Excited to see who you get in the draw!
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( ducking )
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Making a Manager - The Story
Ryan Ferguson returns for another English LLM journey
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I realize I'm late to the Tony Pulis party, but I think the problem with the man is that he really needs to start speaking his mind.
( ducking )
( ducking )
A thumping win over Colchester, this FA Cup story just gets more and more incredible! Hopefully the team can take their cup form and keep it going in the league to cap off an extraordinary season!
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Oxford City To Face Liverpool In Fifth Round
Oxford City Will Host Premier League Giants Liverpool In The FA Cup Fifth Round
27/01/2020
National League leaders Oxford City's FA Cup fairy tale has brought up more excitement in anticipation as the FA Cup Fifth Round draw has paired them with Premier League giants, and seven time winners, Liverpool Football Club. The fixture will be played at Kassam Stadium, Oxford City's temporary home, on Tuesday 25th February.
Oxford City have overcome an incredible list of challenges to reach this stage, first beating Bognor Regis Town in the qualifying rounds. Victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round made way for a 5-5 thriller against rivals Oxford United in the Second Round, before a penalty shootout victory in the replay. A controlled victory away to EFL Championship side Wigan Athletic followed in the Third Round, before completing the set with a domination of Colchester Untied in the Fourth Round.
Liverpool entered the competition in the Third Round, and have so far put away Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City in 3-0 scorelines. Liverpool will be looking to win the competition for an eighth time, having reached the semi finals last time out.
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The game will be one of great excitement for Oxford City manager Ryan Ferguson. Ferguson was a youth player for Liverpool and was set to make his professional debut for the club before an unfortunate injury ended his career prematurely. Ferguson began his work as a coach for Liverpool's youth team, and has coached the likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson & more. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a current regular for Liverpool's senior team.
Ferguson spoke of his delight with being paired with his childhood club but has ensured the occasion would not distract him from his job. Ferguson labeled the fixture as an opportunity for his players to showcase their abilities and progress to the world of football against one of football's greatest ever football clubs.
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Oxford City have overcome an incredible list of challenges to reach this stage, first beating Bognor Regis Town in the qualifying rounds. Victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round made way for a 5-5 thriller against rivals Oxford United in the Second Round, before a penalty shootout victory in the replay. A controlled victory away to EFL Championship side Wigan Athletic followed in the Third Round, before completing the set with a domination of Colchester Untied in the Fourth Round.
Liverpool entered the competition in the Third Round, and have so far put away Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City in 3-0 scorelines. Liverpool will be looking to win the competition for an eighth time, having reached the semi finals last time out.
Liverpool Are Challenging For Honours On All Fronts
The game will be one of great excitement for Oxford City manager Ryan Ferguson. Ferguson was a youth player for Liverpool and was set to make his professional debut for the club before an unfortunate injury ended his career prematurely. Ferguson began his work as a coach for Liverpool's youth team, and has coached the likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson & more. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a current regular for Liverpool's senior team.
Ferguson spoke of his delight with being paired with his childhood club but has ensured the occasion would not distract him from his job. Ferguson labeled the fixture as an opportunity for his players to showcase their abilities and progress to the world of football against one of football's greatest ever football clubs.
Oxford City Will Host Liverpool At The Kassam Stadium On 25th February
Ryan Ferguson:
"It is a dream fixture for me personally. Liverpool is the club I grew up supporting and the club I grew up playing youth football for. I came very close to making my professional debut for them but I started my coaching career with their youth team, working alongside Steven Gerrard in my final seasons at the club. It is a club I owe a lot to, particularly Gerrard, John Henry, Jürgen Klopp, Brendan Rodgers and the other coaching staff who have been great to me, and still are great to me whenever I need advice.
The occasion won't distract me. While Liverpool will always have a place in my heart, it is Oxford City that will be on my sleeve and my love for my current club is strong too. We will look to perform as professionally as possible and to give Liverpool the game of their lives when they come to visit us next month.
We know they're a very capable side. Despite selling Mo Salah in the summer, they brought in one of the best midfielders in the world in Saúl. They have Mané, Firmino, Fabinho, van Dijk, Alisson and, of course, Trent, a player I spent years coaching. They have a very capable squad and are one of the best clubs in world football. It will be our toughest challenge yet, since I have come to the club, but one we want to have. It is a sign of the progress we have made that we are playing against such a magnificent football club."
Comment Section
Griffo, and now you know
tenthreeleader, yeah he's quite a quiet person
mgriffin2012, we can only hope!
