YEARS of uncertainty over Oxford United’s training ground has been ended by an agreement which will see them move to the Oxford Sports Park.

The £4.9million development on Horspath Road has been under construction since last September and is due to open this summer.

United have been at Roman Way for seven years, but have needed multiple extensions from landlords BMW to prolong their stay while a decision was made about where to move their training base.

It was always expected the U’s would be moving their youth teams to the neighbouring site at Horspath – which has been funded by BMW – the club were considering alternatives for the first team, including sharing with Oxford Brookes University.

But following lengthy talks with Fusion Lifestyle, who have a 25-year lease to operate the facility, and landowners Oxford City Council, changes have been made to the layout to accommodate the senior set-up.

They will have exclusive use of four full-sized pitches, two goalkeeper training areas and space to build a new pavilion, while having access to the 3G artificial surface.

Richard Blackmore, head of club operations at United, believes it is a major step forward.

He said: “It is an exciting move for the club.

“This will give us fantastic new facilities on the edge of the city and allow all areas of the club to work side-by-side – from the young players in the academy to the first team.

“The facilities will be shared with the whole city and hopefully become a major boost for football in general in Oxford, as well as for United.”

It brings clarity to an issue which has been hanging over the U’s for a long time.

And the outcome means all of the teams will be operating from the same site, which was always the preference for new head of the academy, Dan Harris.

In January, he said: “That training ground is going to be really key for us in terms of attracting players.

“At the moment, our under 18s train alongside the first team.

“Whatever happens moving forward, we must maintain that.”

The 39-acre site will also be available to the public, featuring football, cricket and softball pitches, practice areas, a pavilion and changing rooms.

A thrilled Mark Munday, divisional business manager for Fusion, said: “We have a long association with Oxford United and look forward to an even closure relationship in the future.”

Councillor Linda Smith, Oxford City Council’s deputy leader, said: “Oxford Sports Park will provide fantastic new facilities for people of all ages to get into sport in Oxford.

“But I think this new partnership, with community teams training right next to Oxford United’s stars, will be particularly impactful and inspiring for the city’s children.”

FACILITIES AT OXFORD SPORTS PARK

Three full-size grass football pitches

Two nine-a-side grass football pitches

Three mini football pitches

Six floodlit 3G pitches (five-a-side and seven-a-side)

Two 7v7 floodlit 3G football pitches

Two grass cricket pitches

Four softball diamonds (summer only)

Public pavilion including six changing rooms, officials changing rooms, kitchen, social space and storage

A 150-space car park featuring 12 electric vehicle charging points

A habitat area with pond