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Post by Yellow River on Jan 4, 2017 11:29:18 GMT
Interesting that this deal should come about a few days after Darryl said "All I want is transparency and let’s tell the truth" about OCC and the Horspath Rd Development, suddenly OCC are part of a three way agreement at Court Place Farm.
So a permanent base throughout the week including supporter's Club and retail outlet, anything else? OUFC offices? OUFC tickets available to purchase? Buses to Grenoble Rd on match days?
OUFC/OCFC to lease & operate the main stadium facility. What's included in the main stadium facility? The stadium itself? How long's the lease ?
Not being negative at all, appears good news, would like a bit more flesh on the bones.
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Post by socrates on Jan 4, 2017 12:25:03 GMT
Be interested to hear what CIty fans think about this.
Two words spring to my mind: feeder club
The fact that Eales is keeping them afloat with a 'charitable donation' means they are very much in OUFC's pocket.
It is, of course, about time the clubs became 'as one'. Bonkers for a city of Oxford to have two teams.
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Post by headingtonutd on Jan 4, 2017 12:32:03 GMT
Be interested to hear what CIty fans think about this. Two words spring to my mind: feeder club The fact that Eales is keeping them afloat with a 'charitable donation' means they are very much in OUFC's pocket. It is, of course, about time the clubs became 'as one'. Bonkers for a city of Oxford to have two teams.Couldn't disagree more. Down that road lays Thames Valley Royals. City are no threat to us in fan base terms and there is a good relationship between the clubs.
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Post by oldman159 on Jan 4, 2017 12:58:35 GMT
IMHO The 'New Oxford Stadium' has a nice ring to it.
Add dedicated Park and Ride links on match days and the parking issue could be mitigated - Is this Darryl's plan C,D or E?
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Post by Gary Baldi on Jan 4, 2017 13:18:12 GMT
This could be one of the more interesting paragraph's in the release: From the Oxford United perspective, the club is delighted to help find a win/win solution which helps secure OCFC's future but which also provides a permanent facility from which the club can operate during the week especially in terms of creating a supporters club and retail outlet as well as the opportunity to commercialise the Court Place Farm stadium facility more generally, especially as a potential future home for Oxford United Women as well as expanding our community activities.I've not had my morning brew yet, but is that a nod to moving the clubs base from the Kas Stad to Court Place Farm? And creating a more permanent base for the club? Or is talking about CITY having a supporters club and retail outlet? and OUFC WOMEN moving to CPF? and perhaps OUFC MEN using it as a training base? Though the Oxford Mail say it is OUFC having the supporters club and retail outlet. Early days yet, but how would you get from Marston to the Kassam and back on match days? The presser wasn't that clear, but I read it as OUFC related on the basis that events are going to CPF ahead of the Kassam already. With the Kassam as it is today being a cost when not used on match days, there is some sense in moving to somewhere else where they can get more say. I don't blame the club looking for independence from the Kassam due to the issues they are having with it. Quite how it all fits in with the community bid will be very interesting. In terms of the viability of football in Oxford, I'd say this is very good news.
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Post by Bue Guado on Jan 4, 2017 13:19:50 GMT
Generally a good move for OUFC. While some may be dubious about the standard of training facilities available at CPF compared to what we've had at BMW (personally I have my reservations towards training on a synthetic pitch*), the truth of the matter is that we do not own our own training complex, and beggars can't be choosers. It may be a shame that plans at Horspath Road didn't work out, be we have to play the hand we're dealt. Moving the commercial and club base to CPF is a no-brainer; it allows us to function without such tight restrictions, whilst also offering revenue sources (commerce and additional income from hosting events) currently unavailable at Grenoble Road (thanks to the negotiations of a bare-ankled buffoon). As for a potential ground share, if this is DE's intention, it will take years to implement something truly feasible (facilities, capacity, parking, transport, bureaucracy, etc.). Either way, the mere suggestion that the club may have found a location to potentially move to, before the end of the current tenancy agreement at GR, could prove beneficial when negotiating with FK; - It may now be in FK's interest to reconsider his valuation of GR
- FK may be open to the possibility of amending terms to the current tenancy agreement, in a bit to postpone OUFC's departure (it is in his interest to keep OUFC at GR for as long as possible - though OUFC will have to continue paying rent if they leave the stadium early, FK will lose out on additional match day revenue)
Whether intended or not, DE may find himself in a slightly more powerful position when it comes to negotiations.
All this said, the most important thing is that we will (once they've finished crossing the 'i's and dotting the 't's) have a solution to our impending loss of training facilities. Well done everyone involved.
*I would imagine that, were there to be any inclination towards a more permanent ground-share, the clubs may have to look at the possibility of installing a Hybrid Xtra Grass pitch, similar to the one at Grenoble Road, to allow for a grass pitch capable of supporting such regular use by two teams throughout a season. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Jan 4, 2017 13:30:16 GMT
The other benefit to being based at CPF is far more of the club is located in one place than it probably ever has been. I'm sure there will be significant growing pains, but having access to a quality 3G/4G pitch will help the club a lot in winter.
