The club adopted its present name in 1960 and was elected into the Football League in 1962, replacing Accrington Stanley.
"The U's" reached the top tier of English football in 1985 after successive promotions, where they stayed for 3 years.
During this time United won their only piece of major silverware, the 1986 Football League Cup.
In 2006 Oxford became the first club to have reached the First Division and won a major trophy to be relegated from the Football League.
United gained promotion back to the Football League after beating York City 3–1 in the 2010 Conference Premier play-off final.
Division shown in bold when it changes because of promotion, relegation or league reorganisation.
^ Despite finishing as champions, Oxford United failed to be elected into the Football League.
K. ^ Oxford United were elected into the football league, replacing the original Accrington Stanley.
^ After qualifying for the play-offs, Oxford United lost on penalties in the semi-finals against Exeter City.
^ Oxford's application to join the second division of the Oxfordshire District League was accepted.
^ Because of the Boer War, Oxford were forced to withdraw from the Oxfordshire District League as 10 members of the team were on active duty.
^ After crowd trouble during a game against Victoria, Oxford were banned from playing matches within three miles of their ground, and such could not fulfill their league fixtures.
AL. ^ Oxford were promoted through the play-offs, beating York City 3–1 at Wembley Stadium.