CHAMPIONSHIP club Oxford United have released a heartfelt video warning they will cease to exist if new stadium plans are not approved.
Earlier this month, the U’s penned an open letter to concerned locals regarding a proposed 16,000-seater stadium on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington.
YouTube / Oxford United OfficialOxford United have released a video warning they will cease to exist without approval for new stadium plans[/caption]
GettyThe U’s want to build a new stadium as their current lease at the Kassam Stadium is set to expire[/caption]
The CEO said the club wanted to safeguard its future
It comes with the looming fear of United’s current lease on where they currently play, the Kassam Stadium, expiring in 2026.
Last month, the club reached a deal with stadium owners, Fikora Group, to allow them to stay there for a maximum of two more years, with no more extensions or lease agreements possible following the agreement.
But amid opposition from worried locals, a decision is set to be made on the plans by Cherwell District Council in July.
And in a bid to sway the powers that be in their favour, United released a 2-minute 15-second video on YouTube.
The video starts off by going into the 132-year history of the club since its founding in 1893.
A voiceover of the club then warns how it may not be part of the future of the community, saying: “Imagine Oxford United is no longer.
“No more dreams. No more community. No more football.”
The video cuts away to show fans cheering and chanting in the club’s current home of the Kassam Stadium, which holds 12,573 people.
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Views from people involved with the club are then voiced in support of the plans, including matchday steward, Roland Clements, Women’s team manager, Gemma Simms and first-team star, Sam Long.
CEO Tim Williams then appears in the video and warns: “Our very existence is now at risk.
“This stadium will create jobs, boost the economy, improve lives and safeguard the future of this great club.”
The video ends with a poignant message declaring there are “no second chances” before adding: “No stadium, no club.”
A black screen appears with white text saying: “Our future is in your hands.”
In the club’s open letter earlier this month, Williams said: “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.”
United estimate their £130million stadium plans will create around 1,000 new jobs and add £32m a year to the local economy.
First unveiled in 2023, the stadium will include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, community plaza and would be the UK’s first all-electric stadium.
A poll held in May 2023 by Kidlington Parish Council had seen the majority of residents vote against the plans.
United have since made a number of changes to the original proposal.
This included adding a new health and wellbeing centre and making 90 per cent of transport to the ground sustainable, which they said now had the support of the police and council highways officers.
The club finished 17th in the Championship last season, a year after they were promoted from winning the League One play-off final.
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