KARL Robinson believes Oxford United’s change of ownership has gone under the radar, in terms of its significance to the county.

The club announced this week that Indonesian investors Anindya Bakrie and Erick Thohir had finalised a deal which sees them take a controlling 51 per cent stake in the U’s.

The news came 18 months after it emerged United’s Indonesian investors were looking to secure the majority stake.

Bakrie and Thohir had gradually increased their stake during that time, but Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth remained chairman until the deal was formally completed.

Tiger, Horst Geicke and Pairoj Piempongsant ‘remain fully invested in and supportive of the club’, the U’s said in a statement.

While Tiger was chairman, Bakrie and Thohir passed the necessary English Football League (EFL) checks which allow them to take control of the club.

United also announced they hope to appoint Tim Williams as chief executive, subject to EFL approval.

Williams has previously served as chief financial officer at Inter Milan and group financial controller at Man Utd.

Robinson said: “That news in the week was news pending for us, we always knew it was a part of the progression of the football club.

“For that to be now done gives clarity to the supporters first and foremost, it’s their football club, they’re the ones who support us week in and week out.

“I think it’s gone a little bit under the radar just how big this is for the county because of the humility in which this board carries.

“We shouldn’t be where we are in the league, we know that and we apologise for that, but our processes are certainly starting to look completely different now.”

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United have been slow starters in Sky Bet League One in recent seasons, but have still managed to reach the play-offs in two of the past three campaigns.

That ponderous beginning to the season has continued this year with the U’s sitting 19th in the third tier, prior to the trip to Charlton Athletic tomorrow.

The Addicks are also yet to be firing on all cylinders, collecting one more point than United, while playing an extra game.

Robinson though said board changes at the U’s would provide a boost to his side.

“Our start hasn’t been great but we’re very confident moving forward,” United’s head coach said.

“It’ll give the building a big lift and we’ve just got to make sure we keep building on some of our good performances, maybe not some of the results.

“The last three years have got everybody excited, the start to the season hasn’t but we all know what we need and what we’re looking for.

“What we’ve put ourselves through in the last four years has been an awful lot of hard work.”