OXVOX News - Issue 2

VOX
Welcome to Issue 2
“
Welcome to (the long
awaited) Issue 2 of the
OxVox Newsletter.
AGM
We have been hard at work on a
number of issues this week but
we have also been continuing
our preparations for our AGM. As
mentioned in a previous update the
AGM will be held at the stadium
before the Rotherham game on
November the 27th. The meeting
will begin at 12:30 pm and we urge
all members to come along and
get involved. We will also be able
to take memberships on the day so
if you know of any non-members
who want to attend, then £10 will
secure them entry and a three year
OxVox membership.
There will be some formalities to
attend to and we will give some
brief examples of some of the work
we have done since we last met,
but given how long we have had to
wait to meet up we will leave more
time for questions and discussions
afterwards. Our members are
what make OxVox and we look
forward to seeing as many of you
as possible on the 27th. A member
of the committee will be waiting
outside the main reception entrance
from 12 noon to direct members to
the meeting room but please keep
in mind the doors to the stadium
will not be open before that time
and it will take us half an hour to
set the room up properly. We will
endeavour to make sure there is
plenty of spacing and ventilation in
the room.
Stadium
After the encouraging signals
coming from the interview with
Anin Bakrie the other day it is
probably worth taking breath and
reiterating one of the sentiments
from our previous update. While
we are all excited by the forward
thinking intentions of the board,
the project itself is a long way from
being fully off the ground. Despite
the hard work being put in and an
excellent foundation having been
laid (figuratively!) there must be
an acceptance that these projects
are immensely complex and that
there is no guarantee of success,
no matter how well prepared and
funded the application may be.
We continue to work hard with
the club both on the potential
new stadium and other options.
It is clear that our prospective
new owners want to move to a
new stadium but it is also very
sensible to have back up options
that free the club from the difficult
and restricting position we are
currently in and OxVox continue
to work with the club on all of
these possibilities. Optimism is a
fabulous, infectious thing around
a football club, and ours definitely
has that, but let’s not undermine
that with impatience. OxVox
will continue to press for more
access for the trust and better
communication with supporters
and will make sure our collective
voice is heard when the vital
decisions are being taken.
OX VOX
THE OXFORD UNITED
SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
The OxVox
‘Andy James’
Supporter of the
Year – Page 3
Issue 2 Nov 2021

Takeover
We have spoken to Tiger and the
paperwork is still with the EFL. He
does not expect any difficulties
and the prospective owners are
already hard at work moving the
club forward as they have been for
some time. Once the takeover is
compete and the next reallocation
of shares has been completed
we will put together an up to
date listing of the various board
members and shareholdings.
We currently have a couple of
questions lodged with the club
regarding this process. As always
we will report back when we hear
more.
Anindya Bakrie
Following the interview given
by Anindya Bakrie on Radio
Oxford we just wanted to update
members on where things stand
with OxVox.
As he does in person, Anindya
Bakrie came across very well
and we have been pushing for a
public statement for some time.
The interview is understandably
exciting for many as it states
publicly the club’s intention to
build us a new home and move
us from Grenoble Road. As
mentioned in previous updates we
feel there has never been a better
opportunity to make this happen
and there has been methodical
and diligent work done over the
past few years to make sure we
are in a position to try to move
to the next phase. This however
is also the time to inject a note of
caution into the discussion. We
are a small way into what will be
a long and complicated process
with no guarantee of success and
patience is needed as support
for the project is secured and the
club attempt to build the best
case they can to allow us to move
forward.
This is also a time when OxVox
must fight hard to ensure that
if the project is a success, and
planning is granted, that the
all-important details are not lost
in the excitement. Of course the
design and feel of the stadium are
massively important and we have
already been assured that, where
reasonable, we (and by extension,
members and supporters) will
have input into aspects of the
stadium that will affect supporters.
This however comes after the
far more important task of
making sure any new stadium is
permanently linked to the club
and cannot be separated as we
are now. Moving forward we need
agreements in place to ensure the
long term control of the stadium
remains in the club’s hands. We
respect and trust the intentions
of the board and the incoming
owners but this club has seen
first-hand the results of a fractious
separation of club and stadium.
