36 Years Ago Today: QPR-Oxford U League Cup Final

[Macmoish]

Bump/Edit... 36 Years ago

After beating Hull and Watford and Nottingham Forest and Chelsea and Liverpool...to lose to Oxford in the League ("Milk") Cup Final

Oxford United 3 - Queens Park Rangers 0
Milk (League) Cup Final
April 20, 1986


From BUSHMAN






John Aldridge holds of QPR's Warren Neill

A crowd of 90,396 attended Wembley for this meeting between the club which Jim Smith was managing and the club which he had left the previous summer.

United had been without Billy Hamilton for many months and had lost Peter Rhoades-Brown just three weeks earlier in a nasty tackle with Martin Allen (of QPR), but were otherwise at full strength.

After a cagey start, United took a 40th-minute lead through Man of the Match Trevor Hebberd. He took a ball down the left from John Aldridge, before cutting inside, dragging the ball back past Irish International player Alan MacDonald and shooting low and hard inside the near post.

Attacking the tunnel end in the second half, United totally dominated proceedings, keeper Alan Judge's only save being from a long range effort from Ian Dawes in the 73rd minute.

United's midfield of Ray Houghton, Les Phillips, Trevor Hebberd and Kevin Brock were in total control and it came as no surprise that further goals came. The first involved a string of beautiful passes and ended with Hebberd setting up a perceptive Ray Houghton with a close-range finish after 53 minutes.


Man of the match Trevor Hebberd pictured with Maurice Evans

With four minutes remaining, yet another move involving Hebberd and Aldridge ended with Jeremy Charles tapping in from close range after Aldridge's cross shot had been parried.

The three-goal League Cup final margin still stands as a record (since equalled by Aston Villa). There can rarely have been a more one-sided cup final of any category at Wembley.

Manager Maurice Evans quite characteristically and graciously permitted his long serving physiotherapist to collect a medal instead of himself.

THE TEAMS
Queens Park Rangers: Paul Barron, McDonald, Dawes, Warren Neill, Steve Wicks, Terry Fenwick, Allen (Leroy Rosenior), Robbie James, Gary Bannister, John Byrne and Michael Robinson.

Oxford: Judge, Dave Langan, John Trewick, Phillips, Gary Briggs, Malcolm Shotton (captain) , Houghton,


www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/clubhistory/famousmatches/

[Macmoish]

April 20, 1986....A Day that will Live in Infamy...


The Times
SportsFile: Caught in Time: Oxford United win the League Cup,
1986 Greg Struthers

There were 90,396 spectators at Wembley stadium on April 20, 1986, to watch Oxford United play Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup final. You can add one more to that number. His name was Alan Judge, and he was in goal for Oxford.
�I was a bit of a spectator,� he recalls, �but it was fantastic to sit back and watch a performance we knew we were all capable of.� Judge needed to make only one save as Oxford swept aside their favoured London opponents 3-0 with goals by Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton and Jeremy Charles. �We were an under-rated team with a few players who became better known later in their careers and some quality stalwarts who never let you down,� Judge says.

Oxford had won promotion from the Third to the First Division in two seasons, and their run in the cup was a pleasant distraction from their struggle to stay in the top flight. �It helped our confidence and broke a sequence of losses,� Judge said. �By the time we reached the semi-finals we were playing far better than at any time during the season, and we had some good results after our Wembley match, beating Everton 1-0 and Arsenal 3-0 to stay up.�

Oxford�s rise to the First Division was masterminded by Jim Smith, who had left to take over at QPR the previous summer. Smith could only watch as his former charges took control at Wembley on a day that belonged to the old and new of Oxford. Maurice Evans, the new Oxford manager, decided that the club�s long-serving physiotherapist, Ken Fish, should collect a medal instead of him, while one of the ballboys was Joey Beauchamp, who went on to become Oxford�s leading star in the 1990s [The numbers refer to a photograph, which is not carried on the website].

