The "Gang of Four" led by television sports presenter Jim Rosenthal could be ready to take over if chairman Firoz Kassam quits Oxford United, writes Jon Murray.

Mr Kassam said over the weekend that he was considering resigning control of the club to someone else, following two further setbacks to hopes of getting the new stadium completed at Minchery Farm.

And last night Mr Rosenthal, speaking from Switzerland, said: "We're watching the situation with interest."

Mr Kassam was due to hold meetings today with lawyers to discover his and Oxford City Council's exact legal position, following a High Court decision to grant a judicial review into the council's go-ahead for a multiplex cinema at the Minchery Farm site.

"I will do my best for the club and I will continue to do that, and if it's a matter of handing over to someone else, I will make sure it's done properly," Mr Kassam said. "I don't know if I will carry on. I came back after the meeting in London and sat down and was asking myself the question: 'Where do I go from here?'

"I think I've done enough in 13 months to fight everybody and anybody in Oxford and the time has come when I really need to question whether I have the mind to continue. I'm not going to walk away tomorrow. I'm going to do my best for the club and will continue to do that."

He added: "I will do a proper hand-over if there is a future for the club. I've got to find somebody who is prepared to step in. I need to speak to a few people and make my decision after that.

"There have been people in the past who were interested and obviously, if they still are, I'm sure they'll be picking up the telephone." The "Gang of Four", who earlier tried to seize power from Mr Kassam, were former Oxford Mail reporter Mr Rosenthal, art dealer Hamish Dewar, Sotheby's managing director George Bailey and local solicitor David Bower, all Oxford United fans. Mr Rosenthal said: "It's very sad what has happened on the football side of things. We would have to look at everything that has happened in the last year, but we're watching it with interest."

Mr Rosenthal and Mr Bower have spoken to each other within the past couple of days and they may now contact Mr Bailey and Mr Dewar to seek their views.

*United will be applying to the Football Licensing Authority again to use the Manor Ground next season because of the delay over Minchery Farm.

Story date: Monday 20 March

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