The owner of Kassam Stadium says he is open to Oxford United staying at the ground, despite the club claiming it “must find a new home”.
Firoz Kassam has confirmed to the Oxford Mail he is happy for the Yellows to continue playing home games at the stadium in Littlemore.
It comes as the club looks to move away from the Kassam, with controversial plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium in Kidlington.
READ MORE: Bicester: Sheet of glass falls down onto high street
Oxford United chief executive Tim Williams claims there is “no option to renew the lease” at the Kassam which expires in 2026.
He said the club “must find a new home”.
But the top bosses at Oxford United have now faced accusations that they never even asked to stay at the Kassam.
Friends of Stratfield Brake, a campaign group against the new stadium, claims Kassam landlords Firoka, a company owned by Mr Kassam, were never approached by the club about renewing the lease.
Group member Suzanne McIvor said the club’s bosses had “not given the whole story” about the stadium saga.
When the Oxford Mail put these claims to Mr Kassam, who owned Oxford United from 1999 to 2006 and built the stadium in 2001, he said: “That is completely true.”
The revelation comes as Oxford United prepares a planning application for a new stadium at the Triangle, an area of land south of Kidlington Roundabout.
The club wants to submit the plan to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, at the “earliest possible opportunity”.
READ MORE: Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds' JLM Conference remark is slammed
A club spokesman said: "The club has explored options at the current stadium.
“We have always been clear in our position and remain focused on securing a long-term and sustainable future for the club and look forward to submitting our full planning application."
But the stadium move has been criticised by Ian Middleton, who represents Kidlington East on the district council.
The Green councillor said: “There’s more to this claim from Oxford United that they can’t negotiate to stay at the Kassam than they are letting on”.
He accused the club of having “tunnel vision” on the Triangle site.
Take advantage of this New Year Oxford Mail online subscription offer.🗞
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) January 17, 2024
You can sign up now for just £3 for three months, or get 50 per cent off an annual subscription during this limited time period.
Find out more about this offer here 👇https://t.co/uqPHofEaTQ pic.twitter.com/gSsrL0NTTK
“No one wants to see the club homeless, but if they genuinely have no option to stay at the Kassam they shouldn’t be wasting what little time they say they have left by pursuing a pipe dream in Kidlington,” he added.
Oxford United's relationship with Firoka has historically been tricky.
In 2019, the company served the club with a winding-up petition for £204,000 in unpaid rent and service charges.
At the time, the club said it was “extremely disappointed” with Firoka’s actions.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel