Oxford fan in peace Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Oxford fan in peace! Thank you for letting me join this forum and I hope the mods don't mind this post. My club, Oxford United, are desperately trying to secure a new stadium site, or we’ll be homeless from 2026. How we got to this stage is a long story but in short we're being screwed over by our ex-owner and current stadium landlord, Firoz Kassam. When he was the owner of the club and stadium in 2001 he agreed a 25 year licence agreement between OUFC and his stadium company, Firoka. He terminated this early in May 2021 just days before a playoff game which sparked a mad rush to find an alternative venue for that game. Thankfully a licence agreement was signed for that one game and after arbitration a new 5 year licence agreement was subsequently agreed. This expires on 30th June 2026 and Kassam is unwilling to extend this or sell to OUFC (3 different owners have tried) as he stands to make much more from redeveloping the entire Kassam Stadium complex (a process he started two weeks ago: Kassam Stadium owner looks to demolish nearby bingo hall for science facility) As such, OUFC have no choice to move. A small 11 acre, triangular plot on the edge of the city has been identified as the only suitable plot available. It's a logistically perfect location right across the road from Oxford Parkway station and next to the A34. Amenities are within minutes in nearby Kidlington. The Triangle, as this plot is known, is owned by Oxfordshire County Council and OUFC approached OCC in 2021 about leasing or buying land for a stadium. They have committed to reaching a decision on The Triangle on 19th September and their decision will be influenced by the results of a public survey they are conducting. With that in mind, if anyone on here would be happy to fill in that short online questionnaire being run by Oxfordshire County Council, our fans would be extremely grateful. It only takes about five minutes or so to fill in the short online form with positive answers at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C8O8VI/ by 23 July 2023. Additional details can be found here: How do Oxford United’s proposals for the land known as ‘the Triangle’ impact the communities of Oxfordshire? And here: FAQs – Oxford United Stadium The benefits to you as away fans will be: A sustainable stadium right next door to a major railway station in Oxford Parkway (5 mins from Oxford City Centre, 8 mins from Bicester Village and an hour or so from Marylebone) and opposite a large Park&Ride site with thousands of parking spaces, which would make it one of the easiest, greenest grounds to get to in the UK. Proper drinking, food and entertainment options at the ground itself, compared to embarrassing facilities currently on offer at our current ground or nearby. A modern, well-designed ground which will help to support a proper atmosphere, rather than the soulless, unfinished three-side ground we have now. A few sentences on any of the above for the survey’s final comment box would be really helpful in showing our County Council that the new ground will be sustainable, increase spending in Oxfordshire, and provide excellent facilities for home AND away fans. We all appreciate the value of a good away day and hopefully we'll get you in a cup game from 2026 onwards. Taking a few minutes to support a fellow club before it becomes homeless in just a few years would be massively appreciated. We need to show support to get the council to agree to leasing or selling OUFC the land in September without delay to allow an planning application to be made in October/November so construction can start in Summer 2024 to have any chance of being in by August 2026. Thank you for any support you can give us. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Kerplunk Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done for you, a football team in charge of its own destiny is important for the game 👍 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 11 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 11 July, 2023 17 minutes ago, Daft Kerplunk said: Done for you, a football team in charge of its own destiny is important for the game 👍 Thank you very much, much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done, hope we can help, not sure if they’ll consider the opinions of an SO postcode, hopefully they do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sainttomski Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done - good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryVenisonsHair Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 My Maternal Grandfather's team. Done and best wishes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 11 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 11 July, 2023 32 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Done, hope we can help, not sure if they’ll consider the opinions of an SO postcode, hopefully they do. Thanks very much. The consultation is open to all and all responses welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done, hopefully it helps and good luck with the campaign. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secret Site Agent Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done especially anyhing to give fellow supporters some help. ANd sticking it to OCC. And now I wantr something. Are there any areas within oxfrordshire that you can identfy where the road or footpaths have suffered severe cracking? Especially after last years heat wave? Asking for a friend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloucester Saint Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done. Brentford gained a lot and brought prosperity via new stadium on their small parcel of land on Lionel Road. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca155 Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 All done, hope it helps. Having been responsible for a number of these type of surveys, I'd reinforce the need for supportive comments. This is what gets picked out, the rest goes through as data. Quotable comments, like 'Community cohesion' go down well with councillors. As I am a saddo, I scanned through the OUFC response to the strategic priorities. Some serious work has gone into that. A very comprehensive document. I always quite liked the old Manor ground, had a fair bit of character. If you get this through, you'll be in a pretty small club of three stadium clubs. There's a quiz question there. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireSaint Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Done. All the best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Good luck with the new ground. Oxford City are closing the gap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 11 July, 2023 Share Posted 11 July, 2023 Completed, good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Done, good luck Oxford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Done ... And my OX postcode may help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lambtiss Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Done. Good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Very reminiscent of the Site Southampton Could have had in the 90's at Stoneham by the M27. It looks like it has perfect transport links and it would be ludicrous to turn it down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsarum Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Went to your current ground for the first time last season. Was in lower tier of the main stand, and facilities seemed really run down for such a relatively new stadium. will do the survey later, good luck with getting the new ground. