General New Stadium Plans - Stratfield Brake

[unification]

Hi all, Wycombe fan here! I put aside my bias to write this article about Oxford's new stadium in the student newspaper Cherwell

New Stadium for Oxford United F.C. - Cherwell

"Oxford United’s plan to leave the Kassam Stadium in favour of a new site at Straftfield Brake is well-founded, and could provide major benefits for the club’s fans and owners, the county and city councils, and perhaps the university too."

cherwell.org

It would be great if you could let me know your thoughts! I hope it chimes with the general attitude of the fanbase who seem to be very supportive of the proposal. Really hoping you guys get the move sorted and I can't wait to visit the new stadium in a few years

Nice write up. I'd encourage Oxford fans to read that as a good summary of where we are and what the next steps and challenges are.

A few very minor clarifications from it.

- Robert Maxwell was no longer chairman of the U's when he died. FL rules dictated that you could not be majority shareholder of more than one club and with various shares with Watford, Reading and Oxford, he wanted another club with a bigger stature than Oxford to satisfy his ego. By 1991, he was chairman of Derby County and his son Kevin was chairman of Oxford, although it was suggested that he still pulled all the shots with the U's as well (the sale of Dean Saunders from Oxford to Derby in 1988 suggested he was very much the string puller at both clubs). Whilst the club was in the outer reaches of the Maxwell galaxy when it all imploded, it was understandably still impacted in a big way.

- Your article suggests that it was Firoz Kassam who masterminded the move from The Manor. The reality was he was the opportunist who finished the job. The previous chairman Robin Herd had started the work on the new stadium before running out of funds. Kassam took over the club, cleared some debts and 'finished' the stadium just in time for the 2001-02 season. The unfinished nature of it, ie the lack of a fourth stand, made some sense. In the time that work had started on the stadium to when the club moved in, Oxford had dropped two divisions. Visits from Wolves and QPR had given way to travelling support in the low hundreds from Darlington and Kidderminster. 12,500 was plenty for fourth tier football.

- You mention the county council's backing of the project which hasn't occurred yet. We're optimistic and the noises initially were good from OCC but we've not navigated the hurdle yet. I would also stress that the plan is for OCC to lease the land to OUFC for a 250 year lease. It's not a land purchase per se hence why such a detailed plan for additional community facilities is key to getting the plan passed and to make a return for the investors looking to build this project for the club.

 

[NottsYellow]

Nice write up. I'd encourage Oxford fans to read that as a good summary of where we are and what the next steps and challenges are.

A few very minor clarifications from it.

- Robert Maxwell was no longer chairman of the U's when he died. FL rules dictated that you could not be majority shareholder of more than one club and with various shares with Watford, Reading and Oxford, he wanted another club with a bigger stature than Oxford to satisfy his ego. By 1991, he was chairman of Derby County and his son Kevin was chairman of Oxford, although it was suggested that he still pulled all the shots with the U's as well (the sale of Dean Saunders from Oxford to Derby in 1988 suggested he was very much the string puller at both clubs). Whilst the club was in the outer reaches of the Maxwell galaxy when it all imploded, it was understandably still impacted in a big way.

- Your article suggests that it was Firoz Kassam who masterminded the move from The Manor. The reality was he was the opportunist who finished the job. The previous chairman Robin Herd had started the work on the new stadium before running out of funds. Kassam took over the club, cleared some debts and 'finished' the stadium just in time for the 2001-02 season. The unfinished nature of it, ie the lack of a fourth stand, made some sense. In the time that work had started on the stadium to when the club moved in, Oxford had dropped two divisions. Visits from Wolves and QPR had given way to travelling support in the low hundreds from Darlington and Kidderminster. 12,500 was plenty for fourth tier football.

- You mention the county council's backing of the project which hasn't occurred yet. We're optimistic and the noises initially were good from OCC but we've not navigated the hurdle yet. I would also stress that the plan is for OCC to lease the land to OUFC for a 250 year lease. It's not a land purchase per se hence why such a detailed plan for additional community facilities is key to getting the plan passed and to make a return for the investors looking to build this project for the club.

Just to add to this "cleared some debts" . If memory serves correctly, the stadium was about 1/3 complete when Kassam took over, the contractors were owed a significant amount of money, but instead of clearing the debt he offered them xp (10p??) the £, which meant Kassam paid very little for the first part of the ground.