While we have worked closely
with the club on all aspects of the
resolution of the stadium issue
we also continue to push them
in the strongest terms to not
only communicate directly with
fans but to provide us with the
access we need to ensure that
the future of our club is as bright
and positive as it feels today. If
planning is eventually achieved,
we want to be able to throw our
weight fully behind the project
knowing that it will be our home,
not just the place we play games.
We have put in a lot of hard work
making sure we have a respected
voice within the club but our voice
is only strong because of our
members. You are OxVox and you
hold the power to help move our
club forward. Now more than ever
we need a strong and involved
membership. If you are reading
this and you are not a member,
then for a few pounds you could
be part of that voice. If you know
people who are not members but
take an interest in the club then
please encourage them to join us.
As we grow we continue to keep
fans’ concerns at the top of the
club’s agenda.
And finally...
Thank you as always for your
continued support of OxVox and
the work we do. We welcome all
the messages we have received
over the last few weeks and
months and encourage anyone
with an issue relating to the club
to contact us directly. We look
forward to hearing, and hopefully
meeting, many of you in the
exciting season that lies ahead.
COYY !
Paul Peros
Chairman OxVox
About OxVox
We’re a non profit
making Supporters Trust,
run by fans, for fans,
with membership open
to all Oxford United
supporters everywhere!
We are wholly independent
of Oxford United Football
Club, but always seek positive
dialogue with the Club’s
owners, executive officers and
staff.
We operate on a democratic,
one member, one vote
principle with annual elections
and regular Committee
meetings.
We are committed to the
success of our Football
Club and having proactive
and mutually beneficial
communication with all
stakeholders, including
the local community, local
councils, relevant media, the
Club and other supporters
groups.
To find out more, or join us,
visit www.oxvox.org.uk
2

RESULT – OxVox ‘Andy
James’ Supporter of the Year
The voting has concluded for
the inaugural OxVox ‘Andy
James’ Supporter of the Year
award. Thank you to all those
who nominated supporters and
to everyone who voted.
There was strong support for
all nominees but the winner
was a clear leader in the
votes and is a very deserving
winner. Many will have seen
him selling programmes and
merchandise outside the stadium
at every home game to help the
development of our club which
he has been doing for years and
he was also a long term member
of the OxVox committee.
He has dedicated so much of
his time and energy to the club
and the local community that
he epitomises what this award is
about.
So our warmest congratulations
go to Michael North.
Michael and our other nominees
Mark Lambourne, Ron Slater and
Chris Derry deserve our thanks
for their fabulous support and
we hope to welcome them all
soon at the awards ceremony at
the training ground. We will post
further details of this event in the
coming weeks.
Everywhere we go...
“
We’re delighted
to welcome Diego
Echeverria, our first
member from Chile.
Welcome, Diego,
we hope to one day
see you at a match
to watch the mighty
Yellows!
Diego writes:
Glad to be the first member from
Chile! I’ve always felt a soft spot
for the club since I became aware
about the 80’s success and
winning the Milk Cup, and have
followed them over the last few
years. I like the fact that the U’s
have non-league roots and were
able to reach the top of English
football. (I was an admirer of Ray
Houghton and John Aldridge
during the 80-90s).
I also took music courses at
Oxford University, and feel a
connection to the city because
one of my favourite music bands
hails from around (Radiohead).
So I finally decided to get
involved with the Trust and
support the club however I can.
Hopefully one day I’ll be able to
see a match when I’m in England,
as before the pandemic I would
travel regularly for business.
3

OUFC Finance Update
As mentioned in the last update, we had a meeting scheduled with the OUFC financial director Tim Davies
and that has now taken place via Zoom. As usual Tim was open and honest and we had a constructive
and informative chat. We firstly spoke about the accounts just published and how they reflected the club’s
progress. Ben from our committee was on the meeting and has 30 years’ experience in accounting with his
work with Oxford University and other major companies and now works on all financial issues we deal with.