1 Ray Graydon
Oxford�s assistant manager knew what League Cups were all about. He clinched the 1975 final for Aston Villa against Norwich and collected another winner�s medal in 1977 when Villa beat Everton. Graydon began his career at Bristol Rovers in 1963 and after an illustrious spell at Villa, he played for Coventry and the Washington Diplomats before joining Oxford, where he was a player and then coach. He also coached at Southampton and twice took Walsall into the First Division as manager. He is now in the hotseat at Bristol Rovers

2 Ray Houghton
The Glasgow-born midfielder was given a free transfer by West Ham after only one game. Then his career took off, first at Fulham and then at Oxford from September 1985. Houghton�s form during two years at the Manor Ground won him the first of 62 caps for the Republic of Ireland and caught the eye of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who signed him for �800,000 in October 1987. Houghton won two First Division titles and two FA Cups with Liverpool and scored winning goals for Ireland against England and Italy. He won a League Cup with Aston Villa and then went into coaching. Now a media pundit, he was a consultant for the popular computer game Championship Manager

3 John Aldridge
A prolific goalscorer, the Liverpudlian hammed home 72 goals in 114 games for Oxford in three years. Aldridge joined them in 1984 after spells at South Liverpool and Newport. His scoring rate of more than a goal every other game attracted Liverpool, who signed him for �750,000 in January 1987. He enjoyed success with the Reds and the Republic of Ireland and in Spain with Real Sociedad. He also made his mark at Tranmere Rovers, whom he managed in the 2000 League Cup final. He has opened an upmarket pub in Liverpool called The Place

4 Trevor Hebberd
A tireless midfielder, he was the man of the match in the final and had a part in all three goals. He was an apprentice for Southampton before joining Oxford in 1982 after loan spells at Bolton and Leicester. He had a huge role in Oxford�s climb to the top flight, playing in 260 games. �They were good times, and the cup final capped it all. It was a great day out,� he says. He was sold to Derby in 1988 and played for Portsmouth, Chesterfield and Lincoln. He works in a warehouse in Leicester. �There wasn�t the money in football then, so I am back in the real world,� he says

5 Andy Thomas
He spent all 90 minutes on the bench during the final. Thomas joined Oxford as an apprentice in 1980 and in six years played in more than 100 games before moving to Newcastle and then Bradford and Plymouth. Disconsolate that he was never given the chance to play at Wembley, he finally got his shot at glory when he took Oxford City to the FA Vase Trophy final in 1995 as player-manager. His team was dominating the final after equalising, but lost momentum after two substitutions, and Arlesey Town won 2-1

6 Alan Judge
His only regret was that he is remembered for having a quiet day between the posts in the final, rather than for the match-winning saves that helped Oxford stay in the First Division. Judge joined for �10,000 in 1985 after spells with Luton and Reading. Five years later he moved to Lincoln. He also played for Cardiff and Hereford. Diagnosed with bowel Cancer in 2000, he fought back to full health and was fit enough to play in a first-team game for Oxford at the age of 42 last season when the club had a goalkeeping crisis. �I was voted man of the match, but that was probably out of sympathy.� He is the goalkeeping coach at Oxford and works part-time as a driving instructor �to help feed the family while I progress up the coaching ladder�

7 Gary Briggs
A no-holds-barred defender whose rugged style epitomised Oxford�s back four, �Rambo� played in 502 games in a sterling 11-year spell. He was an apprentice at Middlesbrough before moving south in 1978, becoming the first transfer settled by the Football League�s tribunal. He studied horticulture and is a consultant for sporting bodies on laying surfaces for sports fields

8 Kevin Brock
Born in Bicester, the midfielder joined Oxford as an apprentice in 1979 and played in 245 League games in eight years. After a spell at QPR, he finished his career at Newcastle. He managed Oxford City and is in charge of Banbury United

9 Les Phillips
A talented midfielder, he joined Oxford from Birmingham in 1983 and played in 179 League matches in nine years. He also played for Northampton and Marlow when they beat Oxford in the FA Cup. When Oxford ran into financial trouble, he auctioned his League Cup medal and donated the proceeds to the club. Phillips works for a building company in Oxfordshire

