This unfamiliar fixture schedule, and the rarity of games played on a Saturday afternoon at 3pm, serves to highlight the new territory we are encountering. If it’s unsettling for fans, spare a thought for players and staff, and the adaptations they are having to make.
The break does though give everyone a chance to take stock, and this extends to those of us involved with OxVox, the independent supporters’ trust.
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On Wednesday evening, from 7pm at Court Place Farm, we will hold our delayed AGM. Details are on our website at: oxvox.org.uk/agm11sept
This event has one disadvantage, the dreaded three letters AGM!
We can promise a few things. We’ll give an account of what we have done and are doing, we’ll keep the essential AGM business to an absolute minimum, and we’ll leave good time for a Q&A session, and to have a chat and a drink with your fellow fans.
You may have questions about the club as it finds its feet in the Championship, if so come and ask us.
If we know the answers, we’ll tell you, if not, we’ll ask people at the club who do. What’s more, unlike many AGMs you won’t be ambushed into signing up for a task or role. Of course, unless you want to…
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It’s a members’ event, yes, but you can join on the door as either a paying full member, or a non-paying associate member. All are welcome. So come along, have a drink, listen to what the supporters’ trust is doing, ask the committee folk questions, and enjoy the evening.
Some may be unfamiliar with the concept of a supporters’ trust, so it may be worth a few words. OxVox, like more than 100 trusts up and down the country, is a one member one vote voluntary organisation set up to provide an independent supporters’ voice on all matters affecting the club, its role in the community, and the whole experience of being a U’s fan.
Those of us involved are all volunteers. The phrase ‘critical friend’ is sometimes used to describe how trusts relate to their clubs.
That can be misleading and give the impression we see our role as an awkward squad, criticising the club at every turn. Constructiveness, praise where it’s due, and questioning apparent shortcomings is more the tone we adopt.
Anyway, enough of this navel-gazing. There are matches to win, new grounds to visit, the experience of great atmospheres and full houses at home games to enjoy.
The team are taking to the Championship as though we haven’t been away, we sit ninth in the embryonic league (still a top 30 club!) and we have the true football weather of rain and wind to come.
Bring it on, and we look forward to meeting some of you on Wednesday.