He compiled this report on the filed accounts we have been through:
Oxford United Finance Review Financial Statements to 30 June 2020
£000’s OxVox Note Year to 30 June 2020 Year to 30 June 2019 Variance
Turnover 1 6,597 5,757 840
Less Cost of Sales (6,879) (6,721) (158)
Gross Loss (282) (964) 682
Admin expenses 2 (3,080) (3,245) 165
Other Operating Income 3 430 - 430
Operating Loss 4 (2,932) (4,208) 1,276
Profit on disposal of players 5 5,701 674 5,027
Amortisation of players contracts (228) (151) (77)
Payment in respect of player contracts (855) (254) (601)
Profit / (Loss) before Interest 1,687 (3,939) 5,626
Interest payable and similar expenses (203) (317) 114
Profit / (Loss) for the financial year 6 1,484 (4,257) 5,741
OxVox Notes:
1. Turnover for 2020 was up
14.6% on prior year and includes
gate receipts, sponsorship,
advertising, and TV fees.
2. There were 168 employees
in year to 30 June 2020 on
average. The 2019 costs would
have included costs in relation
to taking over and fitting out the
training ground.
4. Oxford United makes
operating losses which needed
to be funded by player sales.
5. The profit on sale of players
includes Baptiste, Fosu and
Whyte. The Dickie sale will be in
year to 30 June 2021.
6. Overall Oxford United made a
profit in the year but only due to
the higher than normal profit on
player sales.
3. Operating income includes
government Covid 19 funding for
employee salaries.
4

Oxford United Summarised Balance Sheet
£000’s OxVox Note As at 30 June 2020 As at 30 June 2019
Fixed assets 1,998 1,605
Debtors & Stock 3,551 620
Cash 405 226
Amounts owed to group undertakings 1 (14,178) (10,911)
Other Creditors under and over 1 year 2 (5,407) (6,653)
Net Assets (13,629) (15,113)
Funded by:
Share Capital 3,577 3,577
Profit & Loss account (17,206) (18,690)
Total Equity 3 (13,629) (15,113)
OxVox notes:
1. No split is provided of the
Group undertakings but it will
be entities controlled by the
shareholders. This is common
now in football clubs with funding
being provided in terms of loans
to the football club. Tim Davies
confirmed that interest is not
payable on these loans.
2. Believe this has gone down
due to settling of liabilities
to the previous owner of the
club and this partially explains
why the amount due to group
undertakings has gone up.
3. The club is technically insolvent
as it has negative reserves. The
accounts have been prepared
though on a going-concern basis
as there is continued financial
support from the ultimate
controlling party.
Other points to note:
The accounts are as at 30 June
2020 so will be substantially
out of date and do not take in
the impact of Covid 19 and the
related reduction in revenue.
Shareholding funding though has
been provided by the owners of
the club in 2020/21 to sustain
the Club during this period and a
£1m grant was received from the
Premier League.
Tim Davies mentioned that a
funding envelope by shareholders is
agreed for a year but then funding
payments are made monthly.
Having discussed the accounts that
have been filed, attention turned
to this season and financial strain
the club had been put under by the
pandemic. Obviously all our major
revenue streams have been affected,
but it was reassuring to hear that
the shareholders had budgeted for
the losses and that they remained
determined to fund the club through
these difficult times. There has also
been careful budgeting for next
season that covers the possibility of
a loss of stadium capacity and sales.
We discussed the issue of where
any extra debt was being allocated
and while this is an area where Tim
did ask for some confidentiality,
it is our understanding that
this debt remains off the club’s
books as shareholder loans and
would only be reclaimed under
circumstances where the club had
been very successful or had been
sold. While this is positive, we
remain determined to increase the
transparency regarding the financial
safety of the club and Tim has
promised to work with us on that
front.
As the discussion turned to next
season and ongoing stability, the
issues of club ownership and the
stadium were raised. We have
recently spoken to numerous
people within and outside the club
to keep on top of what is a very
fluid situation. The single most
important factor in improving our
financial viability (setting aside
promotion to the Championship
or Premier league) remains the
stadium. It is clear that discussions
have taken place regarding some
of the shareholders taking a larger/
controlling stake in the club. It also
seems clear that as our promotion
campaign is decided we should get
a better idea of what will happen.
The question of the stadium
situation remains a difficult one
where confidentiality is paramount,
but it would seem reasonable to
assume that the finalising of any
takeover, one way or another, will
allow the owners and shareholders
to progress with more clarity. Do
the potential new owners favour a
new stadium? Again there is history
of them having achieved this at
another club, but developing on
this scale in Oxford is a huge task.
