Reaction: U’s Gain Lease to Training Ground

Oxford United have secured the 23-year lease for the clubs training ground following successful discussions between the club and Fusion Lifestyle.

The former were awarded a 25-year lease to manage the Oxford Sports Park by the Oxford City Council, which had been funded by BMW as a replacement for the sports grounds in which the U’s previously trained.

The new agreement will see the club run the whole site for the remaining 23 years of the lease, giving the U’s their own training facility for the first time in their 126 year history.

Chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth told the clubs official website: “This will give us a proper training base and truly enable us to build for the future.”

Oxford Sports Park on Horspath Road includes football pitches, cricket facilities and a sports pavilion which are available for use by the wider community.

Their plans include free nutrition and fitness classes for vulnerable groups, mental health workshops and literacy sessions combined with training led by their players.

So here is some of the reaction from staff and supporters of Oxford United.

Huge news to see this finally over the line. Thank you @Nuseibeh @sumrithtiger and the rest of the board for your hard work in getting this done.

We’ve said it before but there are special things happening at this club of ours, don’t miss a minute!! #oufc 💛💙 https://t.co/HXohni2ZNl

— OxVox (@Join_OxVox) November 14, 2019

One of the most important and exciting days in our recent history.

Our club is going places.. #COYY #OUFC https://t.co/6srCllkGqF

— The Yellow Army (@YellowArmyOUFC) November 14, 2019

I’m honoured to be part of @OUFCOfficial history, signing the lease for the training ground. This asset will be developed to serve our club & the wider community. We’re working hard on bringing back the glory days to #OUFC . We need everyone’s support to get there and we will! https://t.co/wMkTrYwrE9

— Zaki M Nuseibeh زكي محمد نسيبة (@Nuseibeh) November 14, 2019