To mark Oxford United’s 125th season, we are looking back at what made the news this week in three of the club's promotion-winning campaigns

1964

OXFORD United climbed to third in the Fourth Division after a 1-0 win over Halifax Town at the Manor Ground.

Just as they had in the previous game against Stockport, United failed to find cohesion against a side who, in other circumstances, they would have probably beaten comfortably.

It was not a strong performance as far as the team were concerned, but it certainly was for the magnificent Ron Atkinson, whose goal proved the difference.

It is no idle boast when they say at Headington they have players who can grace the First Division – Atkinson is clearly one of them and against Halifax he towered head and shoulders above everyone.

1984

BILLY Hamilton was the hero in Oxford United’s Milk Cup second round tie against Blackburn Rovers at the Manor Ground.

His hat-trick earned a 3-1 win after extra time to send the U’s through 4-2 on aggregate.

Hamilton opened the scoring, but Simon Garner replied after the break to level the scores.

With Hamilton denied by a goal-line clearance from Derek Fazackerley, the tie went to extra-time, where Hamilton struck twice in the first period and set up a third round meeting with Arsenal.

1995

PHIL Gilchrist was trying to come to terms with getting sent off for the first time in his life as Oxford United lost 2-1 at Wrexham.

The defender was dismissed for a professional foul on striker Karl Connolly just 13 minutes into the Division 2 match at the Racecourse Ground.

But the 22-year-old insisted: “I never touched him.”

Teammates and boss Denis Smith also considered the red card very harsh.

While the U’s were already a goal down by the time Gilchrist was sent off, they levelled from a Bobby Ford corner which Matt Elliott powered in.

But Wrexham won the game with a Wayne Phillips volley from 25 yards.