London Welsh Deny Kassam Stadium Purchase Interest

London Welsh have confirmed they are not currently in negotiations over the purchase of the Kassam Stadium – their home stadium in Oxford.

This statement is subsequent to the lead story this morning on the ‘BBC Radio Oxford Breakfast Show’ with Phil Gayle. This news item referred to a recent radio interview with John Taylor, former Managing Director of London Welsh, who was quoted as saying that the club were in active negotiations to look at the possibility of buying the Kassam. This information is incorrect according to the Rugby Union side.

Tony Copsey CEO of London Welsh has replied today: “There is no doubt that we as a club have enjoyed a very successful start to playing our home matches at the Kassam Stadium. We have worked hard to begin bedding into the local community in Oxfordshire.

“Achieving an over 10,000 crowd at the recent Wasp’s match, supports our belief that there is a good appetite for Rugby in the Oxfordshire area. However any talk of us as a club buying the Kassam, is premature at best. Our immediate focus is on Premiership survival and developing our club as a business to compete within the top echelons of English Rugby. Certainly any purchase of the Kassam in the future, if we remain in the Premiership, would be something we would consider, but not without consultation with many stake holders including Oxford United Football Club.”