Championship facet might stop to ‘exist’ as CEO makes public plea in try to save lots of membership

Oxford United CEO Tim Williams has painted a stark image of the place the membership discover themselves in as they proceed their makes an attempt to construct a brand new stadium.

The Yellows, who completed seventeenth within the Championship in 2024-25 in what was their first season within the second tier of English soccer for 26 years, have performed on the Kassam Stadium since 2001.

Nonetheless, the bottom – which has gained notoriety for less than having three sides – is owned by the membership’s former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group, who’ve knowledgeable Oxford that they can’t keep there eternally.

Final month, a deal was struck to permit the membership to play on the Kassam till the tip of the 2026-27 season, with the choice to increase till June 2028, however after that they must transfer elsewhere.

The membership have been engaged on options and have outlined their plans for a brand new 16,000-seater all-electric stadium that can even produce other on website facilities like a 180-bedroom resort, a convention and occasions centre, together with a fitness center.

However, based on Williams, Oxford could stop to exist if they do not get the inexperienced mild on planning permission for the proposed new floor.

It has but to obtain approval from Oxfordshire County Council regardless of the give attention to sustainability, with a call anticipated subsequent month.

‘When our lease on the Kassam Stadium runs out, we cannot have a house and a stadium to play in,’ Williams instructed Sky Sports activities Information in an eye-opening interview.

‘If we do not have a stadium, there’s a danger we cannot have a soccer membership.

‘It does not get extra severe than that for a soccer membership. We now have seen headlines lately a couple of new Manchester United stadium, which with all due respect is a need and never a necessity.

‘If Manchester United do not transfer out, they nonetheless have Previous Trafford. If Everton hadn’t moved into Bramley Moore-Dock, they’ve nonetheless obtained Goodison. 

‘If we do not transfer into a brand new stadium, we’re homeless and we do not exist and it is an absolute travesty in my opinion. It is that necessary.’

Williams continued to emphasize the grave place the membership discover themselves in, whereas he additionally highlighted the advantages of the potential new floor.

‘We now have a Regulator, and we have now a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about soccer property,’ he added. 

‘We’re a poster little one for what good soccer governance and soccer golf equipment ought to be about.

‘It’ll be a 16,000-seater stadium, on the outskirts of Oxford, and an actual group asset, totally sustainable, in an excellent location within the nation. 

‘We want help, however we additionally have to say, the purpose concerning the membership doubtlessly not current is an actual one. This must be moved up each headline.

‘We’re getting into an important interval within the membership’s historical past. The way forward for the membership hinges on the brand new stadium, and I might urge each supporter, each stakeholder, and each voice to get behind this undertaking.’