Oxford United’s victory celebrations for their promotion to the EFL Championship will continue with an open-top bus parade in Oxford tomorrow (Monday 20 May).
Saturday’s emphatic 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final will see the club return to the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years.
More than 31,000 fans cheered the Yellows on to victory at Wembley Stadium and the parade will allow all of Oxford to celebrate the club’s achievement in their home city.
The parade will start at The Plain and travel over Magdalen Bridge and along the High Street to Oxford Town Hall. Two buses are expected to leave The Plain at 5:55pm and arrive at the Town Hall around 6:30pm.
Oxford United is organising the parade with significant multi-agency support from Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police.
Oxford City Council has invited the club to attend a civic ceremony at the Town Hall.
The club is encouraging supporters to line the full length of the route – keeping the road clear to allow the buses to pass – and not to congregate in St Aldate’s, as arrival at the Town Hall will be the end of the parade.
There will be no public speeches or stage, with the players and their guests simply entering the building.
The parade will be followed by an invitation-only reception in the Assembly Room for the players, their guests and the club’s coaching and backroom staff. This will be hosted by Oxford City Council.
Attendees are expected to include the Lord Mayor of Oxford, the Leader of Oxford City Council, city and county councillors and other invited guests and dignitaries.
Oxford City Council will also be flying the Oxford United flag over the 1930s extension to the Town Hall on Monday to mark the club’s promotion.
Jim Goddard, Head of Safety and Operations at Oxford United FC, said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate all of the team at Oxford United for their remarkable achievement in earning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship. We are all now looking forward to celebrating with the city of Oxford as we honour Des Buckingham and his team for their efforts. I would like to offer my thanks to all those involved for helping to create this event. My thanks in particular go to Oxford City Council and Thames Valley police for being so supportive at such short notice. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Oxford United to the Town Hall to celebrate their promotion to the Championship. It’s been 25 years since they last played in the second tier and there have been some very dark days along the way, which makes victory all the sweeter. We’re looking forward to seeing the team celebrate their success with their fans – they deserve it. Congratulations, you Yellows!”
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The warmest congratulations from all at the county council to Oxford United on their play-off victory and promotion to the Championship.
“It has been a long journey for the club since the days of non-league football. It’s wonderful to see the U’s back to this elevated level of English football and it was great to see the joy of the fans.”
Road closures
There will be road closures for the duration of the parade at Longwall Street and the junction of St Aldate’s and Pembroke Street.
Other roads will be closed on a rolling basis as the parade progresses and will reopen as soon as possible once it has passed. Roads affected will be:
- The Plain
- Rose Lane
- Merton Street
- Queen’s Lane
- King Edward Street
- Turl Street
- Alfred Street
- Blue Boar Street
- Brewer Street
- Speedwell Street
- Thames Street
Road closures are expected to start at 5:45 pm at the latest and end by 7 pm.
Notes to editors
Key timings
17:55 – Buses leaves The Plain
18:30 – Buses stop at Oxford Town Hall and players and staff enter for civic ceremony
18:35 – Buses leave St Aldate’s and crowds start to disperse