Two very different aspects of one stadium (Kassam Stadium (Oxford United FC))

Member Name: The-Legal-Eagle

Product:	Kassam Stadium (Oxford United FC)
Date:	15/06/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great views form every seat, huge capacity for the level of football played

Disadvantages: Souless, drab interior, 3 sides lead to a lack of atmosphere

The first thing that most travelling supporters will notice about the Kassam Stadium is that it only has three sides. sehind one goal is simply an 8 foot wooden fence, despite onlt having there stands the stadium's capacity is 12,500 which is very large for lower league football (its Oxford United who play blue square conference fixtures there).

The pitch at the stadium is very impressive for a non league stadia and a low percentage of the grass is artificial meaning that it looks as good as new all year round. The stands are designed well so that there are perfect views of the playing area from any seat and there are no pillars or posts to obstruct the view as are common in older stadia.

If the seating and views are impressive, the inside of the concourses are a contrast. Its apparent that despite being a grand stadium for the level of sport being played that the developers didn't spend much on the general concourse areas. The concourses seem unfinished despite the ground being nearly 10 years old due to the fact that they are unpainted breezeblock. At one time TV's and betting booths could be found but the removal of both has left the stadium being drab and souless, in fact there is no mention of Oxford United once inside, most probably because they rent the stadium form their former chairman, of whom the stadium was named.

If you thought you'd get a tasty pie or a quick pint in at half-time to make the stadium visit better then think again as the catering is contracted out to a company that seem to reheat tasteless food and understaff the kiosks meaning a long wait to be served.

The stadium does have its highpoints, particually its brilliant conference business facilities and the fact that at the stadium complex there is also restaurants, a hotel, a cinema and a bowling alley complete with a sportsbar.

A decent ground that doesn't need alot of tweaking to make it something really special, hopefully it will be in the hands of the club who call it home at which time they do so.

Summary: Has huge potential which needs to be realised