Oxford United Chairman Grant Ferguson wrote the following notes for the match programme against Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One:
There is no getting away from the fact that following the encouraging decision by Oxfordshire County Council to support negotiations on securing land for a new home for the club, on the field the past week or so has been tough for everyone associated with Oxford United. Three consecutive defeats are never easy to take, especially on the back of a run of form that we hoped would invigorate our campaign this season which, as I have said before, so far has fallen short of what our realistic expectations were at the start of the season, and short of what we know we are capable of. Nobody is more aware of that than I am.
For the last three or four seasons the club has been serious contenders for at least a play-off place. We hear the frustration from the fans and we know that we are currently falling short of the standards and performances our supporters have come to expect and deserve. I know it hurts you. I also know it hurts the manager, the players, the backroom staff and everyone else at the club. That hurts me and my fellow directors and serves to strengthen our resolve to make Oxford United a football club that we are all even more proud of than we are today.
Many of us have been in and around football for a long time and so it would be too easy to accept that these trying periods happen to the best of teams. They do, but the way to deal with them is not to hunker down and wait for them to pass. We are in the process of analysing not only the past few games but the season so far, and even the planning for it, and acknowledge that we have not got everything right. Only this process allows us to take meaningful corrective action and make better decisions. Karl Robinson is part of this process, but it is not confined to the manager and the players. We are not just a football team. We are a football club and are in this together, and if we stick together as a club and a community we will find a way through. The board very much appreciates the support of talented and committed people all across the club, from the first team manager to the volunteers here this afternoon, and I hope that extends to you, our loyal and patient fans.
As is often the case when things are not going to plan, attention turns to the manager, justifiably some might say. I am not going to argue with that, but what l will not accept is the appalling messages that were aimed at members Karl’s family after last Saturday’s game at Burton by some people that would like to be known as supporters of our club. The police have spoken to some of those involved and I can assure you they have no place at a club where family values remain a priority.
Throughout a difficult period, Karl has remained his usual open and honest self, just as we have been with him. He knows that results cannot continue as they are, so he and his team have had our support through the transfer window, and I and the board firmly believe we have a management team and playing squad in a football club that is more than capable of turning this run of results around. Hopefully that upturn in results begins today against Shrewsbury.
Grant
Read the full programme online at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc