Oxford require at least a draw at Bradford to avoid being relegated tomorrow. Evan a draw would not be enough if all four sides above Oxford get at least a point. A win at Bradford - oh yeah - would almost certainly keep the season alive until next weekend's match with Stockport. Other important relegation matches in division one include :

Sheffield Utd v Bristol City
West Brom v Bury
Port Vale v QPR
Crewe v Portsmouth

An interesting report in the Oxford Mail claims that the average Oxford player is on about £35,000 whilst the average Bradford player is on about £100,000 (this latter figure straight from the mouth of Bradford chairperson Geoffrey Richmond).  Stuart McCall is reportedly on about £8000 a week. This is the sort of crazy wage that clubs are expected to compete with these days. No wonder Dean Windass hotfooted it up to Bradford so eagerly.

FOUL issued the following press release late yesterday :

Oxford United’s supporters group FOUL (Fighting for Oxford United’s Life) met up with Council Leader John Tanner this week at the Minchery Farm Stadium site while filming for ComTel’s Channel 10.

FOUL have launched a new campaign to increase public awareness of the issues surrounding the survival of Oxford United, beginning with another Open Meeting at Oxford Town Hall this Tuesday 4th May at 7:30 p.m. FOUL hope that the meeting will be seen as a show of support from Community Leaders for the plans of Oxford United’s new owner Firoz Kassam to develop the site. In particular, FOUL hope to stress the importance of the Multiplex as part of the overall survival package.

FOUL Chairman Steve Hanks said ‘FOUL are concerned that many people believe that the issues are all but resolved, but the green light on the Multiplex Cinema remains very much in the balance. We expect that the planning application will be submitted very soon, and it’s crucial to the survival of the club that this is not ‘called in’ by the Government. In the next few days we will be lobbying all the local MP’s so that they are fully informed of how important the cinema is to the future of Oxford United. It’s very much a case of Multiplex or Bust at the moment.’

All the major parities have stated that they will be present at the Town Hall on Tuesday. Hanks added, ‘it’s important that as many people as possible turn up for what may be their last chance to put forward their views and ask the questions that need to be asked from the people who represent them’.

FOUL, who announced in February that they would field candidates at the local elections, stood them down in an attempt to unify all the parties in the Council.

This Friday FOUL have separate meetings with Andrew Smith (Oxford East), Shaun Woodward (Witney), and Evan Harris (North Oxford).

Mark Watson played the full game for Canada last night in their 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland. None of the reports of the match seem to mention him, so hopefully no vultures have started circling just yet.

Crewe beat Bristol City 1-0 to move out of the relegation zone for the first time in six months. Perhaps perversely, I was pleased with this result, as it leaves us above City and with a good chance of not finishing bottom. The optimists amongst us might have felt that a Crewe win was bad for our hopes of safety, but I believe our chance went long ago. Port Vale slipped a place closer to the bottom three in losing at home to Watford. Their match at home to QPR on Saturday now looks all important.

Bradford match NOT switched : Bradford City were attempting to get this weekend's match switched to Sunday, but their case was rejected by the Football League. So the match is still at 3pm on Saturday.

Crystal Palace have been warned that they will not be allowed to start next season unless they can give financial assurances to the Football League. Apparently League chiefs are set to take a "hard line" (have they been listening to Jack Straw too much?) at a meeting on May 13, insisting that Palace give financial guarantees that they will be able to complete next season's fixtures, before allowing them to start the season. Worryingly, Oxford are mentioned as one of four other clubs in a similar situation, although Palace are considered "the worst". Portsmouth, Luton and Chester make up the five.

I have long felt that the summer is the danger time for clubs in financial crisis. The eyes of the media are turned away from football for a while. The Football League has an obsession with clubs completing their fixtures, meaning that whilst they tend to be supportive of clubs mid-season, they start to get tough once the season is over. You would have thought that they would be interested in aiding member clubs in trouble, but no, they are merely interested in avoiding the "confusion" that would result from a club resigning in mid-season.

