United still tight-lipped over Rosenthal

9:30am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in U's News Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Jim Rosenthal (left) and Kelvin Thomas (centre) have left Oxford United, leaving U’s chairman Ian Lenagan (right) and his sons, Simon and Adrian, as the only directors of the club Jim Rosenthal (left) and Kelvin Thomas (centre) have left Oxford United, leaving U’s chairman Ian Lenagan (right) and his sons, Simon and Adrian, as the only directors of the club

QUESTIONS over Jim Rosenthal’s sudden resignation from Oxford United ’s board remain unanswered – with the club continuing their silence on the story.

The popular television sports presenter stunned the U’s on Monday by quitting as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

When contacted yesterday, club owner and chairman Ian Lenagan had not changed his stance, again refusing to comment.

As of last night, United’s website had made no mention of it.

With Rosenthal, who is known to have had a big influence behind the scenes, unwilling to add to his initial short statement, which said he “felt it necessary” to step down, the reasons behind the move are unclear.

Another pressing question is whether the club are looking to add anyone to the board, which is now just made up of Lenagan and his sons, Simon and Adrian.

The only hint over the departure came from Rosenthal’s son, Tom, who tweeted: “For Oxford fans asking about Dad, he’s gutted, loves the club and will always be a fan, but it was always him and Kelvin Thomas really.”

The 64-year-old got involved with the club when Thomas became chairman in 2008, joining the board two years later.

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Thomas stepped down in July, which may have been the catalyst for Rosenthal’s resignation.

It would provide a logical explanation, but the lack of official comment, however brief, is a cause for concern with some fans.

On the Oxford Mail website, Bigchet commented: “Very bad news for the club. Jim Rosenthal has been a lifelong supporter and much more than just a director.

“Something serious must have happened to cause him to resign and I think it’s imperative that the reason is made public so that we have some idea in which direction the club is going. A sad day as far as I can see.”

On our Twitter feed @OxfordMailOUFC, Simon Godfrey said: “The lack of reasoning is concerning and I’d hope to hear from IL regarding the resignation.”

However, Snowy69 said he believes fans should not read too much into it, saying: “Possibly Ian is steadying the ship and getting the club running how he sees fit.

“As the Lenagan money is in OUFC he will tighten the ship where it needs to be tightened.

“Ian has a good track record in business and sport so I have faith.”

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/9922846.Are_you_worried_by_Jim_Rosenthal_s_departure_from_Oxford_United_/

Comments (19)

10:53am Wed 12 Sep 12

yeomanry says...

I'm a bit perplexed as to why Jim has left offering the very vague hint that there's something wrong. This has caused mass speculation and is not good for the club. Surely it would have been better all around to have come out and said 'I am leaving because ..'; If its personal reasons then fine just say so and if its 'something wrong' at the club then come out with it, he won't have signed any non-disclosure contracts. This silent intrigue
does nobody any favours - including the supporters.
I'm a bit perplexed as to why Jim has left offering the very vague hint that there's something wrong. This has caused mass speculation and is not good for the club. Surely it would have been better all around to have come out and said 'I am leaving because ..'; If its personal reasons then fine just say so and if its 'something wrong' at the club then come out with it, he won't have signed any non-disclosure contracts. This silent intrigue does nobody any favours - including the supporters. yeomanry

11:08am Wed 12 Sep 12

DuberryandBeanofan says...

It is strange how Jim left but I think that because of Kelvin Thomas' resigntion he might have thought that this is a good time for me to leave, Im stil stunned but as fans we have to support the yellows. Let's get a win on Saturday and move on, soon there will be answers.
It is strange how Jim left but I think that because of Kelvin Thomas' resigntion he might have thought that this is a good time for me to leave, Im stil stunned but as fans we have to support the yellows. Let's get a win on Saturday and move on, soon there will be answers. DuberryandBeanofan

11:17am Wed 12 Sep 12

35 year fan says...

