The death of Don Joyce will be a shock for Oxford greyhound fans as he was among the would-be purchasers of Oxford Stadium.

The former Banbury timber merchant, who lived in the Isle of Man, was a great supporter of greyhound racing and Oxford Stadium in particular, which he twice ran.

When the Sandy Lane venue closed on December 29 last year, he was named as one of three potential buyers – together with Ladbrokes and Nick Budimir – by former Shelbourne Stud manager Bryan King, who lives locally.

In 1975 when owners Bristol greyhound track pulled out of Oxford, and sold the venue to the city council for £235,000, Joyce was a a member of the ‘Save Our Stadium’ campaign.

He convinced Oxford City Council that he and partner Peter Franklyn-Jones should take over as joint managing directors, and could make a go of it.

After relinquishing control, he stepped in to save Oxford again when the receivers were called in after owners Northern Sports went bust in 1996.

Three years later, Joyce agreed a deal with the Greyhound Racing Association, who shut the stadium down at the turn of the year.

Knowing Joyce, he wouldn't have done the deal if he’d known what the future held.