Oxford United’s new co-owner and chairman on Stratfield Brake

In March, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet authorised officers to enter detailed discussions with the U’s about leasing the land, south of Kidlington.

The matter was discussed by councillors for a second time, having been deferred in January to allow time for a four-week public consultation.

United’s initial plans for the site include an 18,000-capacity stadium, community and sports grounds, and hotel, retail and conference facilities, subject to planning permission.

The club’s license agreement at the Kassam Stadium is set to run out in 2026.

READ MORE: Oxford United announce Anindya Bakrie and Erick Thohir as new owners

United’s annual general meeting yesterday saw the announcement that Indonesian investors Anindya Bakrie and Erick Thohir had finalised a deal that sees them take a controlling 51 per cent stake in the U’s.

At the top of the agenda for the reshaped board will be ensuring stadium proposals continue to progress.

Bakrie said: “In the AGM, people discussed it openly and we’re very clear that in the 2026/27 season, we have to be somewhere else so it’s not a question of what and when, but how.

“We’re working very closely with the county [council] so from our side, we’re very serious.

“But moving forward, we have to do it correctly and be transparent as much as we can.

“The performance of the club and the stadium, I think they have to be parallel.

“We want to have a stadium that’s full of fans who are excited to see us, and hopefully we’ll be in a different league by then.”

The Stratfield Brake site, south of Kidlington. Picture: Ed Nix

During the AGM, Bakrie told supporters: “We will evaluate all the options and move fast.

“For sure, in 2026, we need to be in a new ground.”

Grant Ferguson, who was appointed a director of the club earlier this year, will assume the role of chairman at United.

He reiterated the importance of finding a new home for the U’s.

“As we move into bigger projects like the stadium project, we start having discussions about funding,” he said.

Asked whether there was anything as crucial to the club as moving to Stratfield Brake and gaining promotion to Sky Bet Championship, Ferguson said: “There are no other priorities, they’re twin pillars and move along independently of each other.

“When the two come together, that’s when we’ll have a fundamentally different Oxford United.”

Niall McWilliams, the club’s managing director since December 2017, is to assume the role as chief strategy officer, while also serving as project director for United’s stadium move project.

He said at the AGM: “There’s a great deal of work being completed, not a day goes by when we don’t work on this project.”