Sumrith takes over English League One club Oxford United

>> LONDON: Thai businessman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth has become the new owner of English League One (third tier) Oxford United, the club announced yesterday.

“I have been to games recently and seen the passion of the fans and the ambitious way that the whole club is set up,” said Sumrith.

“I would just like to say to the fans that my ambitions match, and may even exceed theirs.”

Sumrit, also known as “Tiger”, held a 25% stake in Reading until May 2017 as part of a three-person consortium.

The takeover ends Darryl Eales’s tenure as chairman of Oxford United.

Eales, who will remain on the club’s board, had been chairman since 2014 and oversaw promotion from League Two in 2016.

He told the club website: “Tiger has the financial resources, high level connections in football, including with the EFL, and, critically, the passion and drive which can deliver on the club’s ambitions.”

Sumrith, alongside his sister Khunying Sasima Srivikorn and majority owner Narin Niruttinanon, bought the Royals in September 2014.

The trio sold a 75% stake last May to Chinese brother and sister Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li but retained ownership of land around the Madejski Stadium and its hotel, which have been earmarked for future development.

Former Wales striker Craig Bellamy is reportedly in talks to be the club’s new manager after Pep Clotet was sacked in January. On the club’s managerial situation, Sumrith said he is keen to “complete this process quickly so that we can provide further stability for the rest of the season”.

Oxford United are 15th in the League One table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Two other English clubs are owned by Thais — Premier League side Leicester City and Championship (second tier) team Sheffield Wednesday.