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Post by headingtonyellow on Dec 1, 2017 10:28:34 GMT
Please hear me out. I have supported Oxford United and read the Oxford forums for many years, but I have never felt strongly enough about anything to want to post, until now.
It's a just an idea that has been brewing in my mind for a while and please hear me out.
We all support Oxford, our city, a city we can be so proud of. Town and gown together our city.
Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit.
Consider the following:
- United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress.
- City are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium.
- City have a home grown manager, United don't.
- City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team).
- United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry.
We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free.
Just think how exciting the challenge would be.
Please let me have your thoughts.
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Post by Eaststandboy on Dec 1, 2017 10:34:31 GMT
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Post by sarge on Dec 1, 2017 10:36:47 GMT
Please hear me out. I have supported Oxford United and read the Oxford forums for many years, but I have never felt strongly enough about anything to want to post, until now. It's a just an idea that has been brewing in my mind for a while and please hear me out. We all support Oxford, our city, a city we can be so proud of. Town and gown together our city. Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit. Consider the following: - United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress. - City are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium. - City have a home grown manager, United don't. - City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team). - United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry. We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free. Just think how exciting the challenge would be. Please let me have your thoughts. Friends, family, relationships may drift in and out your life, but, your team is forever. UP THE U's That said, good luck 'city on Sunday
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Post by m on Dec 1, 2017 10:43:24 GMT
Please hear me out. I have supported Oxford United and read the Oxford forums for many years, but I have never felt strongly enough about anything to want to post, until now. It's a just an idea that has been brewing in my mind for a while and please hear me out. We all support Oxford, our city, a city we can be so proud of. Town and gown together our city. Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit. Consider the following: - United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress. - City are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium. - City have a home grown manager, United don't. - City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team). - United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry. We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free. Just think how exciting the challenge would be. Please let me have your thoughts. Let me know what it's like when you get there.
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Post by carefreeoufc on Dec 1, 2017 10:43:40 GMT
Slightly different to your original post but there have been times (becoming more frequent in recent years) where I have thought about OUFC doing the whole Phoenix Club thing. I am sure most/all would not want this but there is a part of me that would like to see us write the wrongs and start something that we can run and rely on instead of 40+ pages of wondering whether some Thai business owner is going to buy us and strip us of little/no assets.
Maybe it's because I wasn't old enough to see the glory years of the 80s but having been in my mid/late teens during the conference I don't have much to go on. I know for every AFC Wimbledon there are many that won't make it but who knows. It might happen one of these days and not out of our own volition.
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Post by Pete Burrett on Dec 1, 2017 10:46:55 GMT
Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit.And this is the basic problem with your idea, which is certainly a thought-provoking one. OUFC IS a habit many have had for decades. Oxford City IS a totally separate club, to which I certainly have no allegiance to or interest in.United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress. Very bold statement which I don't agree with. We are not a million miles from the Championship. With a significant injection of cash - which we now know is not beyond possibility - we could become a stable club in tier two. City may be 'on the up', but that's relative and they are still a significantly smaller club than UnitedCity are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium. Can it be developed? Physically, yes it can, but would necessary permissions be granted?City have a home grown manager, United don't. I don't see the significance (or importance) of this.
City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team). But I assume you're suggesting we merge with City. Surely then the new team would be mostly ex-United players?United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry. OUFC 'gradually disappearing' is not something I'd aspire to!We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free. With the greatest of respect, how successful do you think you personally would be as a leader of such a movement? Likewise, I'd want considerably more assurance about marketing the proposal than the marketeer being your mate!
Please let me have your thoughts. Well worth discussing, but it's a 'no' from me.
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Post by pooshooter on Dec 1, 2017 10:53:50 GMT
Absolute no from me too!
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Post by scotchegg on Dec 1, 2017 10:59:14 GMT
In the absence of England in the 1994 world cup, I looked out for the Republic of Ireland, and more particularly Aldridge and Houghton as 'our' players. But I never considered myself a fan or had any real passion for them.
In the same way, I have no issues with Oxford City and will occasionally look out for their results, and certainly wish them well this week. I will take note of any ex-players who have ended up there, or Brackley, or wherever. But they are not my team and never will be.
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Post by Belgian Yellow on Dec 1, 2017 11:02:33 GMT
Get this troll off our forum.
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Post by grenobleroad on Dec 1, 2017 11:03:10 GMT
Delete before anyone else sees.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Dec 1, 2017 11:04:36 GMT
I support OUFC because my grandfather played both football and cricket for Headington. I have very little interest in Oxford City - I don't wish them any ill of course, but they simply aren't my team. If the unthinkable happened and OUFC went bust at some I would be more likely to be seen watching a phoenix OUFC on a Sunday morning in the park than Oxford City in the football league.
