OXFORD United organised this trip to help prepare the players for the new season, but the biggest benefit could turn out to be what has happened off the pitch.

The 200 supporters who have made the journey to Austria have, quite simply, become the story.

A goalless draw in a pre-season friendly is not normally cause for wild celebrations, but the scenes after the final whistle at SC Wiener Neustadt took everyone by surprise.

What began with the players going across to thank the supporters turned into an almighty party which ran well into the early hours (not that your correspondent was there to witness it, honest).

The relationship between supporters and players can be a delicate one at times, but a spontaneous night socialising together can do more than 100 carefully-sculpted PR events.

It continued yesterday, when 50 fans attended the open training session, which ended in them taking part in a penalty shoot-out. Callum O’Dowda may need work on his goalkeeping, but the goodwill gained is priceless.

A lakeside barbecue rounded off what will have been a memorable 24 hours for those who have been sober enough to take it all in.

Hopefully the spirit of what has been created translates to everyone back home.

If it can endure, we’re all in for one hell of a season.