He joined up with Fourth Division side Oxford United, and finished as the club's top-scorer in the 1963–64 season with 14 goals in 34 games. Having performed well in Arthur Turner's team, he earned a move away from the Manor Ground and back into the Third Division. Longbottom joined Colchester United in October 1964, and went on to score 13 goals in 36 appearances in 1964–65 – one goal less than top-scorer Billy Stark. The "U's" suffered relegation however, and manager Neil Franklin allowed Longbottom to leave Layer Road on a free transfer to Midland League club Scarborough in May 1965.