Oxford are apparently looking at two players for next season. One is Bedlington Terriers striker, John Milner, who has scored over 50 goals in taking his club to the Northern League Championship. The other is reported as being Albion Rovers defender, Neil McGowan. Now Albion Rovers have two players named McGowan. One is Neil, but he is a 34 year old midfielder, so I suspect we are really looking at Chris McGowan, who is a 22 year old defender.

Mark Watson lines up for Canada against Northern Ireland tonight. If he plays well, I hope noone's watching...

FOUL issued the following press release on Friday :

FOUL hosts pre-election meeting

Oxford United supporters group FOUL (Fighting for Oxford United’s Life) have called a Public Meeting for Tuesday 4th May at Oxford Town Hall (19:30).

Representatives of all the major political parties in Oxford have been invited to address the audience regarding their standing on the leisure site proposals at Minchery Farm.

FOUL believe that it is important that the views of all City Council candidates should be made clear and unambiguous before the electorate are asked to judge them at the polls two days later.

Chairman Steve Hanks said ‘We believe that all parties involved should nail their colours to the mast before, and not after, the local elections. We will ask them for direct answers on what they will and will not support over the coming months, especially in respect of the Multiplex and other leisure issues. This will be an opportunity for the people of this city to decide for themselves who can deliver this much needed project. The consultation period has clearly indicated that there is a strong desire within the city for the Minchery Farm leisure facilities and the Multiplex to go ahead. What we are asking now is for whole City Council to back it, not just the ruling Labour party. We believe that this will be an influential factor in making the Multiplex happen”.

FOUL announced last month that it would not be standing candidates for the local elections, whilst calling for all parties to support the proposals. All the local media will be invited to attend.

There was an interesting post-match quote from Malcolm Shotton : "We're down the bottom because we don't take our chances and we lack leadership at the back." It's the final part of that statement which is revealing. Our captain plays at the back. Maybe my suspicions that Robbo is not a great leader are confirmed. But it's a strange thing for Shotts to say.

The time has come to think of the summer, of whom we will sell, of what we will get for them. Gilly seems almost certain to be sold, probably for the Cascarino-esque fee of a few tracksuits. Watson could well follow him, particularly if he makes a name for himself for Canada  against Northern Ireland tomorrow. Powell might just feel enough loyalty to stay another season, but if the moneymen come in...

LATEST NEWS

Oxford's hopes of avoiding relegation are being affected by injury problems for tomorrow's home match against Norwich. Phil Gilchrist is very doubtful with a hamstring injury. Steve Davis is on standby to replace Gilly, but Davis too is struggling with a calf injury. This may necessitate Brian Wilsterman stepping in. Even more worryingly, Paul Powell has not trained all week through illness, although he is expected to be fit enough to play. But there is some good news. Nicky Banger got a knock at Vale, and in Malcolm Shotton's words, "looks to be struggling."

According to a report in the Oxford Mail, Firoz Kassam has told Shotts that next season he will have to make do with a squad of 20-22 players, which is minimal by anyone's standards. Oxford currently have 23 professionals, but 8 are out of contract at the end of the season. Kassam also confirmed that there would be little money to spend in the summer. Shotts commented, "There will hopefully be opportunities to bring players in."

EARLIER NEWS

It's the end of an important week for Oxford United, and the club has emerged with a reasonable prospect of survival. The main issue now is whether planning permission for the Multiplex can be granted. Firoz Kassam has indicated that he is unwilling to wait, so if the planning application is "called in" (meaning that it has to be dealt with by national rather than local government), it would seem that the ensuing delay would cause Kassam to pull out of the deal to buy the club. It seems unlikely that the local Green Party will call in the application, since their councillor, Mike Woodin (who called in a previous application and then retracted it), has supposedly agreed not to. But a planning application can be considered a national issue even if none of the local councillors object. There are reports that the Multiplex would contravene the Oxford City Local Plan, whatever that is. This could lead to the application requiring national consideration.

