Tuesday, May 1, 2001 – Oxford United played their final ever game at the Manor Ground before their move to the Kassam Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw against Port Vale.
Caretaker manager Mike Ford, who spent ten years at the club as a player, saw striker Andy Scott give the U’s the lead with just nine minutes remaining, but the Valiants levelled through Tony Naylor in the final minute. Oxford finished bottom of Division 2, having conceded 100 league goals.
After the game, chairman and owner Firoz Kassam spoke to the crowd, announcing that he would invest in the playing squad, adding that the club was ambitious. There were fireworks after the match as some fans began to leave.
Naturally, many fans stayed behind and reminisced about the many good days they spent inside the mighty Manor Ground. Oxford, and Headington United, had played at the ground since 1925, with several giant killings, promotions, relegations, rival wins and damaging defeats.
