OXFORD United's potential new owner Firoz Kassam remains hopeful that a deal can be struck with Oxford City Council to take over the club.

The London-based hotelier, who has already paid a £500,000 deposit for the club, was speaking after holding further talks with councillors this week.

Kassam is seeking agreement from the council to build a hotel and multiplex cinema on land neighbouring United's half-built stadium near Minchery Farm - in return for him completing the construction of the new ground.

He said: "The situation has not really changed. These things take time and we are in discussions and the response is positive.

"At the end of the day, until we have a signature on a piece of paper I cannot say any more.

"We are in negotiations and we are getting the right vibes. The council are not being difficult in any way. We are being positive and we are talking and we hope we can do the deal in some way. "It is a very crucial time for everyone concerned and no-one is making it difficult. I think everyone realises the urgency, but the council have to go through the red tape. They are doing their best."

However, he also added a note of caution.

"I have got until the end of the month to make the decision and I have got to satisfy myself. I would drop out sooner rather than later if the deal was not right.

"In the past, people got carried away with what they said they would do. I don't want to do that. I will not promise anything until we have a deal that works.

"I am spending my full time working on that project at the moment. My commitment is still there.

"In another week or ten days we should be in a clearer position. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope that it happens."

Story date: Saturday 27 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.