Chairman Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth has a new message for the fans:
Dear Oxford United family,
It has been four weeks now since this terrible virus disrupted not just football but our entire way of living. I just wanted to get a message out there to tell the Oxford fans that we are thinking of them and send all of our love to them and to their families.
I am here in Thailand where the government measures have been very similar to those in the UK and seem to be having a positive effect. I am in touch with Karl and the staff every day in England and we speak about the pandemic and the way the world is reacting all the time. We also speak about when we might be back to doing what we all dream of- playing a game of football again.
At the moment the season is on hold and some people have suggested to end it right now and the league tables stand. Since Oxford United are in third you might expect us to be pushing for that but that is not the case at all. We want to come back, finish the season and try to win promotion the right way. We believe we have the players to do that and would welcome the opportunity to finish the job we started last August properly.
The one thing I can see around the world right now is the need for communities to stick together and help each other. We are in a unique position in the heart of Oxfordshire and want to play a part wherever we can. But how do we do that best?
Our wonderful staff and players are playing their part and helping their local communities- Dan Harris has a perfect phrase in the Academy: “Developing good people not just good players” and I think supporters can see how generous and kind everyone at the club is: I watch our players stop and pose for photographs and autographs before and after every game and I see the bond between the club and its fans all the time.
So I guess my question right now is what can we do to help? We can offer tickets for NHS staff when we come back, we can spread the world and use our communication channels to help get messages out for the charities doing great work across Oxfordshire and I know the players are keen to play their part and help as well.
If you know a way that Oxford United can help then please get in touch and we will do our very best to make it happen.
It is not easy but we want to play our part. All we ask is that you play yours as well. The most helpful thing that most people can do right now is stay at home and stay safe. Don’t put other people at risk by going out. Stay in, keep talking to each other and look after each other.
Let us know if we can help, come back to us safe and healthy and we will hopefully see you soon.
Tiger