I thought we’d have much more signatures by now tbh
I would strongly suggest that would be the wrong way to go about it. Showing our support now is key to getting the process through the vital first stages and beyond. There will be plenty of people offering negative responses and it's important the relevant parties know that both supporters of the club and people around the county are behind this move. If we allow this to get to a stage where it is refused (possibly due to a perceived lack of support) then we make our job infinitely harder. A precedent is set with councillors and planners and it will encourage those with doubts to continue pressing to have the project scrapped. For what it is worth, and in my experience, it is always better to make your case early and clearly, rather than wait until you are struggling to overturn a decision against you.A lot of people I've spoken to don't understand why we need a petition as it hasn't been refused. Normally petitions get high numbers when change is needed or a decision has been made that they dont agree with.
I've stayed quiet so far, to allow the discussions to develop, but have to reply to this one to say that you are wrong with every single thing you say here.Despite having attended OUFC matches since 1975, I haven't signed the petition. I'm not opposed to a move away from Grenoble Road but I'm worried about how the new stadium is going to be funded when we currently don't have a stadium we own to sell in order to pay for the new one. Also, as I have mentioned last week, other sites like Horspath playing fields may be cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and easier to obtain planning permission for.
it would need 'man' power ( and OUFC permission to do so) , but old fashioned paper petions and pens outside( or inside) home turnstiles at the game v Sheff wed, and Pompey, could add 1-2k more signatures to the cause?
with help from OUSP in a combined effort perhaps?Surely something Oxvox could do
I would strongly suggest that would be the wrong way to go about it. Showing our support now is key to getting the process through the vital first stages and beyond. There will be plenty of people offering negative responses and it's important the relevant parties know that both supporters of the club and people around the county are behind this move. If we allow this to get to a stage where it is refused (possibly due to a perceived lack of support) then we make our job infinitely harder. A precedent is set with councillors and planners and it will encourage those with doubts to continue pressing to have the project scrapped. For what it is worth, and in my experience, it is always better to make your case early and clearly, rather than wait until you are struggling to overturn a decision against you.
Well, at least you can't claim that I'm wrong saying that I've attended OUFC matches since 1975!I've stayed quiet so far, to allow the discussions to develop, but have to reply to this one to say that you are wrong with every single thing you say here.
I can accept that Horspath may not be an ideal site, but can you tell me how Stratfield Brake is going to be funded when we don't have a stadium to sell?
Sounds fine in theory but there is always a risk in relying on rich investors. We have all seen how some clubs (mostly non-league admittedly) have run into problems after relying on a money man to fund them and then running into problems if the money man suddenly dies or loses interest in football and walks away.This will be paid for by share holders , Erick, Bakrie, Horst a few others and the way they make their money back is rental on the facilities as well as sponsorship etc.
This will be a long term project and is not going to be like kassam earning a quick buck, I'm guessing their aim is to establish us as a top 30 club where they can grow the brand overseas as well in Oxfordshire this will make them alot of money.
The good thing about this site is they will never own the land so can't change legal conditions and it will always be available to us at a far better price than currently.
That would be the utopia but I can't think of one successful club where this is the structure. Football's an expensive sport these days and so wealthy backers are a requirement if you want any type of success.Sounds fine in theory but there is always a risk in relying on rich investors. We have all seen how some clubs (mostly non-league admittedly) have run into problems after relying on a money man to fund them and then running into problems if the money man suddenly dies or loses interest in football and walks away.
Ideally I would prefer OUFC to be fan-owned and fund the new stadium the AFC Wimbledon way but this is not going to happen until the government passes a German-style law that ensures that the fans control at least 51% of the club they support.
Pretty much as OX14 said.Well, at least you can't claim that I'm wrong saying that I've attended OUFC matches since 1975!
I can accept that Horspath may not be an ideal site, but can you tell me how Stratfield Brake is going to be funded when we don't have a stadium to sell?
I am not sure how much you have followed this and many many other threads before it?Sounds fine in theory but there is always a risk in relying on rich investors. We have all seen how some clubs (mostly non-league admittedly) have run into problems after relying on a money man to fund them and then running into problems if the money man suddenly dies or loses interest in football and walks away.
Ideally I would prefer OUFC to be fan-owned and fund the new stadium the AFC Wimbledon way but this is not going to happen until the government passes a German-style law that ensures that the fans control at least 51% of the club they support.