'We're coming back' insist fans after relegation

Oxford United fans have struck an optimistic tone despite the club's relegation from the Championship.

The U's fate was sealed ahead of their 4-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon, with Charlton's defeat of Hull in the early kick-off sending the club down before a ball at the Kassam was kicked.

It brings to an end a two-year spell in the second tier for Oxford after they won promotion via the League One play-offs in 2023-24.

Responding to the relegation on BBC Radio Oxford's Wasn't At The Game, Liam Burton, from The Fence End Podcast, said: "Bring on next season."

"Relegation feels a lot different than I remember it," he said.

"We spent so long trying to get into League One, and now here we are trying to avoid it."

"In a completely different way, we're going into it looking forward to it, knowing that it's on us to take it by storm."

"Today feels like a 'right, let's have it next year'," Liam added.

Saturday was the first time Oxford United experienced relegation since dropping out of the Football League in 2006.

Will Lankshear, Oxford's top goal scorer this season, said the result had been "bittersweet".

"It's extremely disappointing but we have to move on, and the crowd are here supporting us to the very end - I think they've been outstanding all season," the 21-year-old striker, on loan from Tottenham, said.

He added: "It's such a beautiful club."

Also speaking on BBC Radio Oxford, U's fan Matt said: "We're coming straight back up."

"We've got to be positive - I've learnt from following Oxford that there's no point being negative," he said.

"I beg everyone that's had a season ticket to renew that season ticket - show the players how much the club means to us."

Manager Matt Bloomfield, who joined the U's in January to replace the sacked head coach Gary Rowett, said he was feeling a "complete mix" of emotions.

"Obviously, extreme disappointment at what's happened today in terms of the position of the football club," he said.

"But that's certainly mixed in with pride at our supporters, the way that they've supported the boys over the season and today - I think it's there's also a lot of hope for the future."

He added: "I'm really excited about the future, but I have to admit obviously that my overriding feeling today is one of extreme disappointment."