As quickly as our first season in the Championship ended, another one is now upon us.
In just two days’ time, we welcome Portsmouth to The Kassam for what promises to be an exciting start to the new campaign. It will be the first time in several months that we’ve all been back together at home and I, for one, cannot wait to return to a sold-out stadium.
The start of any new season brings with it a sense of fresh optimism. New faces join the squad, returning loanees arrive with renewed purpose, and the anticipation of what lies ahead begins to build. Heading into the 2025/26 campaign, I truly believe we are in a stronger position on and off the pitch than we were this time last year, and we will continue to make improvements to give the Club the best chance of success moving forward.
In the transfer market, we’ve added five players of real quality, each recruited with the aim of strengthening our starting XI. This summer has seen the largest investment from the Board in a transfer window to date, and we believe the business done will place us well for the challenges ahead. I’d like to express my thanks to Ed Waldron and the entire Recruitment Team for their tireless work in bringing such high calibre signings to the Club.
Much of the confidence we take into this season stems from the platform built under Gary Rowett and his staff since the turn of the year. Gary’s impact has been felt right across the Club, with impeccable standards and a clear vision for the way forward. After a full pre-season under his guidance, I’m excited to see how this group of players continues to evolve.
This summer was an amazing reminder of just how far this Club has come over the last few years, with the Men’s First Team travelling to Indonesia to take part in the Piala Presiden Cup. The tour provided a fantastic opportunity for the players and staff to experience Indonesian culture and to build on the relationships we are developing in a country that has an incredible affinity with Oxford United. While the result in the Final didn’t go our way, we firmly believe the trip will be valuable to the group and the Club, both for this season and beyond. The support we witnessed was truly overwhelming, and we will work hard to nurture and strengthen that.
Whilst football will rightly take centre stage this weekend, Thursday 14 August marks what is one of the most important days in the Club’s long history. After many years of extensive work, we’ve had confirmation that the Cherwell District Council Planning Committee will meet to determine our new stadium planning application. This follows yesterday’s publication of a report by Cherwell’s Planning Team recommending that Councillors approve our plans. We truly hope to be celebrating a landmark moment next Thursday evening for Club, for community, and for you. I would like to extend my thanks to Jonathon Clarke and the whole team behind the stadium project for their work to date.
The last few months have also seen significant steps forward behind the scenes. At the Training Centre, both the Women’s Team and the Academy have undergone vital changes that reflect our ambition to grow in every area. The Women’s Team have taken meaningful strides towards a full-time model, increasing their training time to three days-per-week and moving sessions from evenings to afternoons. At Academy level, the introduction of an Under-21 side will provide a crucial bridge to Men’s First Team football. These developments have been driven by Stevie Kinniburgh and his team, and we’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date. I want to wish Sam Rose and the Women’s First Team all the success for the new season, alongside our Academy age groups.
The Training Centre itself has also seen positive improvements following the extensive flood damage in 2024. We now have enhanced spaces for our Men’s, Women’s and Academy Teams, with ongoing investment helping to create a more professional environment across the board.
A tradition that never fails to build excitement is the release of our new kits and this year we have taken what we do to a whole new level. From concept and design, through to the outstanding visuals and launch content, the team involved have done a tremendous job. The response has said it all with both kits receiving industry recognition and breaking sales records.
Your voice as supporters has always been vital, and this year will see yet another step forward in our commitment to meaningful engagement with the launch of the Fan Advisory Board (FAB). We believe this structure represents best practice and will be a vital forum for discussion and collaboration in the months and years ahead. I look forward to the first meeting and I am sure we can achieve a lot together.
This summer has also offered the opportunity for some important conversations on the future of football. I’ve engaged with other clubs, league representatives, associations, and more, on a wide range of issues. One particularly meaningful area for discussion has been the introduction of the Football Governance Act, which received royal assent in recent weeks. I am proud to say that Oxford United continues to play a role in shaping the future of the game and contributing to a more sustainable and accountable football pyramid. I was delighted to welcome senior representatives of the football regulator from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport recently to discuss the Act and the shaping of fan engagement going forward.
At the start of last season, I wrote that there would be highs and lows, and that’s exactly what we experienced. This season will no doubt bring more of the same – moments of great joy and moments that test and challenge us all. One of the strengths of Oxford United is in how we respond, as one. I’m proud of the way, through good and bad, each department at the Club stuck together to continue to strive for excellence no matter what.
The 2024/25 campaign created new memories that will live long for us all, and your support helped shape our story. Selling out every home game and generating such an incredible atmosphere truly made a difference. I can’t wait to feel that connection once again – be it at home, away, or wherever you may be following from.
Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you all enjoy the season to come. As I always say, let’s make this season the best one yet.
Best,
Tim
Tim Williams
CEO, Oxford United FC
