Stadium extension 'reinforces' club's need to move

The stadium is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group

Oxford United's lease extension at the Kassam Stadium "reinforces" that the club must move from it soon, the city council's leader has said.

The Championship club's licence had been due to expire at the end of next season but will run until at least June 2027.

That could be extended for another year until June 2028 but is dependent on the club getting planning permission for a 16,000-capacity stadium at the Triangle, near Kidlington.

Susan Brown, the council's leader, said it was clear the Kassam Stadium "cannot provide a long-term home" for the U's.

She said while the extension was "welcome", it was "regrettable that such an arrangement is necessary".

The stadium is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group.

"It confirms the temporary nature of the club's current arrangements and underscores the importance of delivering a new, sustainable home that meets the long-term needs of Oxford United and the wider community," Ms Brown added.

Cherwell District Council is set to decide if the new stadium should go ahead by 31 July, according to its website.

About 3,800 people and organisations have submitted their views on the scheme, which would include a hotel, restaurant and gym, and comments will be accepted until the end of May.

Under Oxford City Council plans, the land used for the Kassam Stadium could be used for at least 150 homes in the future.

The local authority and the Firoka Group own that land.

A leisure complex next to the current stadium could be redeveloped and used as a science park.