Oxford United have hit a stumbling block in their desperate plight to relocate stadiums. With plans to build a new home being attempted, the current deal with the Kassam Stadium’s owners is set to expire soon.
The Kassam Stadium, which has been the home of the U’s since 2001, is under entirely different ownership to the London club meaning friction regarding its continuity has emerged. Former chairman and namesake, Firoz Kassam has reportedly made clear to Oxford that June 2028 will definitely be the final date of collaboration.
According to the Daily Mail, a 16,000-seater stadium powered fully by electricity could be the best outcome as a new home for Oxford. However, this is merely a rough copy and the U’s could face extinction if a confirmed plan isn’t set in motion quickly. Club CEO, Tim Williams, has suggested this to be the current situation, courtesy of an interview with Sky Sports News:
“When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, we won’t have a home and a stadium to play in. If we don’t have a stadium, there is a risk we wont’ have a football club.
“It doesn’t get more serious than that for a football club.”
Premier League Favourability
Comparatively, Oxford’s situation is far more serious than Premier League’s recent underachieving giants, Manchester United for example. The Red Devils are expected to commence with new plans for an unfathomably modernised stadium to replace Old Trafford in the coming years. Williams explored keenly the difference between the Kassam situation and that of United, as well as Everton:
“We have seen the headlines recently about a new Manchester United stadium, which with all do respect is a want and not a need. If Manchester United don’t move out, they still have Old Trafford. If Everton hadn’t moved into Bramley Moore-Dock, they’ve still got Goodison.
“If we don’t move into a new stadium, we are homeless and we don’t exist and it’s an absolute travesty in my view. It’s that important.
The plans for the new 16,000-seater have clearly been marked as essential for Williams as well as Oxford, with the CEO passionately suggesting that the new build would be perfect for football:
“It’s going to be … on the outskirts of Oxford, and a real community asset, fully sustainable, in a brilliant location in the country. We need support, but we also need to say, the point about the club potentially not existing is a real one.
“We are entering a crucial period in the club’s history. The future of the club hinges on the new stadium and I’d urge every supporter, every stakeholder and every voice to get behind this project.”
Writer’s View
Oxford’s situation has become obviously important, not only for the English Football League as a whole, but for the club and football itself. The luxury of Premier League sides being able to jump ship to fancier, newer builds with worse environmentally economic repercussions than an all-electric friendly saviour stadium, is the exact imbalance in fairness, favourability and finance that ruins the sport.
Williams is correct in imploring that every stakeholder is important in saving the club as it now transcends into a plea for help. Clubs folding in the professional game happens rarely, but when it occurs it is devastating particularly for a loyal fanbase. In short, save Oxford.
