OXFORD United fans say they are dismayed at losing their match-day pub, which closed suddenly.

Landlord Tim Rackley, who was living at The Priory, next to the Kassam Stadium in Grenoble Road, said he was ordered to leave by owner Firoz Kassam and Mr Kassam’s firm Firoka.

He said the pub’s debts had mounted to an extent that Mr Kassam refused to allow him to continue.

Ray Lindsey, who owns Haymans Fisheries, in Oxford’s Covered Market, has been a season ticket holder and United fan for more than 35 years.

Mr Lindsey, 46, from Littlemore, said: “It is a superb meeting place for fans and will be a huge loss. A great many friendships will have been made there and to lose that is terrible.

“It’s even a place for fans to meet for away games.”

Mark Sargeant, 55, of Coniston Avenue, Marston, said: “It has been a great place for all types of fans for many years and we are angry and saddened it has been closed down.”

Tony Fallows, 25, from Oxford, said: “The Priory was probably the only thing that felt homely about the stadium.”

Mr Kassam was not available for comment.