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Post by maidenheadox on Dec 1, 2017 11:06:11 GMT
This is either a wind-up or incredibly naive. Even if United ceased to exist tomorrow, our fans would not support City but would start a new club that would more than likely take over City's ground as it rose through the divisions (similar to what Wimbledon have done to Kingstonian).
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Post by mcf86 on Dec 1, 2017 11:27:43 GMT
The Thames would flow backwards before I switched allegiance, 'OTID' doesn't refer to any other aspect of our great City than Oxford UNITED fc. I might entertain the idea of a ground share at CPF though, and if it caused the present landlord at Grenoble road some angst along side gout, yellow fever, ingrowing toe nails and flatulence the better.
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Post by Yellow River on Dec 1, 2017 11:35:38 GMT
As wind-ups go this is quite a good one.
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Post by Pete Burrett on Dec 1, 2017 11:37:26 GMT
As wind-ups go this is quite a good one. Yep. Just read the 'proposal' again and wished I hadn't devoted any time to replying.
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Post by ox4eva on Dec 1, 2017 11:37:43 GMT
Please hear me out. I have supported Oxford United and read the Oxford forums for many years, but I have never felt strongly enough about anything to want to post, until now. It's a just an idea that has been brewing in my mind for a while and please hear me out. We all support Oxford, our city, a city we can be so proud of. Town and gown together our city. Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit. Consider the following: - United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress. - City are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium. - City have a home grown manager, United don't. - City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team). - United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry. We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free. Just think how exciting the challenge would be. Please let me have your thoughts. I have passion for OUFC, they are on my mind daily and I truly love this club no matter what and always will!! The OP obviously does not have a passion for OUFC, I have nothing against OCFC but I personally could not care less about them.. If fans of other clubs had seen that original post they would laughing their socks off. Win or lose up the U's!
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Post by charliesghost on Dec 1, 2017 11:54:20 GMT
Oxford has two football clubs, both called Oxford, one just happens to be called Oxford United the other Oxford City. Our loyalty is not automatically deserved by either, does not logically go to either. I just happened to start to watch United many years ago and it became a habit.And this is the basic problem with your idea, which is certainly a thought-provoking one. OUFC IS a habit many have had for decades. Oxford City IS a totally separate club, to which I certainly have no allegiance to or interest in.United are a busted flush, the club is never going higher than League One, it has become stale, boring and at the mercy of mercenary management and players. City are on the up in recent years, and just look at their recent FA Cup progress. Very bold statement which I don't agree with. We are not a million miles from the Championship. With a significant injection of cash - which we now know is not beyond possibility - we could become a stable club in tier two. City may be 'on the up', but that's relative and they are still a significantly smaller club than UnitedCity are centrally placed in a nice stadium that can be developed with success, proper Oxford, not on the outskirts in a cursed half built stadium. Can it be developed? Physically, yes it can, but would necessary permissions be granted?City have a home grown manager, United don't. I don't see the significance (or importance) of this.
City have all home grown players, United don't (think future of English football and the England football team). But I assume you're suggesting we merge with City. Surely then the new team would be mostly ex-United players?United would gradually disappear and Kassam would be left high and dry. OUFC 'gradually disappearing' is not something I'd aspire to!We should have a movement to defect en masse to City which I would be prepared to lead. And I have mate experienced in marketing at a high level who wants this too and would do any marketing we need for free. With the greatest of respect, how successful do you think you personally would be as a leader of such a movement? Likewise, I'd want considerably more assurance about marketing the proposal than the marketeer being your mate!
