U's duo to roll back the years

Former Oxford defenders Matty Elliott and Phil Gilchrist are looking forward to reuniting their partnership next month.

The duo were the backbone of the side which won automatic promotion from Division Two in 1995/96 and will link up once more in the 'Two Legends - One Match' testimonial/benefit for Joey Beauchamp and David Langan at the Kassam Stadium on Friday July 8. Gilchrist, 37, told the club's official website: "Those were good times to be at the club. We had a good team and some great banter in the dressing room. I forged a good partnership with Matt - he was solid at the back, although I did all his running for him! "I'm looking forward to the game, it'll be nice to see everyone again. The supporters at Oxford are fantastic and hopefully they'll turn out in good numbers for Joey and Dave Langan. It'll be nice to have a kickabout with Matty again as he's probably my best mate in football." Elliott, now 42, said: "I've no problem with Gilly saying that. I'm happy to let others do my running for me. We complemented each other well - I put the tackles and headers in and Phil had the strength and pace to pick up the pieces. Sometimes in football you get good partnerships like that and we just clicked." Fellow former players Malcolm Shotton, Paul Powell, Mike Ford, David Rush, Trevor Hebberd, Alan Judge, Matt Murphy and Paul Kee will also take part while the two teams will be managed by Jim Smith and Denis Smith.