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintletiss Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 Done, good initiative 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 12 July, 2023 Share Posted 12 July, 2023 ALL DONE 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 12 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 12 July, 2023 23 hours ago, Secret Site Agent said: Done especially anyhing to give fellow supporters some help. ANd sticking it to OCC. And now I wantr something. Are there any areas within oxfrordshire that you can identfy where the road or footpaths have suffered severe cracking? Especially after last years heat wave? Asking for a friend. Panshill, near Horton-cum-Studley. Badly damaged in the hot summer of 2018 and still not repaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 12 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 12 July, 2023 22 hours ago, macca155 said: All done, hope it helps. Having been responsible for a number of these type of surveys, I'd reinforce the need for supportive comments. This is what gets picked out, the rest goes through as data. Quotable comments, like 'Community cohesion' go down well with councillors. As I am a saddo, I scanned through the OUFC response to the strategic priorities. Some serious work has gone into that. A very comprehensive document. I always quite liked the old Manor ground, had a fair bit of character. If you get this through, you'll be in a pretty small club of three stadium clubs. There's a quiz question there. Good luck. Wow, when I posted I thought I may get one or two people complete the survey and not this many. Thanks everyone, much appreciated. 3 ground clubs: Brighton, Rotherham, Arsenal, and Wimbledon if you count AFC Wimbledon as the same club as the Crazy Gang (which I do). Charlton possibly if you count having to play elsewhere due to stadium issues, which is exactly what we're trying to avoid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint IQ Posted 13 July, 2023 Share Posted 13 July, 2023 (edited) Bristol Rovers have played at 3 stadiums.. Really hope Oxford FC get that sorted have affinity with Oxford with one side of the family growing up and some still living there. Keep the faith. Edited 13 July, 2023 by Saint IQ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVEADAMS Posted 15 July, 2023 Share Posted 15 July, 2023 All the best with it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vin Posted 15 July, 2023 Share Posted 15 July, 2023 Done. Best of luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 15 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 15 July, 2023 (edited) Just giving this a bump as it is now just one week until the Survey closes on 23rd July and we need all the support we can get. Thank you if you have already filled in the survey to help ensure Oxford United isn't homeless after June 2026 but we still need your help please. The survey can still be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C8O8VI/ And additional Information here: www.oufcstadium.co.uk https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stadium-land-use-negotiations We'd be very grateful for one last push, please do complete the survey. Thank you. Edited 15 July, 2023 by Oxford fan in peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morse Posted 15 July, 2023 Share Posted 15 July, 2023 Done it. Hope it helps. The only time I've seen Saints at Oxford was around mid 80's I think on a boxing day. I ran a coach and managed to make a loss on the deal despite a full coach. Don't remember the score but do remember the financial hit ffs! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 21 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 21 July, 2023 (edited) Final call please, the consultation closes Sunday. https://twitter.com/OUFCOfficial/status/1682344675720544256?t=hCZRbPY2EWpzJiISbc57Lw&s=19The survey can still be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C8O8VI/ And additional Information here:www.oufcstadium.co.ukhttps://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stadium-land-use-negotiationsWe'd be very grateful for one last push, please do complete the survey. Edited 21 July, 2023 by Oxford fan in peace Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trowbridgesaint Posted 21 July, 2023 Share Posted 21 July, 2023 Done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 21 July, 2023 Share Posted 21 July, 2023 Done. Also as a pedant, Brighton have played home games at four locations since the war as when they left the Goldstone Ground they had two seasons at Gillingham. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTONSEASTSIDE Posted 21 July, 2023 Share Posted 21 July, 2023 Done. And good luck with your looney council!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 23 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 23 July, 2023 Thanks very much to all that have completed this. The survey closes at midnight tonight if you'd like to complete it: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C8O8VI/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouchie's Lawyer Posted 23 July, 2023 Share Posted 23 July, 2023 Done! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 24 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 24 July, 2023 The consultation period survey is now closed, thank you to all those who completed it, we owe you one. Oxfordshire County Council will make their decision to lease OUFC the land or not on 19th September. If they do a planning application to Cherwell District Council will be made within weeks. Thanks all and all the best for the upcoming season. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 19 September, 2023 Author Share Posted 19 September, 2023 Hi All, I'm relieved to say that Oxfordshire County Council agreed today to lease the land to OUFC so the site for the stadium has been secured. A planning application will now be submitted to Cherwell District Council, the local authority responsible for the area the site is in, by the end of the year/very early next year. BBC News - Oxford United: Council votes in favour of leasing Kidlington land https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66853436 Thank you for your support with this, the support from the wider football community was commented on by the council. Thanks all! 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted 9 October, 2023 Author Share Posted 9 October, 2023 Evening all, Renderings of the new stadium were released today. https://oufcstadium.co.uk/ BBC News - Oxford United Football Club unveils designs for new stadium https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-67052207 It's hoped a planning application will now be submitted by the end of the year. Thanks again for your support. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 10 October, 2023 Share Posted 10 October, 2023 There was also a piece on BBC South Today last night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 10 October, 2023 Share Posted 10 October, 2023 Hopefully gets the green light, have to say the renderings look somewhat unique and 1000% better than the old Kassam mess. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford fan in peace Posted March 9 Author Share Posted March 9 Hi All, Getting back in touch as Oxford United now has a live planning application for our newly proposed stadium - as detailed here: https://oufcstadium.co.uk/oxford-uniteds-new-stadium-planning-application-validated/ There is now a short window of time for the public to respond to the local Council on the planning application, so if anyone would be happy to fill in a very short form over the next couple of weeks before the public consultation closes, that would be massively appreciated. The link to submit your view on the planning application can be found here: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Comment/24/00539/F As I've previously posted, if we were to move to this new site, away fans would benefit from improved public transport routes (including a Train Station on the doorstep of the new ground), vastly better facilities for visitors, and a significantly improved atmosphere compared to our current, soulless Kassam stadium. Thank you in advance to anyone who can spend a few minutes helping a fellow member of the football community from becoming homeless in two years. Thank you for any support you can give us. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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