Rosenthal quits in Oxford United bombshell (From Bicester Advertiser)
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Rosenthal quits in Oxford United bombshell
9:30am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Jim Rosenthal
Oxford United were shocked last night by the news Jim Rosenthal had res-igned from the club’s board with immediate effect.
The move is a significant blow to the U’s, with the well-known television sports presenter a major influence behind the scenes.
In an email to the Oxford Mail, the 64-year-old gave a brief statement, but declined to give a reason behind the decision.
He said: “I have felt it necessary to resign from the board of OUFC with immediate effect. I don't believe it is in the interest of the club to air my reasons at this time.
“I offer my continued support to Chris Wilder and the team and will support home and away as I have done for more than 50 years!
“I will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
It is the second high-profile exit in recent months, after Kelvin Thomas stepped down as chairman in July.
Rosenthal was appointed to the board as a director in 2010, but he had been very active with the club since Thomas joined in 2008.
A lifelong U’s fan, the former Oxford Mail reporter went down in folklore for wearing a United hat on air after the Milk Cup victory at Wembley in 1986.
When contacted last night chairman Ian Lenagan refused to comment on Rosenthal’s resignation.
Lenagan, who owns the club and succeeded Thomas in July, now makes up the board with sons Simon and Adrian.
Mark Sennett, chairman of supporters’ group OxVox, paid tribute to Rosenthal.
He said: “Jim has been a great supporter of Oxford United and we thank him for his involvement as a director and sponsor.
“We wish him all the best in everything he does and look forward to seeing him again in the future.”
Despite Rosenthal following Thomas out the door, Sennett felt there was no need for fans to be concerned for the club’s future.
“Not at all,” he said. “With the fact that Ian Lenagan has taken over the day-to-day running of the club, it is always good to see the owner wants to get involved.
“We met with Ian Lenagan last month and the relationship between us and him is good. It was a very positive meeting.”
Sennett said that OxVox would be asking Lenagan if he intended to recruit replacement board members.
“The key thing is the owner of the football club is still committed to the football club, so from our point of view that is all you could ask,” he added.
Comments(18)
Ians view
says...
10:34am Tue 11 Sep 12
bigchet
says...
11:02am Tue 11 Sep 12
Ian Faulkner
says...
11:39am Tue 11 Sep 12
jonny1976
says...
1:31pm Tue 11 Sep 12
northampton yellow
says...
1:47pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Snowy69
says...
2:09pm Tue 11 Sep 12
It could be that things were going wrong which prompted KT to leave early. Possibly Ian is steadying the ship and getting the club running how he sees fit. As the Lenagan money is in OUFC he will tighten the ship where it needs to be tightened.
Ian has a good track record in Business and Sport so I have faith in Ian.
hokuspokus
says...
3:28pm Tue 11 Sep 12
https://twitter.com/
rosentweets/status/2
45313807927361536
Draw your own conclusions.
dave from witney
says...
4:44pm Tue 11 Sep 12
I was as sad as anyone when Kelvin left the club, but you have to wonder whether he was just too close to the manager to run the club for the best. The MD needs to take decisions, sometimes not popular, it all goes with the job. Look at Spurs, who would have thought six months ago that 'Harry' would have been fired. All the rumours are flying round, but until the club makes a statement, as it has to, given time, we can only assume that OUFC is going in the right direction. Of much more importance to me are the playing problems, not the administration.
mandate
says...
4:48pm Tue 11 Sep 12
CamView
says...
5:32pm Tue 11 Sep 12
OxRoxBox
says...
6:00pm Tue 11 Sep 12
As far as Jim is concerned I for one would like to thank him for all he has done and look forward to seeing him as ever - THANKYOU Jim!
make mine a double
says...
9:30pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Mature supporter
says...
9:55pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Open your eyes
says...
11:32pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Lenagan tends to act in a professional business manner whereas Mr Rosenthal resigns and goes running to the Mail with a 'I'm resigning but I am not telling you why' scenario.
Let's hear the side of Lenagan for a change and perhaps then we can learn more about the situation with Jim and his close pals resigning and the real reasons why!
hawkeye1
says...
7:27am Wed 12 Sep 12
hokuspokus
says...
11:55am Wed 12 Sep 12
If "it was always him and Kelvin Thomas really" that strongly suggests he felt he had no option once Kelvin had stepped down.
Furthermore, Jim has apparently said it would not be in the interests of the club to reveal his reasons for leaving now.
Overall I would say IL is doing a good job, but he needs to be open with the fans and show that there are positive intentions behind these changes.
It's a real shame because anyone who has lived through the Maxwell-Kassam era knows the benefit of having a true United fan on the board in addition to the required financial support.
Thanks Jim.
Captain Yellow
says...
11:25am Wed 7 Nov 12
But it is in the best interests of the club to make a statement which just promotes speculation?!
Joe1 says...
10:25am Tue 11 Sep 12
Who do think they are kidding? Something must be going on for two so deeply supportive Board members to resign. I agree to see the owner have a hands approach can be a good thing. However, it must be for the benefit of the club LONG term.
"COME ON YOU YELLOWS"