Oxford City skipper commits to tenth campaign with Hoops

OXFORD City skipper Reece Fleet will embark on his tenth campaign with the club next season.

The 32-year-old midfielder played in 39 of the Hoops’ 46 Vanarama National League games last season, scoring twice.

His two league goals came within a 10-day period, with the first being in a 2-1 defeat at Boreham Wood on December 16, and the second a late strike in the 2-0 win at Dorking Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Fleet told the Hoops club website: “I’m really pleased to sign, it was a no-brainer really. Last season didn’t end in the way we wanted it to, but hopefully we can bounce back in the [National League] North.

“This is a really special club and I’ve enjoyed every minute here. I’m looking forward to another year here and hopefully it’ll be another one to remember.”

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The midfielder will be looking to build further on his 405 appearances for the Hoops, a total which puts him sixth in the club’s all-time list of appearance holders.

His next target as he continues to climb that particular table is fifth-placed Ron Goodison, who played 431 times for City between 1950 and 1966.

Fleet meanwhile joins fellow influential midfielder Zac McEachran in signing a new deal with the Hoops.

Last week, 28-year-old McEachran committed his future to the club following an injury-hit campaign in the National League.

The creative midfielder has made more than 250 appearances for the Hoops and has worked his way back to fitness following the frustrating season last time out.

McEachran said last week: “That was frustrating. I’d have loved to contribute more, but I still felt part of it, and the team spirit and strong bonds we have were pretty clear. Hopefully they will shine through again next season.

“I want to make up for lost time. We have a new manager, we have a new board and it’s an ambitious club.

“I’m very ambitious as well. I’m very happy here in Oxford and now I can’t wait to get back for pre-season and do my best to play a part in what I am sure will be a successful year.”

The Hoops were ravaged by injuries to key players last time out, and finished bottom of the National League in their first campaign playing at such a high level.

Ross Jenkins left the club at the end of the season, to take over as head coach at fellow relegated outfit Boreham Wood, with the Hoops since appointing Sam Cox as their new boss.

Cox guided Wealdstone to safety during an interim spell in charge of the National League side last season, while he has also coached in the Tottenham Hotspur academy and as assistant manager of the Guyana national team.