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RTB?
Jul 2, 2014 16:06:26 GMT
sarge likes this
Post by one trick Raponi on Jul 2, 2014 16:06:26 GMT
If nothing get sorted by the 15th of July then Court Place Farm would cost you nowt to hold an unofficial open meeting and there is plenty of room in the clubhouse. It also has a very reasonably priced bar. I’m also sure that Colin Taylor and Co. (especially TAG) would appreciate as many fans as possible attending that game as it’s always Oxford City’s most lucrative game of the season. Kick off is at 7:45 so getting there early is a decent suggestion given the limited parking options and therefore many United supporters will have some time to kill pre-match. Not that I want to put any of my crazy suggestions into your head... That's a very good idea snake.
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Post by Snake (RIP) on Jul 2, 2014 20:43:52 GMT
If nothing get sorted by the 15th of July then Court Place Farm would cost you nowt to hold an unofficial open meeting and there is plenty of room in the clubhouse. It also has a very reasonably priced bar. I’m also sure that Colin Taylor and Co. (especially TAG) would appreciate as many fans as possible attending that game as it’s always Oxford City’s most lucrative game of the season. Kick off is at 7:45 so getting there early is a decent suggestion given the limited parking options and therefore many United supporters will have some time to kill pre-match. Not that I want to put any of my crazy suggestions into your head... That's a very good idea snake. You should really have a chat to Martin Brodetsky before endorsing any of my crazy ideas as he knows that only about 10% of them work.
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Post by MJB on Jul 2, 2014 20:50:54 GMT
That's a very good idea snake. You should really have a chat to Martin Brodetsky before endorsing any of my crazy ideas as he knows that only about 10% of them work. Well suggest nine others quickly now and we should be fine.
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RTB?
Jul 2, 2014 22:05:27 GMT
Post by minime on Jul 2, 2014 22:05:27 GMT
I'm glad this topic has come up as it's a chance to clarify two things: OxVox’s role in the takeover process and the Right To Bid. Following various enquiries, I was also today contacted by the media and explained it to them. Firstly the RTB has not been triggered at this point. Secondly it's worth saying that we spent months working on the RTB for exactly this situation. If an interested party has an offer on the Kassam Stadium accepted then this would trigger the right to bid. We have always said that we would share full details of this bid with our membership and the fan base and give the committee's own recommendations to the membership on whether to remove or invoke the right to bid. The OxVox membership would then be asked to vote on what action to take. This would happen if a 3rd party or the owners of Oxford United made a bid on the stadium. We’ve also been very clear that any deal would have to benefit Oxford United. And not just benefit Oxford United in the short term but also the long term. It’s our belief that the club should own the stadium. It’s been clear since we moved to the Kassam that separate companies owning the ground and club has put a financial strain in terms of rent. If any owner of Oxford United put the asset in the name of a subsidiary company, this would automatically cause concern. Even if they let the club use it rent-free in the short term, at any moment – let’s say if the owner wanted some extra cash for other projects, or if he wanted to realise the stadium’s capital value by selling it to a disinterested investor – that could and would change at the drop of a hat. Preferably it needs to be an asset of the club, but at the very least held in trust for the club. I have already said publicly that Charlie Methven has contacted us to talk about the right to bid. I have explained all of the above to him in great detail, and also explained that our metrics for judgement would be the same, no matter who the potential owner may be. Like many Oxford United fans over the last 20/30 years, I know Charlie pretty well but that’s not the point. We made it clear to him that transparency and open-dealing with fans is what we want for the future of Oxford United. As a result, we have asked his group to return to lay out in more detail their plans for both the stadium and the club, so that, were Ian Lenagan to accept any offer Charlie made, we could swiftly advise the membership on whether to activate or remove the right to bid, were he to make any move to acquire the stadium. Naturally, we would also make public what he had told us, so that fans could examine that plan for themselves. To ensure total independence and transparency, I have also been contacting Mark Ashton on a continual basis, to ask that he go through the same process with us – and, by extension, with the fanbase that he would be asking to support him financially if his consortium took over. Of course, it would be nice to think that this process would be being aided by the owner of Oxford United. Instead, we have still heard nothing from Ian Lenagan, and Mark Ashton’s secretary told me that he is not allowed to speak to us, owing to confidentiality agreements (presumably with Ian). However, when I raised the RTB with her, she did say that she is sure “it would have come up in due diligence”. Which at least confirms that he is bidding! Finally, I just want to return to the subject of openness. You can be 100% sure that the moment any new owner comes in, they will be all over the local media, playing on fans emotions and asking for support. That’s fine. But in our view, you can’t have it both ways – you shouldn’t expect to treat the fans with contempt by not speaking to them as to why you SHOULD own the club when they still have a chance to express their view, and then turn around a few days later and suddenly come over all “We’re in this together and I need your help”. If a bid is made and triggers the RTB, then I am presuming that whoever owns the RTB (Oxvox???) would then make a counter bid within 6 months. If not is there any point in having it, and if a bid would be made within 6 months then is there a reason why a bid has not already been made?