Forgive me for dampening spirits when all has been going so well, but has noone else wondered exactly how much Kassam cares about Oxford United if he is unwilling to wait any length of time without pulling the plug? It hardly bodes well for anything that goes wrong in the future. At the moment, Kassam seems to be the club's only hope, but how much he cares about the football, as opposed to money he can make out of leisure developments, is open to question.

Reports differ as to when work will restart on the Minchery Farm ground. A figure of "six to eight weeks" has been mentioned. Some feel that this is six to eight weeks from now - giving Kassam enough time to judge whether permission to build the multiplex is likely - whilst others feel that it is six to eight weeks after the go-ahead for the cinema is actually received. Remember that Oxford need to have concrete plans in place for Minchery Farm in order to be granted a licence by the FLA (Football Licencing Authority) to continue playing at the Manor next season. If we stay up, we would otherwise need an all-seater ground. If we were relegated our terraces would fail to meet the newly applying standard. So we need that special dispensation from the FLA.

There is a very important match tonight, with Bury at home in their local derby with Bolton. A Bury loss could be just the tonic the players need to up their game against Norwich. It would put us back in with a chance of staying up. But a Bury win would all but finish our chances. Other important matches this weekend see Bristol City at home to Birmingham, Crewe at Ipswich and Port Vale at Tranmere. On paper our match is the easiest, but the way we're playing you can take nothing for granted.

Congratulations to Cheltenham Town on their promotion to the Football League. Under manager Steve Cotterill - who was linked to the Oxford job when Crosby left - they have far surpassed previous expectations. Even better they have held off the challenge of the rich kids from Rushden, whom Doc Martens man, Max Griggs, is trying to bankroll into the League. It's good to see that top quality management can still overcome loads of dosh.

OXFORD WIN AGAIN

It was another good evening for Oxford United last night, as the Littlemore public consultation meeting went in our favour. The vote from Littlemore residents was something like 100-7 in favour of the Minchery Farm land and development plans. Apparently the Council voted 100% in favour of the scheme at Monday's meeting, but they still need to call a further meeting to take into account last night's consultation. This meeting should now merely be an exercise in rubber-stamping.

Firoz Kassam spoke at last night's meeting, and apparently said that work on the Minchery Farm stadium should recommence in six to eight weeks. But he also warned that if the yet to be submitted planning application for his pet Multiplex cinema is "called in", then the stadium will not be developed. According to Kassam, "The club would not survive the time it takes for the Secretary of State to look at the planning permission." Council leader John Tanner said that the Council were currently deciding which builders offered the best deal.

So the big issue is now the Multiplex. FOUL suggests you write to your MP in an attempt to influence him (there are no "her"s in Oxon) on the Multiplex situation. You can find the names and addresses of the various Oxfordshire MPs on this handy page.

For the record, QPR lost 1-0 to Birmingham last night, with former Us reject Howard Forinton scoring his first senior goal. QPR remain four points ahead of Oxford, now having played the same number of games. Excessive rain put paid to Port Vale's match against Watford - judging by their pitch on Saturday, it wouldn't take much rain to render their surface unplayable.

BLOODY FOREIGNERS MESSING WITH OUR FOOTBALL AGAIN

I woke up yesterday morning to find yet again that football is in crisis. Expecting to read about clubs going out of business, excessive wages, or at least the fact that Man Utd look like winning the title again, I found that this was merely another proposed loosening of transfer regulations. Apparently FIFA are considering allowing players to walk out on contracts with just a month or so's notice. This is apparently to standardise world football in line with EU employment legislation. Clubs would still be able to demand fees for players under contract. Chief doomsayer, as usual, was the PFA head, Gordon Taylor. "It will not be good for the game, not good for the clubs, and not good for spectators," said Taylor. This is the man who is supposed to be head of the union of players. He is opposing basic employment rights for these players. Thatcher really did smash the unions, didn't she?! Actually it's more likely that Gordon Taylor is just a prize pilchard.