10 John Trewick
A strong defender, Trewick began his career at West Bromwich Albion. After a visit to the Great Wall of China when touring with the club, he said: �When you�ve seen one wall, you�ve seen them all.� He joined Oxford in 1984 after a loan spell and played in 114 League games in three seasons. He also represented Birmingham and Hartlepool. His coaching career took him to West Brom and Derby, and he is coach at Cradley Town

11 Malcolm Shotton
The Oxford captain at the heart of the defence joined the club in 1980 and played an integral part in their progress. Shotton�s uncompromising style made him a popular player during his seven years at the Manor. He played for seven clubs, but failed to keep Oxford in the new First Division as manager in the late 1990s. At 46, he is head coach at Loughborough University and a coach at Leeds United

12 David Langan
A stout defender, he played in 114 League games in a three-year spell at Oxford, but had to battle through the pain barrier. He twisted his knee when helping the Republic of Ireland beat France 1-0 in 1981 and decided to play on. Since then he has been in constant pain and was forced to retire at 32 after collecting 26 caps and playing for six clubs. He has had two operations on his spine and is a virtual cripple. Denied a testimonial by the Football Association of Ireland, he works as a porter at Peterborough Town Hall

13 Jeremy Charles
The nephew of Wales great John Charles, he began his career at Swansea and scored the club�s first goal in the First Division. After a spell at QPR, he moved to Oxford in February 1985. He won 19 caps for Wales and has coached at Swansea and Southampton. He runs schools coaching courses in Oxfordshire

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article992398.ece

[Macmoish]

The Path to Wembley
www.rsssf.com/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html

1985-86
Round 1 (20/21 Aug and 3/4 Sep 1985):
-------------------------------------
Aldershot(4) - Orient London(4) 1-3 2-2
Bolton Wanderers(3) - Stockport County(4) 4-1 1-1
Bradford City(2) - Chesterfield(3) 2-2 4-3 aet
Bristol Rovers(3) - Newport County(3) 2-0 0-1
Burnley(4) - Bury(3) 2-1 3-5
Cambridge United(4) - Brentford London(3) 1-1 0-2
Cardiff City(3) - Swansea City(3) 2-1 1-3
Charlton Athletic(2) - Crystal Palace London(2) 1-2 1-1
Colchester United(4) - Millwall London(2) 2-3 1-4
Crewe Alexandra(4) - Carlisle United(2) 3-3 4-3
Darlington(3) - Sc**thorpe United(4) 3-2 0-0 (10 Sep)
Derby County(3) - Hartlepool United(4) 3-0 0-2
Halifax Town(4) - Hull City(2) 1-1 0-3
Hereford United(4) - Bristol City(3) 5-1 0-2
Mansfield Town(4) - Middlesbrough(2) 2-0 4-4
Notts County Nottingham(3) - Doncaster Rovers(3) 1-0 1-2 aet
Peterborough United(4) - Northampton Town(4) 0-0 0-2
Plymouth Argyle(3) - Exeter City(4) 2-1 0-2
Preston North End(4) - Blackpool(3) 2-1 3-1
Reading(3) - Bournemouth(3) 1-3 0-2
Rotherham United(3) - Sheffield United(2) 1-3 1-5
Southend United(4) - Gillingham(3) 1-1 0-2
Torquay United(4) - Swindon Town(4) 1-2 2-2
Tranmere Rovers(4) - Chester City(4) 1-3 0-0
Walsall(3) - Wolverhampton Wanderers(3) 1-1 1-0
Wigan Athletic(3) - Port Vale Stoke(4) 2-1 0-2 (2 Sep)
Wrexham(4) - Rochdale(4) 4-0 1-2
York City(3) - Lincoln City(3) 2-1 2-1

