Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam has admitted that his decision to get rid of Ian Atkins might have cost the club promotion.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference to announce the appointment of Graham Rix as manager, Kassam (above) said that he had not offered Atkins an extended contract when United were top of the Division 3 table because of the style of football the team were playing.

That prompted Atkins to look elsewhere to safeguard his future - and he eventually agreed a two-year contract as boss of Bristol Rovers.

When details of that deal were announced, Kassam immediately suspended Atkins.

Kassam said: "It might have cost us promotion, I don't know, but if it did, or if it does, then so be it. I take full responsibility for it, and I will live by it.

"I knew what I was getting when I appointed Ian. He is an expert at bringing third division teams up into Division 2 and he would probably have done it for us.

"I decided to do what I did on principle though. It might not have been the best decision in the interests of the club, but I could not allow other chairmen or individuals to perform in a manner which I don't agree with."

The Atkins ethic was hard work, organisation and discipline. At times, it was not pretty, but it was very effective and took United to the top of the table. But this was not enough for Kassam.

"We went a long way under Ian, but personally I have to say that the football we played was not entertaining enough for me and I am sure that for a lot of supporters it was the same," he said.

"Fans pay to come and watch entertaining football, and I feel that is not what they have seen here for some time.

"That is not knocking how we played under Ian, because I had a fair idea of the style of football I was going to get when I appointed him.

"But I'd seen enough of that, which is why I have made this choice in my appointment of a new manager to bring some entertaining football back.

"My discussions with Graham Rix have been that is that it is not just entertaining football that I want, it's results as well."

When asked directly whether Atkins's style of football was the reason he was not offered an improved deal, Kassam replied: "That could have played a part in it, yes.

"It is fair to say that Ian did an OK job here, but I would have wished for a better ending.

"Some of us in life have ethics and principles, while some decide to do things differently.

"All I can say is good luck to him, whatever he decides to do. We have got to move on and so we have drawn a line as far as our relationship with Ian is concerned."