SUCCESS for Oxford United has not only delighted hardcore supporters, but has given this county a real lift, writes OxVox chair Paul Peros.

Thirty-thousand supporters, the majority of them travelling seamlessly on public transport, turned Wembley yellow and blue.

The city centre was a sea of smiling faces to greet them home as the team bus crept towards its victory parade destination at the town hall. It was fitting that the town hall was the venue as Oxford city councillors last week debated a motion to fully support the Oxford United bid to build a community stadium near Kidlington.

While the city council do not directly decide the fate of the stadium (with the plot sitting feet from the boundary line with Oxford City Council but within Cherwell District Council) it of course is telling as to the mood of the city and county, on a project that can benefit all of Oxfordshire.

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Oxford United’s continued progress and recent success has highlighted the emotional, financial and social draw of the club throughout Oxfordshire.

Lazy characterisations of football supporters being somehow incapable of community-minded behaviour or responsible travel and conduct are being seen for what they are. Outdated, inaccurate and frankly offensive.

The pure joy of young and old alike spread far beyond our fanbase. The whole city was lifted at a time when many needed it most. This club matters to this county.

The economic uplift is great for the city and will only improve as we take on the likes of Norwich City and Sheffield United in the Championship.

The positive exposure of our amazing county on a global stage will be bigger than ever before with at least 20 of our games being shown live on Sky.

As someone who studied psychology, and wrote a dissertation on football and stadia, I am well aware of the weight of evidence of the positive benefits of football support to mental health and community spirit.

There is also the positive influence on the young of our county. The young of Kidlington will benefit from much-needed help to improve facilities and access to a community hub that will be used for educational and social gatherings.

It is fitting that so much of the focus of this stadium is about the young of this county and making sure they have sporting opportunities so poorly catered for at present.

It was with these thoughts in mind that I stood in the city council chamber last week, to address the city council, and speak about my hope for the new stadium.

Having worked on this project for nearly six years, each of these moments takes on a little extra meaning. The reception and support from councillors across the political spectrum was amazing to experience, and when the voting took place, the motion was passed without a single no vote.

As the benefits of this community hub are articulated through planning, it is incredible to see how councillors and interested members of the public are backing the stadium.

As Oxford United move forward into the Championship, we also stand on the verge of securing our home for generations to come and creating something the whole county can be proud of. Exciting times indeed.