Courtesy: Oxford Mail


Euro trip could be last for threatened Oxford City Lions – boss Enrique Guillen

by Matthew Bruce

The future of double champions Oxford City Lions could be in doubt, according to boss Enrique Guillen.

Lions stormed to victory in the FA National Futsal League and FA Futsal Cup last season, earning their first Appearance in the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Despite a comfortable 6-2 victory over Andorran hosts FC Encamp in their final match on Saturday night, Lions were pipped to qualification to the next round by Kosovan champions FC Feniks.

Shorn of last season’s three most important players – Jonathan Camara, Sergio Garcia and Miguel Gil Moro – Guillen still managed to assemble an impressive side, although he had just two days to work with them prior to Lions’ opening match.

But now the rest of the squad have also gone their separate ways.

“As of today, we don’t have a team,” said a deflated Guillen.

“We don’t have one player signed.

“The players who performed over the last week for us in Andorra are all going.

“They have other teams and contracts to go to, or they’re just returning home. We’ve not kept any of them.”

Lions are due to begin their title defence on September 11, but their preparations have been seriously hampered by financial problems.

The tragic death of City’s managing director and a big supporter of futsal, Colin Taylor, last month has compounded a situation which already threatened the previously flourishing futsal side.

And after leading the side to unprecedented levels of success, Guillen is now considering whether he can continue.

He said: “I need to get a little bit of support from the club for me to feel that I want to carry on for another year.

“What I don’t want to do is put all my effort into creating a good team if that effort isn’t matched by the club.

“We proved this week Oxford City can compete at this level.

“The only thing we need is a little bit of help to make sure we can carry on and raise the bar again.

“Then hopefully we can have more success in league and cup and represent England again in Europe.”


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com