Scroll to see the history of Kassam Stadium in pictures

A BID to buy the Kassam Stadium and place it in community ownership could be supported financially by Oxford City Council.

The Labour-run authority's leader Bob Price said there was 'no reason' it could not be involved after it was revealed by the Oxford Mail that Oxford United's ground could be bought by an independent trust.

He compared the stadium to Oxford City Football Club's ground at Court Place Farm, which is owned by the city council, and said the authority had a 'direct interest' in providing sports facilities.

Mr Price added: "If there is a clear financial case that can be made for our involvement, we would certainly look at it."

Oxford Mail:

  • Centre-L-R, city council leader Bob Price with U's chairman Darryl Eales​

His comments will boost hopes of a deal after former United chairman and stadium owner Firoz Kassam revealed he was in talks with supporters' group OxVox.

Under the plan, the site would likely be owned by a community-based trust backed by several groups. OxVox has stressed negotiations are at an 'very early' stage, but this week said it had 'workable and deliverable' proposals.

When asked if the city council could also be part of this, Mr Price said: "In principle there is no reason why we would not want to get involved because, as with Court Place Farm, we have a direct interest in maintaining and enhancing the leisure facilities in the city.

"It would depend on the terms of the trust. We could not say yes at this stage but as a council we are very interested in maintaining a high-quality leisure offer for people in the city.

"We would like a good outcome which would secure confidence in the future of the club."

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford City FC's ground at Court Place Farm, owned by the city council

Speaking last night, OxVox chairman Jeremy Faulkner said: "We are in conversation with a number of potential stakeholders and partners in this project, one of which is Oxford City Council.

"The council has been hugely supportive of the project and we thank them for their continued encouragement."

Oxford United have not been involved in the negotiations, it is understood, but U's managing director Greig Box Turnbull has called OxVox's plan a 'fantastic solution'. 

The club have been based at the Kassam Stadium since 2001, when they ended a 76-year stay at the Manor Ground in Headington.

Mr Kassam, who was chairman at the time of the move and held the position for seven years, stepped down after selling the club in 2006 when Nick Merry took charge.

Oxford Mail:

  • Firoz Kassam says he will not sell the stadium to individuals

However, Mr Kassam's company, Firoka, retained ownership of the stadium and Oxford United have been paying rent – a figure in the region of £500,000 a year – ever since.

Several individuals and groups have made offers to buy the stadium but no one so far has convinced its landlord to sell. 

Mr Kassam has said he will not sell the stadium to individuals. 

Instead, he revealed 'the target for the stadium is that it should pass into community ownership for the future security of the football club and the benefit of the local community'.

He could not be reached for comment last night.

Timeline of the Kassam Stadium

2001 – Oxford United moves to the Kassam Stadium under Firoz Kassam as chairman

2006 – Nick Merry takes charge of the club, with financial backing from new owner Ian Lenagan, but Mr Kassam’s £13m price tag on the stadium proves too high for a deal

2009 – A deal between the club and Mr Kassam is struck to share profits from the sale of matchday food and drink and pitch-side advertising

2013 – The stadium is successfully listed as an 'asset of community value' by supporters' group OxVox

2014 – Darryl Eales and Mark Ashton successfully takeover the club, with Mr Lenagan remaining on board

2016 – It is revealed Mr Kassam has entered talks with OxVox about selling the stadium