Oxford United fans watch clash with Swindon from tree and on top of van in car park with stadium still shut
A GROUP of Oxford United fans watched their team’s clash with Swindon Town from the Kassam Stadium car park.
With fans not allowed back in stadiums until next week, a group of supporters went to extreme lengths to cheer on Oxford a week ahead of schedule.
The Us’ stadium is open at one end with no stand behind the goal, just a car park for the local bowling alley.
So three fans spotted the chance to watch their side as they balanced on top of a wooden pallet strapped to the roof of their van – singing and clapping to their hearts’ content – while another watched from inside the vehicle.
Another fan had climbed up a tree in a high-vis jacket to show his support, and several others came to join the two parties in the car park.
Police kept an eye on the group from another spot in the car park.
Oxford saw a 1-0 lead slip as they conceded two goals after the 85th minute to lose 2-1.
Matt Taylor had opened the scoring for the Us but Tom Broadbent’s equaliser and an injury-time winner from Tyler Smith saw Swindon snatch all three points.
The motley crew will be looking forward to watching Oxford from the stands next weekend, with fans allowed back into football grounds from December 2.
Oxford falls under Tier 2 of the government’s new system, meaning the Kassam will be able to open its gates to up to 2,000 fans under the new restrictions.
Earlier this week Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote on Twitter: “Sports fans back in stadia from 2nd Dec 4K or 50% of capacity in Tier 1, 2K or 50% of capacity in Tier 2.
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“A big step forward for fans as we work towards fuller capacities.
“Thanks to pilot hosts & fans for showing this can be done safely.”
The EFL said it was an ‘important step in achieving a return to normal’ and that it would help the ‘revenue gap left by a lack of spectators’.
Oxford fans could be able to watch from inside the ground as early as next weekend, when the Us take on Hull in League One.