Oxford United began the week with a trophy parade around the city following their promotion to the Championship.
But the reality of playing in the second tier became apparent shortly after when the club announced their retained and released list.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Highs and Lows of Promotion
Trophy Parade
On Monday, Oxford’s players and staff took to the famous city of dreaming spires to showcase their trophy from their famous playoff win.
Thousands of U’s fans flocked to the city centre to cheer their team home as they prepare for second tier football for the first time in 25 years.
Bodin Departs
Billy Bodin was the first Oxford player to leave the club after he announced the news on Twitter.
He said: “My time at @OUFCOfficial has come to an end. After such a great start to the season on a personal level it was hard finding myself out the team for the back end of the season but that’s football. And to end up with 9 goals and a promotion was all worth it.”
The Welshman turned out 106 times for the U’s over three seasons, where he scored 25 goals.
‘The Premier League is a Dream for Owners” – Oxford United Co-Owner
U’s co-owner Anindya Bakrie says there is no reason why the club shouldn’t ‘dream big and get to the Premier League’.
Bakrie was unable to make the game at Wembley due to a family emergency, but watched on from Indonesia.
He told the PA news agency: “It’s something you dream of every day, you can make it and win at Wembley.
“It is indeed an exciting time to take part with this club, who have made it to the Championship for the first time in the last 25 years.
“When they put the trophy on the TV, I was holding it. I felt like I was at Wembley. I was in Indonesia, the plane was booked, but sometimes family needs to come first when it comes to emergency, but the fans and my fellow co-owners were there.”
He added: “We do want to keep our best players. It is going to be challenging we have no doubt.
“The Premier League is a dream for owners. Being a part of Oxford is something we are proud of, and we take it very seriously.
“To be able to bring the club to the Championship is a dream and the aspiration is to move forward, but we will not think of it as an overnight thing.
“But, like anything in life, with hard work and togetherness through good times and bad, there is no reason why we should not dream big and get to the Premier League.”
Released and Retained List
On Thursday, Oxford announced the list of players to be retained and released.
Billy Bodin announced earlier in the week that he will be leaving the club, while James Henry, Marcus Browne and Steve Seddon will also depart.
The club have triggered one-tear options on Marcus McGuane and Josh Johnson, and are in negotiations with Josh Murphy, Joe Bennett and Josh McEachran.
Kyle Edwards will remain while he continues his rehab from injury.
Henry joined the U’s in 2017 and has turned out 260 times for the club, scoring 57 times. Browne enjoyed two loan spells before signing on a permanent basis in 2022 but injuries have hampered his time at Grenoble Road.
Bodin spent three seasons at the club, scoring 25 times from 106 appearances, while Seddon has spent the last 18 months away on loan with Cambridge and Burton respectively.