Round 2 (23/25 Sep and 7/8 Oct 1985):
-------------------------------------
Brentford London(3) - Sheffield Wednesday(1) 2-2 0-2 (15 Oct)
Brighton and Hove Albion(2) - Bradford City(2) 5-2 2-0
Bristol Rovers(3) - Birmingham City(1) 2-3 1-2
Bury(3) - Manchester City(1) 1-2 1-2
Chester City(4) - Coventry City(1) 1-2 2-7
Crewe Alexandra(4) - Watford(1) 1-3 2-3
Crystal Palace London(2) - Manchester United(1) 0-1 0-1
Derby County(3) - Leicester City(1) 2-0 1-1
Everton Liverpool(1) - Bournemouth(3) 3-2 2-0
Exeter City(4) - Aston Villa Birmingham(1) 1-4 1-8
Fulham London(2) - Notts County Nottingham(3) 1-1 4-2 aet
Gillingham(3) - Portsmouth(2) 1-3 1-2
Grimsby Town(2) - York City(3) 1-1 3-2
Hereford United(4) - Arsenal London(1) 0-0 1-2 aet
Ipswich Town(1) - Darlington(3) 3-1 4-1
Leeds United(2) - Walsall(3) 0-0 3-0
Liverpool(1) - Oldham Athletic(2) 3-0 5-2
Mansfield Town(4) - Chelsea London(1) 2-2 0-2
Millwall London(2) - Southampton(1) 0-0 0-0 aet (4-5 pen)
Newcastle United(1) - Barnsley(2) 0-0 1-1 aet
Nottingham Forest(1) - Bolton Wanderers(3) 4-0 3-0
Orient London(4) - Tottenham Hotspur(1) 2-0 0-4 (30 Oct)
Oxford United(1) - Northampton Town(4) 2-1 2-0
Preston North End(4) - Norwich City(2) 1-1 1-2 (*)
Queens Park Rangers(1) - Hull City(2) 3-0 5-1
Sheffield United(2) - Luton Town(1) 1-2 1-3
Shrewsbury Town(2) - Huddersfield Town(2) 2-3 2-0
Sunderland(2) - Swindon Town(4) 3-2 1-3 aet
West Bromwich Albion(1) - Port Vale Stoke(4) 1-0 2-2
West Ham United London(1) - Swansea City(3) 3-0 3-2
Wimbledon London(2) - Blackburn Rovers(2) 5-0 1-2
Wrexham(4) - Stoke City(2) 0-1 0-1

(*) 1st match: 30 September.

Round 3 (29/30 October 1985):
-----------------------------
Birmingham City(1) - Southampton(1) 1-1
Chelsea London(1) - Fulham London(2) 1-1
Coventry City(1) - West Bromwich Albion(1) 0-0
Derby County(3) - Nottingham Forest(1) 1-2
Grimsby Town(2) - Ipswich Town(1) 0-2
Leeds United(2) - Aston Villa Birmingham(1) 0-3
Liverpool(1) - Brighton and Hove Albion(2) 4-0
Luton Town(1) - Norwich City(2) 0-2
Manchester City(1) - Arsenal London(1) 1-2
Manchester United(1) - West Ham United London(1) 1-0
Oxford United(1) - Newcastle United(1) 3-1
Portsmouth(2) - Stoke City(2) 2-0
Shrewsbury Town(2) - Everton Liverpool(1) 1-4
Swindon Town(4) - Sheffield Wednesday(1) 1-0
Tottenham Hotspur(1) - Wimbledon London(2) 2-0 (6 Nov)
Watford(1) - Queens Park Rangers(1) 0-1

Replays Round 3 (6 November 1985):
----------------------------------
Fulham London(2) - Chelsea London(1) 0-1
Southampton(1) - Birmingham City(1) 3-0
West Bromwich Albion(1) - Coventry City(1) 4-3

Round 4 (19-26 Nov 1985):
-------------------------
Arsenal London(1) - Southampton(1) 0-0
Aston Villa Birmingham(1) - West Br.Albion(1) 2-2
Chelsea London(1) - Everton Liverpool(1) 2-2
Ipswich Town(1) - Swindon Town(4) 6-1
Liverpool(1) - Manchester United(1) 2-1
Oxford United(1) - Norwich City(2) 3-1
Queens Park Rangers(1) - Nottingham Forest(1) 3-1
Tottenham Hotspur London(1) - Portsmouth(2) 0-0

