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Kassam holds rugby talks

From the archive, first published Thursday 21st Feb 2002.

Pressure is growing on Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam to clear his debt to the city council, after reports suggested he was planning to buy a Birmingham rugby union club.

Mr Kassam's company Firoka (Oxford United Stadium) Ltd is being sued by the city council for £494,000 -- owed as part of the deal struck over the Kassam Stadium.

Yesterday, reports from Birmingham suggested Mr Kassam had made an offer for debt-ridden Moseley Rugby Club, a National League Division One side with six-figure debts.

Although reports suggested talks with Mr Kassam were at an advanced stage, he refused to confirm that it was Moseley he had been talking to.

Mr Kassam has stated he wants to bring rugby to the Kassam Stadium on a permanent basis.

He told the Oxford Mail: "I am talking to a number of rugby clubs, but no decision has yet been made.

"An announcement will be made when there is something to announce."

Moseley's director of rugby, Jim White, said: "It is no secret that we need a cash injection into the club, but we have not yet concluded a deal."

Referring to the £494,000 owed to the city council, Mr Kassam said: "That is the subject of continued negotiations and I am sure it will be resolved at some stage soon."

Mr Kassam also confirmed that he has been talking to a Premier Division rugby side about the possibility of ground-sharing.

"I have not spoken to Moseley about ground-sharing," he added.

In recent programme notes, Mr Kassam explained to fans that he might have to put his plans for a leisure centre next to the Minchery Farm stadium on hold because of a downturn in the economy.

Alex Hollingsworth, leader of the council's Labour group, said: "I can't comment on Mr Kassam's possible links with Moseley, but what I can say is that the money he owes the council is still outstanding, and we will be pursuing the matter with vigour."

A city council spokesman said: "We have a legally binding contract with Mr Kassam and our position remains the same. We want him to pay the money he owes us.

"Legal action has been launched to speed up the process."

The Parker Pen European Shield between London Irish and Pontypridd has already been confirmed for the Kassam Stadium on April 27.

Moseley Rugby Club, founded in 1873, was once one of the leading clubs in the country, until the game went professional in the mid-1990s.

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