The Oxford Mail marked the takeover of Oxford United football club with an eight-page souvenir special wraparound printed on yellow paper, the team’s main kit colour.

Editor Simon O’Neill decided that the end of Firoz Kassam’s acrimonious period of ownership warranted something special – and a stock of colour newsprint provided the means to do it.

The yellow special included profiles of the new management team, including former player Nick Merry and returning team boss Jim Smith, together with a lively letters and vox pop featuring the forthright views of fans.

The yellow wraparound with the ‘regular’ Mail
tucked inside it

Coverage of the day’s other main news was in the main paper, which started on an ‘inside front’ on regular newsprint on page five.

Editor Simon said: “It has been an emotional few weeks for United, who are battling to avoid relegation amid all this drama.

“We have given in-depth coverage every step of the way and I felt we needed to do something a little different to reflect the general mood of celebration among the fans, many of whom are readers too.

“Plus it was a bit of fun.”