Championship side could cease to 'exist' as CEO makes public plea in attempt to save club

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Oxford United CEO Tim Williams has painted a stark picture of the position the club find themselves in as they continue their attempts to build a new stadium.
The Yellows, who finished 17th in the Championship in 2024-25 in what was their first season in the second tier of English football for 26 years, have played at the Kassam Stadium since 2001.
However, the ground - which has gained notoriety for only having three sides - is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group, who have informed Oxford that they cannot stay there forever.
Last month, a deal was struck to allow the club to play at the Kassam until the end of the 2026-27 season, with the option to extend until June 2028, but after that they will have to move somewhere else.
The club have been working on alternatives and have outlined their plans for a new 16,000-seater all-electric stadium that will also have other on site amenities like a 180-bedroom hotel, a conference and events centre, along with a gym.
But, according to Williams, Oxford may cease to exist if they don't get the green light on planning permission for the proposed new ground.
It has yet to receive approval from Oxfordshire County Council despite the focus on sustainability, with a decision expected next month.
'When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, we won't have a home and a stadium to play in,' Williams told Sky Sports News in an eye-opening interview. 'If we don't have a stadium, there is a risk we won't have a football club.
'It doesn't get more serious than that for a football club. We have seen headlines recently about a new Manchester United stadium, which with all due 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.'
Williams continued to emphasise the grave position the club find themselves in, while he also highlighted the benefits of the potential new ground.
'We now have a Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets,' he added.
'We are a poster child for what good football governance and football clubs should be about.
'It's going to be a 16,000-seater stadium, 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. This needs to be moved up every headline.
'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.'