Just imagine, under this new legislation, a star player could walk out on his club even when still under contract, merely because he didn't want to play for them anymore. So if the regulation had been in force this season, we wouldn't still have Dean Windass. Ooops. Seriously, in any other job, tying employees to their contracts would be deemed very unfair. Imagine not being able to change your job just because you were on a fixed term contract. The excessive wages of top players seem to cloud people's judgment on this issue. And as usual the tabloids (and Gordon Taylor) are reacting blindly against anything that seems to come from the EU or FIFA.

Tonight sees the second of the two public consultation meetings. This is being held at Peers School, Littlemore, starting at 7.30pm. As for the Blackbird Leys meeting, FOUL would like to see as many Us fans there as possible.

Accounts differ regarding yesterday's Council meeting, but it would appear that the vote on the Minchery Farm land deal was deferred until after the public consultation meetings. It sounds reasonable enough only to vote on an issue after the public has been consulted, despite my impatience for this deal to be done and dusted. The Official Web Page reports that the deal was actually ratified at the meeting, but FOUL tells me that the statement on their page is premature. (Actually they've now updated their page, so all are in agreement.)

The results of the telephone poll conducted by the Oxford Research Agency were announced at the meeting. Out of roughly 1000 people surveyed, 80% were in favour of the deal going through, and just 6% against.

Tonight : Birmingham v QPR and Port Vale v Watford. Does either matter anymore? I suspect it's three out of four (Crewe, Bury, Bristol C, us) to go down.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS THIS WEEK

There is an important full Council meeting today at 4pm. This meeting includes ratification of the land deal between the Council and Firoz Kassam, subject to the results of the consultation meetings, citywide ballots and polls being in favour of the deal.

Tomorrow sees the second of the public consultation meetings - this time in Littlemore, at Peers School in Sandy Lane. Again FOUL encourages as many Us fans as possible to make an effort to attend.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Oxford have allowed the popular former Us keeper, Paul Reece, to train with the squad. Reece sees it as a chance of getting back into English league football after spells with Cliftonville in Ireland, and in the States.

WE'RE GOING DOWN, YOU'RE NOT

If I were a tabloid sub-editor I would probably have headlined the piece with some tired phrase along the lines of "Vale of Tears". Thankfully I'm not. It was more like Vale of Bollox, only that doesn't sound as good. Port Vale did much to ease their relegation worries with a 1-0 win over the Us, and they deserved it. Shotton's complaints about mishit winners is irrelevant - Vale were the better side throughout, and looked like they knew what they were doing. We didn't.

Apparently last week, Mark Harrison described Oxford as a "mid-table team" who had had no luck all season. Watching on Saturday you could come to one of two conclusions about this claim. One is that Harrison is looking forward to next season, and thinks we're playing like a mid-table division two side. The other is that the players think they are in midtable and are thus playing out the season as if results don't matter.

Unfortunately the management team aren't helping. Saturday reminded me of Denis Smith's heyday that legendary time at Charlton (remember "One shot to the Oxford boys" and all that). Shotts bizarrely took off both wingers and replaced them with strikers, who both then played without effect on the wings. I realise that Joey had done little all game, and that Banger is shit, but this tactical masterplan was plain embarrassing, especially with the hopeless Matt Murphy staying up front. And once Shotts had seen that his loudly booed masterstroke wasn't working, why didn't he try bringing on Steve Davis for Murphy, moving Gilly to left back, and letting Powell move forward to bring us much-needed width? As many Us fans around me said, the whole thing was an embarrassment. After the match many fans refused to clap Shotts, and some booed him. "Vale of Jeers" perhaps?

POSITIVE NOTE

When all is said and done at least the club now has an owner, and the result of the Blackbird Leys consultation meeting was positive. Blackbird Leys residents voted roughly 250-10 in favour of the Council's Minchery Farm plans. Firoz Kassam attended the meeting, and must have been encouraged by events. Hopefully he will put some money into the club so we don't lose our best players, and then we can make a go of division two next season. It's easy to forget that a few months ago I would have settled for relegation to get this far along the path to safety.

