OXFORD United’s visit to St Andrew’s in the EFL Cup first round will be “one to treasure” for Darryl Eales.

The U’s chairman is a lifelong Birmingham City supporter and could not believe it when the draw pitched the two clubs together.

It will be a big night for Eales’s family, but any suggestion his loyalties will be divided was given short shrift.

He said: “The daft question people have asked me is who do I want to win – I will be supporting Oxford.

“My season tickets at Birmingham, which I have maintained because my daughter goes, are literally two rows in front of the away directors.

“It’s one to treasure and should be an absolutely fantastic evening.”

The cup draw came after United discovered their league programme.

They kick-off in Sky Bet League One at home to Chesterfield on August 6, while they are also at the Kassam Stadium on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and the final day of the campaign.

Head coach Michael Appleton is not looking beyond the clash with the Spireites, welcoming the chance to kick-off in familiar surroundings.

He said: “It’s nice to start the season in front of your own fans.

“It’s important we try to get something out of that game to keep the momentum as much as we can from the back end of last season.”

For most supporters the first games they sought out were the derby clashes with Swindon Town.

The Robins visit United on September 10, before the reverse fixture at the County Ground on February 4.

Liam Sercombe was part of the side which beat Swindon 2-0 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last October.

The experience meant the clashes were the first dates the midfielder wanted to know.

He said: “I’ve had a taste of the Swindon game last season so I know how big the rivalry is – the fans will be buzzing for that game.

“It’s good we won’t have to wait too long for that.”

SEASON ticket sales at Oxford United have passed the 3,000-mark – just 400 short of the total sold last summer.

It includes more than 900 who did not own them last season.