A BANNER unfurled during Oxford United’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Arsenal brought the attention of the world to the club’s search for a new stadium.

Designed and paid for by independent supporter group OxVox, the banner read ‘Support Our Stadium: Secure Our Future’ followed by the date of a forthcoming council meeting.

The U’s remain on the search to build a new stadium with The Triangle – south of Kidlington Roundabout – set to be discussed by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet later this month.

A decision on whether to enter formal negotiations regarding leasing council-owned land at The Triangle, for the development of a new stadium, will be made on January 24.

United’s licence agreement at the Kassam is set to run out in 2026, after which point the club could find itself homeless.

With a global audience tuning in to watch the U’s take on Premier League leaders Arsenal, the banner was unveiled to maximise reach.

Paul Peros, chair of OxVox, told this newspaper: “It was really important to us that we used the big occasion to highlight not just the great support we have, as we could’ve sold three times over, but the predicament that we’re in.

“It was important to get the message out to as many people as possible.

“We had county councillors congratulating us and this club needs the support of county councillors moving forward.

“The club and supporters need this stadium desperately.

“The club has explored every avenue and we have to move forward.

“The council meeting later this month is the all-important next step.

“This is the focus of what we’re doing at OxVox, so we can get to the stage where Kidlington residents can look at the plans.”

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The stadium situation was discussed during ITV’s live coverage of the Arsenal fixture, by presenter Mark Pougatch, plus pundits Karen Carney and Ian Wright.

Former England player Carney said: “How do you get your own revenue when you keep paying out to the former owner on the lease?

“It’s tough and I’m sure they’ll find out more at the end of the month, fingers crossed for the community and the football club.”

Peros said of the discussion on ITV: “It’s massively important because these are very renown figures and Arsenal are a very renown club.

“They’re one of the best teams in the country and top of the Premier League, and that makes them one of the best teams in Europe.

“Even though it was one of Europe’s elite teams here, there was time to talk about our situation.

“The situation is putting our club in jeopardy and they knew all about it.

“Football is a community and it brings all people together.”