It'll be interesting to see what the OCFC regulars think
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Post by daveoufc on Jan 4, 2017 13:37:31 GMT
Once citys finances are stable. Maybe their next step would be to upgrade court place farm to national conference or league standard. Nice little 6000 capacity ground. Maybe the threat of such would be enough to help matters.
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Post by old on Jan 4, 2017 13:39:44 GMT
This has to be great for all involved" it's cost effective and also weakens Kassams grip on the club. The idea of moving all the back room personnel and office space from the Kassam to CPF with both clubs sharing the running costs is a no brainer. The fact that Bob Price is backing this move is also a positive sign for both OUFC & OC. Well done, let's hope that with all the development in this area a "New Stadium" will be a possibility.
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Post by uptheus on Jan 4, 2017 13:54:49 GMT
Well done Darryl and all, it's amazing what can be achieved when ALL parties involved can sit around a table having an honest discussion with a glass of wine can do!
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Post by eighteen93 on Jan 4, 2017 13:57:03 GMT
This has to be great for all involved" it's cost effective and also weakens Kassams grip on the club. The idea of moving all the back room personnel and office space from the Kassam to CPF with both clubs sharing the running costs is a no brainer. The fact that Bob Price is backing this move is also a positive sign for both OUFC & OC. Well done, let's hope that with all the development in this area a "New Stadium" will be a possibility. Ticketing would move too presumably but a team would operate on match days at Grenoble Road?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Jan 4, 2017 14:10:10 GMT
This has to be great for all involved" it's cost effective and also weakens Kassams grip on the club. The idea of moving all the back room personnel and office space from the Kassam to CPF with both clubs sharing the running costs is a no brainer. The fact that Bob Price is backing this move is also a positive sign for both OUFC & OC. Well done, let's hope that with all the development in this area a "New Stadium" will be a possibility. Ticketing would move too presumably but a team would operate on match days at Grenoble Road? There would surely have to be ticketing at GR. If you are an exile (as I am), then the idea of going to CPF to buy a ticket (away games, cup matches etc) is a non-starter. In fact, with all the walk-ups we get and no-cash turnstiles it is a non-starter anyway!
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Post by grenobleroad on Jan 4, 2017 14:22:45 GMT
IMHO The 'New Oxford Stadium' has a nice ring to it. Add dedicated Park and Ride links on match days and the parking issue could be mitigated - Is this Darryl's plan C,D or E? A bus service from water Eaton would work well. People could drink/eat in Oxford or Bicester and get the train in.
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Post by The Fence End on Jan 4, 2017 15:00:42 GMT
Couple of things:
Presumably there will be professional quality grass training pitches there too for first team and academy squads? Why train on artificial grass and then play games on real grass?
Will the club offices be moved there? If so will new buildings have to be built?
Could this be the first stage in developing Court Place Farm to a 10k plus capacity stadium fit for use in League One and become a home for both clubs?
I hope they reach an agreement which is good for all parties and each parties know and are very very clear on who is responsible for paying what to avoid any falling outs in the future.
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Post by foley on Jan 4, 2017 15:10:47 GMT
Couple of things: Presumably there will be professional quality grass training pitches there too for first team and academy squads? Why train on artificial grass and then play games on real grass? Will the club offices be moved there? If so will new buildings have to be built? Could this be the first stage in developing Court Place Farm to a 10k plus capacity stadium fit for use in League One and become a home for both clubs? I hope they reach an agreement which is good for all parties and each parties know and are very very clear on who is responsible for paying what to avoid any falling outs in the future. If the club are looking at the Championship a 20K minimum stadium is really required.
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Post by The Fence End on Jan 4, 2017 15:20:02 GMT
Couple of things: Presumably there will be professional quality grass training pitches there too for first team and academy squads? Why train on artificial grass and then play games on real grass? Will the club offices be moved there? If so will new buildings have to be built? Could this be the first stage in developing Court Place Farm to a 10k plus capacity stadium fit for use in League One and become a home for both clubs? I hope they reach an agreement which is good for all parties and each parties know and are very very clear on who is responsible for paying what to avoid any falling outs in the future. If the club are looking at the Championship a 20K minimum stadium is really required. There's a fair bit of land around CPF. But first that land will be needed for training pitches.
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Post by old on Jan 4, 2017 15:55:23 GMT
Using google earth to look at an areal shot of the area, there is plenty on land within the CFP area where a new stadium with parking could be built if the will is there. With the right planning the ground on both sides of the A40 would accommodate a brilliant community sports facility encompassing the needs of both Oxford United and Oxford City. With the new Barton development close by, this I feel would be well worth looking at by Oxford United,Oxford City and Oxford City Council. DE is a forward thinking owner and I'm sure he along with Bob Price and Oxford City FC could drive this forward, after all it was looked at 20+ years ago and things are much different now so it's worth considering seriously now 20 years on.