LATE NEWS

Just when it seemed that things were looking up for the club, a story in today's Oxford Mail makes it apparent that the battle isn't over yet. Labour councillor for Blackbird Leys, Tony Stockford, a well known critic of the club and its Minchery Farm plans, has accused the Council of rushing through the deal with Firoz Kassam. He claimed that the Council's deal with Kassam will be "all but agreed" at a Council meeting tomorrow, despite the fact that this is the day before the second of the public consultation meetings on the matter. Stockford said, "If a decision is taken before Tuesday's public meeting then the public consultation is a sham. We cannot have public consultation after the event."

Additonally, Stockford criticised a citywide telephone poll conducted by the Oxford Research Agency as biased. Six hundred Oxford residents were asked the question : "The council proposes to exchange an area of land with a developer at Minchery Farm in Littlemore. In return, the developer will complete the new Oxford United football stadium at Minchery Farm and provide Oxford with new commercial leisure facilities such as a bowling alley and multiplex cinema. He will also support Oxford United. Do you agree that this is a good idea from your point of view?" Stockford claims that this question "wants" the answer Yes.

Council leader John Tanner has denied that the issue is being rushed through. "Nothing will be signed until we have a clear picture of what the public's view is", said Tanner.

MIKE REED LATEST

Mike Reed has been appointed the referee for Sunday's Chelsea v Leicester clash, three years after giving Chelsea a very dodgy penalty in an FA Cup tie between the sides. The interesting part is Reed's quote when asked about his appointment: "I've refereed four games at Leicester this season without any recriminations and the same goes for Chelsea." He's obviously forgotten the time he referreed Chelsea at the Manor. This latest quote from Reed follows up his quote after the match in question, where he claimed no Oxford players had argued about his penalty decision. He lives on another planet, doesn't he...?

EARLIER NEWS

The Football Trust has raised the limit on grants for Second and Third Division clubs to £2m, apparently to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The amounts were previously £1m for second division clubs, and £750,000 for third division clubs. These grants are to be used for ground improvements which need to be done by the start of next season, in accordance with Taylor Report recommendations.  I believe that many lower division clubs will need to do an overhaul of their terracing, for which safety requirements will be much tougher next season. Of course, if Oxford are relegated this ruling may well affect them. Does anyone know if we got any Football Trust money towards Minchery Farm, and whether we're entitled to any more?

A final reminder that FOUL want as many Oxford fans as possible to turn up for the Blackbird Leys consultation meeting tonight at 730pm in the BL Leisure Centre. A show of strength in favour of the council's proposed Minchery Farm land deal is needed.

When I said we could forget about former players scoring against us tomorrow, I forgot that Chrissy Allen is now at Vale.

Not a lot to say today, as the club prepares for a big couple of days. Tomorrow of course is the public consultation meeting at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre (7.30 pm), and on Saturday the second match to earn the title Most Important Match of the Season in just a week. Basically we really have to win at Port Vale. Thirteen coachloads of Oxford fans have taken advantage of the free coach offer, meaning that there could be up to 2000 Us fans at Vale Park on Saturday. What's more, Martin Foyle is suspended for the match, meaning that the old rule about players scoring against former clubs can be forgotten in this case.

Stuart Ripley evidently got a crack on the head and woke up as a crazed Oxford-supporting hooligan yesterday. In the reserve match between Southampton and Swindon, Ripley allegedly punched 19 year old Swindon defender, Sol Davis, in the face no fewer than four times. Unsurprisingly Ripley was sent off and is set to miss the rest of the season as a result.

19 year old Dulwich Hamlet striker, David Stevens, played for Oxford reserves last night, and scored in a 2-2 with Watford. Apparently the former Crystal Palace player was fairly impressive, and will be asked to play another match for the reserves. Stevens has been a bit of a goal machine for Hamlet since joining them from Bromley, scoring 18 goals in 21 Ryman Premier League games.

If anyone is trying to email me today, you will not have succeeded. Our mail server is down...