yeomanry wrote:
I'm a bit perplexed as to why Jim has left offering the very vague hint that there's something wrong. This has caused mass speculation and is not good for the club. Surely it would have been better all around to have come out and said 'I am leaving because ..'; If its personal reasons then fine just say so and if its 'something wrong' at the club then come out with it, he won't have signed any non-disclosure contracts. This silent intrigue does nobody any favours - including the supporters.
totally agree, JR said it wouldnt be in the best interests of the club to give reasons but the way he's left it is also damaging for the club as it clearly suggests he has a big issue either with IL personally or with something the club is doing.
[quote][p][bold]yeomanry[/bold] wrote: I'm a bit perplexed as to why Jim has left offering the very vague hint that there's something wrong. This has caused mass speculation and is not good for the club. Surely it would have been better all around to have come out and said 'I am leaving because ..'; If its personal reasons then fine just say so and if its 'something wrong' at the club then come out with it, he won't have signed any non-disclosure contracts. This silent intrigue does nobody any favours - including the supporters.[/p][/quote]totally agree, JR said it wouldnt be in the best interests of the club to give reasons but the way he's left it is also damaging for the club as it clearly suggests he has a big issue either with IL personally or with something the club is doing. 35 year fan

11:18am Wed 12 Sep 12

Snowy69 says...

Have to agree with you yeomanry the statement from Jim is damaging to OUFC as it raises questions as to why he left.
Either No comment would have been better or don't go to the media. Jim should have resolved why he was leaving behind closed doors so a postive departure could take place.

Could it be he wanted more out of OUFC than Ian was prepared to give. After all he has tried to be part of a take over before.

As mentioned yesterday Ian Lenagan has a good track record in both Sport and Business. So I stand by him.
Have to agree with you yeomanry the statement from Jim is damaging to OUFC as it raises questions as to why he left. Either No comment would have been better or don't go to the media. Jim should have resolved why he was leaving behind closed doors so a postive departure could take place. Could it be he wanted more out of OUFC than Ian was prepared to give. After all he has tried to be part of a take over before. As mentioned yesterday Ian Lenagan has a good track record in both Sport and Business. So I stand by him. Snowy69

11:31am Wed 12 Sep 12

Ian Faulkner says...

When, or if, something does appear on the club site, it will just be the bland sort of statement that's always issued in such situations. We won't learn anything at all of value.
When, or if, something does appear on the club site, it will just be the bland sort of statement that's always issued in such situations. We won't learn anything at all of value. Ian Faulkner

12:28pm Wed 12 Sep 12

mr winky says...

First Kelvin Thomas goes then Jim Rosenthal goes, is there something you should be telling us Mr Lenagan ? Jim Rosenthal was Mr Oxford United, something has to be going on behind the scenes that seems to be unsettleing things. Come on lets be having you, out with it. Lets not go back to the dark days of the Firoz Kassam regime !
First Kelvin Thomas goes then Jim Rosenthal goes, is there something you should be telling us Mr Lenagan ? Jim Rosenthal was Mr Oxford United, something has to be going on behind the scenes that seems to be unsettleing things. Come on lets be having you, out with it. Lets not go back to the dark days of the Firoz Kassam regime ! mr winky

12:58pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Open your eyes says...

He certainly looked like Mr Oxford United. Let's see and hear the story when the owner decides to announce it or Jim has the bottle to stop messing us all about with his cryptic messages to the local paper.

Then we can see if he deserves the title Mr Oxford United.
He certainly looked like Mr Oxford United. Let's see and hear the story when the owner decides to announce it or Jim has the bottle to stop messing us all about with his cryptic messages to the local paper. Then we can see if he deserves the title Mr Oxford United. Open your eyes

1:41pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Simon84 says...

This is a non story.
Jim was a non exec director which means basically he doesn't get involved in day to day running and gets asked for his input when the club needs it. I believe he put no money into the club just enjoyed his free games in the posh seating and he swanned about the place like he owned it. Jim probably got annoyed cos Lenagan was consulting him less than Kelvin did. Sounds a bit like Jims ego has taken a hit and hes tried to make himself seem more important than he is.

No loss in my book and can't see why everyone is so getting so bothered by it.