We continue to work closely with
the club on this and all possible
solutions until the problem is
solved. Any of the potential
solutions could benefit the club and
put us in a much stronger, more
sustainable position but all have
inherent dangers and all require
proper scrutiny from OxVox and
from all supporters.
Continued overleaf...
5

...continued
While we understand the
frustration among supporters
and desire to know more details,
we again ask for patience on this
front. We have been working hard
with the club and fully respect the
need for discretion at this time.
Our conversation with Tim ended
with him asking us where we
thought the club could improve.
We are constant in our position
that better communication
with the supporters is a must,
and we mentioned that the
vacuum created when the club
does not comment, tends to
be filled with speculation and
guesswork. It should be possible
for the club to communicate
a clear and measured path to
this problem without letting
anything confidential out. On the
communication front we have
again been assured of greater
access to the other shareholders
should they increase their stake
and become owners.
Thank you as always for taking
the time to read this update and
thank you for your support of
OxVox. The value of supporters’
trusts was highlighted during
the ESL attempt by the ‘big six’.
The speed and unity their trusts
showed in response was very
powerful and shows the strength
that supporters have. It goes
without saying that we opposed
the move in the strongest terms
and while the work we put in to
register that opposition has been
made somewhat redundant, we
are turning our efforts towards
the ongoing conversation on
reform within the game. We
will keep you updated on our
progress.
COYY !
Paul Peros
Chairman OxVox
This Financial Update was
originally sent to members
in May 2021.
MP Responses
During last season we wrote to local MPs to gauge their thoughts on
support for English Football League clubs through the coronavirus
pandemic, and published the letter in the last newsletter. Below are
their replies.
Anneliese Dodds,
Oxford East
Dear Trevor,
I’m extremely sorry for the delay
in getting back to your important
questions about pilots and finances.
I was wanting to speak directly with
Alison McGovern (our shadow sports
minister) who has been lobbying
Government on this but haven’t
managed to get hold of her. In order
to avoid the best being the enemy
of the good I hope that I can at least
shine a little light on what’s been
happening over the last few days,
and hopefully will then be able to get
back to you with more information
as soon as I can.
I’m very concerned about the lack
of a clear road-map for when the
fan pilot-events can actually resume.
There have been suggestions that
this will take place but there’s no
clear timetable. Alison raised this
yesterday with Nigel Huddleston but
he didn’t give a road map which was
annoying. The full debate is here-
tinyurl.com/25vdtwyc
While Huddleston said ‘we want
to get back to the plan as soon
as we can’, there wasn’t anything
concrete there. I understand from
Alison’s office that we’ll (rightly)
keep pushing them on this because
the lack of certainty is making it
even harder for clubs. Even if it was
a contingent commitment ie ‘once R
is under 1’ that would be helpful. Or
indeed if there is no plan to progress
this before the end of the lockdown
on the 2nd December that would
also be helpful to know, to the extent
that at least it would provide that
certainty, albeit I accept would not
be what many would want to see.
Re the financial situation, I’m very
concerned about the lack of clarity
around a rescue package. There are
apparently talks going on between
the Treasury and the Department
of Culture, Media and Sport around
some kind of a rescue package for
sport more generally, however I have
been trying to find out whether
this would be covering clubs like
Utd and haven’t been able to get
confirmation of the scope that’s
being discussed. We understand that
the Government expects the Premier
League and EFL to reach a deal
around a rescue package based on
the Government’s position vs bailing
out elite football. I can understand
the latter but obviously this should
not compromise help being provided
to non-prem clubs like Utd which
obviously do a huge amount in the
community and are not in any way
in the same situation. It is essential
that all of football is not put into
the same basket here given highly
differential financial positions both
currently and for the future in terms
of both liabilities and ability to raise
future revenue.
As mentioned I’m sorry I’ve not
managed to directly speak to Alison
about this but hopefully it provides
a little more up-to-date information
about the situation.
All the best,
Anneliese
John Howell, Henley
Dear Simon,
Thank you for your email regarding
support for EFL clubs, as we
continue to navigate our way
through the coronavirus pandemic.
