OXFORD CITY - AMERICAN SOCCER STARS?
From The Oxford Mail
Oxford City could become one of the top names in American soccer. City
president Thomas Guerriero revealed he aims to form his own franchise
playing under the same name. He said: "In the future I can definitely see
the Oxford City brand expanding to the United States."
Guerriero added the move would not be in the short-term and would rely on
the establishment of his Oxford City University campus in Florida. "The
university will have the facilities that can support a professional team",
he said. Guerriero claims that his plans are "a couple of years ahead of
schedule", with the launch of the company's new broadcasting network which
he says will move on to include a TV station by 2015. "We want to raise
awareness of what we are doing both in England and the United States."
Guerriero refers to his plans for parent company Oxford City Football Club
Inc., as a "vertical integration model" based along the lines of United
States conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway headed up by renowned
business magnate Warren Buffett. That company has a range of interests in
famous names including Heinz, Mars, Coca-Cola and American Express.
Guerriero said: "We look at specific sectors that can build a solid
foundation. Most football clubs are not fiscally successful because they are
just football clubs. We want people to look at us as a financial powerhouse
holding company. Football is just one aspect of what is successful."
As for the university, Guerriero said a site had been secured in Florida for
it to be built. "The university will be fuelling the talent of tomorrow on
the pitch and in the boardroom. We want to build on that year after year",
he said.
Guerriero took over Oxford City last April. By August he had changed the
name of his financial business, WMX Group Holdings, to Oxford City Football
Club Inc., and floated it on the stock exchange. He then went on take over
the Oxford Hoops basketball club in October and last month it was announced
that the Oxford City Broadcasting Network had been set up with the first
programme being `The Oxford City Financial Report` presented by Mick Da
Mixter Bazsuly.
Asked whether he bought the club just to trade on the name, Guerriero said:
"I have no time to care about what people think of me. I am passionate about
doing this; I don't feel there is anyone we are competing against."
Oxford City are in the relegation zone. He said: "A lot of the players were
already established and obviously we want to do much better but it is not a
concern and we think we will finish the year further up with the way we have
restructured and re-defined how we work together. Every single person is on
the same page. We are confident about the coaching. It is the style of
football (managing director) Colin Taylor and I want to see." Guerriero
played in goal for Staten Island Vipers before it was disbanded in 1998, the
year he began his financial career on Wall Street.
He became senior vice-president of the securities division of First Union,
one of the largest institutions in the world.
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Be careful what you wish for - Oxford City!
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