Shrouded in secrecy, Oxford United were today due to begin work on their latest treat for fans - and there won't be a football in sight.

Much to supporters' disappointment, it is not a new player, nor is it a fourth stand.

But construction will swing into action today to create a sculpture to be placed outside United's stadium, in Grenoble Road.

The design will remain a mystery until it is unveiled in a few months' time, but already fans are placing their bets on what it could be.

The project is being funded by STL Communications in Witney, the business of former United director Brendon Cross. He has overseen the project and was today due to meet United chairman Nick Merry at the ground along with Kevin Middleton, chief executive of Buildbase, the builders' merchant which has sponsored the club for the past six seasons.

Mr Cross said: "We're really excited that this project is getting off the ground and that we've brought together local businesses and people who care about the club to make it happen.

"It should make a dramatic visual impact at the front of the stadium."

He added: "We're keeping the design a secret until it's unveiled in a couple of months but what we can say is that it has a strong link with the club. It will be the perfect finishing touch."

Mr Merry said: "It's all being kept under wraps at the moment and it's a project which began before I became involved with the club, but it has my full support."

When planning permission was granted for the stadium by Oxford City Council, part of the deal required a public work of art to be provided outside the ground.

Trevor Lambert, chairman of supporters' trust OxVox, said: "I recall Firoz Kassam having plans for a statue of a bronze ox, but that was years ago and I'm not sure whether the plan would have remained the same.

"We would want something that symbolises United in a very clear way."

He added: "Having said that, I think a lot of fans would rather we had a centre forward, what with the present state of things."

Loyal fans Geoff and Angie Coppock have contributed to the project, making a donation which will buy a large piece of granite for the installation of the sculpture.

Oxford architects Ridge and Partners have drawn up the design as their contribution to the project, while Buildbase will supply materials for the foundations.