Thomas: The signing that showed Oxford United's intent (From Oxford Mail)
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Thomas: The signing that showed Oxford United's intent
10:00am Monday 16th July 2012 in Sport
By Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451
Simon Clist joins Oxford United, and is welcomed to the club by the then chairman Kelvin Thomas
FORMER Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas feels that Simon Clist was the most significant player he signed during his four years in charge of the U’s.
But it was not the impact he made on the pitch that was critical, but more the intent it showed off it.
Thomas, who stepped down as U’s chief on Friday to be replaced by owner Ian Lenagan, reflected on his tenure at the Kassam Stadium with fondess.
He felt his most important acquisition was that of Chris Wilder, but while Thomas gave the green light for the manager to bring in a huge amount of new faces, it was that of Clist, who was signed for an undisclosed fee in February 2009, that he points to as the most important.
When Thomas took over as chairman, the club were on the brink of administration.
But he decided that the best way to attract more income off the pitch, was to have a better and more successful side on it.
So he gave new boss Wilder the thumbs-up to bring in new faces, some of which would cost money.
“Looking back, there are moments where we made big decisions,” he said.
“And one really big one was to invest in the playing squad.
“In the first transfer window myself and Chris were here, we signed Simon Clist.
“While Simon did well for us, it was the actual fact that we had signed somebody and paid money for them.
“It wasn’t big money, but anything over £10 at the time would have been a lot for us.
“But that showed real intent.”
He added: “Bringing Chris in was a major decision and he has played an enormous impact here.
“He has been a massive part of what we have achieved in terms of success on the pitch.
“We had a bit of a reputation of not winning big games, but I feel that we changed that.
“Ian has always said that getting into the Championship was the aim, and I think that is where Oxford United should be aiming.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (29)
12:30pm Mon 16 Jul 12
Joe1 says...
"COME ON YOU YELLOWS"
2:45pm Mon 16 Jul 12
karatavuk says...
How much did we sell him for?
Seriously though, thanks for all the good work Kelvin. You saved this club.
3:08pm Mon 16 Jul 12
LeGod says...
3:20pm Mon 16 Jul 12
karatavuk says...
See Rangers or Portsmouth for other examples.
4:22pm Mon 16 Jul 12
dave from witney says...
4:29pm Mon 16 Jul 12
06RUSS says...
4:46pm Mon 16 Jul 12
LeGod says...
Just keep making up the stories about us you sad lot as lets face facts you are going nowhere!!!!!!!!!! apart from stagnating in L2 - Oh what a shame.
Never mind just keep watching us rise up the leagues !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
Hope you enjoy another season in a poor league and with what is going on at your club and with Rugby being played on your pitch be prepared for a poor surface and hoof ball as with that pitch that is how you will have to play.
Sad but never mind and we may come across you in a cup game at some stage if your lucky as we all know you enjoyed big crowds for the first time in years against us as we are the biggest attraction you will ever get at your ground.
FOREVER IN OUR SHADOW
4:54pm Mon 16 Jul 12
06RUSS says...
5:50pm Mon 16 Jul 12
bigchet says...
6:38pm Mon 16 Jul 12
karatavuk says...
6:48pm Mon 16 Jul 12
karatavuk says...
Alone on Pig Hill
The man with the foolish grin
Is sitting perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him
They can see that he's just a fool
And he never gives an answer
But the fool on Pig Hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning round.
6:52pm Mon 16 Jul 12
mandate says...
7:13pm Mon 16 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
7:20pm Mon 16 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
.
Where's Pig Hill by the way..... by Pox Ford by any chance ... I'm lowering my standards to your level now by saying that.. so I'll leave it at that.
8:07pm Mon 16 Jul 12
Megastar07 says...
Home with ten men
Ha ha
8:33pm Mon 16 Jul 12
mikek says...
9:48pm Mon 16 Jul 12
yellowhoods says...
10:11pm Mon 16 Jul 12
The Manager says...
12:18am Tue 17 Jul 12
BenkiuGuasu says...
12:38am Tue 17 Jul 12
the wizard says...
Lets face it, both clubs have had their share of rubbish management, ups, downs, highs and lows, but really, I do think you guys are in for a shock when the standard of play is marred by the ruts, divots and humps and wallows in your pitch after 30 guys have been tearing it up in pursuit of the oval ball.
That is when it will hit home where the heart of your owner lays. RFU ! and that is what will be played at the Kassam from 2012 into 2013 and onwards. OU will get sold off again and nowhere to play, you'll be doing a ground share with Wycombe.
7:42am Tue 17 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
9:07am Tue 17 Jul 12
AylesburyOx says...
I've not been on the Swindon site but if this is all that happens to the news stories on there then their are some very sad supporters of both clubs (I know, hardly a shock!).
Well done to Kelvin Thomas, a great guy and will always have a place in the heart of Oxford fans.
Clisty was one of my favourite signings; a hardworking midfielder who scored some great goals for us.
12:14pm Wed 18 Jul 12
mattyproper77 says...
OXFORD = DISCOVERY OF BOYLE'S LAW
4:46pm Thu 19 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
its the 21st century now, all you lot keep bleating on about his past history.
5:22pm Thu 19 Jul 12
mattyproper77 says...
OXFORD = 2 X RIVERS.
OXFORD = LARGEST UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING PRESS ON EARTH.
OXFORD = MUSIC.
SWINDON = £5 WIN ON SCRATCHCARDS TO BUY *SHARE* ON WRAP OF BROWN. WHILST WEARING A TRACKSUIT.
7:26pm Thu 19 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
7:13am Fri 20 Jul 12
saddletramp says...
I mean they did beat us 11 years ago.
They were getting crowds of 1,800 when we were playing Man United in the top flight of English football for THREE seasons.
They havent qualified for Europe.
They mock our time in the CONference,but we took more to the CON play off final,than they took to the LEAGUE 1 play off.
We can sell 10,000 home tickets for our local derby.
We have a local paper that people from other regions,find so interesting that they want to read about places that they dont even know exist.
And last but not least,the scum team are so carp,that there fans read about Oxford United,Bristol Rovers/City,Reading,
Man Utd, Forest Green Rovers anyone, just to find a forum with someone on it.
4:48pm Fri 20 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...
Anyway blow the dust off of some more of your enthralling book of facts and post some more ... it needs some laughs on hear.
ho hum !! Think you have just signed a STFC cast off today . Cox m/f
4:51pm Fri 20 Jul 12
Chish and Fips says...