Transfer News Summer 2023 Transfer Window Thread

[Bornyellow]

Any actual transfer rumours?

 

[dickwalton1964]

I can't really think of a player for Oxford, in my time watching (52 years), who I could liken to Hebberd. We've had more skilful midfielders, like Magilton, but none as complete a player as Hebberd. Any greatest ever Oxford XI you care to pick then Hebberd walks into that team unchallenged. He was a bit unlucky at Saints in that it was that mad time there when they were signing superstar after superstar - Keegan, Worthington, Shilton, Channon, Mills, Ball etc. Despite his obvious talent I can see how Hebberd might not have been the type of character to believe in himself in that company and barge his way in. He was good enough to have in my opinion.

 

[Oxy]

Any actual transfer rumours?

Just Cosgrove, but there are 4/5 clubs chasing him

 

[Foley]

Yup. And Hebberd was actually known to be very nervous on match days. Best player in training at Southampton during the week, but never really performed on a Saturday. He told Jim Smith after a few games that he didn't like the pressure of playing up front, so Jim had the (brilliant) idea of switching Hebberd to midfield. Where he was probably (no exaggeration for anyone under the age of 50!) one of the top six midfielders in the old Division One for 2-3 seasons.

I knew somebody who lived close to TH when he was in Oxford.
Apparently he was one of those players who didn't particularly like football ( he was just very good at it)

 

[Older Shotts]

I knew somebody who lived close to TH when he was in Oxford.
Apparently he was one of those players who didn't particularly like football ( he was just very good at it)

Like Moody

 

[Northernyellow]

Interesting. I didn't know that. In terms of pure quality Hebberd is the best player I've ever seen in an Oxford shirt. What a miraculous team that was - not just the people and talent but how it all came together at *exactly* the right moment in everyone's careers with the bald eagle flying above in his pomp. Great memories.

He was an absolutely tremendous player. Best player (bar none) I have ever seen play for us. I also know (long story) that Man United and Arsenal were very interested in him around 1984-5, but were put off by the 'big club' issues he had faced at Southampton (ironic, given how good he was at Wembley). I also knew Brian Glanville a little bit at the time (he was Chief Football Writer of the Sunday Times). Glanville was a pretty vocal chap in the Press Box, and thought Hebberd was brilliant- said he should have gone to Mexico in 1986 instead of Peter Reid of Everton. Trevor would, of course, have caught Maradona and we would have won the World Cup!!

 

[Northernyellow]

I can't really think of a player for Oxford, in my time watching (52 years), who I could liken to Hebberd. We've had more skilful midfielders, like Magilton, but none as complete a player as Hebberd. Any greatest ever Oxford XI you care to pick then Hebberd walks into that team unchallenged. He was a bit unlucky at Saints in that it was that mad time there when they were signing superstar after superstar - Keegan, Worthington, Shilton, Channon, Mills, Ball etc. Despite his obvious talent I can see how Hebberd might not have been the type of character to believe in himself in that company and barge his way in. He was good enough to have in my opinion.

Keegan wrote about Hebberd in one of his autobiographies. Said he was the best player in the club on training days, but froze in front of bigger crowds.

 

[Belgium Yellow]

He was an absolutely tremendous player. Best player (bar none) I have ever seen play for us. I also know (long story) that Man United and Arsenal were very interested in him around 1984-5, but were put off by the 'big club' issues he had faced at Southampton (ironic, given how good he was at Wembley). I also knew Brian Glanville a little bit at the time (he was Chief Football Writer of the Sunday Times). Glanville was a pretty vocal chap in the Press Box, and thought Hebberd was brilliant- said he should have gone to Mexico in 1986 instead of Peter Reid of Everton. Trevor would, of course, have caught Maradona and we would have won the World Cup!!

Lol, I guess that's why they called him Nijinsky - but is that the racehorse or ballet dancer?

 

[Bornyellow]

https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/1691425538697523200?s=46&t=FhD9uZ_dgEvkFPZZ4Em-5A

Think we can forget about this one.

 

[Northernyellow]

Lol, I guess that's why they called him Nijinsky - but is that the racehorse or ballet dancer?

Racehorse, I assume! Terrific athlete- could run all day and was very quick.

 

[Older Shotts]

https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/1691425538697523200?s=46&t=FhD9uZ_dgEvkFPZZ4Em-5A

Think we can forget about this one.

More chance of signing John Parrott

 

[Mad Dog]

Keegan wrote about Hebberd in one of his autobiographies. Said he was the best player in the club on training days, but froze in front of bigger crowds.

He didn’t freeze at Wembley

 

[Left Wing Cross]

Keegan wrote about Hebberd in one of his autobiographies. Said he was the best player in the club on training days, but froze in front of bigger crowds.

He didn't on 20th April 1986

 

[MJB]

More chance of signing John Parrott

Plenty in the cue for his signature.

 

[Older Shotts]

Plenty in the cue for his signature.

Balls. Best we chalk this one up to experience

 

[mooro]

Balls. Best we chalk this one up to experience

Not sure he was ever in the frame tbh

 

[Older Shotts]

Not sure he was ever in the frame tbh

Good point - we need to focus on our move to the Triangle, as thats make or break.

 

[Osei Yaw]

I hope we get a few more signings in, otherwise all it takes is a few injuries and we'll be snookered.

 

[MJB]

Not sure he was ever in the frame tbh

Shame. Really think we could have given him his big break.

 

[Osei Yaw]

Shame. Really think we could have given him his big break.

Nice to know we're being linked with these sorts of players though, our last few transfer windows have just been pot luck.