Justin Merritt Previews Ground-breaking Season for Oxford City FC

Anticipation hangs in the air at Oxford City FC. The entire squad, the coaching staff, and the tireless team operating behind the scenes are all eagerly looking forward to the coming days.

Only 82 days have gone by, yet these days have brought forth significant changes. One of them includes a memorable Sunday on May 14, when Ross and his team spearheaded Oxford City FC’s fourth – and most impactful – promotion since the onset of the millennium.

This period marks a new era for Oxford City FC, providing an exceptional opportunity to firmly plant the club’s name at the National League level. As they journey through this significant period, the club extends a warm invitation to all fans to be a part of their journey.

Each step up the promotion ladder is met with challenges, both on and off the pitch. A critical area of focus for the team this summer has been ensuring that the RAW Charging Stadium meets the Football League standards by March 31, 2024.

This goal involves a series of tweaks intended to enhance the matchday experience and safety for the supporters. At the same time, the key elements of operations that fans have grown accustomed to during the club’s time in the National League South will be preserved.

An exciting change for the team’s inaugural home game of the season against Rochdale will be the new pitch, installed by global leaders in artificial grass manufacturing, CCGrass.

The FIFA-grade pro pitch is expected to benefit not just the first team but also the junior and youth groups managed by Ignite Sport, Oxford City FC’s women’s teams, and students from Velocity Football.

The club takes immense pride in this comprehensive, seven-day-a-week operation and is committed to boosting this aspect of the football club, particularly at a time when access to sports is crucial.

Another fresh feature for the coming season will be the segregation of supporters. In line with National League standards, Oxford City FC is in the process of constructing a new stand with increased seating capacity, expected to be ready for Boreham Wood’s visit on August 28.

They’ve also established a partnership with New Marston Primary School to provide additional parking on matchdays, ensuring smooth and safe transitions for fans to and from the stadium.

On the field, the club is thrilled to retain most of its key players who contributed to the victorious 2022-23 promotion campaign, while also introducing fresh talent to fortify the core squad.

In a recent update, Aliyah Anthony, the club’s new Head of Women’s Football, revealed that they have increased playing opportunities for their youth squads and implemented pivotal changes to boost players’ development from the grassroots level.

The past 82 days have been a high point in the club’s illustrious history. Now, it falls on their shoulders to channel this positive energy and strive to achieve their new goals and ambitions.

Stay tuned to Get Radio as we continue to bring you updates on Oxford City FC’s journey through this groundbreaking season.