IT does not seem long ago that Oxford United’s financial situation seemed less than ideal and buying the Kassam Stadium was critical to the club’s future.

Without control of all the revenues that come in on a match day (plus hosting other events), any football club that doesn’t own its ground is operating with one arm tied behind its back.

It is truly a remarkable sea change that Kelvin Thomas, the chairman, today tells us that purchasing the Kassam is no longer the financial be-all and end-all. It’s desirable yes, but United have done well to ensure its fortunes are no longer hostage to buying the Kassam.