General New Stadium Plans - The Triangle - Land Deal

[Sarge]

Now written up here (and not particularly well. Kidlington residents did not oppose the site in the parish poll - they opposed, in a low number of the electorate, for KPC to enter negotiations with the club over it).

Oxford United: Legal challenge over new football club stadium site

Campaigners question how the club ended up with a stadium lease that runs out in 2026.

www.bbc.co.uk

I hope @OxVox and @OUSP Secretary are already in contact with the BBC (inc Rad Ox ) for the right to provide an alternative viewpoint? after all , the BBC are supposed to be unbiased ( unlike the local rag)

 

[unification]

Delay and disrupt. This is all this has ever been about.

Spend 7 grand of KPC's budget on a non-biding opinion poll about something they have no control over.

A templated letter giving notice of a potential legal challenge on an already completed survey. And let's remember that this survey is only one part of the decision making process for OCC. The key part is that they set out a number of conditions and OUFC have responded to every single one. The survey will be used to acknowledge local concerns, but that will be weighted against many more positives.

The licence/lease agreement on the Kassam is a pointless argument. There was a clause that allowed a further 25 year extension but that was removed by the landlord, and notice of termination was issued. OUFC contested this and agreed a 5 year extension that takes us to end of June 2026. OCC, CDC and judicial process that reviews this will see that this is 100% correct and that OUFC did not willingly negotiate an end to the previous agreement as is suggested.

An appeal on these grounds will be laughed out of court immediately, and I'm sure FoSB knows this.

What will be interesting is seeing Middleton's responses to all of this. If he in anyway endorses a lobby group taking legal action against the councils that he represents, that would make his position extremely vulnerable.

Whilst colossal gasbag is his default setting, he knows when to keep schtum and be selective in what he answers. He refuses to engage in any comments regarding having FOSB member/husband of Vicky Campbell/person who put forward the parish poll to KPC as his seconder for the KPC elections, for example. His silence on the matter exposes him somewhat but actually putting something down in words means he knows he'll have bene found out. He knows that as an agent of FOSB within KPC, CDC and OCC that he has to keep the pretence up as much as he can to retain influence.

What may be his undoing is voting at the KPC council about the stadium. As @Colin B says earlier in this thread, an abstention would have been enough. It would have been the first 'neutral' thing he has said and done on the whole matter had he voted that way.

 

[GreenMachine]

Word fail me it's like they think we just ring up kassam and be like pretty please can you sell us the stadium. Like we have not tried to negotiate with him multiple times over the years and always failed the guy just wants to make as much as he can for doing as little as possible he was always the same going back to his slum landlord days.. They are acting if we have not even tried..

They are doing this to delay as much as they can they know its highly likely despite their moaning and regurgitation of drivel they then lap up and throw it all up again. That we will be granted permission the council have backed themselves into abit of a corner offering the triangle instead of the Stratfield brake site the council are finally working it out that having a decent professional football team brings in money and jobs to the area and don't want to lose it which is exactly what will happen if we don't get a site..

They should have helped us years ago instead of making it always the next guys job..

Now these fools are just doing this out of spite the same thing as saying the 20% of retired pensioners count for the whole of kidlington rejecting the proposal.

utter joke

anyway rant over

 

[Sarge]

I think they have been told that it came down heavily in our favour, they obviously have a mole on the council, and they are trying to discredit it and get it discarded because of this.

They couldn’t get many out in the KPC vote, you can add a few more to that but I doubt it will be many, there is no mass opposition to a new stadium being built on a bit of scrubland between Oxford and Kidlington, why would there be to a huge outside investment into the county, a huge upgrade in local facilities and the continuing and increasing amount of income that the football club brings in, it’s a no brainer, plus you have the Kassam being redeveloped to add to that.

The opposition are a few local nimbys, with an even smaller group of hardcore hobby objectors to anything, it will be criminal negligence by the council to allow such a small minority of highly vocal but persistent and constant nimbys to kill a local, well loved institution and turn away a huge investment, you would have to question the sanity of those elected officials if they did.

