Oxford Stadium can confirm it has today withdrawn its open invitation offer to The Blue Cross, six months after the animal charity accepted during a live BBC Radio Oxford interview.
The Stadium invited senior representatives of The Blue Cross to view first-hand facilities at the Sandy Lane venue and the headquarters of professional trainer Kevin Hutton – who is based a stone’s throw from the charity’s Burford offices.
The invitation was put to the charity on September 27, 2023, during a local radio broadcast where Blue Cross spokesperson Kerry Taylor accepted on the charity’s behalf stating: “We’d welcome that, we’d love to go and have a look and start those conversations.”
Since then, Oxford Stadium has repeatedly attempted to organise The Blue Cross’ visit without success. A timeline of communication can be viewed below:
September 27, 2023: The Blue Cross accepts Oxford Stadium’s open invitation on BBC Radio Oxford’s Breakfast Show.
September 28, 2023: Oxford Stadium contact The Blue Cross to organise a date.
October 5, 2023: A follow-up email is sent after The Blue Cross failed to reply.
October 5, 2023: Within 15 minutes, The Blue Cross responds saying the invitation is being “discussed internally” with a promise we’ll hear back shortly. Oxford Stadium immediately replies.
December 4, 2023: Oxford Stadium sends a further chaser to The Blue Cross, requesting to organise a date.
December 13, 2023: A fourth chaser is sent to The Blue Cross.
December 14, 2023: Blue Cross CEO Chris Burghes responds. He formally accepts Oxford Stadium’s invitation under three conditions, which Oxford Stadium accepts. The conditions are:
- No recording of the visit – video, audio or transcript.
- No media presence.
- Oxford Stadium supplies its injury and fatality data from the past year.
January 17, 2024: Oxford Stadium advises on dates to hold The Blue Cross’ visit.
January 18, 2024: The Blue Cross confirms it is looking into dates.
Oxford Stadium has received no correspondence from The Blue Cross since January 18. Today, we have contacted the charity confirming our withdrawal of the offer to CEO Chris Burghes.
It is disappointing – but not surprising – The Blue Cross has refused to engage with our team, and we now feel we have wasted enough time chasing their engagement and cooperation.