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 7:10:17 GMT
Post by uptheus on Jul 3, 2014 7:10:17 GMT
Mark/OxVox, We know that Charlie's good friends/on strong talking terms with Ian and his sons etc, so do you know or can we presume that Charlie would also know the intentions of Ashton's objectives? I believe Charlie knows, hence why the urgent rush to put together a consortium to counteract Ashton's. And if this is the case, then the Ashton bid obviously isn't good for the club? Oh, and I know you/OxVox are close to Charlie so I also believe that you/OxVox know more than you've let on to date. I can understand why you've not divulged more at present, but I urge you to divulge all if you/OxVox indeed have more information as it's imperative that all fans know the full story? Please don't take the last paragraph the wrong way. Mark, I mentioned the other day that U felt OxVox knew more than they were letting on, and you responded by saying that OxVox have divulged all they know. However, today you mention on Radio Oxford that you've been engaged about talks of a new stadium at Water Eaton, and Charlie's involvement. I've mentioned in other topics that I knew that the club had been looking at other opportunities to build a stadium elsewhere since last year, so not sure how this was brought to their attention by OxVox? Also, doesn't this option aid Kassam in being able to then use the current stadium land to sell for houses, thus helping him make more money again or is Kassam involved in this option e.g. Kassam will use some of the money he'll make off the sale of the land to dinate a new stadium to the club?
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Post by KLYellow on Jul 3, 2014 7:29:47 GMT
Is it possible that the current stadium will be redeveloped for commercial use, say supermarket and the new one could be a community stadium owned co owned by council and OUFC?
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 7:42:34 GMT
Post by nickcusack on Jul 3, 2014 7:42:34 GMT
Is it possible that the current stadium will be redeveloped for commercial use, say supermarket and the new one could be a community stadium owned co owned by council and OUFC? If i understand this correctly, it wouldn't be Oxfordshire County Council though as the Water Eaton land falls within Cherwell District Council. This itself, in my opinion, will only add to the complexity because it involves yet another party. My initial reaction from this mornings events is that the new ground simply won't happen, it is wishful thinking and a deterrent from Ashton and Co from purchasing the club.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 7:58:38 GMT
Post by Si Bradbury on Jul 3, 2014 7:58:38 GMT
Mark/OxVox, We know that Charlie's good friends/on strong talking terms with Ian and his sons etc, so do you know or can we presume that Charlie would also know the intentions of Ashton's objectives? I believe Charlie knows, hence why the urgent rush to put together a consortium to counteract Ashton's. And if this is the case, then the Ashton bid obviously isn't good for the club? Oh, and I know you/OxVox are close to Charlie so I also believe that you/OxVox know more than you've let on to date. I can understand why you've not divulged more at present, but I urge you to divulge all if you/OxVox indeed have more information as it's imperative that all fans know the full story? Please don't take the last paragraph the wrong way. Mark, I mentioned the other day that U felt OxVox knew more than they were letting on, and you responded by saying that OxVox have divulged all they know. However, today you mention on Radio Oxford that you've been engaged about talks of a new stadium at Water Eaton, and Charlie's involvement. I've mentioned in other topics that I knew that the club had been looking at other opportunities to build a stadium elsewhere since last year, so not sure how this was brought to their attention by OxVox? Also, doesn't this option aid Kassam in being able to then use the current stadium land to sell for houses, thus helping him make more money again or is Kassam involved in this option e.g. Kassam will use some of the money he'll make off the sale of the land to dinate a new stadium to the club? Sean you were a committee member of 5/6 years until very recently and of all people I'd suspect you would know that we don't comment on speculation or rumour. Yes OxVox officials have been aware of Water Eaton for four months as OxVox helped prepare, with the clubs advisor to the board, the proposal. Ian Hudspeth has been integral from start to finish. Please remember we are elected to act in the best interests of our membership and football club and some things can't be reported on as quickly as we would like. Most people recognise that, I know you do too. The most important thing is this couldn't be discussed until the feasibility studies had been completed. They have been completed and whilst it may sound pie-in-the-sky to some, it does have its merits. It is possible and every aspect of it has been looked at in detail by the club and by professional people. Regarding Kassam, he went on record this morning to say he won't be selling the stadium to people without the best intentions of OUFC and added that should OUFC aspire to leave, he reminded all that we were under contract and effectively cannot up and depart without his permission and paying up. Clearly people have been talking about this for some time or speculating about it, we cannot stop that but we don't have to confirm it until all the due processes are complete. To confirm this process started in February and March 2014, the proposal was made to the Lenagan's in April. Then two weeks after that, we were aware of Mark Ashton's group rumoured involvement in taking the club forward. The bigger picture is that we will remain asking questions of Mark Ashton and his Group and how he intends to develop this football club to the benefit of Oxford United and its supporters, with or without Water Eaton and at worst with the Kassam Stadium.
