BICESTER Town FC was forced to leave its Oxford Road ground at 4pm on July 22. And with their departure, another integral part of the town disappeared.

The thin fabric which makes up the community and identity is being torn apart.

A number of small, independent businesses have closed, while more local people are forced out of town to do their weekly shopping because of the chaos which the Bicester village traffic creates.

Even the River Bure was redirected, against the recommendation of the water company.

This is just a small selection of decisions being made for the benefit of the corporate monsters which have engulfed the town.

The Bicester Sports Association claimed to have removed BTFC from the ground the association manages, because of financial irregularity. Yes the members of the BTFC could have been more vigilant, but there is a bigger picture.

What about the thousands of pounds the BSA wasted on its white elephant at Chesterton, or the thousands misplaced on poorly-judged banking investments?

The sale of the Oxford Road site must surely be imminent. The case put forward by the BSA that the raised revenue will guarantee the future of sport for Bicester for generations to come is just a smokescreen.

Look at Alchester Rugby Club, made up of local people who applied to play at the BSA managed facilities and were turned down; they were never sent the requested letter stating the reasons why.

Interestingly, at the same time Oxford United was given use of the Akeman Street site.

A cricket team from North Oxford has also been at Akeman since day one.

Football, hockey, cricket and rugby, all used Oxford Road until recently. Now only the rugby remains, but for how long?

What next? A car park for Bicester Village?

The BTFC clubhouse, changing rooms and function room were built by members of the BTFC and were used by the golf society, Aunt Sally team, county standard darts players, and a dance school. Countless functions made use of the facility.

The BSA’s role should be to manage and improve the Oxford Road site.

If they cannot fulfil this perhaps they should now consider passing on the responsibility to an organisation, or bodies, which have Bicester sport as their main goal.

ROGER WISE, Gibson Close, Abingdon