The former England Under-21 international arrived at City with impeccable credentials from East Midlands rivals Derby County. The Peterborough-born midfielder had spent eight years at Southampton making nearly 300 appearances. He then helped the Rams back into the top flight in 2007 with Oakley’s current City team-mate, Steve Howard, also in the Derby side which defeated West Brom in the play-off final. And his switch to the Walkers in January 2008 for £100,000 was designed to help City stave off the threat of relegation. Sadly, Oakley was skipper on the day in May when they drew at Stoke and slipped into the third tier for the first time in their history. During the League One campaign, he switched to a right-sided midfield role with great effect as City established a record 23-game unbeaten run.