Please let me have your thoughts. Well worth discussing, but it's a 'no' from me.It's a 'no' for me as well, but I do think that there is an existential discussion to be had about our club. It's a discussion that some on here don't want to have, for reasons I can't quite fathom. Currently the club has no discernible strategy. It has no idea of, or (therefore) understanding of, its target market, both actual and potential. The club has no physical infrastructure and, increasingly, very little human capital (Is the position if chief scout also not going to be replaced?). It is getting to the point (again) where it is little more than a group of players pulled together from all over the place managed by whoever happens to be manager at that time. The Academy and the Women's side (both part of Lenagans strategy) are the only outward indications that we are much more than a wandering franchise. This is why it was not entirely ridiculous of DE to talk of simply uprooting the club and moving it somewhere else. In the next ten years, the combination of Bicester and Banbury will be large enough in and of itself to support a League team. The population of North Oxfordshire as a whole will grow by the size of a city roughly the population of Wigan. For anyone interested in strategy and future planning these are (or should be) momentous and hugely exciting times. Instead of which many of our fans (see Pete's post above) are reduced to simply hoping that the next owner off the production line comes and pumps our little rootless franchise full of enough steroids to get us up a division. But without establishing firm roots; without establishing the answers to the existential questions; without strategic leadership..... the whole thing will collapse horribly at some point, and the higher we are at that moment the greater will our fall be. As fans we don't (yet) have to go as far as Pompeys did in buying the club. But doing that made them grow up and have to take very seriously the big questions facing their club. The work they have done and the roots they laid down and their laser-like determination to attract the right kind of new owner means a) they are highly likely to succeed b) that success will be well-rooted and c) they thoroughly deserve that success. Hoping that some guy comes in and smashes a few million over a short period of time is where Pompey were a decade ago and look where it got them. 'That's never happening again' one of the fans who sorted the mess out told me a few months ago. 'We have finally taken responsibility for our own club rather than behaving like a bunch of kids hoping to be given some sweeties.' Supporting Oxford City isn't the answer. But at least asking the question demonstrates some understanding that there are questions to be asked that won't easily be answered by stuffing fingers in the ears and shouting lalalalala
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Post by oufcyellows on Dec 1, 2017 11:54:51 GMT
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Post by Denissmithswig on Dec 1, 2017 12:09:47 GMT
It's ok everyone, once City get knocked out of the fa cup people will stop trying to convince us that we should go and support them rather than our own club.
Good luck to City tomorrow but I have as much interest in them doing well tomorrow as I do as Maidstone causing a cup upset.
OUFC might be having a season where nothing that exciting happens on the pitch but it is still the club I support and will be the only club I support for as long as I live. City to me are just another non league side in the county that happen to be placed in the same city as OUFC. If I still lived in the county I wouldn't be tempted to go and watch them play on a day OUFC didn't have a game much like I wouldn't go and watch Didcot, Kidlington or North Leigh play.
My parents now live in Herefordshire and I have been to see Hereford play since they reformed and do look out for their results but that is due to them being the main club in the area where my parents now live.
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Post by yellowbow on Dec 1, 2017 12:16:28 GMT
Wow a very brave man...
Just wonder what would happen if somebody from Manchester came up with the idea of everybody switching from United to City. Or somebody from Liverpool advocating Liverpool fans should suddenly switch their allegiance from Liverpool to Everton? Why should we be any different?? The responses so far have been very respectful.
I started watching OUFC when I was a kid with my dad, I remember walking up Beech Road with him as a nipper kicking the autumn leaves. I've been through much rougher times than this while supporting them and it's never even entered my head for a millisecond to turn my back on them.
Your club is in your blood.
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Post by manor96 on Dec 1, 2017 12:17:18 GMT
My calendar must be in a muddle. I thought it was December 1st not April 1st..
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Post by holdsteady on Dec 1, 2017 12:42:19 GMT
The conference was shit enough, f*ck watching regional football in the national league south.
Top wind up thread though.
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Post by scotchegg on Dec 1, 2017 12:49:20 GMT
It's a 'no' for me as well, but I do think that there is an existential discussion to be had about our club. It's a discussion that some on here don't want to have, for reasons I can't quite fathom. Currently the club has no discernible strategy. It has no idea of, or (therefore) understanding of, its target market, both actual and potential. The club has no physical infrastructure and, increasingly, very little human capital (Is the position if chief scout also not going to be replaced?). It is getting to the point (again) where it is little more than a group of players pulled together from all over the place managed by whoever happens to be manager at that time. The Academy and the Women's side (both part of Lenagans strategy) are the only outward indications that we are much more than a wandering franchise. This is why it was not entirely ridiculous of DE to talk of simply uprooting the club and moving it somewhere else. In the next ten years, the combination of Bicester and Banbury will be large enough in and of itself to support a League team. The population of North Oxfordshire as a whole will grow by the size of a city roughly the population of Wigan. For anyone interested in strategy and future planning these are (or should be) momentous and hugely exciting times. Instead of which many of our fans (see Pete's post above) are reduced to simply hoping that the next owner off the production line comes and pumps our little rootless franchise full of enough steroids to get us up a division. But without establishing firm roots; without establishing the answers to the existential questions; without strategic leadership..... the whole thing will collapse horribly at some point, and the higher we are at that moment the greater will our fall be. As fans we don't (yet) have to go as far as Pompeys did in buying the club. But doing that made them grow up and have to take very seriously the big questions facing their club. The work they have done and the roots they laid down and their laser-like determination to attract the right kind of new owner means a) they are highly likely to succeed b) that success will be well-rooted and c) they thoroughly deserve that success. Hoping that some guy comes in and smashes a few million over a short period of time is where Pompey were a decade ago and look where it got them. 'That's never happening again' one of the fans who sorted the mess out told me a few months ago. 'We have finally taken responsibility for our own club rather than behaving like a bunch of kids hoping to be given some sweeties.' Supporting Oxford City isn't the answer. But at least asking the question demonstrates some understanding that there are questions to be asked that won't easily be answered by stuffing fingers in the ears and shouting lalalalala I'm sure you've made a fantastic post but I got bored reading after the first 20 pages!!
