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Kassam sets U's target

From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Jan 2003.

Firoz Kassam has pledged to get Oxford United back into Division 1.

The U's chairman says his ambition is to steer the club back to where they were five seasons ago, when, at one stage, they sat in fifth place in the first division.

"It would be great if we could go up this season," he said.

"We were third at the start of the New Year, and although we have dropped to fourth, we have games in hand.

"Ideally, we can go up to the second division this season, stay there for a couple of years and then get up into the first, which is where I believe Oxford belong.

"And that is where I want to take them. Be it in three years or five years, we will be there.

"I don't think the club is ready to be a Premiership side, but you never know, things change in football."

Kassam has also heaped praise on U's boss Ian Atkins, saying that he has rekindled his interest in football.

The U's chairman admits that he is now enjoying watching Oxford play, and that is down to the revival in their fortunes, masterminded by Atkins.

"I can actually go to games and enjoy it now," he added.

"I have only been able to say that for the last three months that I can actually enjoy most of the game.

"Before, I was so nervous and it was no fun. I was asking myself: 'Why am I doing this? It's costing me a million pounds a year and there's no enjoyment'.

"But it's changed now, and I hope it lasts for a long time.

"It's not only that the team got to third place, but you watch now and you don't know which way the result is going to go. For two years, I knew the result of games before they had kicked off."

Kassam is approaching four years in charge of the club, and admits it has been a rocky ride since taking over at the helm.

"It was a moment of madness," he said. "Running a football club sounds very sexy, but when you get into it, you realise what a stupid man you must be.

"I was very naive, and have had three-and-a-half years of absolute hell. But coming to almost the fourth anniversary, you can see it has its good sides as well."

Read more on the U's on This is United

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