Post by Finnish Gas on May 1, 2016 19:50:04 GMT
DEMAND for tickets to Oxford United’s final game of the season has prompted the club to look into building a temporary fourth stand at the Kassam Stadium.
The clash is the first league game to sell out since the derby with Swindon Town more than four years ago.
With more than a week still remaining before the fixture, which could see Michael Appleton’s men clinch automatic promotion, the U’s believe thousands more tickets could be sold.
Chairman Darryl Eales and new managing director Greig Box Turnbull have been in discussions to see if more seats could be met by a one-off stand at the open end of the ground.
Box Turnbull, who started his role this week, believes the lack of time makes the move unlikely, but a possibility in the future.
He said: “Darryl and I on Wednesday asked the safety officer to look at the possibility of a temporary fourth stand.
“He made the relevant phone calls and the problem we face is the amount of time you need to get the relevant certificates from the authorities.
“I pushed quite hard and asked them to do their utmost for us, we’ll see, but it’s not looking likely.”
He added: “It’s a shame in some respects I hadn’t got here a bit earlier, because these things do take a bit more planning.
“It’s not the sort of thing you can turn around very quickly.
“The demand is there and we’re always looking at ways to maximise revenue, but also make sure everyone who wants to be here can be.
“It’s a shame people are going to miss out.
“If there was a stand behind the goal that was 2,500 capacity I’m absolutely certain we would have sold that.”
Adding a fourth stand has been a long-term aim since the ground opened in 2001.
A permanent structure is unlikely until United own the ground, but selling out games more regularly would strengthen the case for a temporary stand in the medium term, such as the away end at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium.
Box Turnbull, who will be on the away terrace with the rest of United’s board for the crunch clash at Carlisle tomorrow, said: “It will come down to cost.
“There’s no guarantees or promises here, it’s just giving people an idea that behind the scenes Darryl and I are always looking at ways to improve.”
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/14460841.Oxford_United_explore_possibility_of_fourth_stand_for_Wycombe_clash/?ref=ar
Should we be providing a temporary stand given the current demand for the last few matches (and possibly a Play-off Semi-final to come)? It would not be wasted effort as we could use it next season.
The clash is the first league game to sell out since the derby with Swindon Town more than four years ago.
With more than a week still remaining before the fixture, which could see Michael Appleton’s men clinch automatic promotion, the U’s believe thousands more tickets could be sold.
Chairman Darryl Eales and new managing director Greig Box Turnbull have been in discussions to see if more seats could be met by a one-off stand at the open end of the ground.
Box Turnbull, who started his role this week, believes the lack of time makes the move unlikely, but a possibility in the future.
He said: “Darryl and I on Wednesday asked the safety officer to look at the possibility of a temporary fourth stand.
“He made the relevant phone calls and the problem we face is the amount of time you need to get the relevant certificates from the authorities.
“I pushed quite hard and asked them to do their utmost for us, we’ll see, but it’s not looking likely.”
He added: “It’s a shame in some respects I hadn’t got here a bit earlier, because these things do take a bit more planning.
“It’s not the sort of thing you can turn around very quickly.
“The demand is there and we’re always looking at ways to maximise revenue, but also make sure everyone who wants to be here can be.
“It’s a shame people are going to miss out.
“If there was a stand behind the goal that was 2,500 capacity I’m absolutely certain we would have sold that.”
Adding a fourth stand has been a long-term aim since the ground opened in 2001.
A permanent structure is unlikely until United own the ground, but selling out games more regularly would strengthen the case for a temporary stand in the medium term, such as the away end at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium.
Box Turnbull, who will be on the away terrace with the rest of United’s board for the crunch clash at Carlisle tomorrow, said: “It will come down to cost.
“There’s no guarantees or promises here, it’s just giving people an idea that behind the scenes Darryl and I are always looking at ways to improve.”
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/14460841.Oxford_United_explore_possibility_of_fourth_stand_for_Wycombe_clash/?ref=ar
Should we be providing a temporary stand given the current demand for the last few matches (and possibly a Play-off Semi-final to come)? It would not be wasted effort as we could use it next season.