No complaints about last night's results (ok, so Deano missed a chance that might have won it for Bradford against Vale, but by all accounts Vale deserved to win that one):

Bolton 1 Bristol City 0
Bury 2 Sunderland 5
Port Vale 1 Bradford 1
West Brom 1 Swindon 1

 

Team	Played	Points	Goals Scored	Remaining
Swindon	42	44	54	Palace (a), Grimsby (h), Norwich (a), Barnsley (h)
QPR	41	44	45	SheffUtd(a),Birmingham(a), Bradford (h), Port Vale (a), Palace (h)
Portsmouth	42	43	51	WestBrom(a), Stockport(h), Crewe (a), Bolton (h)
Oxford	42	40	41	Port Vale (a), Norwich (h), Bradford (a), Stockport (h)
Port Vale	41	40	40	Oxford (h), Watford (h), Tranmere (a), QPR (h), Bury(a)
Bury	42	40	32	Grimsby (a), Bolton (h), West Brom (a), Port Vale (h)
Bristol City	41	38	52	Stockport(a),Birmingham(h), Crewe (a), Sheff Utd (a), Norwich (h)
Crewe	41	38	48	Watford (h), Ipswich (a), BristolCity(h),Portsmouth(h), Huddersfield (a)

IMPORTANT - FRIDAY MEETING

Don't forget the Council-organised public consultation meeting this Friday at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, kick-off 7.30pm. As many Oxford supporters as possible should attend - and wear United colours, plus yellow ribbons. FOUL will be distributing yellow ribbons at the door, for those who do not already have them. This meeting is the first of two (the other being in Littlemore). The aim of each is to gauge public perception at the transfer of land near Minchery Farm to Oxford United, and at the planned leisure developments for the area.

FOUL issued the following press release today:

Oxford  - 13th April
No Embargo

FOUL have asked for Oxfordshire to be made a 'Yellow Ribbon' day on Friday
ahead of the public meeting to be held at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre at
7.30 p.m.

All supporters are encouraged to turn up in support of the Council's plans
to help save Oxford United and provide a leisure site Oxford can be proud
of.

Bolton v Bristol City
Bury v Sunderland
Port Vale v Bradford

Cross those fingers...

Also of course, there's everyone's favourite team against everyone's favourite manager. Denis Smith is likely to be sacked if West Brom lose a sixth successive game - at home to Swindon tonight. Let's just say that whoever wins there will be something to cheer about!

CONTROVERSY CORNER

Oxford "celebrity" fan, and now Three Counties Radio presenter, Timmy Mallett, made himself popular with Luton Town fans yesterday. Hatters fans have set up an organisation called FLAG (Fans of Luton Action Group) to attempt to save their club, which is currently in receivership. Timmy was interviewing Keith Hayward of FLAG about the possibility that Luton Town may not be allowed to compete in the Football League next season if they are still in receivership come August. So what does Timmy play as a backdrop during the interview? A version of Bye Bye Baby with the words changed to "Bye Bye Luton"! No prizes for guessing how popular Our Timmy is in Luton. Can we disown him now please?

On Friday night I dreamt we lost to Bury and that I walked away from the Manor saying, "We'll have to win at Port Vale then." I laughed off this dream. The result I most dreaded was 0-0. Guess what? On Saturday I walked away from the Manor saying, ... - yes, you know. I haven't felt so depressed in ages. It's strange - a few weeks ago Oxford were on the verge of going out of business. I felt apprehensive and angry, but not resigned to fate. Now we've got a shiny new owner and yet losing 1-0 at home to Bury makes me feel like there's no tomorrow.

In an attempt to be positive, let's try to find some plus points :

• Oxford are still two places above the relegation zone.
• All the sides below us do have games in hand, BUT this week, Bury play Sunderland (who'll go up if they win), Port Vale play Bradford (in-form and one point below the automatic promotion places), and Bristol City play Bolton (ok they're playing shit, but they need to win to stay in the playoff places). If all three lose on Tuesday night, I'll probably feel a lot better.
• We've still got two home games against mid-table opposition, who have nothing at all to play for.
• Matt Murphy and Nicky Banger are out of contract at the end of the season.