Calm down dears!
This is a non story. Jim was a non exec director which means basically he doesn't get involved in day to day running and gets asked for his input when the club needs it. I believe he put no money into the club just enjoyed his free games in the posh seating and he swanned about the place like he owned it. Jim probably got annoyed cos Lenagan was consulting him less than Kelvin did. Sounds a bit like Jims ego has taken a hit and hes tried to make himself seem more important than he is. No loss in my book and can't see why everyone is so getting so bothered by it. Calm down dears! Simon84

4:18pm Wed 12 Sep 12

AylesburyOx says...

Simon84 wrote:
This is a non story.
Jim was a non exec director which means basically he doesn't get involved in day to day running and gets asked for his input when the club needs it. I believe he put no money into the club just enjoyed his free games in the posh seating and he swanned about the place like he owned it. Jim probably got annoyed cos Lenagan was consulting him less than Kelvin did. Sounds a bit like Jims ego has taken a hit and hes tried to make himself seem more important than he is.

No loss in my book and can't see why everyone is so getting so bothered by it.

Calm down dears!
This man talks a lot of sense and I suspect isn't far off the mark.

KT left due to money; he wanted more, IL thought (and knew) he could do the same job for less. A shame because I always liked KT but the stability of the club must come first.

The same probably went for Jim; he was being left out of the decision making and as a result felt let down by IL.

Mr Lenagan knows how to run a business, and if that requires a bit of ruthlessness then so be it. The football club must come first and going up this season should be our only priority. Stories like this are a side show and should not be used as an excuse for failure to meet expectations - CW that means you!
[quote][p][bold]Simon84[/bold] wrote: This is a non story. Jim was a non exec director which means basically he doesn't get involved in day to day running and gets asked for his input when the club needs it. I believe he put no money into the club just enjoyed his free games in the posh seating and he swanned about the place like he owned it. Jim probably got annoyed cos Lenagan was consulting him less than Kelvin did. Sounds a bit like Jims ego has taken a hit and hes tried to make himself seem more important than he is. No loss in my book and can't see why everyone is so getting so bothered by it. Calm down dears![/p][/quote]This man talks a lot of sense and I suspect isn't far off the mark. KT left due to money; he wanted more, IL thought (and knew) he could do the same job for less. A shame because I always liked KT but the stability of the club must come first. The same probably went for Jim; he was being left out of the decision making and as a result felt let down by IL. Mr Lenagan knows how to run a business, and if that requires a bit of ruthlessness then so be it. The football club must come first and going up this season should be our only priority. Stories like this are a side show and should not be used as an excuse for failure to meet expectations - CW that means you! AylesburyOx

8:23pm Wed 12 Sep 12

DuberryandBeanofan says...

Come on OUFC! Get 3 points on Saturday
Come on OUFC! Get 3 points on Saturday DuberryandBeanofan

5:40am Thu 13 Sep 12

LeagueOneOx says...

In Lenagan we TRUST.

The club needed a big shake-up.
In Lenagan we TRUST. The club needed a big shake-up. LeagueOneOx

9:56am Thu 13 Sep 12

badger86 says...

OK, if it is all a storm in a tea cup, we need an announcement from somebody soon!!!!! Come on Oxford, let's provide a bit of clarity here please
OK, if it is all a storm in a tea cup, we need an announcement from somebody soon!!!!! Come on Oxford, let's provide a bit of clarity here please badger86

5:19pm Thu 13 Sep 12

AylesburyOx says...

badger86 wrote:
OK, if it is all a storm in a tea cup, we need an announcement from somebody soon!!!!! Come on Oxford, let's provide a bit of clarity here please
What'd the point of that be?
Lenagan will say it wasn't working out, Jim will have a dig at Lenagan and the club. Lenagan will have a dig back over money, KT and the 'boys club' that he (KT) Jim and Wilder had. Nobody will come out of it with much if any credit.
Better they all keep quiet and focus on going up this season.
[quote][p][bold]badger86[/bold] wrote: OK, if it is all a storm in a tea cup, we need an announcement from somebody soon!!!!! Come on Oxford, let's provide a bit of clarity here please[/p][/quote]What'd the point of that be? Lenagan will say it wasn't working out, Jim will have a dig at Lenagan and the club. Lenagan will have a dig back over money, KT and the 'boys club' that he (KT) Jim and Wilder had. Nobody will come out of it with much if any credit. Better they all keep quiet and focus on going up this season. AylesburyOx

