London Welsh to ground share with Oxford United

We they won’t they return to Oxford has been the question rugby and football fans wanted to know about the location of London Welsh’s matches this season coming.

London Welsh and Firoka have agreed for the rugby club to return for at least another year.

While the club explored several other options in the Oxfordshire area thought to be Witney and Oxford Universities ground, as well as a return to its home of Old Deer Park in Richmond, it was the preference to try and remain in Oxfordshire and to build on the good work started last season – both on and off the pitch.

The club made great strides last season in building a fan base and next season the emphasis will be on building upon that work. It is also keen to establish closer links with the University squad and help deepen its relationship with the Dark Blues specifically and with local clubs and schools generally as part of its wish to develop closer links with the Oxfordshire community.

London Welsh Chairman Bleddyn Phillips gave a statement on the London Welsh website: “We are delighted that we will be playing our home games in the Championship at the Kassam Stadium which proved such a very good base for our team and supporters last season. We have learned much from our first season playing in the Oxford area and we very much want to continue that relationship and extend and deepen the ties we have already established here.

Oxford United fans were concerned last season as bad weather coupled with rugby and football being played at the stadium resulted in the pitch deteriorating very badly in certain areas. But Oxford United Chairman Ian Lenagan decided to pay out and carry out much needed repair work.

Let`s hope for the best regarding the pitch and we wish the London Welsh team all the best in their bid for an early return the Aviva Premiership.