OXFORD United manager Malcolm Shotton has welcomed the announcement that a mystery buyer is set to take over the club.

As reported in yesterday's later editions, managing director Keith Cox revealed in a letter to season ticket-holders and members that a consortium had signed a contract to buy former chairman Robin Herd's 89 per cent shareholding.

The deal is conditional on a satisfactory agreement being reached with Oxford City Council and Taylor Woodrow, who were building United's new stadium at Minchery Farm before work stopped in January 1997.

Shotton, away on a pre-season tour in the south-west with his United squad, has hailed the news as a move in the right direction.

"If it goes ahead then obviously it is very good news for the club," he said.

He said the takeover should help the club recruit players such as record signing Dean Windass, who has just joined Oxford for £475,000 from Aberdeen.

"At the end of the day we are looking to bring in Dean and people like that.

"And if the consortium go through with everything, then it is a very big step in the right direction - not just for the players and staff, but for the supporters," said United's boss.

"They have suffered for the last two or three years when things have come and gone and come and gone.

"It will be fabulous for them because they have obviously worked hard for the club as well."

Cox explained that United were not revealing the identity of the buyers in honour of a request to limit publicity until most of the conditions have been negotiated.

United expect to be able to update supporters in September, when the latest in a series of open meetings is due to be held.

Sporting Postbag: Page 47

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