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Matt Bloomfield and Will Lankshear react to Oxford relegated after two years in Championship

Matt Bloomfield and Will Lankshear react to Oxford United being relegated to League One after two years in the Championship.

The U’s sat six points from safety going into the weekend’s action, and relied on two wins in their last two games, as well as two losses for Charlton, for a chance of staying up.

But following Charlton’s 2-1 victory at home to Hull and West Brom’s 0-0 draw at home to automatic promotion hopeful Ipswich, that sent Oxford back to the third tier.

Oxford did give their fans something to cheer about despite being relegated before they kicked off. A 4-1 win over bottom side Sheffield Wednesday.

Charlton’s Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London after avoiding relegation:

“I’m delighted. Relief is the biggest thing because I don’t think we should have been in this position after the start to the season [we had] with the group we’ve got.

“We know we’re playing in a very difficult league and maybe lack a little bit of the quality that others have to put teams to bed.

“If you’d asked me at the beginning of the season if I’d taken this, I probably wouldn’t.

“For us to move and do what we want to do next year, the first stage is we have to be a Championship side.

“And we’ve done that, and I’m proud of the group because we’ve had a tough time this year.”

Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford: “Complete mix [of emotions].

“Obviously extreme disappointment at what’s happened today in terms of the position of the football club but that’s certainly mixed in with pride for our supporters and the way they have supported the boys over the season and today.

“The way they welcomed the group at the end, there’s also a lot of hope for the future.

“I’m really excited for the future but I have to admit my overriding feeling today is one of disappointment.

“You look at yourself all the time, it’s just a part of trying to get better. You always have to assess and re-assess, you have to try and learn from setbacks so of course I look at myself.

“If you want to get better at anything you have to be self-critical.”

Asked if his side played with a bit more freedom today after the pre-match news, he said, per Oxford Mail:

“Maybe. But we set the team up, we’ve been working hard the last couple of days in the way we wanted to play. Tactically I was really pleased with the way we played.

“There were some really pleasing performances in there but as a unit I thought in possession we were very, very good. A couple of bits out of possession I wasn’t so pleased about but in possession I thought we were very good.”

STATEMENT:

A message to supporters from Chairman, Grant Ferguson, after Oxford’s relegation from the Championship was confirmed on Saturday.

“Relegation is a hugely disappointing outcome for everyone connected to Oxford United Football Club. It is not how we wanted the season to end, and we know how much it hurts. However, this Football Club will not be defined by one single season.

“We returned to the second tier of English Football two years ago with ambition and complete belief in our ability to compete at this level, and there have been special moments and memories. This campaign, though, we have fallen just short of what was required to retain our Championship status.

“Our time in the division has taught us a lot about what it takes to be here and where we are as a Club. It has also helped drive progress behind the scenes, with important steps taken that leave us better prepared for what comes next.

“Now, our focus is on how we respond. We will regroup quickly, make improvements and approach the summer with clarity and purpose. We will continue to strengthen to attack League One next season and build a team which can challenge for promotion. We recognise what is required and will act accordingly.

It continued: “To our supporters, your backing throughout the season has been incredible and we can’t thank you enough. Home and away, you have followed the Club in huge numbers and full voice. Your passion for this Club is deeply appreciated, especially in the most difficult of moments. It’s this support which means we can move forward as one to improve and come back stronger again.

“While results for the Men’s Team have not been what we hoped they would be, there has been real progress across the Club. Work on our new stadium continues, our Women’s Team is developing well under Head Coach Liam Gilbert, with a record FA Cup run along the way, and our Academy has enjoyed an immensely successful season, winning both Under-21 and Under-18 leagues.

“While it’s difficult to discuss against the backdrop of relegation, this Club is growing and we are in a better position than ever to respond with a fantastic group of people behind the scenes. We will start next season in League One, but our ambition remains the same.

“We know there is work to do, and we are ready for it. We will progress together, giving everything to build a Football Club you can continue to be proud of.

“Thank you again for your support. We have one game remaining to end the season with pride and professionalism, and then we will do everything possible to return as quickly as possible.

Yours, Grant”

Fans joined Matt Bloomfield and Will Lankshear as they react to Oxford relegated after two years in the Championship…

@Rysenberg2:
Positives to take from Relegation
– took it to the final days of the season
– made teams work for a result.
– beat Ipswich, Leicester & Southampton
– New stadium coming that we can actually call ours & home
– we get Reading, MK Don’s and Wycombe away … maybe little Swindon

@fingaldinz: Have to feel for Oxford despite 18 points in there last 11. It’s too little too late. Better than playoff form in the last 11, needed it earlier

@danielfreeman83: Here we are then. 20 years ago after our last relegation I sobbed my heart out in the East Stand, drunk my body weight in cheap beer, started a fight in Henley and got found in stinging nettles at 3 in the morning. I’ve taken this one a bit better. We’ll be back. #oufc

@nickmanor: I hate the fact we’ve been relegated. However, I love the fact we stood together yesterday as one. We demonstrated our support of the club. No moaning, no name calling just a demonstration of love for our club. I felt proud that in a time of deep disappointment we were United

@nickmanor: One of our greatest loan signings & a real privilege to have seen @WillLankshear wear the yellow shirt. He demonstrated a real desire to win & gave everything each time he played. I’m convinced he’ll go on to play for England. We can then say that’s Will, we saw him play for OUFC

@Rosie_may16: Well I feel like this has been the likely outcome for a while. I started following Oxford while in the national league and this is the first relegation I’ve experienced so proper shit but hopefully we’ll be back after next season 💛🩵

@DeclanEdwards45: Relegation stings, but this isn’t the end — it’s a reset. I’m sure we’ll build a squad capable of bouncing back, and the fanbase has been immense as always. Heads up, COYY 💛

@TheGreenJanner: Tbh done well to survive last season! With the gap growing between the divisions its always going to be hard for a club to establish themselves in the championship

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