Notes of meeting between OxVox and OUFC on Thursday 3 August 2006
1. Present:
2. Fixture changes
OxVox supported
the Club’s stance in resisting Cambridge United’s request to advance their
fixture to Friday 20 October. In fact, the Club wished to play as many games
as possible on a Saturday/Bank Holiday afternoon (
3. Fans Forums
The Club will attend an OxVox members meeting to be arranged in the near future.
4. Youth Team sponsorship
This was still a live subject and agreement was reached for OxVox to pay by instalments during the season. The 7-a-side football tournament on Sunday 13 August would be the first of the fund raising events to raise money.
5. Exhibition Bar changes:
Club Shop merchandise will be sold in the Bar on matchdays. OxVox is purchasing its own desk/stands and a site is being sought.
6. Stadium Company relationship
This is still regarded as good and reasonably quick action is taken when the Club reports problems, such as a recent roof leak over the ticket office. The Club is aware that there is plenty of maintenance work that could be done both within and outwith the stadium structure but is prioritising requests. The list of outstanding jobs produced by OxVox around 12 months ago will be updated and submitted for the Club to pursue with its landlord.
7. Financial outlook
The goal remains for the Club to be self-financing but it is unlikely to break even in the first year or two. The Club was within budget expectations for the first year, and money was being spent in the right areas.
The wage-cap figure has not yet been formally confirmed by the Conference. An application/budget has long since been submitted. The Conference has indicated that it will be accepted and this leaves scope for further improvement to the first-team squad beyond the present date. All financial planning places heavy emphasis on the growth of non-football income despite the stadium company currently remaining under separate ownership.
8. Revenue streams
All food/beverage revenue in concourses, bars, lounges and at vans outside the ground goes either to the stadium company or to the sub-contracted caterers (who pay rent to the stadium company.) The football club does not benefit from any of these sales.
Box hire goes to the club. All food and beverage revenue goes to the Stadium Company.
Stadium board advertising revenue all goes to the stadium company with the exception of boards for Buildbase, Carlotti and Streetwise Sports, and the Football Conference Central Deals (including but not limited to Nationwide, Sanex for Men, and Red Bull). Revenue from these advertisers goes direct to the Club as part of wider sponsorship deals.
The Oxford Mail stand will still be referred to as such by the Club. It is not known if the stadium company contract will be renewed and whether the Mail’s branding will be removed from the stand. Regardless of this, the Mail is an important supporter of the Club.
Whilst on the subject of the media, Radio Oxford will continue to broadcast live commentary of the games.
The restaurant lost money for the Club last season because administrative costs were “owned” by the Club but revenue went to the stadium company. A new deal covering revenue and an improved menu is still under negotiation that is expected to increase custom and ensure that it does not lose money but will still offer a service to the fans.