Rob Collier Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 Hi, an Oxford United fan here in peace. Our club is desperately trying to secure a new stadium site, or we’ll be homeless from 2026 when our lease runs out . Our current landlord is already selling off parcels of land at the current site and will make a fortune when he knocks down the current stadium to build houses. With that in mind, if anyone on here would be happy to fill in a short online questionnaire being run by Oxfordshire County Council, our fans would be massively grateful. There is a loud and vociferous minority of local who are trying to stop the new stadium. 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. The benefits to you as away fans will be: A sustainable stadium right next door to a major railway station in Oxford Parkway (a short train ride from Oxford City Centre if you would like to sample some great traditional pubs) and opposite a large Park&Ride site, 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, three-side ground we have now. There is also likely to be a safe standing area for you. 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, whether we’re potentially playing you in a league or 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. Thank you.” uttoxram75, ariotofmyown, Adslegend and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 I’m gonna be that guy. I hope to god the only way we are visiting you in 2026 is we’re both in the Championship. Day, JakeDCFC, Rob Collier and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JfR Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 23 minutes ago, Srg said: I’m gonna be that guy. I hope to god the only way we are visiting you in 2026 is we’re both in the Premier League. FTFY Rammy03 and Carl Sagan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foreveram Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Srg said: I’m gonna be that guy. I hope to god the only way we are visiting you in 2026 is we’re both in the Championship. Cup games 🤷🏻♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealhantsram Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Rob Collier said: Hi, an Oxford United fan here in peace. Our club is desperately trying to secure a new stadium site, or we’ll be homeless from 2026 when our lease runs out . Our current landlord is already selling off parcels of land at the current site and will make a fortune when he knocks down the current stadium to build houses. With that in mind, if anyone on here would be happy to fill in a short online questionnaire being run by Oxfordshire County Council, our fans would be massively grateful. There is a loud and vociferous minority of local who are trying to stop the new stadium. 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. The benefits to you as away fans will be: A sustainable stadium right next door to a major railway station in Oxford Parkway (a short train ride from Oxford City Centre if you would like to sample some great traditional pubs) and opposite a large Park&Ride site, 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, three-side ground we have now. There is also likely to be a safe standing area for you. 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, whether we’re potentially playing you in a league or 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. Thank you.” So sorry to hear about this. Outrageous this can be done with such a modern stadium. Built about the same time as Pride Park I think. Owners should never be allowed to separate the stadium from the club. EtoileSportiveDeDerby and JakeDCFC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 2, 2023 Author Share Posted July 2, 2023 Mr Kassam kept the £9m from the sale of the land at the Manor and only spent the bare minimum on the current stadium and never started the fourth stand despite the foundations having been laid. The undersoil heating was never put in, we have never had hot water and some of the roofs are leaking. The new site is a great one if you are visiting by train because it will be only a footbridge away from the station. There will also be plenty of parking at the park and ride attached to that station. Unfortunately some residents in the nearby village of Kidlington fear this will cause traffic gridlock, parking problems and thousands of drunken jobs fighting and defecating in their gardens. In a recent village poll, the opponents won by a margin of 2:1. We need as many as possible to contribute to County Council poll because this is the authority which will ultimately decide give us the go ahead to start building or block it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ram-Alf Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, Rob Collier said: parking problems and thousands of drunken jobs fighting and defecating in their gardens. In a recent village poll, the opponents won by a margin of 2:1. We need as many as possible to contribute to County Council poll because this is the authority which will ultimately decide give us the go ahead to start building or block it. Beer tasters of the quality of a pint of Pedigree then going for a number 2😁 JakeDCFC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brammie Steve Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 Survey completed. We once shared the same problem family as chairman! We have gone through similar off the pitch situations! Happy to help! Peace and Love! Rob Collier 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premier ram Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 11 hours ago, Rob Collier said: Hi, an Oxford United fan here in peace. Our club is desperately trying to secure a new stadium site, or we’ll be homeless from 2026 when our lease runs out . Our current landlord is already selling off parcels of land at the current site and will make a fortune when he knocks down the current stadium to build houses. With that in mind, if anyone on here would be happy to fill in a short online questionnaire being run by Oxfordshire County Council, our fans would be massively grateful. There is a loud and vociferous minority of local who are trying to stop the new stadium. 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. The benefits to you as away fans will be: A sustainable stadium right next door to a major railway station in Oxford Parkway (a short train ride from Oxford City Centre if you would like to sample some great traditional pubs) and opposite a large Park&Ride site, 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, three-side ground we have now. There is also likely to be a safe standing area for you. 