THE Yellow army is determined to keep the pints flowing at a Cowley pub that is set to close its doors for good.

Regulars at The William Morris at Templars Square shopping centre were shocked earlier this week when they heard pub chain J D Wetherspoon would be ending its lease from March 31.

The pub, which opened in 2003, is popular with Oxford United supporters and up to 30 football fans regularly meet there for a drink before games.

Ahead Tuesday night’s match against Bradford City the mood was upbeat despite the announcement, as fans talked about their determination to prevent last orders.

Cowley resident Matthew Orrey, 35, said: "I've been coming here for years and I'm up for doing whatever we can to get Wetherspoon to change their mind.

"There aren't many places locally were you can get real ale and decent priced food."

This was echoed by Mark Gunther, 52, also from Cowley, who said: "We've lost the Nuffield Arms in Littlemore Road and soon there aren't going to be any pubs for Cowley residents.

"Everyone is eager to fight to keep this pub open."

Roy Skelton, 57, from Marston, commented: "No doubt it will be replaced by something that isn't as affordable if we don't try to stop it."

Mystery surrounds Wetherspoon's decision to leave, with regulars saying the pub is often full of customers.

J D Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed the pub chain would be handing back the unit to developer NewRiver, which owns the building, at the end of March but said the company would not comment on the reason.

NewRiver's £60m regeneration of the shopping centre, approved by city councillors in July, was initially blamed for the decision.

But the developer, which plans to build more than 200 new homes, shops, a 71-bed hotel and two new restaurants at Templars Square, as well as demolish the 470-space Castle Car Park, has denied it is responsible for the closure.

Charles Spooner, director at NewRiver, said he was 'very sad' to see the pub close, adding: “This is a decision that has been taken by the operator of the pub and we are sorry that it will be leaving, and we will now be seeking to secure a new operator to create a community pub for Cowley."

The building that houses the pub will not be demolished as part of the shopping centre revamp.

Those fighting to save The William Morris have been backed by Jeremy Faulkner, of Oxford United supporters group OxVox.

He said: “From our point of view it is always really sad when a pub closes, particularly a pub such as The William Morris which is a regular meeting place before Oxford United matches.

“We are more than happy to support and help any efforts to keep the pub open."

A Facebook page has been created by campaigners and can be found be searching 'Save The William Morris Wetherspoons'.