OXFORD United chairman Darryl Eales wants to make open training sessions a regular event after hundreds of supporters watched the players get their first taste of the new Kassam Stadium pitch.

Strengthening engagement with fans is a key priority for the U’s, who are looking to build on the success of their pre-season trip to Austria last month.

The club are holding a series of forums for supporters around the county, visiting Witney tomorrow, Abingdon on Thursday and Bicester on August 12.

There is also a plan to add a further meeting in Oxford later in the season.

Eales was delighted to see 350 people turn up yesterday to see Michael Appleton’s squad put through their paces.

It is something the club have done during pre-season in the past, but the U’s chairman wants to see it happen more often.

“Austria blew me away and the feel good factor since then has been truly uplifting,” he said.

“All we’re trying to do is bottle it and keep it going.

“I had no idea there would be so many people here.

“On a Monday you’re not expecting to get 300-400 fans to watch the players train.

“I will say in my programme notes for Saturday that one of the things I want to do is to make sure fan engagement is not a one-off.

“I want that to continue with open sessions at the training ground and Michael entirely buys into that.”

Oxford Mail:

  • After the training session, Oxford United's players and staff gathered with the spectators for a group photo

Lewis Stratford was one of those who attended.

The 23-year-old from Blackbird Leys was also in Austria and has been encouraged by the club’s efforts in bringing the fans and players closer together.

He said: “I just feel it’s a really homely, connected club and it’s come a long way in a short space of time.

“It’s great to have the chance to see the players train.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford United players training on the new pitch for the first time

The decision to replace the pitch was one of the most important moves of the summer.

Appleton felt it was a big step forward and plans to give the squad another chance to work on it before Saturday, when Crawley Town visit for the Sky Bet League Two opener.

He said: “It’s a massive improvement on what we had in the back end of last season.

“It was important for the players to have a feel for it and they will probably do again on Thursday.”