 

[chuckbert]

Nice write up. I'd encourage Oxford fans to read that as a good summary of where we are and what the next steps and challenges are.

A few very minor clarifications from it.

- Robert Maxwell was no longer chairman of the U's when he died. FL rules dictated that you could not be majority shareholder of more than one club and with various shares with Watford, Reading and Oxford, he wanted another club with a bigger stature than Oxford to satisfy his ego. By 1991, he was chairman of Derby County and his son Kevin was chairman of Oxford, although it was suggested that he still pulled all the shots with the U's as well (the sale of Dean Saunders from Oxford to Derby in 1988 suggested he was very much the string puller at both clubs). Whilst the club was in the outer reaches of the Maxwell galaxy when it all imploded, it was understandably still impacted in a big way.

- Your article suggests that it was Firoz Kassam who masterminded the move from The Manor. The reality was he was the opportunist who finished the job. The previous chairman Robin Herd had started the work on the new stadium before running out of funds. Kassam took over the club, cleared some debts and 'finished' the stadium just in time for the 2001-02 season. The unfinished nature of it, ie the lack of a fourth stand, made some sense. In the time that work had started on the stadium to when the club moved in, Oxford had dropped two divisions. Visits from Wolves and QPR had given way to travelling support in the low hundreds from Darlington and Kidderminster. 12,500 was plenty for fourth tier football.

- You mention the county council's backing of the project which hasn't occurred yet. We're optimistic and the noises initially were good from OCC but we've not navigated the hurdle yet. I would also stress that the plan is for OCC to lease the land to OUFC for a 250 year lease. It's not a land purchase per se hence why such a detailed plan for additional community facilities is key to getting the plan passed and to make a return for the investors looking to build this project for the club.

And @Wanderer, as an Oxford resident it would be fantastic if you could mobilise some of the Oxford student body (and college fellows etc) to respond favourably to the consultation on Stratfield Brake, and take any opportunity to positively influence their council members!

 

[Manorlounger]

Nice write up. I'd encourage Oxford fans to read that as a good summary of where we are and what the next steps and challenges are.

A few very minor clarifications from it.

- Robert Maxwell was no longer chairman of the U's when he died. FL rules dictated that you could not be majority shareholder of more than one club and with various shares with Watford, Reading and Oxford, he wanted another club with a bigger stature than Oxford to satisfy his ego. By 1991, he was chairman of Derby County and his son Kevin was chairman of Oxford, although it was suggested that he still pulled all the shots with the U's as well (the sale of Dean Saunders from Oxford to Derby in 1988 suggested he was very much the string puller at both clubs). Whilst the club was in the outer reaches of the Maxwell galaxy when it all imploded, it was understandably still impacted in a big way.

- Your article suggests that it was Firoz Kassam who masterminded the move from The Manor. The reality was he was the opportunist who finished the job. The previous chairman Robin Herd had started the work on the new stadium before running out of funds. Kassam took over the club, cleared some debts and 'finished' the stadium just in time for the 2001-02 season. The unfinished nature of it, ie the lack of a fourth stand, made some sense. In the time that work had started on the stadium to when the club moved in, Oxford had dropped two divisions. Visits from Wolves and QPR had given way to travelling support in the low hundreds from Darlington and Kidderminster. 12,500 was plenty for fourth tier football.

- You mention the county council's backing of the project which hasn't occurred yet. We're optimistic and the noises initially were good from OCC but we've not navigated the hurdle yet. I would also stress that the plan is for OCC to lease the land to OUFC for a 250 year lease. It's not a land purchase per se hence why such a detailed plan for additional community facilities is key to getting the plan passed and to make a return for the investors looking to build this project for the club.

I must be one of the few that are less than impressed with this article. With the above mentioned factual errors (and a few more besides!) the article is written in a very opinionated style. I don't recall the Manor as "ramshackle" and it had more character than most stadiums I have visited, including Adams Park.
The relevance of Everton's search for a new stadium and consequential loss of cultural status for Liverpool baffles me but, lends credence to the politicised and often completely hypothetical ramblings, I suppose.

 

[Wanderer]

Nice write up. I'd encourage Oxford fans to read that as a good summary of where we are and what the next steps and challenges are.

A few very minor clarifications from it.

