Hot on the heels of the news that Dean Whitehead has been offered a two-year extension to his contract, which he has yet to sign, comes a story that Jamie Brooks has been offered an additional year to his. Brooks’s contract, like many other players at the club, expires at the end of this season but, unlike most of his colleagues, Brooks has been unable to use his remaining time to press for a new contract, due to his long-term serious illness. As well as displaying a sympathetic side that many doubted the club possessed, this news also hints that it is business as usual concerning the future of the club, as Firoz Kassam is unlikely to be offering new contracts if he is imminently to sell up. It is also speculated that he is shortly to make an announcement concerning a new contract for Ian Atkins, possibly tomorrow when the new Bowlplex opens at the O-Zone.

According to the official Peterborough United web site United are about to offer a trial to Australian centre-back Craig Thompson. Thompson has been released by the London Road club and the young Skip will be hoping to be taken on by United for their under-19 side, a level that the Posh don’t have a team for. Thompson has already had a trial at Northampton, and Cambridge City were hoping to sign him, and if Oxford don’t offer him terms he is likely to return to Oz.

Supporters Trust OxVox have issued a statement about the current climate of uncertainty at the club. Their view is that “Mr Kassam?s chairmanship is bringing stability, financial prudence, and recovery to the club” and that for United to get promotion this stability needs to continue. They go on to say that they are seeking to meet potential new owners, should there be any, as they would like to discuss their views on the future running of the club, and the potential for supporter involvement in the club (including the potential for fans having a shareholding and board level representation in the club). If Mr Kassam decides to stay then they extend the same offer to him, and would look forward to continued dialogue with him in the future. So they say.