Latest news with #TimWilliams
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Championship side could cease to 'exist' as CEO makes public plea in attempt to save club
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.'
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Championship CEO says club could cease to exist if decision doesn't go their way
Oxford United will be kicked out of their current home at the Kassam Stadium soon - and the club are yet to begin work on their proposed new 16,000-seater stadium Oxford United could be pushed to the brink of extinction if their proposed new stadium doesn't get the green light, according to the club's chief executive. Oxford currently play at the Kassam Stadium, but their lease is set to expire soon and the club's future hinges on a brand-new home getting planning permission. The U's, who finished 17th in the Championship this season, have played at the Kassam since the 12,500-seater stadium was opened in 2001. However, the stadium is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group, who have threatened Oxford with homelessness. An agreement was struck in May that will allow Oxford to remain at the Kassam until the end of the 2026/27 season, with the option of one further year, but they still need somewhere to move into by June 2028 at the very latest. The new stadium still isn't guaranteed though, with a decision coming in July. Oxford chief executive Tim Williams has spelled out the situation in 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,' he said plainly. '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 Moor-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.' Oxford have submitted plans for a 16,000-seater stadium that will also have a 180-bedroom hotel, a conference and events centre and a gym. It would also become the first all-electric stadium in the UK, with a focus on sustainability – but it needs to be green lighted first. 'We now have a Football Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets. We are a poster child for what good football governance and football clubs should be about,' Williams added. '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.'
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
‘It doesn't get more serious' – Championship club could cease to exist as CEO makes heartfelt plea to authorities
The club could be homeless by next summer GROUND BREAKER 'It doesn't get more serious' – Championship club could cease to exist as CEO makes heartfelt plea to authorities OXFORD UNITED could cease to exist if it is not granted planning permission for a new stadium. The Championship outfit submitted plans for a 16,000-seater multi-purpose ground with a decision expected in July. 3 Oxford's lease at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026 Credit: Getty 3 The club wants to build a new 16,000-seater stadium Credit: x 3 Tim Williams has claimed the club could disappear without the new ground Credit: OXFORD UNITED Ahead of the decision from the local authorities, Oxford CEO Tim Williams has issued a stark warning over the future of the club. The U's currently play their football at the Kassam Stadium, but their lease is set to expire in 2026. He told Sky Sports: "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 won't have a football club." READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS PENALTY BOXES Shamed ref David Coote filmed delivering Evri packages after cocaine video Oxford's potential new development would feature an 18-bedroom hotel, an events centre as well as wellbeing and community spaces. It would also be the first all-electric stadium in the UK. Williams has claimed that Oxford are more in need of the ground than the likes of Manchester United and Everton. The two Premier League giants are due in new homes with the Toffees moving into their new ground this summer. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS The Red Devils are aiming to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium by the 2030/31 season. Williams added: "It doesn't get more serious than that for a football club. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms "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 Moor-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." A decision on the new stadium is in less than five weeks and Williams believes that it would benefit the local community. He said: "We now have a Football Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets. "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.'
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘It doesn't get more serious' – Championship club could cease to exist as CEO makes heartfelt plea to authorities
OXFORD UNITED could cease to exist if it is not granted planning permission for a new stadium. The Championship outfit Advertisement 3 Oxford's lease at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026 Credit: Getty 3 The club wants to build a new 16,000-seater stadium Credit: x 3 Tim Williams has claimed the club could disappear without the new ground Credit: OXFORD UNITED Ahead of the decision from the local authorities, Oxford CEO Tim Williams has issued a The U's currently play their football at the Kassam Stadium, He told Sky Sports: "When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, "If we don't have a stadium, there is a risk we won't have a football club." Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Oxford's potential new development would feature an 18-bedroom hotel, an events centre as well as wellbeing and community spaces. It would also be the Williams has claimed that Oxford are more in need of the ground than the likes of Manchester United and Everton. The two Premier League giants are due in new homes with the Advertisement Most read in Championship JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS The Red Devils are aiming to Williams added: "It doesn't get more serious than that for a football club. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms "We have seen headlines recently about a new Manchester United stadium, which with all due respect is a want and not a need. Advertisement "If Manchester United don't move out, they still have Old Trafford. "If Everton hadn't moved into Bramley Moor-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." Advertisement A decision on the new stadium is in less than five weeks and Williams believes He said: "We now have a Football Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets. "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. Advertisement '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.'
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘It doesn't get more serious' – Championship club could cease to exist as CEO makes heartfelt plea to authorities
OXFORD UNITED could cease to exist if it is not granted planning permission for a new stadium. The Championship outfit submitted plans for a 16,000-seater multi-purpose ground with a decision expected in July. 3 3 3 Ahead of the decision from the local authorities, Oxford CEO Tim Williams has issued a stark warning over the future of the club. The U's currently play their football at the Kassam Stadium, but their lease is set to expire in 2026. He told Sky Sports: "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 won't have a football club." Oxford's potential new development would feature an 18-bedroom hotel, an events centre as well as wellbeing and community spaces. It would also be the first all-electric stadium in the UK. Williams has claimed that Oxford are more in need of the ground than the likes of Manchester United and Everton. The two Premier League giants are due in new homes with the . The Red Devils are aiming to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium by the 2030/31 season. Williams added: "It doesn't get more serious than that for a football club. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms "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 Moor-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." A decision on the new stadium is in less than five weeks and Williams believes that it would benefit the local community. He said: "We now have a Football Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets. "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.'
