Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic has promised to improve communication with fans after the club cancelled a planned Fan Advisory Board meeting at short notice.
Bogdanovic reached out to the supporters’ trust, OxVox, on 29 October, one day after the group criticised the cancelled meeting. OxVox chair Matthew O’Donoghue later confirmed that the two men had spoken by telephone. According to OxVox’s update published on 1 November, the chairman took responsibility for the club’s communication failings and promised to set up a more regular line of contact with fans and supporter groups.
During the call, Bogdanovic also told O’Donoghue that he planned to relocate to Oxford within a couple of weeks. OxVox noted that a move to the city could make the chairman more accessible to fans.
Even so, the trust stressed that the phone call did not resolve its biggest concerns. Supporters are still waiting for clear answers regarding Oxford’s EFL registration embargo, the club’s proposed new stadium and its wider executive and leadership structure.
Short-notice cancellation sparks fan frustration
The Fan Advisory Board had scheduled its meeting with Bogdanovic for 28 October. In a statement released that day, the board explained that the date had been agreed about three weeks in advance. However, club staff told the board’s chair less than 24 hours before the meeting that Bogdanovic was in Indonesia and would not take part.
Board members had planned to raise the registration embargo and the stadium project during those talks, alongside other club matters. Calling off the meeting brought fresh criticism from supporters, who have pushed for clearer updates from the hierarchy ever since the embargo came to light.
While Bogdanovic’s follow-up call with OxVox was a welcome step, the trust made it clear that it will judge his promise by his future actions. The group also confirmed it will keep pressing the club for proper answers.
Also Read: Inside Gaziantep FK’s cancelled election and boardroom debt dispute
Executive departures and boardroom changes
The debate over communication comes at a time of significant change among Oxford’s senior staff. Burton Albion announced on 27 October that Oxford’s chief commercial and marketing officer, Adam Benson, will take over as their new chief executive in late December. Burton stated that the appointment still requires approval from the Independent Football Regulator and the EFL.
At Oxford, Benson has also served on the management team working on the proposed new stadium. His upcoming departure means the club must decide how to cover both his commercial duties and his role on the stadium project.
Formal board records for Oxford United Football Club Ltd show further changes behind the scenes. According to Companies House filings, Grant Scott Ferguson and Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth both ended their directorships with that company on 9 September, with the termination notices filed on 17 September. Those records apply specifically to Oxford United Football Club Ltd and do not confirm on their own whether either man still holds a position elsewhere within the wider club structure.
These developments follow the departure of former chief executive Tim Williams, who stepped down in August. At the time, Oxford said it had started looking for a replacement and would pass his duties to the remaining senior leadership team in the meantime.
Major questions still waiting for answers
For supporters, the EFL registration embargo remains a priority. The details of Oxford’s situation were covered in Nutmeg Press’s earlier report on the EFL restriction, and OxVox’s latest statement shows the trust still wants to discuss the matter directly with the club.
Bogdanovic’s phone call with OxVox has created an opportunity for better dialogue, yet the core questions surrounding the embargo, the stadium plans and the club’s executive leadership remain open. OxVox says it will now give the chairman a chance to prove that his commitment leads to clearer and more regular contact with supporters.
