(Picture: Action Images)
Oxford United’s chairman Darryl Eales has pleaded with former owner Firoz Kassam to push through a deal to sell the club’s Kassam Stadium as soon as possible.
On Saturday, Supporters’ Group OxVox confirmed talks had begun with Mr Kassam to buy the stadium, and Eales told Radio Oxford: “If you want to do a deal and there’s a willing buyer and willing seller, it shouldn’t take more than 10 to 12 weeks.”
Despite selling the club for over £2 million in 2006, Kassam still owns the stadium that is named after him, and has fended off numerous attempts from fan groups and Eales himself to buy the ground.
Eales has made three bids to purchase the 12,500 seater stadium, which has been home of the U’s since 2001, with two having been rejected but the third ‘still being on the table’.
Both Eales and OxVox are desperate for the ground to be a community owned asset, and the chairman said: “Firoz made it clear he didn’t want to sell to an individual and that’s his prerogative.
“I’ve said consistently since I’ve owned the club that this isn’t a property play for me.
“This is about building sustainable success for Oxford United both on and off the pitch for the community.”