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Post by The Fence End on Jan 4, 2017 16:00:43 GMT
Would be great moving back to OX3! One step at a time though.
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Post by victor1986 on Jan 4, 2017 16:06:55 GMT
Couple of things: Presumably there will be professional quality grass training pitches there too for first team and academy squads? Why train on artificial grass and then play games on real grass? Will the club offices be moved there? If so will new buildings have to be built? Could this be the first stage in developing Court Place Farm to a 10k plus capacity stadium fit for use in League One and become a home for both clubs? I hope they reach an agreement which is good for all parties and each parties know and are very very clear on who is responsible for paying what to avoid any falling outs in the future. If the club are looking at the Championship a 20K minimum stadium is really required. Don't agree foley - A 15 -17K capacity absolute tops; if you look at last season's Championship attendances the average was 17K but that was only created by one or two exceptional gates such as 33K for Middlesboro v Brighton. Most gates hovered around 12K with some clubs like Brentford averaging less than that. This is a very shrewd move by DE - I have always felt Court Place was a possible new home; there is plenty of ground & a 12K modest stadium is the sensible way forwards; any design can have the facility for another tier on the long sides to boost things up as necessary.
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Post by eighteen93 on Jan 4, 2017 16:07:33 GMT
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Post by oufcyellows on Jan 4, 2017 16:26:42 GMT
Think people are jumping the gun a little, we're moving some office space and training ground, that's a lot different to building a new stadium there in a joint venture. For one, we're bailing city out at the min, so it wouldn't really be a joint venture. And people moan about the parking and transport links at gr. u ever tried driving marsh lane in rush hour? Can take 30 mins to get from the bypass to marston. I think longer term I can see us having office space and running the ladies and accedemy teams there instead of abingdon, but probably using state of the art real pitches at horse path for the first team.
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Post by foley on Jan 4, 2017 16:47:46 GMT
If the club are looking at the Championship a 20K minimum stadium is really required. Don't agree foley - A 15 -17K capacity absolute tops; if you look at last season's Championship attendances the average was 17K but that was only created by one or two exceptional gates such as 33K for Middlesboro v Brighton. Most gates hovered around 12K with some clubs like Brentford averaging less than that. This is a very shrewd move by DE - I have always felt Court Place was a possible new home; there is plenty of ground & a 12K modest stadium is the sensible way forwards; any design can have the facility for another tier on the long sides to boost things up as necessary. To COMPETE in the Championship we need a ground of 20K plus in my view. This season there are only 4 ground with a capacity of under 20,000. Burton , Rotherham , Brentforsd (who are getting a far bigger ground) and QPR. 2 of those will probably go down as they can#t compete financially. All but 7 have a maximum crowd of over 20,000. Even READING have an average crowd of 17,200. So to seriously look to stay in the Championship we need 20-25K stadium. If you can find it, see Charlie's analysis on the Championship crowds and what has been done on the size of Stadium OUFC need.
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Post by holdsteady on Jan 4, 2017 16:58:36 GMT
This maybe a silly question but is the ticket office still going to be at the Kassam during the week? Or at court farm? Details on this still seem sketchy to me, not actually certain what's happening.
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Post by 54-46 on Jan 4, 2017 17:02:40 GMT
A new stadium directly opposite CPF on the site of the old Cycle Speedway place might be a good place. Not sure if there would be room, or whether OCC own it.
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Post by oufcyellows on Jan 4, 2017 17:03:43 GMT
This maybe a silly question but is the ticket office still going to be at the Kassam during the week? Or at court farm? Details on this still seem sketchy to me, not actually certain what's happening. I don't think the club are 100% certain yet
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Post by The Fence End on Jan 4, 2017 17:04:55 GMT
[/quote]To COMPETE in the Championship we need a ground of 20K plus in my view.[/quote]
Only if you get paying customers filling it.
Let's remember this is about a training pitch or 2 at the moment.
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Post by holdsteady on Jan 4, 2017 17:06:13 GMT
This maybe a silly question but is the ticket office still going to be at the Kassam during the week? Or at court farm? Details on this still seem sketchy to me, not actually certain what's happening. I don't think the club are 100% certain yet Ta, at least that would explain the somewhat vague statements regarding what is going on, think I will wait for more clarification before I start planning my Saturdays in Marston.
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Post by uptheus on Jan 4, 2017 18:34:16 GMT
If we did move the ground/stadium here where would that leave the community stadium project?
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Post by oufcyellows on Jan 4, 2017 18:35:52 GMT
I'm sure we would have an answer on that one way quicker than it would take to get planning and completely rebuild cpf
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Post by Mark on Jan 4, 2017 19:09:03 GMT
So are we moving offices to CPF? If all the training is there as a permanent basis it seems sensible to have manager's office there etc.
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