OxVox - Heritage Project Extension 'Stadium Signage'

[Brahma Bull]

Press statement in regard to OxVox's Heritage Extension Project


This week will see some noticeable changes around the ground as we are pleased to announce that Oxford United Football Club crests are being installed on the outside of each stand.

The project has been driven by Supporters’ Trust OxVox, who have kindly organised and funded the project and its installation as a gift to the Club, fans, and the stadium. Both Oxford United and Firoka were delighted to provide support and approval for this to happen. The logos will be put on proud display down the side of both ends of the South and North stand, and centrally on the exterior of the East Stand.

The crests measure 2.5m x 2m and will reinforce the visible message of the Kassam Stadium as the home of Oxford United. The project is an extension of the OxVox Heritage Project which saw commemorative placards installed on the South Stand in 2010 to commemorate the Club’s greatest moments.

OxVox committee member Andy Wilmer said: ‘We balloted our members a while ago about what projects they would like to see us put into place to help make the Kassam Stadium feel even more like the home of Oxford United. The option of installing club logos on the ground was overwhelmingly the most popular suggestion.’

“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to help make this project happen as we are committed to promoting our club and its achievements for all fans to enjoy. We are also grateful to Mr. Kassam who personally approved this project when we met him recently and was as keen as us to have Oxford United colours on proud display. Having the Club, Firoka, and supporters working together is great to see and encouraging for the future. We would like to make special mentions to our three Trust corporate partners, Denton Building Contractors Limited, BH Doors & Engineering Limited and Cherwell Heating Limited who have all contributed and helped fund this wonderful project."

Oxford United chairman Ian Lenagan said “Over the last year, strenuous efforts have been made to get the inside of the Kassam Stadium feeling more like Oxford United’s home. So I am grateful to OxVox’s members and to Firoka for taking on that effort to improve the look of the outside of the stands with these excellent large logos.”

Firoz Kassam said: "When OxVox approached me about this project I was delighted to offer my support. The Kassam Stadium is the home of Oxford United and it's great to see Oxford's colours on proud display around the ground.

"As is evident through this project I've had constructive conversations with both the Football Club and OxVox and we have built up a successful working relationship. I look forward to our continued discussions about any potential future ways we can keep working together."

[Brahma Bull]

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[Kernow Yellow]

Good work, well done. Not sure FK needs such a big-up in the press release though - if he thought this was such a good idea he could perfectly well have done it when he built the ground or later when he owned the club. The only branding he's stuck up is that horrible 'De Vere Venues' sign.

[OUFC4eva]

Good work, well done. Not sure FK needs such a big-up in the press release though - if he thought this was such a good idea he could perfectly well have done it when he built the ground or later when he owned the club. The only branding he's stuck up is that horrible 'De Vere Venues' sign.

No harm in thanking FK...you never know he might allow
OUFC to be spelled out in yellow seats one day!
Wishful thinking maybe.

From little acorns...

(well done to the committee - nice to get some positive news)

[Kernow Yellow]

"We are also grateful to Mr. Kassam who personally approved this project when we met him recently and was as keen as us to have Oxford United colours on proud display"

Well why didn't he do it then? He didn't have to wait to be asked did he? No-one was going to object. If he'd done it himself or paid for it then yes, by all means thank him. It's a sad state of affairs if we have to ask someone for permission to put our own name on our home ground and then thank them for the extraordinary kindness they've shown afterwards!

Not that any of that is OxVox's fault, of course. I'm genuinely pleased that this has happened - just annoyed that FK gets to bask in some of the reflected glory.

[Snake]

Well done OxVox. I assume IL funded at least part of it, and if so how much?

[GodalmingYellow]

Nice to get improved signage, but I am still of the opinion that this is not what OxVox funds should be spent on.

[Snake]

Surely that depends on how much they contributed compared to the owner of the club, especially as they seem have made all the effort with the negotiations and arrangements to get the signs put up? And a big plus is also to try to restore some kind of relationship with the landlord, hate him or not. I’d ask my cat (as he’s a fully paid up member of OV) for more details but his communication skills are not good and Sooty tends to follow Sunderland on the telly for some reason.

[Brahma Bull]

Surely that depends on how much they contributed compared to the owner of the club, especially as they seem have made all the effort with the negotiations and arrangements to get the signs put up? And a big plus is also to try to restore some kind of relationship with the landlord, hate him or not. I’d ask my cat (as he’s a fully paid up member of OV) for more details but his communication skills are not good and Sooty tends to follow Sunderland on the telly for some reason.

This was an OxVox project and we had no financial involvement from OUFC. When our website returns to some normality, it is down due to some issues with the hosting company, then we intend to write a second article about the contributions made by Denton Builders, Cherwell Heating and BH Doors and Engineering - three of our corporate partners.

To be fair, we did seek permission from our membership and they wanted us to concentrate on this type of project. The small social media criticism relates to people who think OUFC paid for this, when they should be paying competitive wages to bring in players such as Matt Taylor - who decided to go to a Conference side instead.

