| External Links |
|---|
| www.rageonline.co.uk |
| www.oxvox.org.uk |
| www.oxfordunited.rivals.net |
| News? Updates? Corrections? |
| Please fill in the feedback form! |
Oxford United Football Club once again finds itself facing uncertainty over the future after Chairman Firoz Kassam admitted he wants to sell the Football Club for just £1. It comes after a frustrating four years for Mr Kassam, who feels he has been let down and 'not trusted' by the council, locals, and the fans.
oxfordunited rivals site (link below) reports that In an interview with the Oxford Mail Kassam admitted he would 'seriously consider' selling up if the right offer was made, including the whole Minchery Farm project of Hotel, Stadium, Fitness Centre, Bowling Alley, and Cinema. He is quoted as saying 'enough is enough' and would be willing to make a loss in order to get out.
Kassam told BBC Oxford 'If only they [the fans] knew what I had to go through on a day-to-day basis they would be shocked But they've got a beautiful stadium there, nobody can take that away from them. They've got a good team and they're playing well and that's what matters to the fans.
'So I've done what I've promised to the supporters. I think I've delivered that and whether I see them through and carry them forward or somebody else does it shouldn't really matter.'
Mr Kassam stated 'difficulties' of working in Oxford and a general 'distrust' from most people. He did say that he would make sure whoever he passed the club onto he would make sure the future would be secure. The trouble is, it probably won't be as secure as it is now with him in charge.
So what does this mean for the Football Club? Well, Mr Kassam did pay £1 for the club in 1998/99 but took on heavy debts and a half finished stadium, which we all know is now complete. He would only sell the club for £1 now if he were to recoup the majority of the apparent £50-60m invested in the Club and the Minchery Farm complex. It has been a hard battle for Kassam, facing off field problems every time he looked to move forward, and experiencing two relegations on the pitch. Getting the complex to the stage it is at now proved to be far, far harder and long-term than he had anticipated for various reasons.
The Club have a lease on the Stadium for 25 years, so they will not be evicted from their new home. The hotel is up and running, and the leisure complex will open bit by bit starting this very Christmas. If Kassam finds an interested party, they will certainly have to show him the money if he is to let go of his investment at such a late stage.
