OXFORD City Football Club is going global thanks to the efforts of its new president But as well as jetting off all over the world to secure sponsorship deals and links with international players, Wall Street tycoon Thomas Guerriero has revealed he plans to buy a property in Oxford.

Speaking in his first face to face interview with the Oxford Mail, the Florida-based businessman said he was looking forward to next season with success at every level his main priority for the Blue Square Bet North side and the 40 other teams run by the club.

The 36-year-old said: “We feel Oxford is a global brand. The city has a tremendous tradition and this is an opportunity to establish relationships with other parts of the world.”

He has just completed a week-long n From Page 1 visit to survey the Marsh Lane facilities and meet staff and officials before jetting off to Sweden where he has already secured a new sponsor for the club.

After that he will heading for Peru to talk to more potential sponsors and develop links that could see South American players gracing the Court Place Farm pitch in the near future.

But despite his globetrotting efforts, he has revealed that he plans to buy a house in the city as he visits the city on a regular basis.

He added: “Every single day we want to improve. Our expectation is that players we have re-signed will improve on the previous season and players we have brought in will give added value.

“If it happens we are in a position for promotion, that would be terrific.”

Visiting the club, Mr Guerriero said he had been impressed with its roots in the local community and the efforts of volunteers who continue to run it.

“We are a community-based club. Our strength lies in the community programmes that give us a foundation that will succeed. Winning is an added bonus.

“The people here are remarkable individuals.

“I am proud to be part of what they have built here and we can build for the future.

“From the feedback I am getting, there has been a positive change. It is a family and everyone has a pep in their step.”

Mr Guerriero said he has been travelling virtually non-stop in little more than two months after sensationally sweeping in to take over the club in April. But he will be looking to put down roots in the city.

He said: “Buying a property in Oxford is in the plans, especially as I am looking forward to being in Oxford more and more in the future.”

But his focus is still the worldwide promotion of Oxford City.

He said: “I am 100 per cent focused on Oxford City business now and probably for the next 30 years. I am committed to improving the club and I am working closely with managing director Colin Taylor.

“We are finding more and more companies who are interested in speaking to us.”

Swedish fire alarm specialist Ateco will have its name on the first team’s shirts next season, despite not having an established market in the UK. The value of the deal is being kept confidential.

Ateco president Sven Hall said: “We feel strongly that Oxford City with Mr Guerriero as president will be doing some remarkable things over the coming years and we are looking forward to being a part of this historic journey with them.”

Mr Guerriero insists he is not just focused on the money side and declines to reveal how much he has invested in the club. The next challenge on the pitch for Oxford City is the traditional pre-season friendly with rivals Oxford United on Tuesday, July 23.

Mr Guerriero insists it will be a friendly affair, stressing the strong links between the clubs including the U’s players using City’s all-weather training pitch.

He said: “I have not met anyone from Oxford United but I wish them nothing but the best this season.”

WHO IS THOMAS GUERRIERO?

  • Thomas Anthony Guerriero was born in Brooklyn, New York, and developed an interest in football from a young age, eventually playing in goal for Staten Island Vipers.
  • In 1998 he began his career in the financial markets on Wall Street and became senior vice president of the securities division of First Union, which manages $400bn (£262m) worth of client assets.
  • He studied at Harvard University’s graduate school and has two BA degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Thomas Edison State University.
  • He became chief executive at corporations including Global Wealth and is now chief executive of investment advisory firm WMX Holdings in Florida.
  • Mr Guerriero is married to Australian-born Carol and the couple have three daughters, Gabriella, seven, Adriana, five and four-month-old Luchiana.

WHAT THE FANS HAVE TO SAY

OXFORD City fans have given a mixed reaction to Mr Guerriero’s plans for the future.

Rob Holt, 68, from Radley, has followed the club all his life.

He said: “Mr Guerriero is full of ideas but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am going to keep an open mind.

“I hope we can get bigger crowds as we were excellent last season. It’s early days but I am hopeful – he seems to to be very enthusiastic.”

Tim Hobden, 35, from East Oxford, is a recent addition to the Court Place Farm crowd.

He said: “I started going because I was fed up with the state of professional football and paying £20 to see a fourth division club.

“At City we can have a good afternoon, a couple of pints and a burger for £20.

“The club is already well run and pottering along quite nicely.

“There is a real fear that some of the community feel and ethos might be put on the line.”