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FOUL has waited until it had all the facts before commenting publicly on recent developments at Oxford United. Having met with all of the main parties involved we now believe we have a balanced understanding of the situation as a whole. FOUL is an independent supporters organisation and as such we do not believe it is appropriate for us to announce support for a particular individual or consortium. The football club is the only thing that has our total support and we will continue to campaign for its survival. Having said that FOUL is perfectly happy to voice concerns over any actions, from wherever they may come, that we believe threaten the survival of Oxford United.
FOUL believes it is now time for David Bower's consortium to withdraw their offer to buy Firoz Kassam's majority share holding in Oxford United FC.
We appreciate that they mounted their campaign with the good of Oxford United at heart but believe their continued presence can only be harmful to the football club under the current circumstances.
FOUL's only objective since we were formed last November has been the long term survival of Oxford United. It soon became clear that for this to happen the club's massive debts needed to be cleared and the new stadium must be completed. David Bower's consortium have not been able to adequately explain to us how they would achieve either of these two requirements.
We share their concerns, and those of many supporters about Firoz Kassam providing immediate financial support to the football club. We urge Mr Kassam to immediately release sufficient funds to remove the short term financial uncertainty and allow Malcolm Shotton to strengthen the playing staff. Particularly now that we believe he has the financial security he requires for this to happen.
FOUL believes it is essential that everybody refocuses on the long term future of the club by supporting the application for a multiplex cinema at Minchery Farm that will allow the stadium to be completed. We believe the City Council and local MP's are fully aware of the need for this application to succeed but are concerned that Oxfordshire County Council may not share this understanding. It is very important that we ensure that Oxfordshire County Council are fully aware of all of the information and background to the multiplex application and the strength of public opinion, throughout the county, in favour of the plan.
FOUL are urgently seeking meetings with the officers and members of the County Council to this end. We firmly believe that the County Council's support alongside that of the City Council and all of Oxfordshire's Members of Parliament will mean that John Prescott will not stand in the way of the application and the future of Oxford United Football Club.
