Kelvin Thomas steps down as Oxford United chairman

7:30am Friday 13th July 2012 in Business Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Kelvin Thomas Kelvin Thomas

KELVIN Thomas has resigned as Oxford United chairman after almost four years in charge, the Oxford Mail can confirm.

U’s owner Ian Lenagan, who will become the club’s new chairman, will announce the unexpected decision at a press conference at the Kassam Stadium this morning.

During his time in charge Thomas, who had earlier served as a director, oversaw a transformation of the club’s fortunes, both on and off the pitch.

He took over from Nick Merry in October 2008 with the cash-strapped U’s 19th in the Blue Square Conference.

One early decision was to bring in Chris Wilder as manager, replacing Darren Patterson, and the pair combined to create a successful period for United.

With Thomas shoring up United’s finances, going from disastrous losses to turning a profit, the first-team improved their final league position every year, culminating in a ninth-place finish in npower League Two last season.

But the undoubted highlight came in May 2010, when United won promotion back to the Football League with a 3-1 victory in the Blue Square Premier play-off final against York City at Wembley.

Leave your comments about his reign below.

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Comments(14)

Chish and Fips says...
8:09am Fri 13 Jul 12

Seemed out of his depth and struggling...

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support your local team says...
8:14am Fri 13 Jul 12

This is a real blow. KT was a real asset - applying constant common sense in a down to earth and yet very articulate manner. I felt that the IL/KT/CW triumvirate was providing a solid base for progression. I would like to know more.

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Jason Collie says...
8:21am Fri 13 Jul 12

support your local team wrote:
This is a real blow. KT was a real asset - applying constant common sense in a down to earth and yet very articulate manner. I felt that the IL/KT/CW triumvirate was providing a solid base for progression. I would like to know more.
Press conference later this morning and more details should emerge. We'll obviously be updating as soon as we can so keep an eye on the site.

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CHINNOR YELLOWS says...
8:27am Fri 13 Jul 12

Good luck Kelvin in the future and thanks for what you have done for the football club.Lets hope who takes over runs the club with the same control and common sense.

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Simon84 says...
8:42am Fri 13 Jul 12

I don't think this is as big as a deal as some people think. At our level and with our budget I think he has just been carrying out the orders of the owner etc. Every decision however small probably goes thru Lenegan anyway so what is the point in Kelvin if he is just basically a middle man and probably an expensive one at that. So basically what I'm saying is he has just been Lengan's mouthpiece, if Lenegan now is taking more of an active role it at least takes probably quite a big wage of the wage bill. At a higher level I think chief execs and chairmans have bigger role to play.

I would think we would see an improvent as the guy who owns the club and has the money is actually running the club and decisions etc should be made much more quickly. Also I think as he will be more involved he might get more of a love for the club and be more tempted invest more money.

Can only see it being a good thing for the club, I bet Wilder isn't all that happy though as I think he had a big allie in Kelvin.

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thame-yellow says...
9:28am Fri 13 Jul 12

shocked thanks kt . always keen to talk to fans !
good luck

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AylesburyOx says...
10:01am Fri 13 Jul 12

Probably the foul up surrounding the stadium debts had something to do with it.
Lenegan and Kassam are both businessmen and I think Kassam will be more inclined to deal with a man of Lenegans stature.

Also Lenegan will keep greater tabs on Wilder and performances on the pitch. He (Wilder) and Kelvin Thomas were too close and that fogged KTs decision making.

Kelvin is a good guy and I wish him the best for the future but this is a sensibe decision in moving the cub forward.

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bobbylashley says...
10:18am Fri 13 Jul 12

I wonder what the real reason is? Will it ever come out??????
I am sure theres more too it.

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magicrugmaker says...
10:22am Fri 13 Jul 12

Could this mean the club cold soon be up for sale i wonder?

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bigchet says...
11:10am Fri 13 Jul 12

hard to see any positives in this and the timing is very unfortunate, so where do we go from here?

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northampton yellow says...
1:27pm Fri 13 Jul 12

i think this is the right dicision as it was becoming a stalemate and just excuses after excuses now wilder is not in a confort zone no more and now got to buck his ideas up or he be next ,kelvin did do good over the last for years took us from debt to profit so thanx for that wish him good luck abroad. now lenagan has just increased the buget for this season but just find this bit strange ,if he can increase this now surely he could have increase the budget earlier are the bells ringing for changes i fell that if we dont get good start i feel wilders time is up and soon be looking for new manager as lenagen got somebody lined up already we are soon going to find out .hope we can find out bit more at open day 2moz in for good season bring it on .oufc

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mandate says...
4:52pm Fri 13 Jul 12

Lenagan was right to bring in Kelvin as chairman at OUFC. Kelvin worked hard to keep a sinking boat afloat. Finally, our finances are in order. Well done and thank you for all your efforts Kelvin Thomas.

Now that Lenagan is taking over as chairman at the club,
his closer involvement will make him more passionate and determined to see United succeed. Lenagan has worked wonders at Wigan, hopefully now he will get United on the path to success.

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remberingthe80s says...
7:44pm Fri 13 Jul 12

i heard thought the miil big harry rednapp as an very good interestin the club now that would be interesting harry running and owning it mmmmmm

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boagongrui says...
5:33pm Sat 14 Jul 12

remberingthe80s wrote:
i heard thought the miil big harry rednapp as an very good interestin the club now that would be interesting harry running and owning it mmmmmm
Good crack

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