Stadium news

Firoz Kassam is still confident that work could recommence on the Minchery Farm stadium on Monday, despite one or two problems not of his making (including the land deal still not having been finalised with the City Council due to wrangling with Thames Water over payments for the social housing land which is subject to the same covenant as the football stadium).
Kassam has decided which construction company he is going to use to complete the stadium but has not released their name as a contract is yet to be signed. Rage Online knows who it is but will respect Kassam's confidentiality; suffice to say that we have certain concerns about the chosen company due to an allegation we are aware of concerning certain work they have carried out for a club in Scotland.
The planning application for Kassam's hotel, to complement the conference centre in the stadium, is due to be heard next Wednesday. It will have 136 bedrooms, parking for 197 cars plus a restaurant and function room (should permission be granted). It is unlikely to be refused as it complies with the Local Plan and could also be considered an enabling development for the stadium, as well as creating 50 full time and 20 part-time jobs.
The date for the hearing of Nick Pentith's Judicial Review re-application has now been set, unless Pentith (or someone else) tries to delay things further, as 13th March. Hopefully the signing of the land transfer deal will not have to wait this long…

A wee bit of footy

United played a friendly at Didcot Town to officially open their new stadium and a strongish team won 2-0 with goals from a Ben Abbey penalty and Simon Weatherstone. Read a report courtesy of Steve Merritt's OU Information Centre.
Mark Watson will not be going to the Caribbean with Canada because he has a bad back. This means that he will be able to play against Forest on Saturday if he's fit. He will, however, be expected to join the Canadian squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in California in February. Andre Arendse, meanwhile, flies to South Africa on Sunday on international duty and will be away for the best part of six weeks, leaving the U's with just one recognised goalkeeper.

Monday 3rd January

United ends Wigan's unbeaten run (NOT)

Despite taking a 59th minute lead through a Jamie Cook solo goal Oxford lost 2-1 to league leader Wigan Athletic, for whom Simon Haworth scored both goals. United recalled Mark Watson to the centre of defence in place of Steve Davis, and Cook started in midfield with Ross Weatherstone making way. No substitutions were made by Oxford. Check out a brief and mostly inaccurate match report.

Yellow was the colour

Former U's hero Matty Elliott played up front for an injury ravaged Leicester and scored both goals in a 2-2 draw at Everton, who have only lost once at home this season (yep, that's right, in the League Cup…). Not quite such a hero Andy Thomson put Gillingham 2-1 up at home to Reading in the last minute, but unfortunately the Biscuitmen (yes, that is their nickname) managed an even later penalty equaliser. Not generally known for his naughtiness (except by those who have heard of him) John Durnin was sent off for Carlisle in their 4-1 demolition of the league's bottom team, Chester. Nick Cusack scored Swansea's winner as they won 3-2 at high-flying Peterborough.