 The sale of star midfielder Joey Beauchamp to West Ham for a club record £ 1 million allowed Smith money to spend in the transfer market , and he spent £ 100 @,@ 000 each on Norwich City midfielder David Smith and Sunderland striker David Rush . Oxford formed a strong promotion push in 1994 – 95 , but were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round by non @-@ League Marlow . In February 1995 , he spent £ 60 @,@ 000 on Hartlepool United 's Phil Gilchrist , who would form a highly effective centre @-@ back partnership with Elliott . Oxford finished the season in seventh place , six points outside the play @-@ offs . In November 1995 , Smith re @-@ signed Beauchamp for £ 300 @,@ 000 , who continued his excellent form after returning to his native Oxfordshire . The next month he brought in striker Martin Aldridge on a free transfer . The club were 14th in January 1996 , but lost only once in their last 17 games of 1995 – 96 in a tremendous second half of the season that saw them climb 12 places to win promotion as runners @-@ up . At the end of the season , Smith became a director of the club . 