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, whether we’re potentially playing you in a league or 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. Thank you.” Hope it helps mate, survey done Brammie Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S6 boy Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 I wish Oxford United and the fans well, but from an environmental point of view knocking down a stadium that new is bonkers. It would be great if there were regulations to control the ownership of sports stadia. Maybe they could be restricted to being owned by either the sports club itself or the local authority? Maybe the EFL could actually do something useful to protect football clubs and their fans? Could the local plan designate the land for leisure use only? It doesn't stop the owner being a git (Millmoor is still there), but if housing is removed as the easy option to make money, then maybe they'll think twice. If a new stadium is built, what's to say in twenty years Oxford United won't be in an identical situation? So many questions, I wish I had the answers... therealhantsram 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indyram Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 Done. Hope everything works out. Rob Collier, Brammie Steve and Premier ram 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 The landowner (former Chairman, Firoz Kassam) has no interest in the football club and is determined to get us out to re-develop the site for housing. This in itself is not a bad thing. The average house price in Oxford is £600,000 and we now have wealthy owners (one of them owned Inter Milan for 5 years) with plans to build a very ambitious stadium to the north of the city. The problem is that it lies in the green belt which is seen as some kind of holy grail by some people in north Oxford and Kidlington who have no interest in football. The site is hardly a rural paradise. It is called the triangle because it is wedged between three main roads and also right next to a main line railway station with a large park and ride site. They will all be filling in the survey with negative comments which is why we are asking fans of other clubs to help us out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthram Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 (edited) On 02/07/2023 at 08:29, Rob Collier said: Mr Kassam kept the £9m from the sale of the land at the Manor and only spent the bare minimum on the current stadium and never started the fourth stand despite the foundations having been laid. The undersoil heating was never put in, we have never had hot water and some of the roofs are leaking. The new site is a great one if you are visiting by train because it will be only a footbridge away from the station. There will also be plenty of parking at the park and ride attached to that station. Unfortunately some residents in the nearby village of Kidlington fear this will cause traffic gridlock, parking problems and thousands of drunken jobs fighting and defecating in their gardens. In a recent village poll, the opponents won by a margin of 2:1. We need as many as possible to contribute to County Council poll because this is the authority which will ultimately decide give us the go ahead to start building or block it. Without knowing the area it’s a difficult one to comment on and sounds like a natural and understandable “not on my door step” reaction. I think I’d object if there was a proposal to build a football stadium to house a club the size of Oxford anywhere too close to my house. Hopefully the proposed site won’t really have any impact on local residents. Also, whilst I understand what you are trying to do with the “away day experience” angle, I do think it’s a decision that shouldn’t really be skewed by visiting supporters views and should be primarily (if not entirely) influenced by local residents and Oxford United supporters. Good luck though and I hope it happens. Edited July 15, 2023 by Tamworthram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 22, 2023 Author Share Posted July 22, 2023 Hi, an Oxford United fan here in peace. Our club is desperately trying to secure a new stadium site, or we’ll be homeless from 2026. With that in mind, if anyone on here would be happy to fill in a short online questionnaire THIS WEEKEND being run by Oxfordshire County Council, our fans would be massively grateful. It only takes about five minutes or so to fill in the short online form at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stadium-land-use-negotiations by midnight tomorrow (Sunday 23 July 2023) where you will also find supporting information and documents. The benefits to you as away fans will be: A sustainable stadium right next door to a major railway station in Oxford Parkway (a short train ride from Oxford City Centre) and opposite a large Park&Ride site, 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, 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, whether we’re potentially playing you in a league or cup game from 2026 onwards. Taking a few minutes to support a fellow club this weekend before it becomes homeless in just a few years would be massively appreciated. Thank you.” If you’re just after a chasing message, there’s the following: “Just giving this a final bump as it is now less than a week until the Survey closes on Sunday (23 July). Thank you if you have already filled in the survey to help ensure Oxford United isn't homeless from 2026 and can instead move to a new ground which is easy to access via public transport, offers modern facilities, and will ensure a better atmosphere for both home and away fans. The survey and more information can still be found here: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stadium-land-use-negotiations Thank you." Thanks for all your support so far. We have held surveys filled in from Premier league clubs to non league from up and down the land. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 22, 2023 Author Share Posted July 22, 2023 On 02/07/2023 at 10:57, S6 boy said: I wish Oxford United and the fans well, but from an environmental point of view knocking down a stadium that new is bonkers. It would be great if there were regulations to control the ownership of sports stadia. Maybe they could be restricted to being owned by either the sports club itself or the local authority? Maybe the EFL could actually do something useful to protect football clubs and their fans? Could the local plan designate the land for leisure use only? It doesn't stop the owner being a git (Millmoor is still there), but if housing is removed as the easy option to make money, then maybe they'll think twice. If a new stadium is built, what's to say in twenty years Oxford United won't be in an identical situation? So many questions, I wish I had the answers... This survey is about the County Council leasing us the land for 250 years. The land , stadium and club will be one company again for the first time since we left the Manor in 2001. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 22, 2023 Author Share Posted July 22, 2023 The problems happen when the ownership of the stadium and club are split and the landlord has different financial interests. In our case the landlord is the ex football club Chairman Firoz Kasam, who only completed three stands. Inside the stands he only finished with the minimum of expenditure, which is why Oxford fans call it 'the breeze block'. Houses will be built on the stadium site which has the largest car park in the football league. 90% of current fans travel to the stadium by car because it is so poorly served by public transport. The new stadium adjacent to a mainline railway station and one of the busiest bus routes into Oxford. Our new owners were part of the Indonesian delegation to COP26 and will be fitting the new stadium with all the latest green technology: solar panels, green roofs, rain water retention and heat pumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FKANorwichExile Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 If enough of us sign it, can we have Brannagan? Seems like a fair trade to me... 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Collier Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 If you could complete 10 today, I will throw in Rodriguez as well. The survey closes at midnight tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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