Oxford United Chairman Grant Ferguson wrote the following programme notes for the Sky Bet League One game against Bristol Rovers:
Good afternoon everyone and thanks for coming along to see us take on Bristol Rovers in a game we need to win to stop a hugely disappointing run of results. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating, I and the rest of the board are completely aware of the seriousness of the situation the recent run of results has put us in and the consequences of things not improving, and quickly. Again, I am repeating myself, but we are nowhere near where we wanted to be at this stage of the season, but I say that again because that ambition was based on the quality of the squad assembled and its leadership. These guys know the recent results are not just less than expected, they are unacceptable. They are all as disappointed as you and me, but I also see a huge amount of resolve and commitment from everyone to turning things around.
When you are on the run that we have been on, there are some very honest and earnest conversations required. Win today and it’s a step forward, but we need to win on a much more consistent basis. The team and management know that, so don’t need reminding of it. What they do need right now is for all of us to support them, on and off the field, to give them the best possible chance of getting things right.
We hear the frustration; we feel it, and I know how hard it is to be optimistic on the back of a series of disappointing results, but the priority this afternoon needs to be a victory, so please get behind the team, as you always do, and encourage and stick with them. James Henry was spot on in his comments right after last week’s game: we can’t afford to wait for something good to happen, we need to fight for everything and seize the bull by the horns today.
As a club we have a lot of good things happening. Huge congratulation to the Youth Team on making history and reaching the quarter final of the FA Youth Cup. What an amazing achievement, and now they will take on Manchester City away. I am sure Stevie Kinniburgh, Chris Hackett, Pablo Haysham and all the players will enjoy that evening but rest assured they aren’t going for a stadium tour, they are going there to win. What a story that will be.
And finally, we are proud to be supporting the Level Playing Field ‘Unite For Access’ campaign today to raise awareness around disabled fans being able to enjoy the same facilities and matchday experience as everyone else in the ground. I do think there has been real progress in recent years in awareness of the need for equality and the availability of facilities to support that, but I remain concerned when I read that across the country 30 per cent of disabled fans are discouraged from coming to games because of the attitude of fellow fans. We at Oxford United are better but we must not be be complacent, and so we ask again for your continued help in ensuring that everyone is included and know that they belong in our community.
Look after each other and enjoy the game,
Grant
You can read the full programme online at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc