It’s coming up to a year since the historic day last May when a sea of yellow dominated Oxford’s High Street as the city was out in force celebrating the promotion of (one of) its football teams. After a nail-biting season, Oxford United returned from Wembley Stadium having beaten Bolton Wanderers 2-0, earning their place back in the Championship League after a 25-year absence.
At time of writing, they’re holding their own in the League and the future looks bright. The club are currently in talks regarding a move from the Kassam Stadium once their contract comes to an end in 2026 – who knows, maybe even to a stadium with four stands. Their plans don’t stop there. The club enlisted the help of branding agency Love Gunn who have previously worked with Chelsea FC to look at how they could “build an authentic brand that resonated beyond the pitch”. Working to the mission statement ‘Dream Inspire’ (a clever play on ‘Dreaming Spires’) collaborations with other key cultural institutions in Oxford, including Truck Festival and the Oxford Literary Festival, is paying dividends in their bid to move into other spaces with the local community. Rather than the place to go to watch a Saturday game, the Club are determined to connect with fans across the region, seven days a week. With this in mind, the recently launched United Run Club with headline partner Missing Bean Coffee Roasters gives supporters and the wider community to attend monthly running events, followed by post-run socialising over a coffee where you might find yourself chatting with member of the Men’s and Women’s First Teams or staff from the Sports Science, Medical or Recruitment departments.
This year the club will also be partnering with the Town and Gown in May and in February, they became the first professional football club to sign up to suicide prevention charity Baton of Hope’s workplace pledge. The importance of this cannot be overstated and it is the latest step in their suicide prevention and mental health initiative, Can We Talk?
A momentous year for both club and players. We caught up with fan-favourite, Tyler Goodrham who made his league debut for Oxford United playing against Cambridge United and delighted supporters by scoring the winning goal. A young player, and a former member of Oxford United’s training academy, his appearances on the pitch are routinely and gleefully welcomed with the chant, ‘he’s one of our own’…
Who did you support growing up?
Arsenal. However, as I got older, I didn't really care too much how they did – I wasn't really too fussed. When I met my partner, Georgia, her family support QPR and I started going to the games and just loved it. I really cared if they won or lost.
How did you end up playing with Oxford?
So, one of the scouts knew my mum and dad and he’d seen me play football. I ended up coming for a training session and enjoyed it.
What does the crowd support mean to you when you're on the pitch?
Oh, so much. Being a football fan myself, I know what they all want me to do so I'm working hard and giving it my all. I put a few in the net every now and then, and the support gives me that boost to keep pushing, to keep going forward.
You must have this real sense of loyalty, but I guess that's not necessarily an asset when it comes to a career in football.
Wherever I end up in in my career, I’ll always look back at Oxford with happy memories and how it made me not just the footballer I am, but the kind of person I am.
First and foremost, for me now, my little girl and my partner are my priority. Of course, it would be great if I could stay at Oxford, but in terms of building a life for kids and hopefully grandkids it's about building that legacy where they don't have to struggle, and they are well looked after.
What does it feel like when you hear your name being mentioned on national radio and national television?
It is very weird. And I think for my family it’s weird, because they just see me as Ty, just a normal person. It's a bit strange, but I'm getting used to it, I guess.
Of course, this happened after the promotion at the end of last season. Since then, your manager Des Buckingham has been replaced by Gary Rowett. I wanted to ask what you liked about Des and also what Gary brings to the club.
With Des, he gave you that freedom where you're comfortable with what you're doing, and that arm around you to make sure you're okay. He helped me a lot by giving me that chance and allowing me to play in different positions and different roles.
The gaffer now, he’s come in and knows that, ‘okay, Tyler can play here’. Everything's quite well drilled into you; you understand your role and what you’ve got to do.
Do you have a mentor on the team?
I wouldn't necessarily say that there's a specific person I speak to – but it’s a nice group and there's definitely lots of people I can go to for advice whether it's football or just life in general.
You're well into the championship season now. Were there teams you were really looking forward to playing?
Obviously, the big clubs; Leeds, Sheffield United. QPR was definitely one, but I think every game is exciting. Every game gives you that new challenge,
Were you a bit torn playing against QPR?
It was a bit odd, because I've been in the stands so many times. To go there and actually be on the pitch where I could see Georgia's dad, brother and grandad who were all in in the stands as I was about to take a corner…I was probably about five feet away from them.
Where were their loyalties at that moment?
I think they would have gone for a 4-3 win for QPR, and for me to score. [The actual score was 2-0 to QPR]
How far do you think Oxford United can go?
I definitely think the sky's the limit. All the staff are very ambitious, and everyone wants do as best as they can.
And you? Do you have an international career in your sights?
Right now, I'm putting my family first. I'll never say never, because it would be stupid to close a book.
How are you managing to balance a professional career and new fatherhood?
To be fair, Georgia does a lot, which takes the pressure off me a little bit. I don't really know…it's one of those things where you just get on with it. Sometimes I'll be up in the middle of the night, or in the morning, making sure she's up. You're trying to just get through the day.
I suppose coming to football gives me a reset. Then when I come home, I can actually get on top of it and make sure everything's okay. It all happens so fast; the days go so quickly.
Finally, what is your standout memory from last year?
The week leading up to Wembley, we announced that Georgia was pregnant and that made everything so much better. So, it wasn't even a football thing; finding out that Georgia was pregnant was my highlight of 2024.
