MICHAEL Appleton says the Oxford United fans will always hold a special place in his heart.

The former U’s head coach paid an emotional tribute to the backing he received from supporters during his time in charge.

Appleton takes up a new role as assistant manager at Leicester City after a three-year stay with Oxford.

But he was keen to lavish praise on the tremendous backing both he and the team received.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the Oxford fans,” he said.

“The summer after my first season, I think they began to see what we were trying to achieve here and the direction we were going in.

“My relationship with them really blossomed – and the players too.

“I used to walk out the tunnel and see that flag ‘Appleton had a dream’ and it always brought a smile to my face.

“It just made me feel so proud and I cannot thank them enough for the support they have given me.”

Appleton was also keen to stress how much of an impact the fans had on the team, and often without knowing it.

“Those things the fans did, like that flag, were used as messages to the players,” he said.

“That might be at the start of the season, at the start of games or in between games – just making sure they were aware that there was a real belief within everyone at the football club we could be successful,” he said.

“You have to keep reminding players and give them messages like that.

“They grow strength from it as much as it gave me belief in what we were doing.”

He added: “Knowing I had the backing of the supporters was a big thing for me.

“I would know that if I felt I had to try something that could be seen as risky, the fans would know I was doing it for the right reasons.

“I was absolutely blown away at times by the supporters.”

Appleton is relishing his new challenge and hopes people can understand why he felt he had to make the move.

“The reality is, if the Premier League had not come calling for me, I would still have been Oxford United manager,” he said.

“You only really get an opportunity to work in the Premier League as a manager if you get a side promoted from the Championship.

“Whether that’s with Oxford or another club, it could be five or ten years away.

“But to get the opportunity now was too good to turn down.

“If it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, I am in a good place to back myself if I need to return to being a manager in League One or the Championship.

“I know I have more than enough credentials to be successful.”