Big Fat Ron is possibly United`s most famous player, although, it has to be said, for events after he left Oxford. Ronald Frederick Atkinson, born in Liverpool, joined United in the summer of 1959, from Aston Villa and became the club`s captain. Indeed, he became the first man to captain a club from non-league to Division Two, a feat achieved in just seven years. Tank was never a prolific goalscorer, but did reach fifth on United`s most appearances table.

Ron left United in 1971 to become player-manager at Kettering Town. He was so successful there that Cambridge United appointed him manager in November 1974, where further success led West Brom to appoint him as boss in 1977, where he was famous for his selection of several black players in the years before this was normal. Three years later he was appointed as Manchester United`s manager, where he achieved yet more success before they sacked him for not being successful enough, and to appoint Alex Ferguson instead. After Old Trafford, BFR returned to West Brom, then briefly managed Atletico Madrid before finishing his managerial career at Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to become a media pundit and professor of linguistics, famous for his tan and bling, before he made some racist comments without realising he was still on air, and he rapidly became persona non grata in public.