Im not a gambler, but even I'd put good money on the identity of the mole.... in all likelihood its the same individual who has form for 'bending' the rules as a councillor, while wearing a teflon-coated hessian outfit IMO

 

[SwissYellow]

Here's a thing that Campbell, McIvor and Middleton should know. IF Oxford United as a community asset is forced to close, or change business in anyway - there is a likely route for a Group Litigation Order.

They (Green Party and FOSB Leaders) would become personally liable for damages sought by a group of individuals if proof was there that 1) an action caused the closure of that operation 2) Incorrect, false information had been used during the process.

Its not outrageous to suggest that if Oxford United were to be forced into a drastic change of operation (ground share, reforming, winding up) then a group of 1,000 to 3,000 fans could crowd fund a GLO, holding them responsible - financial risk may be limited to the holdings of each individual, also banning from ever holding/creating community groups, charity would be likely.

So, TLDR, OUFC fans need to be very clear to Vicky and Suzi, kill or damage the club - Some could take action in the courts. You've lied and fed misinformation to your hearts content so far, tread very very carefully.

 

[Sarge]

Here's a thing that Campbell, McIvor and Middleton should know. IF Oxford United as a community asset is forced to close, or change business in anyway - there is a likely route for a Group Litigation Order.

They (Green Party and FOSB Leaders) would become personally liable for damages sought by a group of individuals if proof was there that 1) an action caused the closure of that operation 2) Incorrect, false information had been used during the process.

Its not outrageous to suggest that if Oxford United were to be forced into a drastic change of operation (ground share, reforming, winding up) then a group of 1,000 to 3,000 fans could crowd fund a GLO, holding them responsible - financial risk may be limited to the holdings of each individual, also banning from ever holding/creating community groups, charity would be likely.

So, TLDR, OUFC fans need to be very clear to Vicky and Suzi, kill or damage the club - Some could take action in the courts. You've lied and fed misinformation to your hearts content so far, tread very very carefully.

Id gladly contribute- count me in, if it gets to that stage,..... which hopefully it wont

 

[Manorlounger]

Id gladly contribute- count me in, if it gets to that stage,..... which hopefully it wont

Same here x 2.

 

[sideshowrob]

Second that!

 

[southlondonyellow]

View attachment 14837

I’m currently living in London, but I’m planning to move back to Oxfordshire within the next year.

Even now, I still attend more games a season than the anti’s ever will. The decision could very likely impact the very existence of the club I’ve supported all my life.

But according to him, I shouldn’t have a say on the new stadium? Whereas someone who lives the other site of the county, who won’t ever visit the stadium or even go anywhere near it, should get their vote?

Good to know…

I’m sure I’m not the only person in this situation either. Our club is for all of us, and we should all get a say! Especially the people who will actually use it.

 

[Colin B]

Do these people understand the position they're putting themselves in?

If this small group of people, through their actions, ended up being responsible for the death of OUFC, I would not want to be in their shoes.

 

[Foley]

Here's a thing that Campbell, McIvor and Middleton should know. IF Oxford United as a community asset is forced to close, or change business in anyway - there is a likely route for a Group Litigation Order.

They (Green Party and FOSB Leaders) would become personally liable for damages sought by a group of individuals if proof was there that 1) an action caused the closure of that operation 2) Incorrect, false information had been used during the process.

Its not outrageous to suggest that if Oxford United were to be forced into a drastic change of operation (ground share, reforming, winding up) then a group of 1,000 to 3,000 fans could crowd fund a GLO, holding them responsible - financial risk may be limited to the holdings of each individual, also banning from ever holding/creating community groups, charity would be likely.

So, TLDR, OUFC fans need to be very clear to Vicky and Suzi, kill or damage the club - Some could take action in the courts. You've lied and fed misinformation to your hearts content so far, tread very very carefully.

Love this.
Yes if Middleton's friends killed oufc, some of them should be legally liable for the lies and misinformation that has been spouted by FOSB.