I appreciate that the decision to
delay the return of fans to football
matches was a disappointing
development, particularly to
supporters who go to watch their
clubs week in week out. However,
the Government has had to remain
flexible in its approach to mitigate
the spread of coronavirus, and when
cases start to rapidly increase - as
they did several weeks ago - it is
important that the Government acts
accordingly and strengthens our
virus prevention measures. Whilst
I am aware that a number of clubs
have insisted that they can host fans
in a way which complies with public
health guidelines, I understand that
wider concerns regarding travel
to and from stadiums remains a
problematic scenario. Particularly
in relation to Premier League clubs,
fans travel from all over the country
to watch their team and although
clubs may give assurances that
their stadium protocols are ‘Covidsafe’,
there is still the possibility
for coronavirus to spread between
supporters as they travel on public
transport to the stadium.
In terms of financing, I agree that
EFL clubs who are more dependent
on ticket sales to operate financially
6

deserve support to ensure they
stay afloat during these challenging
times. The Culture Secretary has
been in dialogue with the Premier
League, which is having constructive
discussions with the English Football
League about providing support. As
I’m sure you appreciate, the top level
of English football is awash with cash
and the economic disparity between
Premier League clubs who compete
for Champions League places and
teams in lower divisions has never
been more stark. Frankly, I think now
is the time for these Premier League
teams to step up and ensure that
those with the broadest shoulders
support those who find themselves
at risk of collapse. Football has
changed immeasurably since the
inception of the Premier League in
1992. Foreign billionaire owners, the
emergence of ‘super-agents’ and
multi-million pound television rights
deals have arguably contributed to
the corruption of top-tier football in
this country. In this context, I think
it would be wholly unacceptable
for the Premier League to leave it
to the Government – and ultimately
the taxpayer – to bail out struggling
clubs lower down the footballing
pyramid. I will be keeping an eye
on this issue, but I am hopeful the
Premier League will come to a
sensible conclusion.
Thanks again for contacting me.
John
Layla Moran, Oxford
West and Abingdon
Dear Ben,
Thank you for this, that’s really
helpful.
I have had a number of constituents
write and tell me of their concerns
for the future of English Football
League Clubs, and to highlight their
concerns over future financing and
the long term plan for enabling
supporters back into stadia.
You may have seen that the
following question was raised in
Parliament “To ask the Secretary of
State for Digital, Culture, Media and
Sport, if he will allocate adequate
financial support to ensure that no
professional sports club goes out
of business during the covid-19
outbreak?”
The answer was given by Nigel
Huddleston MP on 22 nd October
who stated that “the Government
recognises the impact that Covid-19
is having on the sporting sector, and
has supported elite sports to return
to "behind closed doors"
competition, which enabled vital
broadcast revenue, retained
competitive integrity and brought
joy to millions of sports fans.
The government also ensured Project
Restart was shared with everyone by
getting Premier League football on
the BBC for the first time ever.
We have been clear that we expect
those in sport with the broadest
shoulders - where they can at the
top tiers - to support itself. The
Government is focusing its support
on those in the sector most in need
as a result of the decision not to
readmit spectators to stadia from 1
October.
The safety and security of players
and spectators remains of
paramount importance.
The government recognises that
fans will be disappointed that sports
pilot events were paused and that
spectators were not able to be
admitted to stadia from 1 October.
The Secretary of State for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport is working
with the Chancellor of the Exchequer
on what can be done to provide
further support. The Department
will also continue to work with
colleagues across Whitehall to
support the sector.”
However, this still does not give
organisations such as yours, the
ability to plan with any degree of
certainty nor does it clarify the
basis upon which supporters will
be allowed back into stadia, or a
timetable for pilots to restart.
On your behalf I have written to the
Minister at the Department of Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport to ask
for clarification on their plans and
associated timescales for the return
of supporters into sports stadia.
As soon as I have a reply I will
contact you again with their
response.
Best wishes
Layla Moran
Robert Courts, Witney
& West Oxfordshire
Dear Ian,
Thank you for contacting me about
football during and after coronavims.
I was very pleased to see the return
of competitive football in August
and that the new season started in
September across all the leagues.
The Government approved the FA’ s
outdoor grassroots football plan, so
the following football activity is also
permitted:
• playing football individually
(individual skills or fitness activities);
• playing football with your family
or other people living in your
household; .
