Oxford United was another of the clubs that I had to re-visit, following their re-location from the Manor Ground during the close season.  I wasn't relishing the visit too much, preferring to have had the chance to return to their old home to get some photos and see how much it had changed - or not - since I went to see Everton there back in March 1987.  However, a visit to the Kassam Stadium had to be made and so I finished work early and hit the road.

Duncan had arranged to meet me in the stadium car-park and the motorways were quieter than I had expected which saw me arrive on the outskirts of the city far too early.  The first indication of the new stadium that now graces the Oxford landscape is the abundance of road signs that direct supporters towards the stadium from the Ring Road.  I found these extremely helpful but they only served to speed up my journey to the ground even more and I duly arrived a good 30 minutes before I was due to meet Duncan, which was itself over 2 hours before kick-off.  This gave me time to have a detailed look around the site, which comprised 3 sides as one of the ends behind a goal has yet to be developed. 

This open space was put to good use as a car-park, a welcome relief as there is a notorious housing estate only a stones' throw from the ground (it was also pleasantly surprising to find that parking was also free of charge).  The lack of a stand at one end, coupled with a few convenient vantage points, allowed for some decent photographs of the 3 sides already built.  All the way around the outside of the stadium there were signs that progress was still ongoing; a trendy supporters bar was still in need of interior decor (although it was open for business), and a building site remained behind the East Stand.  It was pleasing to note that the stadium designers had included the extra little touches, such as secure bicycle racks, around the place.

Once Duncan arrived we headed towards the only pub close to the ground that we could see.  In there we enjoyed a couple of drinks and were joined by an Oxford fan who contacted Duncan through the site, and he let us both in on many of the stories behind the ground move and the club in general.  With the kick-off approaching we walked back to the stadium and entered the East Stand where I had pre-ordered our tickets.  The seats were priced at £12 each, which was a pound less than the Vetch Field the previous Saturday.  Bearing in mind the plush new surroundings, I felt that to be a reasonable price.  The toilets were clean and tidy - hardly surprising after only 3 home games - but there didn't seem to be any signs indicating male or female versions!  Also worth a mention were the jumbo hot dogs on sale at a quite acceptable £2.50. They not only went down a treat, but the sight of the young catering girls struggling with the huge sausages was something else!