1998–99 Oxford United F.C. season

During October 1998, the backroom staff at Oxford United were unpaid due to the club's financial situation with the new stadium; the threat of administration caused a group of fans to set up a pressure group called Fighting for Oxford United's Life (FOUL).[1] The group began to publicise the club's plight through a series of meetings and events, including a 'Scarf of Unity', which was a collection of scarfs from various clubs which was long enough to stretch around the perimeter of the pitch.[1] Chairman Robin Herd stepped down to concentrate on his engineering projects, and in April 1999 Firoz Kassam bought Herd's 89.9% controlling interest in Oxford United for £1, with which he also inherited the club's estimated £15 million debt.[2] Kassam reduced the £9 million of the debt to just £900,000, by virtue of a Company Voluntary Arrangement, by which unsecured creditors who were owed over £1,000 were reimbursed with 10p for every pound they were owed.[3] Secured creditors were paid off when Kassam sold the Manor to another of his companies, for £6 million. Kassam set about completing the unfinished stadium, gaining planning permission for a bowling alley, a multiplex cinema, and a hotel to sit next to the stadium, following a series of legal battles which were eventually all settled.[4] The season ended with relegation back to the Second Division.

Oxford United's score comes first[5]

[6] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player - GK Paul Gerrard (on loan from Everton) - DF Les Robinson - DF Phil Gilchrist - DF Mark Watson - MF Paul Powell - MF Martin Gray - MF Joey Beauchamp - FW Matt Murphy - FW Andy Thomson - FW Nicky Banger - MF Paul Tait - GK Pål Lundin - DF Phil Whelan

No. Position Player - FW Kevin Francis - DF Brian Wilsterman - FW Rob Folland - DF Christophe Rémy - FW Jamie Cook - MF Simon Weatherstone - MF Tony Wright - DF Mark Warren (on loan from Leyton Orient) - MF Mickey Lewis - DF Steve Davis - DF Andrew Rose - FW Mike Williams - GK Elliot Jackson

Left club during the season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player - MF Danny Hill (to Cardiff City) - GK Phil Whitehead (to West Bromwich Albion) - DF Simon Marsh (to Birmingham City)

No. Position Player - GK Mike Salmon (on loan from Charlton Athletic) - MF David Smith (to Stockport County) - FW Dean Windass (to Bradford City)