Aaarrggghhh - the worst bloody side in the division has done the double over us....

Thanks to the initiative of Daniel Curtis (of Yellow Fever), who phoned up Firoz Kassam, we now have free coaches for the trip to Port Vale. If you're a member of the London Road Club, that is. Otherwise it's just £3 to join the London Road Club. The Oxford Mail (along with Kassam and Thames Valley FM) is co-sponsoring the coaches, but managed in Saturday's back-page headline to make it sound like it was all their own work.

Last word goes to Denis Smith, given a vote of confidence in midweek, who saw his West Brom side lose a fifth game on the trot on Saturday. When asked about his job security he said : "It's not my decision to make. The board of directors make those kind of decisions. I'm a big boy. I can look after myself. I've done it for eighteen years." And he's missed that vacancy at York as well...

Oxford play Bury tomorrow in a must-win match for the Us. Too many recent home performances have seen us dominate but not score the goals necessary for a win. This trend must end tomorrow, although Bury are awfully good at grinding out 0-0 draws. Pretty football it won't be. Five of Bury's last seven matches have ended 0-0. Another was 1-1. That gives you some idea of how hard they will be to break down!

Congratulations are due to Oxford's groundsman, Mick Moore, for winning the award as Division One Groundsman of the Year. For the past few years I have been astounded that the Manor pitch has not won any accolades, so this award seems very well deserved.

The first of the Council's meetings to gauge public support for Minchery Farm land dealings has been announced. It will be held at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre on Friday 16th April at 7.30 pm. Issues under discussion include the transfer of land near Minchery Farm to Oxford United, and the plan for the Council to take a 20% stake in the new stadium. The proposed lesire devlopments (including controversial multiplex) will no doubt also under discussion. FOUL is keen that as many Oxford supporters as possible should attend. Leaflets will be handed out at Saturday's match to inform supporters of this meeting. FOUL are looking for volunteers to help with the handing out of leaflets. If you would like to help please email FOUL.

FOUL also plan their own survey of local residents. Volunteers to do the doorstepping (next Monday - Thursday) are needed - again please contact FOUL. The purpose of this survey is:

• to help FOUL understand the feeling of local residents with regard to the Minchery Farm leisure proposals (including stadium, multiplex, etc.);
• to attempt to show that a majority of local residents is in favour of the developments.

Oxford are showing promising form at the right time. We should have hammered Bolton, but owing to the limitations of our "strike force" we could only get a 0-0. Then we came back from 2 goals down for the first time in (my) living memory to get a deserved 2-2 draw at Tranmere. Simon Weatherstone should surely be given a place in the starting line-up after another impressive display.

The feeling of delight at the Tranmere match was tempered by the behaviour of their stewards, particularly of the steward with number 26 on his back. If anyone witnessed the events where he threw out a seemingly completely innocent lad in a manner reminiscent of US troops in Vietnam, please write to the following address and complain :

This particular steward (the chunky one with the skinhead, for those in doubt) was described as a psychopath by other stewards we spoke to, and they urged us to write in about him. Number 26 himself also urged us to write in, the charmer. Thanks to the supervisor who told us who to write to, but no thanks to the steward outside who tried to tell us to forget the incident, as the match was over.  As I said to him, there's another side visiting in a couple of weeks. He was the same steward who tried to tell us not to use sarcasm (I wasn't aware the criminal justice act stretched quite that far yet), and also suggested that people were expelled for behaviour like ours, i.e. complaining. Sadly we didn't get his number. By the way, the number of the steward who helped number 26 in his expulsion techniques (small guy with moustache) was number 137.

In addition to the above incidents, there was a disturbance surrounding a lack of toilet rolls, involving the same no 26 steward. Here is an account, kindly supplied by Craig :

I have no idea why the lad with the ginger hair was ejected from the ground but I do know that Number 26 was seen laughing afterwards.
Did anyone see the fracas at half-time outside the ladies toilets involving the same steward and a female steward and a young lady (again a redhead)?