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Post by KLYellow on Jul 3, 2014 8:00:50 GMT
Whereabouts in Water Eaton is it proposed?
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Post by eighteen93 on Jul 3, 2014 8:30:28 GMT
Whereabouts in Water Eaton is it proposed? On land next to the new Oxford Parkway Rail Station which should be completed in 2015. This connects the new Parkway station to Bicester and Marylebone. The Water Eaton park and Ride hub is also there. There is a lot of land there within the Cherwell District Council planning authority's control. It's probably a perfect site from a transport point of view. Presumbaly there would have to be a new access link road off the a34 rather coming off at the a34 and heading down the Bicester Road to Gosford and Water Eaton.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 10:27:05 GMT
Post by Mark on Jul 3, 2014 10:27:05 GMT
Kassam must be rubbing his hands with joy. 1 - got all the land around the stadium for peanuts. 2 - made £6MM from the Manor 3 - got Merry to sign a long lease where the rent always went up even in the Conference, and left someone else to pick up the cost of running the club. and potentially 4 - gets a payout for the 12 years remaining on the lease of the Kassam. say £5million? and then 5 - gets to knock the stadium down for houses and redevelopment and even more money, enhancing the value of the Ozone whilst he's at it.
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Post by sihath on Jul 3, 2014 10:32:14 GMT
Kassam must be rubbing his hands with joy. 1 - got all the land around the stadium for peanuts. 2 - made £6MM from the Manor 3 - got Merry to sign a long lease where the rent always went up even in the Conference, and left someone else to pick up the cost of running the club. and potentially 4 - gets a payout for the 12 years remaining on the lease of the Kassam. say £5million? and then 5 - gets to knock the stadium down for houses and redevelopment and even more money, enhancing the value of the Ozone whilst he's at it. We would get the payout, not him. He can't develop the land without us moving, so we hold the cards on that one not him.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 11:00:12 GMT
Post by SteMerritt on Jul 3, 2014 11:00:12 GMT
Kassam must be rubbing his hands with joy. 1 - got all the land around the stadium for peanuts. 2 - made £6MM from the Manor 3 - got Merry to sign a long lease where the rent always went up even in the Conference, and left someone else to pick up the cost of running the club. and potentially 4 - gets a payout for the 12 years remaining on the lease of the Kassam. say £5million? and then 5 - gets to knock the stadium down for houses and redevelopment and even more money, enhancing the value of the Ozone whilst he's at it. We would get the payout, not him. He can't develop the land without us moving, so we hold the cards on that one not him. I think any move would be mutually agreed, so no one would get a payout...
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 11:42:17 GMT
Post by foley on Jul 3, 2014 11:42:17 GMT
Kassam must be rubbing his hands with joy. 1 - got all the land around the stadium for peanuts. 2 - made £6MM from the Manor 3 - got Merry to sign a long lease where the rent always went up even in the Conference, and left someone else to pick up the cost of running the club. and potentially 4 - gets a payout for the 12 years remaining on the lease of the Kassam. say £5million? and then 5 - gets to knock the stadium down for houses and redevelopment and even more money, enhancing the value of the Ozone whilst he's at it. I am not sure that 4 AND 5 would happen. Cake and eat it and even Kassam wouldn't get away with that I suspect.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 11:47:37 GMT
Post by sihath on Jul 3, 2014 11:47:37 GMT
We would get the payout, not him. He can't develop the land without us moving, so we hold the cards on that one not him. I think any move would be mutually agreed, so no one would get a payout... Depends on the 2 parties negotiating skills. We go now and FK gets to make a bundle of cash. Or we go at the end of the lease agreement and he waits for his money, by which time the development opportunity may have passed.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 14:34:53 GMT
Post by Gary Baldi on Jul 3, 2014 14:34:53 GMT
Or the club buys it for £13 million and sells it on for more money.
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RTB?
Jul 3, 2014 14:46:24 GMT
Post by one trick Raponi on Jul 3, 2014 14:46:24 GMT
That's a very good idea snake. You should really have a chat to Martin Brodetsky before endorsing any of my crazy ideas as he knows that only about 10% of them work. As this one involves a reasonably priced bar how could it possibly go completely breasts upwards?
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