Oxford United fans have announced plans to create a political party - to force council bosses to back developments at the half-built Minchery Farm stadium.

More than 500 fans gave potential new owner Firoz Kassam a standing ovation last night at the Foul - Fighting for Oxford United's Life - meeting, as he announced he was preparing to take over the club. The move follows the resignation of former managing director Keith Cox. Mr Kassam is currently in talks with the council and told fans: "From what I've heard today, I promise you, we will get there.

"I give you my word, if we all work together, my commitment is there - and I'll do it."

Mr Kassam has already injected £500,000 into a trust fund for the club, which has debts of £13.5m. And fans are hoping his arrival will push forward development of the half-built stadium. At the meeting, Oxford City Council leader John Tanner was warned by supporters that the controlling Labour group would face opposition at the ballot box if they failed to give Minchery Farm full backing.

Foul chairman Steve Hanks warned: "Talk is very cheap. What we need now is action. Prompt and very real action."

And he went on to outline Foul's plan for U's supporters to stand at the council elections.

"We will certainly be getting opposition ready for the council elections and we will start our preparation campaign," he added.

"We hope Mr Kassam ends up buying the club and we will hopefully work with him to do whatever the fans need to do to help the club survive."

The warning came after council leader John Tanner addressed the audience and told them that while the authority was committed to seeing the continuation of first-class football in Oxford, certain criteria would have to be met, including the completion of the new stadium.

Fans also revealed how they plan to start a 'Yellow Brick Road' campaign, whereby every supporter can donate a brick, along with £20, to build one stand at Minchery Farm.

Mr Tanner added: " I think the show of support tonight has really taken things forward.

"It's impressed me, it's impressed Mr Kassam and I hope that if everybody works together, we can open the stadium very soon."

Story date: Wednesday 10 February

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