THE GREAT and the good of Oxford United have reminisced about the club’s storied past, as told by the Oxford Mail’s commemorative magazine marking the U's 125th anniversary.

The 124-page production charts the U’s highs and lows since 1893, including classic matches, iconic pictures and an interview with legendary ex-player Ron Atkinson.

It goes on sale at the Kassam Stadium before United’s home game against Shrewsbury next Saturday – exactly 125 years since the club was formed in Headington’s Britannia Inn.

Hundreds of U’s fans have already pre-ordered copies and will receive the publication in the post next week.

U’s coaches Chris Allen, Chris Hackett and Leon Blackmore-Such leafed through the magazine at the club’s training base yesterday.

Mr Allen and Mr Hackett are Oxford born and bred and former U’s players, with the latter particularly enjoying the nostalgia trip.

He said: “There’s some great memories in there.

“I was taken to the Manor aged three or four as my parents were big Oxford fans, so it’s nice to see some old faces.

“It’s good to see the pictures from what I can remember as a kid, to fans’ memories and the games at Wembley.”

The winger played under 10 different managers in six years at the club, with each one covered in a detailed look at every U’s boss.

Club legends and key moments figure, plus the grounds the U’s have called home - and where they could have played.

Mr Allen, now head coach of the club’s under-23 side, spent five years as a winger for the U’s in the 1990s and reflected on a memorable era.

He said: “Being part of the club at that time was special.

“It’s always been a family club and we’ve built this new training complex, with the academy part of that.

“We’re continuing in that vein and the club is going onwards and upwards.”

United may be second-bottom of League One, but the club wants a bright future to follow its proud history.

The £5 magazine contributes to this in its own way, with £1 from every sale going to the U’s academy.

Youth team coach Mr Blackmore-Such hopes the extra pounds helps more young players make the jump to the first team.

He said: “It shows there’s investment in the academy, which hopefully brings more local boys into the first team.

“When the fans sing ‘he’s one of our own’ it means a lot to everybody, especially the boys coming through.”

To pre-order your copy visit oxfordmail.co.uk/sport and click Oxford United or fill in the form on page 35 of today’s paper.

Anybody placing an order before 5pm on Monday will receive their copy before it goes on sale on Saturday.