 

[WuTang]

Do these people understand the position they're putting themselves in?

If this small group of people, through their actions, ended up being responsible for the death of OUFC, I would not want to be in their shoes.

And of course, there are many (very!) wealthy and powerful individual individuals who hold OUFC very close to their heart. Many of which wouldn't think twice about taking serious legal action against FOSB and the individuals involved, especially if there is evidence of using misinformation to impact the decision which kills the football club.

Like you said, it's not a threat it's a very realistic outcome which I hope they are aware of. They have history of fighting council decisions over more petty / light hearted projects (volleyball courts for one), but now they have put themselves against one of Oxfordshires largest and most beloved community assets. I hope they have strong financial backing ready if they stop the stadium going ahead, they will need it.

 

[OUSP]

I hope @OxVox and @OUSP Secretary are already in contact with the BBC (inc Rad Ox ) for the right to provide an alternative viewpoint? after all , the BBC are supposed to be unbiased ( unlike the local rag)

Hi Sarge,
We are all very aware of this reporting. However it really isn't helpful to engage in a public spat which a response would lead to, nor to say anything which could in the long term complicate a legal process. It is frustrating to see the same poor and often erroneous arguments trotted out, but
FOSB are really not doing themselves any favours right now.
Both fan groups have also raised concerns with the Oxford Mail and are working on some things with them.
If you are aware of apparently biased/unfair items online then the best thing to do is ignore them. Don't click through and comment. Don't share. But, when you see a positive item click to your heart's content. That will encourage them to post more positive items.

 

[WuTang]

Hi Sarge,
We are all very aware of this reporting. However it really isn't helpful to engage in a public spat which a response would lead to, nor to say anything which could in the long term complicate a legal process. It is frustrating to see the same poor and often erroneous arguments trotted out, but
FOSB are really not doing themselves any favours right now.
Both fan groups have also raised concerns with the Oxford Mail and are working on some things with them.
If you are aware of apparently biased/unfair items online then the best thing to do is ignore them. Don't click through and comment. Don't share. But, when you see a positive item click to your heart's content. That will encourage them to post more positive items.

The recent Mail articles have really frustrated and we've all seen how the negative articles have took precedence. I think they are on the verge of losing OUFC fans entirely if this continues but if you can work with editors before a revolt it might be worth the effort.

Hopefully you could work on encouraging a well timed front page spread highlighting the once in a life time opportunity available, the threat of losing OUFC without the go-ahead, the potential facilities that could be on offer to thousands around Oxfordshire and so on. We don't want this to be back page or left to a small opinion column in the middle, we want that to be front page news and posted on Facebook and Twitter with a hugely positive, factually accurate story to go with it.

Good luck!

 

[sideshowrob]

Whenever I go to the supermarkets in Thame this week , I always notice that Oxford Times has been turned round so that the headline is not showing. I wonder who has been doing that?

 

[Wandering Yellow]

Sorry if this is a very stupid question (standard from me I know) but, ultimately, who owns the Oxford Mail?

 

[Billyox]

Do these people understand the position they're putting themselves in?

If this small group of people, through their actions, ended up being responsible for the death of OUFC, I would not want to be in their shoes.

Meanwhile if we do get the go ahead watch out for Karen

 

[MJB]

However it really isn't helpful to engage in a public spat which… could in the long term complicate a legal process.

Yep, this is really important.

Would ask that fans consider this carefully when posting about the lease arrangements. The club has been very clear on this - as fans it’s not something to expand upon other than to simply repeat the official line as set out by OCC and the club.

Anything further than that is potentially rather unhelpful.

 

[Sarge]

glad to hear both fan groups have raised concerns with the Oxford mail

I think the BBC should have invited OUSP and OxVox for an opinion regarding the BBC piece yesterday

 

[Sarge]

Sorry if this is a very stupid question (standard from me I know) but, ultimately, who owns the Oxford Mail?

Newsquest .... an American media group ( or whatever the yanks are calling it this week)