Oxford United had finished 9th in League Two in 2011–12 and failed to improve on this position in 2012–13.
The club's opening nine league fixtures, consisting of three wins followed by six defeats, set the tone of a campaign in which the club were never serious contenders for a playoff place and which alternated between winning and losing streaks; a case in point was the three-game run of victories at the end of the season after the possibility of promotion had disappeared, which put a somewhat flattering gloss on Oxford's final position.
During the season, veteran defender Michael Duberry overtook the club record for the oldest first-team outfield player, his final appearance coming in the last game of the season against Accrington Stanley at the age of 37 years and 195 days.
It was the club's 119th year in existence, their 113th of competitive football and their 64th since turning professional.
Oxford United's home games are played at the Kassam Stadium.