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Post by leicesteryellow2461 on Dec 1, 2017 13:04:31 GMT
Given I moved from Oxfordshire to Leicestershire around the time Matt Elliot (we ended up as neighbours) some 19 years ago I have remained a season ticket holder & regular at away games, oufc are in the blood & always will be! My stepson was 6 when I first took him to see Oxford United & when they dropped out of the league I said look if you want to support it he wanted to change to Leicester or another team I’d understand but he stuck with Oxford & still holds a season ticket too.
For true fans football isn’t about tuning in & out like those brought up on sky premier coverage, it’s deep inside, lifts you high & rips you apart, it’s a love affair & Oxford United are our mistress & we can never desert them!!
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Post by Gary Baldi on Dec 1, 2017 13:13:59 GMT
TLDR
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Post by holdsteady on Dec 1, 2017 13:21:11 GMT
When is Bognor Regis away for our new club we all support? That's the one I am looking forward to.
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Post by charliesghost on Dec 1, 2017 13:23:18 GMT
It's a 'no' for me as well, but I do think that there is an existential discussion to be had about our club. It's a discussion that some on here don't want to have, for reasons I can't quite fathom. Currently the club has no discernible strategy. It has no idea of, or (therefore) understanding of, its target market, both actual and potential. The club has no physical infrastructure and, increasingly, very little human capital (Is the position if chief scout also not going to be replaced?). It is getting to the point (again) where it is little more than a group of players pulled together from all over the place managed by whoever happens to be manager at that time. The Academy and the Women's side (both part of Lenagans strategy) are the only outward indications that we are much more than a wandering franchise. This is why it was not entirely ridiculous of DE to talk of simply uprooting the club and moving it somewhere else. In the next ten years, the combination of Bicester and Banbury will be large enough in and of itself to support a League team. The population of North Oxfordshire as a whole will grow by the size of a city roughly the population of Wigan. For anyone interested in strategy and future planning these are (or should be) momentous and hugely exciting times. Instead of which many of our fans (see Pete's post above) are reduced to simply hoping that the next owner off the production line comes and pumps our little rootless franchise full of enough steroids to get us up a division. But without establishing firm roots; without establishing the answers to the existential questions; without strategic leadership..... the whole thing will collapse horribly at some point, and the higher we are at that moment the greater will our fall be. As fans we don't (yet) have to go as far as Pompeys did in buying the club. But doing that made them grow up and have to take very seriously the big questions facing their club. The work they have done and the roots they laid down and their laser-like determination to attract the right kind of new owner means a) they are highly likely to succeed b) that success will be well-rooted and c) they thoroughly deserve that success. Hoping that some guy comes in and smashes a few million over a short period of time is where Pompey were a decade ago and look where it got them. 'That's never happening again' one of the fans who sorted the mess out told me a few months ago. 'We have finally taken responsibility for our own club rather than behaving like a bunch of kids hoping to be given some sweeties.' Supporting Oxford City isn't the answer. But at least asking the question demonstrates some understanding that there are questions to be asked that won't easily be answered by stuffing fingers in the ears and shouting lalalalala I'm sure you've made a fantastic post but I got bored reading after the first 20 pages!! Can't say I'm surprised. Your posting record doesn't exactly indicate literacy and powers of concentration. Trolling is so much more 'now' than reading and thinking, isn't it?
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Post by scotchegg on Dec 1, 2017 14:09:32 GMT
I'm sure you've made a fantastic post but I got bored reading after the first 20 pages!! Can't say I'm surprised. Your posting record doesn't exactly indicate literacy and powers of concentration. Trolling is so much more 'now' than reading and thinking, isn't it? And it's so much easier to describe anyone who questions your bizarre ramblings as 'trolls' rather than accepting that the issues may be closer to home?
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Post by oufcgav on Dec 1, 2017 14:15:20 GMT
Is this the Oxford City that were taken over by a dodgy foreign businessman who has subsequently been jailed, and the club left a couple of million in debt?
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Post by Marked Ox on Dec 1, 2017 14:26:33 GMT
City's stadium isn't that nice either when there is a good sized crowd, the side terrace has restricted views because of the rather large dugouts. For their regular crowds it isn't a problem.
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