Apparently there was no toilet roll in the female bogs and so the young lady asked a female steward (Marie Rogers) if she could get some toilet roll for the ladies. The female stewards response was quote 'I'm not a toilet cleaner' and went into a rant. The young lady asked again and was told 'did you not hear me the first time...'.

The young lady then turned away and muttered 'suit yourself you silly cow' - only after the lack of help from the steward. This steward then followed the girl into the toilets and starting ranting a raving, calling her a bitch and all the names under the sun (there are witnesses). She then left and got her friend No. 26 and waited outside.

Upon here exit from the toilet she was forcibly grabbed by both Rogers and No. 26 and they started to drag her out. Fortunately a few of the ladies who had been in with her went out together and caused a 'roadblock'. No. 26 then proceeded to lie about what was going on - he claimed that he was radioing for toilet roll - however he was nowhere near the original incident and could not have been in a position to have done so. He also claimed that the young lady in question was using foul language. Now if you know this girl - she goes to every match, you will know she does not swear. He then went on to claim that he heard all the swearing over the radio - another lie.

To cut a long story short a very helpful police lady (who was brilliant) stepped in, ordered the stewards to let her go and tried to solve the situation. Eventually, a Tranmere official came over and said if the young lady would like to go into the Home Area she would be allowed to stay in the ground. Seeing no alternative, the young lady did as she was asked.

I am informed that the young lady later got an apology from an official at Tranmere, but needless to say, letters of complaint will be sent.

Maybe no. 26 was so peeved that he never got to kick a innocent, young lady out and so had to eject an equally innocent young lad out. I noticed he never kicked anyone out from the very back or front!

These two people had three things in common:
1. United supporters
2. Ginger hair
3. INNOCENT

The result on Tuesday was tempered also by the fact that Crewe, Port Vale and Bristol City all won, thus leaving us just 2 points off the relegation zone. Crewe managed a 5-1 win at West Brom, thanks to the continuation of Denis Smith's masterplan. I was amused to read that a supporter threw his shirt at Denis during the match, whilst around 500 Baggies fans held a protest after the match. Just tell them about your success at York, Denis. I'm sure that will make them see sense...

Some might question the necessity of the continued existence of a Save Oxford United website, as Firoz Kassam has bought the club, and we have thus been "saved". However, as the club itself admits, "There are still important issues to be resolved with the City Council before matters can proceed." The proposed land deals need to be approved. We need to be given permission by the Football Licensing Authority to play at the Manor for at least part of next season. Work on Minchery Farm has to be restarted. The fans need assurances that the club will be run in a less haphazard manner than before. Supporter representation on the board would also be a positive development. And anyway, I'm enjoying the running of this site!

NEW OWNER

No, this is NOT an April Fool's Day joke. Firoz Kassam has acquired the controlling share in Oxford United from Robin Herd. The club issued a press release this morning as follows :

Oxford United are pleased to announce that last night Mr. Firoz Kassam acquired the controlling shareholding in the Club from Robin Herd.

Mr. Kassam is delighted with the progress that has been made with Oxford City Council regarding the proposed development of the Minchery Farm site. However, there are still important issues to be resolved with the City Council before matters can proceed.

Mr. Kassam is hopeful these issues can be settled quickly thus securing the future of the Club.

The Football League has welcomed the news. Their chief executive, Richard Scudamore, commented, "The Football League have been working closely with Oxford United and are encouraged by this news. We are particularly pleased for the supporters of Oxford who have remained behind the club throughout."

The club has announced a press conference for 1pm on Saturday. No doubt there will be a hero's welcome for Firoz Kassam at the match on Saturday. All you need to do at Oxford to become a hero is to buy the club. Many of these heroes then become villains, before selling up to the next hero. The cycle goes on...or can it be broken this time?

This page is maintained by James Beard.