Replays Round 4 (26 November 1985):
-----------------------------------
Everton Liverpool(1) - Chelsea London(1) 1-2 (10 Dec)
Portsmouth(2) - Tottenham Hotspur London(1) 0-0
Southampton(1) - Arsenal London(1) 1-3
West Bromwich Albion(1) - Aston Villa(1) 1-2

2e Replay Round 4 (10 December 1985):
-------------------------------------
Portsmouth(2) - Tottenham Hotspur London(1) 1-0

1/4 Final (21/22 January 1986):
-------------------------------
Aston Villa Birmingham(1) - Arsenal London(1) 1-1
Liverpool(1) - Ipswich Town(1) 3-0
Oxford United(1) - Portsmouth(2) 3-1
Queens Park Rangers(1) - Chelsea London(1) 1-1

Replays 1/4 Final (29 January 1986):
------------------------------------
Arsenal London(1) - Aston Villa(1) 1-2 (4 Feb)
Chelsea London(1) - Queens Park Rangers(1) 0-2

1/2 Final:
----------
Queens Park Rangers(1) - Liverpool(1) 1-0 2-2
Aston Villa Birmingham(1) - Oxford United(1) 2-2 1-2

Final (20 April 1986, Wembley):
-------------------------------
Oxford United(1) - Queens Park Rangers(1) 3-0

League Cup Winners: Oxford United.


www.rsssf.com/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html

[Macmoish]

Happier moment: Beating Chelsea in the Replay a couple rounds earlier

[Macmoish]

And then "beating" Liverpool

[Macmoish]

OXFORD MAIL

Rosenthal recalls Oxford United's Wembley glories - but which was more vital?

Wednesday 20th April 2011

Two Wembley successes and two magnificent achievements – but just which is Oxford United’s greatest day?

Promotion back into the Football League in May came almost a quarter of a century after the U’s lifted the Milk Cup in 1986.

And one of the central figures when United won what is now the Carling Cup 25 years ago to the day says last year’s Wembley win was much more important.

Jim Rosenthal was the ITV sports presenter for the live screening of the final on April 20, 1986 when Oxford United beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0.

He is now one of the club’s directors, and he admits that their return to the national stadium last May, for the Conference Play-Off final, was much more nail-biting – because, for the club, it meant so much more.

“There was much more tension last May,” he says. “That was the one.

“Listen . . . the Milk Cup was a wonderful day for the club and we won a tournament at Wembley, that was fantastic.

“But in terms of the overall status of the club, that trip to Wembley last May was much more nerve-wracking and much more important.”

Rosenthal was broadcasting to millions back in ‘86.

But 11 months ago, he knew that Oxford United were facing oblivion if they couldn’t overcome York and return to the Football League.

“I was in more of a state last May than 25 years ago because, if we hadn’t won that game, we were in danger of becoming a Wrexham, a Cambridge, a York, and spending a very long time out of the Football League.

“So of the two Wembley games Oxford United have been involved in, I loved that one in 1986, but there is absolutely no doubt that the one in 2010 was more important.”

Rosenthal, a former Oxford Mail sports reporter, reckons May 16, 2010 was more draining.

“Even after the game at Wembley last year, friends have told me they were talking to me afterwards and I wasn’t taking anything in,” Rosenthal said.

“I had been very nervous that day.

“The Milk Cup final was different because I had a job to do.”

www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/usnews/8983153.Rosenthal_recalls_Oxford_United_s_Wembley_glories___but_which_was_more_vital_/

[Lonegunmen]

As if we needed reminding. Well that F***ed my good day over!

[Macmoish]

Oxford Official Site

25 years ago today!
Posted on: Wed 20 Apr 2011

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the greatest day in United's history.

On Sunday 20th April 1986 Oxford beat Queen's Park Rangers 3-0 at Wembley with goals from Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton and Jeremy Charles.

To commemorate the occasion there will be a special celebration at the Chesterfield game on Saturday, with a screening of the final being shown at the stadium before the match and a special 16-page supplement inside the usual 84-page programme.

A number of players who etched themselves into the club's history on that day in London will be attending the match, be presented to the crowd before the game and have lunch with supporters.