- Robert Maxwell was no longer chairman of the U's when he died. FL rules dictated that you could not be majority shareholder of more than one club and with various shares with Watford, Reading and Oxford, he wanted another club with a bigger stature than Oxford to satisfy his ego. By 1991, he was chairman of Derby County and his son Kevin was chairman of Oxford, although it was suggested that he still pulled all the shots with the U's as well (the sale of Dean Saunders from Oxford to Derby in 1988 suggested he was very much the string puller at both clubs). Whilst the club was in the outer reaches of the Maxwell galaxy when it all imploded, it was understandably still impacted in a big way.

- Your article suggests that it was Firoz Kassam who masterminded the move from The Manor. The reality was he was the opportunist who finished the job. The previous chairman Robin Herd had started the work on the new stadium before running out of funds. Kassam took over the club, cleared some debts and 'finished' the stadium just in time for the 2001-02 season. The unfinished nature of it, ie the lack of a fourth stand, made some sense. In the time that work had started on the stadium to when the club moved in, Oxford had dropped two divisions. Visits from Wolves and QPR had given way to travelling support in the low hundreds from Darlington and Kidderminster. 12,500 was plenty for fourth tier football.

- You mention the county council's backing of the project which hasn't occurred yet. We're optimistic and the noises initially were good from OCC but we've not navigated the hurdle yet. I would also stress that the plan is for OCC to lease the land to OUFC for a 250 year lease. It's not a land purchase per se hence why such a detailed plan for additional community facilities is key to getting the plan passed and to make a return for the investors looking to build this project for the club.

Thank you so much for the feedback - it is highly appreciated!

I knew that Maxwell wasn't chairman at the time of his death cos of the Derby link, but he still owned the team right? And I realise that plans for the stadium in Blackbird Leys were in the works long before Kassam took over, but he did push them through in the end! I should definitely have clarified that

Your point about OCC is interesting! As you say, they seem to be making the right noises, which is great. The new facilities for Kidlington ABs and Gosford CC are definitely a necessity though. They both seem to be pretty optimistic

 

[Teddydee1980]

Further insight in what we are up against in terms of public opinion.

A post here from a Kidlington parish Councillor, canvassing opinions on SB and how the community want to be engaged.

Whilst there is a huge 'it IS Facebook' caveat, it does give some ideas into the concerns of local residents.

I think Kidlington based fans here are key. The Nimby voices will be loud but if it can be met with steady support from other locals, with genuine solutions to the problems residents raise, then that would help.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1090176618209991&id=250007092226952

 

[Manorlounger]

Further insight in what we are up against in terms of public opinion.

A post here from a Kidlington parish Councillor, canvassing opinions on SB and how the community want to be engaged.

Whilst there is a huge 'it IS Facebook' caveat, it does give some ideas into the concerns of local residents.

I think Kidlington based fans here are key. The Nimby voices will be loud but if it can be met with steady support from other locals, with genuine solutions to the problems residents raise, then that would help.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1090176618209991&id=250007092226952

What is very clear from some of the responses to that Facebook post are that many are not well enough informed to make a decision. This is going to need a very well organised and concerted PR job. Lots of media coverage and a mail shot of all Kidlington residents.
Sadly, all of this, at this time, is to get the OCC Cabinet to agree to negotiations. We're nowhere near a planning consultation as yet. I would hope that the finance is there in order to have a reasonable visual aid to how the finished project would look.

 

[Scotchegg]

What is very clear from some of the responses to that Facebook post are that many are not well enough informed to make a decision. This is going to need a very well organised and concerted PR job. Lots of media coverage and a mail shot of all Kidlington residents.
Sadly, all of this, at this time, is to get the OCC Cabinet to agree to negotiations. We're nowhere near a planning consultation as yet. I would hope that the finance is there in order to have a reasonable visual aid to how the finished project would look.

The finances are very clearly there!

 

[Nadi-]

Just need the players get their haircut in his barbers, and play a alley rats track before the game.
And Norman would be on board.

 

[Realale]

I must be one of the few that are less than impressed with this article. With the above mentioned factual errors (and a few more besides!) the article is written in a very opinionated style. I don't recall the Manor as "ramshackle" and it had more character than most stadiums I have visited, including Adams Park.
The relevance of Everton's search for a new stadium and consequential loss of cultural status for Liverpool baffles me but, lends credence to the politicised and often completely hypothetical ramblings, I suppose.

We all loved the Manor, but it would have needed a lot of expensive maintenance.

 

[Manorlounger]

We all loved the Manor, but it would have needed a lot of expensive maintenance.

