t been disclosed. Harris joined United in July 2023 as a free agent after leaving Cardiff City, and in his debut campaign, he scored 19 goals in 55 games across all competitions, with the season culminating in promotion via the Sky Bet League One play-offs.
Why patience is the key word in transfer window this summer

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

United signed 17 players last summer, including the addition of Kyle Edwards, who joined as a free agent on a short-term deal after the window closed. But the circumstances were vastly different, as the U’s embarked on their first season back in the second tier of English football for 25 years. A freshening up was needed, to bring in Sky Bet Championship experience and players with potential for massive growth.
Edinburgh Monarchs win at Oxford Cheetahs in Championship

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

The Championship meeting wasn’t decided until a last heat decider in Heat 15, but it was a frustrating defeat for Cheetahs, who battled back from nine points behind. In Heat 3, there was contact between Mitch McDiarmid and Paco Castagna on the second turn, and McDiarmid was excluded from the re-run. Jordan Jenkins fell on the first lap, remounted in third, and then crashed again, this time into the air fence on the final lap, and the race ended as a 5-0 to Monarchs.
Ex-Luton Town and Oxford United striker Danny Hylton retires

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

The 36-year-old striker began his career with Aldershot Town and Rotherham United, prior to joining the U’s in June 2014. He scored 16 goals across 49 matches in all competitions during his debut campaign, and then another 14 goals as United won promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2016. Hylton had subsequent spells at Luton Town, Northampton Town and Charlton Athletic, where he was working in a player-coach role.
Ex-Hull City keeper Matt Ingram signs new Oxford United deal

1 week ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Liam Rice

The 31-year-old goalkeeper joined the U’s from Hull City in mid-July last summer, leaving a pre-season Tigers training camp in Turkey to undergo a medical at United. He joined the club for an undisclosed fee, however the consistency and form of Jamie Cumming limited Ingram to just four appearances in his debut campaign.
Former U’s boss exits Blades as replacement already announced

1 week ago | thisisoxfordshire.co.uk | Liam Rice

Last season, Wilder guided the Blades to third place and the Sky Bet Championship play-off final, where they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland. The Blades led the final 1-0 going into the final quarter of an hour, but lost the game five minutes into stoppage time. Wilder, a boyhood Blades supporter, was nominated for the Championship manager of the season award, but missed out to Burnley head coach Scott Parker.