Oxford United could cease to exist if the club fails in its attempt to receive planning permission for a new stadium.
The Championship side had previously submitted plans for a new 16,000-seater stadium with a decision expected next month.
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However, with the deadline moving ever closer, Oxford CEO Tim Williams has warned that the future of the club is at stake.
Oxford play their home matches at the Kassam Stadium but their lease is set to expire in 2026, leaving Williams fearful about what could follow.
“When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, we won’t have a home and a stadium to play in,” Williams told Sky Sports.
“If we don’t have a stadium, there is a risk we won’t have a football club.”
Plans for the new multi-purpose stadium include a hotel, an events centre and a wellbeing and community area. It would also become the UK’s first all-electric stadium.
New stadiums appear to be the trend at present with Everton moving into their new arena this summer while Manchester United’s new minority owners INEOS, have also laid out plans for a ‘Wembley of the north’ inspired Stadium.
The Red Devils are aiming to build a new 100,000-seater stadium to be ready for use by the 2023/31 season.
But WIlliams claims Oxford are far more in need of a new stadium than the Premier League pair.
“It doesn’t get more serious than that for a football club,” Williams said reflecting on his club’s woes.
“We have seen headlines recently about a new Manchester United stadium, which with all due respect is a want and not a need.
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“If Manchester United don’t move out, they still have Old Trafford.
“If Everton hadn’t moved into Bramley Moore-Dock, they’ve still got Goodison.
“If we don’t move into a new stadium, we are homeless and we don’t exist and it’s an absolute travesty in my view.
“It’s that important.”
Williams believes a positive decision would not just be of benefit to Oxford United and the club’s supporters, but to the entire community.
He said: “We now have a Football Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets.
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“We are a poster child for what good football governance and football clubs should be about.
“It’s going to be a 16,000-seater stadium, on the outskirts of Oxford, and a real community asset, fully sustainable, in a brilliant location in the country.
“We need support, but we also need to say, the point about the club potentially not existing is a real one. This needs to be moved up every headline.
“We are entering a crucial period in the club’s history. The future of the club hinges on the new stadium, and I’d urge every supporter, every stakeholder, and every voice to get behind this project.”