Previous Update: #64 - City Hammer Colchester In FA Cup 4th Rnd
Next Update: #66 - Season 2019-2020: January
That's a fantastic draw for Ferguson and I'm pleased to see how delighted he is to have got it. A huge moment for both him and the football club, of course. This is a remarkable achievement for the club and I'm looking forward to seeing how things go. I'm expecting a Liverpool win, obviously, I'm afraid, although who knows! I'm sure Trent will be pleased to see the coach that helped his progression too.
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Massive shame it isn't being held at Anfield for the shared gate receipts revenue it could bring to the club, but nevertheless that is a breathtaking draw that I'm sure will bring excitement to the town!
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Season 2019-2020: January
An Overview Of Oxford City In January 2020
Ryan Ferguson:
"January was to be an exciting month for Oxford City in the FA Cup. The players were beginning to feel the fatigue from a long season so far, but the occasions ahead were sure to give them the extra boost required."
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Results
Results
Oxford City Recorded A Near-Perfect Month Of Football In January
Bang, bang! A 4-0 thumping of Gateshead opened the calendar year quite nicely, and this was followed up by an incredibly composed performance to beat Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Our only non-win of the month came next against Morecambe, who kept us on level score. We followed that up with victories over Boreham Wood and Aldershot Town.
Then came the excitement. Losing late on to Maidstone United in the FA Trophy, Ben Rowthorn scored a very very late equaliser before holding midfielder Michael Freiter popped up with a hat trick in extra time. Why didn't he score them sooner?!? An easy 3-0 win versus Dagenham & Redbridge followed before we thumped Colchester United out of the FA Cup in some style.
Then came the excitement. Losing late on to Maidstone United in the FA Trophy, Ben Rowthorn scored a very very late equaliser before holding midfielder Michael Freiter popped up with a hat trick in extra time. Why didn't he score them sooner?!? An easy 3-0 win versus Dagenham & Redbridge followed before we thumped Colchester United out of the FA Cup in some style.
Player of the Month
Ben Rowthorn Was Oxford City's Star Player During January 2020
Ben Rowthorn had, possibly, his first good month of football in an Oxford City shirt. The midfield had a toxic attitude and did not fit into the ethos of the football club. However, he produced the goods when required in January. I will look to move him on as soon as Josh Ashby returns from injury but, for now, he remains as part of the squad.
Ben Rowthorn's Season Stats
 OverviewAppearances: 23 Goals: 2 Assists: 3 PotM Awards: 0 |
 Disciplinary RecordFouls Committed: 36 (1.57 per game) Fouls Against: 22 (0.96 per game) Yellow Cards: 6 Red Cards: 0 |
 Attacking PlayShots On Target Ratio: 77.78% (7/9) Dribbles Completed: 5 (0.22 per game) Key Passes: 27 (1.17 per game) Crosses Completed: 0 (0.00 per game) |
 General PlayPass Completion Ratio: 80.05% (955/1,193) Headers Won: 54 (2.35 per game) Minutes Played: 1,526 Average Rating: 7.12 |
 Defensive PlayKey Tackles: 0 (0 per game) Tackles Won Ratio: 93.75% (45/48) Interceptions: 36 (1.57 per game) Distance Covered: 201.0km (8.74km per game) |
Assistant Manager's Report Value: £21,000 Wage: £675 p/w Current Ability:  Potential Ability:  |
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National League
National League
Oxford City Opened Up A Nine Point Gap At The Top
Our unbeaten run continued! We had opened up a nine point gap at the top, which gave us some sort of margin for error in the latter part of the season. We could now afford to rotate a little bit more than before, although we were wary that a drop in form would prove disastrous.
Finances
Oxford City's Finances Were In Good Condition
Our balance was making its way towards the one million pound mark. The FA Cup fixtures had given us an incredible boost and the board had provisionally agreed to develop the club's youth facilities, and invest in data analysis facilities. Good news for the development of the football club!
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Upcoming Fixtures
Oxford City Will Play Against Liverpool In The FA Cup
I don't think there's a single person interested in anything else but the FA Cup. At the end of the month, we would face the mighty Liverpool. Allez allez allez and all that. We knew we would most likely lose, but what a game to play in!
Comment Section
ScottT, it'll be a massive occasion for all involved. For Oxford City, the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world. For Ryan, the opportunity to play against his childhood team. For Trent, the opportunity to play against his mentor. For Liverpool, the opportunity to play against Kabongo.Griffo, woah Nelly!
mgriffin2012, luckily we're still at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium so we can have a crowd of over 12,000 at the game!
Previous Update: #65 - Oxford City To Face Liverpool In Fifth Round
Next Update: #67 - Fergie: Dream To Play Against Liverpool
The fun part about a long Cup run is what it does to the revenue figures. A small club getting deep into things makes the bean-counters very happy. Now, go and slay the giant!