Trevor Hebberd, Malcolm Shotton and Les Phillips, who all played in the game, will be in attendance, along with members of the squad from that time including Neil Slatter and Steve Hardwick.

Supporters are urged to dig out their replica shirts, scarves and banners and create a great atmosphere for the clash with Chesterfield.

For only £12.00 for Adults and £8.50 for Under 11's, supporters can:

• Watch the game on a big screen in the Spires Suite
• Enjoy a cottage pie with selected vegetables
• See Peter Rhoades-Brown host the event
• Enjoy a Milk Cup Final Players Q & A session after the match
• Take advantage of a Cash Bar
• Arrive for 11.45am with the Match Coverage starting at 12pm

Peter Rhoades-Brown said: "This should be a fantastic occasion with many of the former heroes of '86 returning to the club to relive that famous day on our first ever trip to Wembley.

"We hope as many as possible will make the effort to come and meet the players and share in a few memories of that momentous victory."

Match tickets are available NOW via the below link, or by calling 01865 337533.

To purchase your Milk Cup Celebration tickets visit the ticket office or call 01865 337533. Tickets for the celebration are available until 5.30pm on Wednesday 20th April.



www.oufc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10342~2341821,00.html

[coitparkrangers]

I think I puked in my mouth a little...

[Macmoish]

I don't know how to do it...And yes they so blew it/failed on the day. But there really still should be some recognition for this team which so brilliantly jumped all those earlier hurdles: Four top First Division Clubs: Watford, Nott F, Chelsea in two games; Liverpool in two games.

[Bushman]

[hertshoop]

Was it really that long ago !

Must have subliminaly blocked it from my memory - what an abysmally shite day that was

[Macmoish]

Bump...27 Years ago

[rousdonhoops]

I worked for one of Robert Maxwell's printing companies, at Xmas that year, instead of a bottle of scotch we got ''Oxford United, The Glory Years''. Got made redundant, thankfully before he was rumbled in the Mirror Pension scandal, got a fair pay off before he launched himself off his yacht ;D

[Bushman]

I met Cap'n Bob socially on several occasions and found him to be one of the most odious human beings I have ever met!!!!!
Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape) who was the Vice Chairman at Oxford Utd could not stand the man.
As an aside it was Morris who designed The Ox Head badge for them.

[Macmoish]

Remember "Thames Valley Royals?"

[Bushman]

Apr 20, 2013 8:05:52 GMT Macmoish said:

Remember "Thames Valley Royals?"

Oxford and Reading. The bouncing Czech wanted them to play at a site in Didcot.
Jim Smith would have managed them. Maxwell threatened to fold Oxford if the merger didn't go ahead. Nasty piece of work.

[Lonegunmen]

Isn't this also the day that music died??

[rousdonhoops]

Apr 20, 2013 8:03:39 GMT Bushman said:

I met Cap'n Bob socially on several occasions and found him to be one of the most odious human beings I have ever met!!!!!
Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape) who was the Vice Chairman at Oxford Utd could not stand the man.
As an aside it was Morris who designed The Ox Head badge for them.

not surprised at that Bush, at the Mirror in Holborn, he insisted in having the sole use of one of only two lifts, despite hundreds working there. His son was in control of the firm I worked at, he looked at you as if he trod in something, must have run in the family

[Macmoish]

Bump 28 Years ago...
Our SHOCK DEFEAT at Wembley...

[Macmoish]

STILL Unbelievable - 29 Years ago today

[Macmoish]

30 Years Ago today

[Macmoish]

31 Years ago: The game that never was - and certainly a result that truly shocked all QPR Fans - after all we did to get there. Truly, truly, amazing cup run - till Wembley

[Macmoish]

32 years

[harr]

Wow , frightening.
We all had plans for it being such a great day......
Not quite sure I went with one other QPR fan and two Oxford fans,

[Macmoish]

QPR Barron, McDonald, Dawes, Neill, Wicks, Fenwick, Allen ( Rosenior), James, G Bannister, Byrne Robinson.

From BUSHMAN

[Macmoish]

36 Years!