I heard there were discussions under Rob Couhig for the PNLs to join us at AP for a few seasons if the ground fell through. I wouldn't be keen, but the indignity would be hilarious.
Except there are reasons why a new lease is problematic.
I am led to believe that Firoz Kassam isn’t in good health and his business interests have been passed on to his daughter, who isn’t interested in negotiating a new lease.
The most likely scenario is having to fork out an exorbitant sum on buying the stadium outright.
It's noticeable that @DevC hasn't joined in any of the 'Bloomfield to' nonsense whilst starting it nearly every time during Ainsworth's long, glorious and legendary time at our Club.
You can understand why there might be no loyalty by players or managers when you look at the Des Buckingham & Mark Robins sackings. The attitude of some owners now has even pushed the boundaries of cynicism to new levels.
True, and fans are not loyal to individuals either, only the club. Blooms was must-sack a year ago, now he is a legend. I don't blame fans for being loyal to the success of the club even over club legends, but it is always worth remembering when fans bemoan managers moving on.
The Kassam has a covenant on it so it can only be used for sport. In theory. In reality the need for new housing in Oxford is so huge it will likely be overturned, but it will take a long time and a lot of legal fees. Possibly a few brown envelopes passed under tables.
If they don't have planning permission / immediate plans to knock it down and replace it with anything else yet then common sense would suggest a short term agreement of some sort. The council could agree to some additional work, rezoning or that sort of thing in return for all parties being sensible but the old guy hates Oxford more than we do so you never know.
Oxford have between zero and no chance of getting a new lease. Kassam has made that very obvious as well as he won’t sell it as a stadium.
With planning permission the land is worth 3-5 times more and he’ll get the permissions because it’s a huge brownfield site right next door to a huge council estate.
He has made it as difficult as possible for the club to operate. The club are restricted access to most of the ground (I was told ticket office and pitch only) outside of match days.
On match days they’re not allowed in until 1pm. They get none of the kiosk or hospitality money.
Living in Oxfordshire at the moment is quite good , not so cocky now . They begrudgingly respect wycombe at the moment, let’s just hope we exchange leagues next season .
To be fair to them, more of their fans have shown respect to Bloomfield and acknowledged they would not get him than those of Millwall and Coventry, who alternated between "Ooo is 'eee?" and "It would be a disgrace to get a L1 coach in."
Whether with us or someone else, Blooms will manage above both those clubs eventually, I'll warrant.
If DevC has taught us anything, it’s that planning permission is carved in granite by the planning department’s personal stonemason before being filed in a time locked safe to ensure that it can’t be changed for 1000 years.
Covenants only matter if there is someone to enforce them, eg heir to the original land owner. Many tracts of land are sold with attached covenant stipulating what can or cannot be done, rarely if ever are they enforced.
I believe that much of Hazlemere, for instance, has various covenants which prevent the parking of caravans or mobile homes (vans) being parked on the land. They aren't enforced.
Anyway as far as I know planning permission would be an entirely separate process. Therefore, given the location of Poxfords ground, I'm certain that neither will be an obstacle if the owner wishes to kick out the PNLs and build 300-400 houses.
Comments
That was my point, there isn't anything to stop them signing a new lease other than cost, personalities, and that they'd prefer not too.
I heard there were discussions under Rob Couhig for the PNLs to join us at AP for a few seasons if the ground fell through. I wouldn't be keen, but the indignity would be hilarious.
If it wasn't for what it would do to the pitch it would be a nice little earner.
Mind you, Oxford play football "the right way" and just levitate above the grass anyway.
Manure is good for the pitch
Seems the sensible option, but this is football we're talking!
Except there are reasons why a new lease is problematic.
I am led to believe that Firoz Kassam isn’t in good health and his business interests have been passed on to his daughter, who isn’t interested in negotiating a new lease.
The most likely scenario is having to fork out an exorbitant sum on buying the stadium outright.
Hence their old gaff being The Manure Ground.
They could play at Christ Church Meadow in the city centre. Last time I was there, I saw the fella off their badge.
It's noticeable that @DevC hasn't joined in any of the 'Bloomfield to' nonsense whilst starting it nearly every time during Ainsworth's long, glorious and legendary time at our Club.
You can understand why there might be no loyalty by players or managers when you look at the Des Buckingham & Mark Robins sackings. The attitude of some owners now has even pushed the boundaries of cynicism to new levels.
Kassam wants to re-develop it for housing, there’s little to no chance he’ll extend the lease unless they pay him an absolute fortune.
True, and fans are not loyal to individuals either, only the club. Blooms was must-sack a year ago, now he is a legend. I don't blame fans for being loyal to the success of the club even over club legends, but it is always worth remembering when fans bemoan managers moving on.
The Kassam has a covenant on it so it can only be used for sport. In theory. In reality the need for new housing in Oxford is so huge it will likely be overturned, but it will take a long time and a lot of legal fees. Possibly a few brown envelopes passed under tables.
If they don't have planning permission / immediate plans to knock it down and replace it with anything else yet then common sense would suggest a short term agreement of some sort. The council could agree to some additional work, rezoning or that sort of thing in return for all parties being sensible but the old guy hates Oxford more than we do so you never know.
Oxford have between zero and no chance of getting a new lease. Kassam has made that very obvious as well as he won’t sell it as a stadium.
With planning permission the land is worth 3-5 times more and he’ll get the permissions because it’s a huge brownfield site right next door to a huge council estate.
Labour getting in has accelerated that process.
He has made it as difficult as possible for the club to operate. The club are restricted access to most of the ground (I was told ticket office and pitch only) outside of match days.
On match days they’re not allowed in until 1pm. They get none of the kiosk or hospitality money.
He won’t extend, just wants them out.
What's his plan? Simply to sell to a developer?
Living in Oxfordshire at the moment is quite good , not so cocky now . They begrudgingly respect wycombe at the moment, let’s just hope we exchange leagues next season .
His company Firoka is a developer of property. He’d be taking all the cake
To be fair to them, more of their fans have shown respect to Bloomfield and acknowledged they would not get him than those of Millwall and Coventry, who alternated between "Ooo is 'eee?" and "It would be a disgrace to get a L1 coach in."
Whether with us or someone else, Blooms will manage above both those clubs eventually, I'll warrant.
With a name like that he's obviously a Wycombe mole
John Terry has been linked 😀
Betting on Gary Rowett has been suspended.
Another bullet dodged.
(I love the smell of Wycombe in the morning. It smells like......victory)
I like the smell of Accy in the morning
John Terry and Gary Rowett both 10/11 on Sky bet.
Rowett would be quite a sensible appointment? Although is he pass-y enough for Oxford? Terry would be hilarious.
If DevC has taught us anything, it’s that planning permission is carved in granite by the planning department’s personal stonemason before being filed in a time locked safe to ensure that it can’t be changed for 1000 years.
Covenants only matter if there is someone to enforce them, eg heir to the original land owner. Many tracts of land are sold with attached covenant stipulating what can or cannot be done, rarely if ever are they enforced.
I believe that much of Hazlemere, for instance, has various covenants which prevent the parking of caravans or mobile homes (vans) being parked on the land. They aren't enforced.
Anyway as far as I know planning permission would be an entirely separate process. Therefore, given the location of Poxfords ground, I'm certain that neither will be an obstacle if the owner wishes to kick out the PNLs and build 300-400 houses.
Please be John Terry. Please!