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A fantastic month all-round for the football club. Firstly, the results have been incredible as of late and this is reflected in a magnificent cup run and leading the division by a comfortable margin. The finances are in a great shape too, which is crazy to think when you consider how they were when Ryan arrived at the club. Glad to see you've managed to get the goods out of Rowthorn after a toxic start to life with the club. Hopefully he can now settle down and continue to deliver.
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Fergie: Dream To Play Against Liverpool
Ferguson Spoke Of His Elation With Being Paired Against Liverpool In FA Cup
01/02/2020
Much has been made of Oxford City's incredible rise in recent seasons. The style of football, the results, the fan base. Oxford City are the next big thing in English football, if they continue in their current trajectory, and their manager has received much of the praise. Ryan Ferguson took the reigns at Court Place Farm in the summer of 2018 and the twenty-eight year old and Oxford City have not looked back since.
The club looks set for back-to-back league titles and promotions, and are in contention for a second consecutive FA Trophy. However, it has been the club's incredible progress in the FA Cup which has caught the eyes of the public. Following last season's impressive march to the Third Round, Oxford City have defied all expectations by reaching the Fifth Round this year.
It is Ryan Ferguson's childhood club Liverpool who await Oxford City at the end of the month. Ferguson played for Liverpool at youth level and nearly played professionally for the club, only to be denied by a premature career-ending injury. Ferguson worked as a youth coach for a number of years at the club, playing a part in the development of players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raheem Sterling & more.
Lincoln City are the only non-League team in history to reach the Sixth Round of the FA Cup, doing so in the 2016-2017 season. Oxford City will be hoping to match that feat but they know beating Liverpool would take a miracle. Oxford City will take satisfaction in the fact that they have become the tenth non-League club in history to reach the Fifth Round of the competition.
Ryan Ferguson has spoke of his elation with coming up against his former club in the Fifth Round of the competition. He labeled the game as a dream tie, but promised that he and his players would play the game of their lives against Jürgen Klopp's men.
The club looks set for back-to-back league titles and promotions, and are in contention for a second consecutive FA Trophy. However, it has been the club's incredible progress in the FA Cup which has caught the eyes of the public. Following last season's impressive march to the Third Round, Oxford City have defied all expectations by reaching the Fifth Round this year.
It is Ryan Ferguson's childhood club Liverpool who await Oxford City at the end of the month. Ferguson played for Liverpool at youth level and nearly played professionally for the club, only to be denied by a premature career-ending injury. Ferguson worked as a youth coach for a number of years at the club, playing a part in the development of players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raheem Sterling & more.
Lincoln City are the only non-League team in history to reach the Sixth Round of the FA Cup, doing so in the 2016-2017 season. Oxford City will be hoping to match that feat but they know beating Liverpool would take a miracle. Oxford City will take satisfaction in the fact that they have become the tenth non-League club in history to reach the Fifth Round of the competition.
Ryan Ferguson has spoke of his elation with coming up against his former club in the Fifth Round of the competition. He labeled the game as a dream tie, but promised that he and his players would play the game of their lives against Jürgen Klopp's men.
Ryan Ferguson:
"It is a dream tie for myself, personally. Liverpool Football Club are a side I will always have a place for in my heart. I spent my childhood adoring the club and being a part of their setup. I very nearly had the opportunity to play professionally for them, only for an unfortunate injury to take over.
Perhaps the injury was for the best. I wouldn't be here now, as manager of Oxford City, had I not picked up that injury. Everything that has happened has put me in this position right now, up against the club I have been a part of for the vast majority of my life to date.
I won't let my feelings for Liverpool distract me from the task at hand. We will show the club due respect but we will play the game of our lives. We will give them a challenge, I can assure everybody of that, and we will give everything in a fight for the win. I think we can do it, but we need to be at the very best of our abilities to make it happen.
I am so proud of my players for reaching this stage of the competition. Not many non-League teams have reached the Fifth Round before, so we can look back at our passage to the Fifth Round with pride. We have played some memorable games with some memorable performances. We just need one more to reach the Sixth Round."
Comment Section
tenthreeleader, the financial boost was a significant one and we hope to be able to provide one more cup upset this term!ScottT, I don't see Rowthorn staying for much longer, to be honest, but let's hope he can prove to us that he has a future
Griffo, we're on the final stretch now, just one more big push needed!
Previous Update: #66 - Season 2019/2020: January
Next Update: #68 - Oxford City Downed By Majestic Liverpool
Nine-point gap, new youth facilities and Liverpool coming to town - you have certainly made a manager alright!
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Incredible to come up against the Reds, would be one of the greatest shocks ever if you pull it off
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