GETTING so near to having some supporters back at Oxford United before having it snatched away is hugely disappointing, admits OxVox chairman Paul Peros.

At the start of the week it looked possible the U’s had played their final game behind closed doors.

Accrington Stanley, who host Karl Robinson’s side this Saturday, had applied for the fixture to be a test event, while United had done the same for Crewe’s visit to the Kassam Stadium a week later.

But all those plans have had to be scrapped, with the news yesterday sporting venues would not be gradually reopened as planned in October.

It is part of measures aimed at dealing with a second coronavirus wave, which could last up to six months.

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Peros, chair of United’s independent supporters’ trust, acknowledged it was a big blow.

He said: “It was getting closer and closer, then not only from a football sense but a life sense we have been pulled back.

“It’s horrible, but being so close to what looked like getting some season ticket holders back in the ground and hopefully making a difference to the players, it’s a kick in the teeth.”

In a poll among readers on the Oxford Mail website, almost three-quarters of responses felt it was either the right decision or they understood the move, even if it was frustrating.

They were split over when the rules would be relaxed to allow a reduced capacity crowd, but only 14 per cent felt it would be before 2021, with 19 per cent predicting it would be next season.

Half those who had watched games on the streaming iFollow service felt it was better than nothing.

A similar proportion were very concerned about the impact the prolonged spell behind closed doors would have on the club’s stability.

Just five per cent had no concerns.