Having met with Firoz along with Mark only about 8 weeks ago I have to say he helped make this happen. He actually was pleased, even delighted, to support this and gave it his blessing. Relationship building is important you know.

[Hog]

Having met with Firoz along with Mark only about 8 weeks ago I have to say he helped make this happen. He actually was pleased, even delighted, to support this and gave it his blessing. Relationship building is important you know.

I'd be pleased, even delighted, if you were able to replace 'blessing' with MONEY! That really would be relationship building!

[GodalmingYellow]

Surely that depends on how much they contributed compared to the owner of the club, especially as they seem have made all the effort with the negotiations and arrangements to get the signs put up? And a big plus is also to try to restore some kind of relationship with the landlord, hate him or not. I’d ask my cat (as he’s a fully paid up member of OV) for more details but his communication skills are not good and Sooty tends to follow Sunderland on the telly for some reason.

I don't hate anyone and there is nothing to gain by having a negative relationship with Kassam.

I don't agree that it depends how much whoever contributed. OV should not have contributed anything from OV funds. If it was funded entirely by OV partners or Kassam or the club that's different of course, but not from OV funds please.

I don't remember OV putting anything in front of me and asking me to approve such funding, and if it was, I suspect it might have been somewhat sleight of hand using carefully worded survey monkey questions which are then interpreted for specific purposes for which the question did not make clear. Simon will no doubt put me right.

I used to have two cats, Sooty and Sweep. Sweep lived until she was over 20 years old. They both supported OUFC whether they liked it or not.

[Brahma Bull]

Surely that depends on how much they contributed compared to the owner of the club, especially as they seem have made all the effort with the negotiations and arrangements to get the signs put up? And a big plus is also to try to restore some kind of relationship with the landlord, hate him or not. I’d ask my cat (as he’s a fully paid up member of OV) for more details but his communication skills are not good and Sooty tends to follow Sunderland on the telly for some reason.

I don't hate anyone and there is nothing to gain by having a negative relationship with Kassam.

I don't agree that it depends how much whoever contributed. OV should not have contributed anything from OV funds. If it was funded entirely by OV partners or Kassam or the club that's different of course, but not from OV funds please.

I don't remember OV putting anything in front of me and asking me to approve such funding, and if it was, I suspect it might have been somewhat sleight of hand using carefully worded survey monkey questions which are then interpreted for specific purposes for which the question did not make clear. Simon will no doubt put me right.

I used to have two cats, Sooty and Sweep. Sweep lived until she was over 20 years old. They both supported OUFC whether they liked it or not.

The vast majority will look in horror but I found Firoz chilled out and very amenable. I have never hated him; just didn't agree with some of his decision making and choices. It will surprise many, but he remains ever-interested in Oxford United and I suspect has regrets. I do realise I am in a slight minority with my views on him.

Some OxVox funds were used Terry and we sought permission through our Survey Monkey questions (I think either at the end of last year or early this - please forgive me as I'll need resident Matty D to confirm) but I (and Matt) fought very hard to minimise our 'Trust' contribution and negotiated even harder on getting the signs done as cheaply as possible - then we approached three of our main partners who all have come to the party financially. We then used unbudgeted monies from the Programme stall (which we are grateful to get a percentage of takings from) to bridge the gap. Cost to Trust will probably end up being just more than a season ticket - I need to confirm.

We have opened some really good dialogue with Firoz and I fully expect that to continue and on a frequent basis.

[Matt D]

It was a couple of years ago actually BB. Time flies when you're having fun sorting this out.

The question was:

'Installing club logos on the exterior of the stands has been costed at £600, including VAT. Would you support trust funds being used to cover this cost of the logos?'

Yes/No/Don't Mind (Results: Yes 75% / No 10% / Don't Mind 15%).

Of the various projects that OxVox members had earlier suggested we should look at doing, it was also the one that had attracted the most support, with 62% of members saying it was 'Very Important' (30% 'Moderately Important', 8% 'Unimportant').

[Brahma Bull]

2 years ago!!! Really? Wow.

To be fair, this proposal had been live for some considerable time yet it was only when Firoz was presented with it recently, face-to-face, that 'he approved' it. Sorry for suggesting it was within the last six months Terry

[GodalmingYellow]

It was a couple of years ago actually BB. Time flies when you're having fun sorting this out.

The question was:

'Installing club logos on the exterior of the stands has been costed at £600, including VAT. Would you support trust funds being used to cover this cost of the logos?'

Yes/No/Don't Mind (Results: Yes 75% / No 10% / Don't Mind 15%).

Of the various projects that OxVox members had earlier suggested we should look at doing, it was also the one that had attracted the most support, with 62% of members saying it was 'Very Important' (30% 'Moderately Important', 8% 'Unimportant').

Thanks Matt.

I still don't think it is the right thing for OxVox to be spending money on, but there are obviously some that do.

Out of interest, how many respondents were there to that survey?