6:38pm Thu 13 Sep 12

LeGod says...

sounds like its falling apart.
sounds like its falling apart. LeGod

8:45am Fri 14 Sep 12

Bounce Bounce says...

mr winky wrote:
First Kelvin Thomas goes then Jim Rosenthal goes, is there something you should be telling us Mr Lenagan ? Jim Rosenthal was Mr Oxford United, something has to be going on behind the scenes that seems to be unsettleing things. Come on lets be having you, out with it. Lets not go back to the dark days of the Firoz Kassam regime !
Agree. PR from OUFC this year has been woeful, as highlighted by poor home crowds this season. Is IL adopting KT's open door policy? Under KT we were all in in together, dont let it become 'us and them'.
[quote][p][bold]mr winky[/bold] wrote: First Kelvin Thomas goes then Jim Rosenthal goes, is there something you should be telling us Mr Lenagan ? Jim Rosenthal was Mr Oxford United, something has to be going on behind the scenes that seems to be unsettleing things. Come on lets be having you, out with it. Lets not go back to the dark days of the Firoz Kassam regime ![/p][/quote]Agree. PR from OUFC this year has been woeful, as highlighted by poor home crowds this season. Is IL adopting KT's open door policy? Under KT we were all in in together, dont let it become 'us and them'. Bounce Bounce

8:48am Fri 14 Sep 12

Bounce Bounce says...

LeGod wrote:
sounds like its falling apart.
1-2
2-0
1-0
.........Not quite falling apart
[quote][p][bold]LeGod[/bold] wrote: sounds like its falling apart.[/p][/quote]1-2 2-0 1-0 .........Not quite falling apart Bounce Bounce

2:29am Sat 15 Sep 12

BigCrompy says...

LeGod wrote:
sounds like its falling apart.
That would be your stadium in a slight breeze, my scaly friend.
[quote][p][bold]LeGod[/bold] wrote: sounds like its falling apart.[/p][/quote]That would be your stadium in a slight breeze, my scaly friend. BigCrompy

12:35pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Chish and Fips says...

Bounce Bounce wrote:
LeGod wrote:
sounds like its falling apart.
1-2
2-0
1-0
.........Not quite falling apart
ummmm...If that is your measure of success or failure BB, you'd better start considering about the wider picture....
[quote][p][bold]Bounce Bounce[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]LeGod[/bold] wrote: sounds like its falling apart.[/p][/quote]1-2 2-0 1-0 .........Not quite falling apart[/p][/quote]ummmm...If that is your measure of success or failure BB, you'd better start considering about the wider picture.... Chish and Fips

2:49pm Sat 15 Sep 12

BigCrompy says...

Chish and Fips wrote:
Bounce Bounce wrote:
LeGod wrote:
sounds like its falling apart.
1-2
2-0
1-0
.........Not quite falling apart
ummmm...If that is your measure of success or failure BB, you'd better start considering about the wider picture....
He's right, BB...alas, you've not made it in this world until up there with the real big boys like Hartlepool, Bury and 'Barcelona' and until you're losing at home to bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient week in, week out. Hoofball Division 1, that's the place to be.

Have you been "considering about" that (whatever that means)?

Unfortunately Chish, whilst you and your army of three-thumbed cousins are clearly delighted to have reached your zenith, those that have seen our team achieve success in the years since football could be played in a quagmire have designs somewhat above the old Division 3.
[quote][p][bold]Chish and Fips[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Bounce Bounce[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]LeGod[/bold] wrote: sounds like its falling apart.[/p][/quote]1-2 2-0 1-0 .........Not quite falling apart[/p][/quote]ummmm...If that is your measure of success or failure BB, you'd better start considering about the wider picture....[/p][/quote]He's right, BB...alas, you've not made it in this world until up there with the real big boys like Hartlepool, Bury and 'Barcelona' and until you're losing at home to bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient week in, week out. Hoofball Division 1, that's the place to be. Have you been "considering about" that (whatever that means)? Unfortunately Chish, whilst you and your army of three-thumbed cousins are clearly delighted to have reached your zenith, those that have seen our team achieve success in the years since football could be played in a quagmire have designs somewhat above the old Division 3. BigCrompy

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