FOUL Press Release
Following the announcement that the Government Office
have cancelled the "Holding Direction" on the planning
application for leisure development at Minchery Farm:
"The events of the past week have clearly demonstrated the
dangers of disharmony within the Town Hall, and the damage that disunity
can do. Fortunately, the near death of Oxford United was avoided by a
refreshing display of political honesty. FOUL wishes to congratulate the
Green Party for its courage in admitting to a mistake, and doing so
quickly enough to avoid a potential disaster. We view this as a brave and
honest stance by any political party, and a signal that it is the will of
this City that Oxford United survives. The period of disunity is over -
now it’s time for us all to work together".
FOUL has always stated that it will not rake over the past. We
have always felt that recriminations are unconstructive and unhelpful, and
that it is better to deal with the present, and to plan for the future.
At our first meeting at Oxford Town Hall in November we asked
the supporters of Oxford United for their unity, and they responded in
great numbers. At the second meeting in February we asked the ruling
Labour party to grasp the opportunity that Kassam offered, and they and
their officers responded with great commitment. Now we ask for all sides
of the Council Chamber to come together to consolidate the enormous
strides that have been made in recent weeks. In achieving this we believe
they can deliver to this city a football club and leisure site people can
be proud of.
FOUL would like to thank the dozens of people who came forward
as potential candidates to the elections in May but wishes to announce
that they are no longer required. In the constructive climate that now
exists we feel it unnecessary to enter into a political contest against
parties who now share our common goal. We ask all factions of the City
Council to take our lead, to put away their differences, and to share
information and resources. If this can be achieved we have confidence that
the survival of Oxford United can be attained.
Our slogan throughout this campaign has been ‘United, we
will never be defeated’. Now we ask that this philosophy is extended
to the Town Hall.
The period of disunity is over - now it’s time for us all
to work together".