No dispute there!

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Thank you so much for the feedback - it is highly appreciated!

I knew that Maxwell wasn't chairman at the time of his death cos of the Derby link, but he still owned the team right? And I realise that plans for the stadium in Blackbird Leys were in the works long before Kassam took over, but he did push them through in the end! I should definitely have clarified that

Your point about OCC is interesting! As you say, they seem to be making the right noises, which is great. The new facilities for Kidlington ABs and Gosford CC are definitely a necessity though. They both seem to be pretty optimistic

I believe Minnesota United's stadium took 20 months to build hence the speculation (and @Colin B 's hint it'll have a LED exterior!) the design at Stratfield Brake will be inspired by that as well as a vague similarity on the masterplan.

Hopefully it'll have a low roof for a) acoustic reasons and b) to stop it being too visible from a distance, the local residents will likely say it'll spoil their view or be an eyesore.

 

[Tomox]

Further insight in what we are up against in terms of public opinion.

A post here from a Kidlington parish Councillor, canvassing opinions on SB and how the community want to be engaged.

Whilst there is a huge 'it IS Facebook' caveat, it does give some ideas into the concerns of local residents.

I think Kidlington based fans here are key. The Nimby voices will be loud but if it can be met with steady support from other locals, with genuine solutions to the problems residents raise, then that would help.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1090176618209991&id=250007092226952

I got into a bit of a debate on that thread and apparently 'someone has been feeding me wrong information' and we shouldn't move because why not just stay at the kassam?

Also Derby and Bury went bust so that means we will also go bust too

 

[Teddydee1980]

I got into a bit of a debate on that thread and apparently 'someone has been feeding me wrong information' and we shouldn't move because why not just stay at the kassam?

Also Derby and Bury went bust so that means we will also go bust too

Yeah like I say, an insight into the (un)informed opinions around.

As has been said earlier in the thread, perhaps a mailshot to residents introducing the new owners (or just, you know, officially announcing the takeover!) Would help and show the stature of those involved.

The car/parking thing will be the big thing for Kidlington folk I think. SB has caused parking issues round that area when hosting kids football, so they have a point. The P and R/Train solution needs to be really pushed.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Yeah like I say, an insight into the (un)informed opinions around.

As has been said earlier in the thread, perhaps a mailshot to residents introducing the new owners (or just, you know, officially announcing the takeover!) Would help and show the stature of those involved.

The car/parking thing will be the big thing for Kidlington folk I think. SB has caused parking issues round that area when hosting kids football, so they have a point. The P and R/Train solution needs to be really pushed.

Free Shuttle buses from all park and rides will hopefully be put on.

 

[Wanderer]

I believe Minnesota United's stadium took 20 months to build hence the speculation (and @Colin B 's hint it'll have a LED exterior!) the design at Stratfield Brake will be inspired by that as well as a vague similarity on the masterplan.

Hopefully it'll have a low roof for a) acoustic reasons and b) to stop it being too visible from a distance, the local residents will likely say it'll spoil their view or be an eyesore.
View attachment 7938

If it's anything like Allianz Field then it's going to be an extremely impressive stadium. I can't believe it went up so quickly

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

If it's anything like Allianz Field then it's going to be an extremely impressive stadium. I can't believe it went up so quickly

Looking into there's no cladding on the outside so one the seating and roof are built it's effectively 'wrapped' with this mesh with funky lights which saves alot of time.

 

[lodeyellow]

What is very clear from some of the responses to that Facebook post are that many are not well enough informed to make a decision. This is going to need a very well organised and concerted PR job. Lots of media coverage and a mail shot of all Kidlington residents.
Sadly, all of this, at this time, is to get the OCC Cabinet to agree to negotiations. We're nowhere near a planning consultation as yet. I would hope that the finance is there in order to have a reasonable visual aid to how the finished project would look.

Do you think the present staff at the club should be responsible for that "very well organised and concerted PR job", or should professional PR consultants be employed?

 

[Manorlounger]

Do you think the present staff at the club should be responsible for that "very well organised and concerted PR job", or should professional PR consultants be employed?

I would imagine that an outside agency with greater experience would be involved. It's quite normal for a project of this magnitude.

 

[Manorlounger]

Just had a response from my local councillor. All positive subject to viewing the plans. That's a very quick response too, only sent my email yesterday. Just shows what can be achieved.