Kassam pledges to stay at Oxford

Following a meeting this morning between Firoz Kassam and Bob Block of Oxford City Council Kassam has stated that he intends to stay at Oxford and to try and help them out of the current crisis. A two-pronged approach is being taken with regard to the judicial review: on the one hand the City Council is going to defend its position at the judicial review hearing, anticipated to be in about three months, in the expectation that it will win; on the other hand Kassam is to submit a new planning application for the multiplex which can be processed properly in an attempt to overcome the objections of Nick Pentith and his backers. Both paths are fraught with uncertainty: there is no guarantee that the judicial review will go in favour of the Council; and a new planning application might yet be called in by the Government Office of the South East, especially if it is felt that a properly carried out sequential test identifies alternative sites for a multiplex nearer to the city centre.

It was rumoured, by Richard Tilley in today's Oxford Times, that Kassam was going to make additional demands on the City Council as an incentive for him to stay, such as the freehold to the Priory (Kassam currently only holds the leasehold) and five acres of land in the Science Park at Sandford. However these demands were never made and thus Kassam's and the Council's relationship appears to be still on track. Bob Block and John Tanner said that the Council was committed to doing everything it could to ensure completion of Minchery Farm, including supporting the club's application to the Football Licensing Authority for an extension to stay at the Manor.

At least Kassam is staying at the club though, thereby ending this particular passage of uncertainty, as the consequences of his departure could have been far reaching. It has emerged that the unsecured creditors still have not been paid on time six months after the CVA hearing. However, Kroll Buchler Phillips wrote to all known creditors in February to inform them that the six month time limit was being extended due to good progress with the release of funds, Kassam releasing the necessary funds to the supervisors of the CVA in mid-January. The supervisors are now in the process of verifying the creditors' claims and distributing the money to the creditors.

Powell to go north in the Summer?

Although he remains here for the time-being rumours persist that Newcastle United will be trying to tempt Paul Powell away from the Manor (or Minchery Farm or wherever) in the close-season. Meanwhile it has emerged that Craig Russell's move from Manchester City to St. Johnstone broke down because Russell refused to go. Perhaps he's still hanging out for a move back to the Manor?