THE former landlord of the Oxford United fans’ pub, The Priory, is hoping to give supporters a new local on match days.

Tim Rackley was the landlord of The Priory in Grenoble Road for nine years until it closed in June.

Now he has joined forces with the landlord of the next nearest pub, the Catherine Wheel in Henley Road, Sandford-on-Thames, in the hope of attracting U’s fans.

The Catherine Wheel’s landlord Barry King has agreed to let Mr Rackley put on a number of special events, starting today at 11am, before games to see if fans get on board.

There will be a barbecue with pork baps and burgers and from 2.15 to 2.45pm there will be seven-seater mini- buses to take people to the match. People can also get a lift back to the pub after the game.

Mr Rackley, 46, said: “The Priory had the location, being right next to the ground, but the way the bar was laid out often caused us problems.

“It wasn’t the greatest and to be honest the Catherine Wheel has much better facilities and a much bigger bar.

“We’re going to give it a go for a few months and see what happens,.

“Hopefully people will like it and start to come along and we can look at putting on bigger spreads.

“We want to get some of the old bar staff back, and the famous Priory pork baps will also be on sale.

“We’ll be open to all and welcome fans and their families.”

United fans have said they are glad to see Mr Rackley back.

Season ticket holder Glenn Derby, 45, from Long Ground in Greater Leys, said: “Tim did well with The Priory and people were sad to see it go, he has a lot of friends and I think people will get behind him wherever he goes.”

Mr King, 66, has been the landlord of the pub for 18 years.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed it, but am winding down now. I’m looking to get out, but not desperate to sell. “I’ve spoken to Tim and he has ideas, but we’ll have to see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

Mr Rackley added: “It could be that I could take over the management if Barry wanted.

“We are just going to work with each other over the next few weeks and see how it goes.”

Mr Rackley took over The Priory in 2004, but said he was paying £1,000 each week in rent, which was unsustainable. He, along with other members of staff, were living at The Priory, next to the Kassam Stadium, until mounting debts forced them out in June.

Pub owner Firoz Kassam was last night unavailable for comment.

Last month Mr Kassam told the Oxford Mail he was unable to promise fans he would have The Priory up and running for the new season.

But he said he would like to see it as a pub again.

  • For more information about the shuttle bus, contact Mr Rackley on 07923878285 or email t.rackley@live.co.uk