City Skipper Becomes First Player in Half a Century to Reach 400 Appearances for the Club

There's a lot said about loyalty in football nowadays, and it's very common place in the modern game that players will often go and play all around the country (and even abroad) throughout their careers.

Club appearances and goals records at most clubs seem to be unbeatable nowadays, having been set years ago when it was common place for players to stay with one club throughout the majority of their careers.

At Oxford City, in truth it's the same story, but only because of the remarkable numbers of John Woodley, who is stuck at the top of both leaderboards with over 900 appearances, and 400 goals.

Even if a player was to stay with City throughout their entire career they would  struggle to get close to those numbers.

But this weekend, for the first time in half a century, Oxford City welcomed a new member to the ‘400 club’, with Reece Fleet becoming just the sixth player in the club’s history to bring up that landmark as he lead the side out at AFC Fylde.

The journey started way back in 2011 when Fleet made his first team debut at home the Redditch in the Southern League Premier. He would go on to make 28 appearances in that season, including a further side for Oxford City Nomads in the Hellenic League.

Then came a three season break, as Reece moved to Solihull Moors in the Conference North, but would end up lining up against City in multiple occasions in those three seasons (even scoring against the Hoops in the fixture).

He rejoined the club in 2015 as the Hoops moved back into the National League South and in his ten seasons, has gone on to cement himself in City history.

'Fleety' has lead the City side onto the pitch in an FA Cup Second Round fixture at Shrewsbury Town, and again against Football League opposition in Fleetwood Town in the First Round last season.

Then of course was last season when he lead the Hoops to a historic promotion to National League for the first time in club history.

His first goal in the Promotion Final versus St Albans City will always be remembered, as will the moment he led City onto the pitch for the club's first ever fixture in the fifth tier.

I’m sure Reece, and indeed us all, would rather have this special achievement came on a different day after the AFC Fylde result, but we’ve all been privileged to be a part of the journey, and of course we hope there’s many more still to come!

Congratulations Reece!

(An interview with Reece will be published in this Friday’s Matchday Programme, buy a copy to see what his highlights of the past decade in City colours have been)