• playing football in groups of up to
six people from different households,
provided social distancing is
maintained
If you are a coach you can now work
with clients outdoors, providing
you are meeting no more than 5
other people from outside of your
household, outdoors, and you follow
social distancing guidelines.
Additionally, maintaining a grass or
artificial football pitch is permitted,
as long as social distancing and
appropriate hygiene practices are
adopted.
All social distancing guidelines must
be followed. The guidance published
by Government on the return to
team sports can be found here:
https ://www.gov.uk/ government/
publications/ coronavims-covid-
19-guidance:on-phasedreturn-
of-sport-and-recreation/retum-to-
recreational-team-sport-framework
Competitive football relies on
dubs and facility providers to have
completed the necessary
risk assessments and made
comprehensive plans. Clubs should
follow the guidance published
by the FA about how to ensure
matches can take place in a safe
way, which can be found here:
http://www. thefa.corn/news/2020/j
ul/ I 7 /grassroots-guidance-forcompetitive-
footballrestart-inengland-l70720
Although I had hoped it would be
possible for fans to return to sports
games from 1 October, the Prime
Minister has announced that these
plans have been put off owing to
the rising number of CoronaVirus
cases. He noted that he appreciates
the implications for sports clubs,
which are the life and soul of our
communities, and Ministers are
urgently considering how they can
be supported.
I can absolutely assure you that
discussions between Ministers and
the sector are ongoing and the
Government remains open to any
and all proposals. The Government
and I recognise the difficulties that
EFL teams in particular are facing
and I will be sure to keep your
comments in mind moving forward.
The Government especially
appreciates the immediate pressure
National League clubs are under in
respect of re-starting their season.
I am very pleased that agreement
has been reached to allow them
to receive £10 million of National
Lottery funding. This will benefit
the 66 clubs in the fifth and six tiers
of English football, so that they
can continue to play behind closed
doors. All clubs are playing football
this season as a result. Thank you for
taking the time to contact me.
Robert Courts
7

Life Members’
Reward Scheme
OxVox are delighted to welcome all life members
of the Trust to the OxVox reward scheme.
We have teamed up with some
local businesses who have links
with OUFC to offer you some
exciting discounts. We hope that
you can take advantage of some
great offers and at the same time
support some great local firms.
New partners will be added over
the coming weeks and months.
Please present your reward card
when taking up the offers.
If you are a life
member and have
not yet received your
reward card please email
rewards@oxvox.org.uk and we
will post it to you.
If you wish to upgrade to life
membership please do so via the
‘RENEW’ page on this website.
As the scheme takes off we
would like to invite you, our
LIFE
MEMBERSHIP
REWARD
CARD
Here are the details of our current partners:
OX VOX
THE OXFORD UNITED
SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
members, to add your
businesses to the scheme,
to help provide a wide range
of offers. If this is something
you are interested in please
contact Maurice Earp via
rewards@oxvox.org.uk
CAIRA Properties and Facilities
Solutions (Abingdon)
cairaproperty.co.uk
Buildbase. Watlington Road,
Cowley
buildbase.co.uk
fit2run (Abingdon’s specialist
running store)
fit2rundirect.com
Manor Flooring (Wootton,
Abingdon)
manorflooring.co.uk
Topsport Independent Sports
Retailer (Abingdon)
topsportuk.com
Massage – Kendra Kirkham
wellbeingclinic.com
J. Priest & Son (Oxford)
oxfordsms.co.uk
Kay Gee’s Off Licence
kaygees.co.uk
For details of the benefits and discounts on off from our partners visit: www.oxvox.org.uk/reward-scheme/
As the scheme takes off we would like to invite you, our members, to add your businesses to the scheme,
to help provide a wide range of offers. If you are interested in please contact us via rewards@oxvox.org.uk
Join the trust
The Trust that makes a
difference and we’d love you be
part of it.
So don’t delay, join today!
Juniors
£5 for 3 years
Adults
£10 for 3 years
Senior £7.50 for 3 years
Life £50
Senior Life £25
Corporate options also available.
www.oxvox.org.uk
enquiries@oxvox.org.uk
VOX • Issue 2 • Nov 2021