Oxford United's chairman, Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth, talks about United's start to the season and the departure of former Chairman Darryl Eales in his programme notes for the game against Burton Albion on Saturday 25th August. Read them below:
Good afternoon everyone and a warm welcome to everyone, especially our guests from Burton Albion who are a fantastic example of how a well-run club can enjoy success and reach the Championship. I hope they enjoy their day with us, but I also hope they get to see us win our first league game.
It was so disappointing to lose on Tuesday evening, and I fully understand the frustration that everyone is feeling at the moment. The positive I think we can take away from the game was that at least we played the way that we want to see the team play. I have watched training and seen a lot of passing and a lot of freedom. I didn’t see that in the Portsmouth game, and although that is a tough place to play I think the fans always want to see players attacking and trying to express themselves. We were better at that on Tuesday and took the game to the opposition. OK, we lost and it hurt us all, but there was plenty of effort, lots of good play and we were, I think, the better team.
Clearly, we need to win games but it is very early and everyone needs to stay patient and stick together because whether we are missing key players through injury, whether we don’t get decisions go our way or whatever else goes against us, we have to believe that by doing the right things we will turn the results around.
I spoke about this with Darryl Eales, who sadly left the club this week after four years as first Chairman and then board member. He told me that it took him eight games before the team won their first game, in the middle of September! He did not panic, he believed in the Manager and the players and things certainly changed for the better.
Darryl left on Wednesday to take up a new role at Solihull Moors. I know I speak for everyone when I say it has been our pleasure to work alongside him and we thank him for everything he has done for the club.
He is a good man and has been a very good Chairman. It took courage to make some very big decisions, but Darryl always did what he thought was right for Oxford United and he leaves the club in a far healthier position than he found it.
I have got to know him over the last year or so and we share that passion for football, so I fully understand why he wants to try and help a new club mirror the success that he has been a big part of here. He knows that he is always welcome back at Oxford and we look forward to welcoming him as our guest any time he likes.
Tiger