Oxford United v Bolton Wanderers League One play off final preview

Oxford United will look to secure a return to the Championship for the first time in 25 years when they take on Bolton Wanderers at Wembley this weekend.

The U's failed to beat Wycombe Wanderers in the 2020 play off final, which was played at an empty Wembley stadium during the pandemic.

The last time Oxford won at Wembley was the 2010 play-off final which saw the yellows promoted back to the football league, following a late stoppage time strike from Alfie Potter.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's final Alfie Potter said: "I love the club, I'm gutted I can't be there this weekend, but I wish them all the best and hopefully the boys get the job done."

Alfie told us what it's like to score a goal for Oxford at Wembley: "I remember silence as I struck the ball, it felt like the whole Oxford end stood still and then as soon as it hit the net it was unreal.

"I'll never be able to replicate that feeling again."

Speaking at the press conference earlier today manager Des Buckingham said this: "The results have been really good, but the best thing has been the performances and how we've stuck together through a tough period.

"Anyone that's been to any of our games in the last few weeks has seen the atmosphere in the stadium, that's the Oxford I grew up knowing.

"There is real engagement between fans and players at the moment, you don't just see it you feel it.

"I went to the play off final in 2010 as a fan and that was brilliant, in 2020 the team got as close as you can but couldn't get across the line so we hope this time we can."

We also asked Des about his earliest Oxford memory: "I didn't go in 1986, but there is a picture of me as a one year old boy dressed in a big yellow sombrero, with an Oxford United flag and scarf.

"My dad took that picture and he sent it to me when I got the job here."

We also spoke to U's skipper Elliot Moore who was part of the side that lost in the 2020 final to Wycombe Wanderers.

He said: "I've played in this final before, but unfortunately that was without fans so compared to what the atmosphere will be this Saturday, this will be the biggest game of my career.

"Us as players know the fans will get behind us and I think that'll play a massive part in us trying to get over the line.

Following a 5-0 defeat to Saturday's opponents back in March, Oxford have been on a dazzling run of form having lost just one of their last 10 games.

Speaking about that result Elliot said: "From a players point of view we look back at that and we knew that things had to change, we go into this game knowing what they did to us and we want to put it right.

"This club deserves to be in the Championship not just on the playing front but the changes happening with the new ground taking shape as well.

"Walking out with this team is a feeling I probably won't feel again, it's a once in a lifetime chance and I hope we come away with a feeling that's very special."

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