OXFORD United supporters living in Kidlington have been urged to use their vote at a parish council poll tomorrow.

People living in Kidlington will be able to vote in a parish poll which asks ‘should Kidlington Parish Council support the building of a stadium for Oxford United Football Club in Kidlington?’.

The results of the poll will not be binding on Oxfordshire County Council’s decision whether to lease land at ‘The Triangle’ to United, for the purpose of building a stadium.

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Ahead of the vote, independent supporter group OxVox revealed a banner before the U’s played their final game of the season, calling for fans to vote yes in the poll.

OxVox chair Paul Peros told this newspaper: “It was very important that we showed how much we care about the club, and how we want and need this stadium.

“We made the original flag for the Arsenal game and to gain support for the decision that was being made at the time, and with the poll coming up, we felt it was time to do something for that, so we decided to update the banner and put another section on it.

“It was a massive opportunity and every vote is massive, so if you can vote, you can enable the club to go forward. We need more information and that is coming.

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“This is about getting more information from the club and allowing them the chance to put out further details.

“Supporters who live or have family in the Kidlington area need to vote and allow the club to get to the planning stage.”

The poll was called for at a parish council meeting in March, with Peros acknowledging the importance of local people having their say on the matter.

He said: “Kidlington has the right to have a voice and the poll had every right to be called.

“It being non-binding shouldn’t have an effect on the parish council stance – they didn’t have a say on this poll and are completely neutral.

“For people to call it though, they’re hoping to stifle our argument, and it’s massively important that if you care about the club, then you get out and vote.

“Every vote is important because you’re being given a say and choice for the club to move forward, and see full facts and detailed plans for what will be a brilliant community stadium.”

After the final whistle at the weekend, U’s players showed their support for the stadium project by being photographed with the banner.

Peros said: “We had the banner and the players noticed it. Cam [Brannagan] came over and he really cares about it – the players know what it means and it shows the community feel at the club, even after such a tough season.”

The parish poll will be run by Cherwell District Council, with voting to be held at the usual polling stations, between 4pm and 9pm tomorrow.

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.