in 1975 bristol stadium ltd agreed a deal worth £235,000 with the oxford city council housing committee. a group formed sos (save our stadium) and a petition with 27,000 names was lodged with the council. local mp michael heseltine called for a public meeting which gave sos the chance to find a buyer. the stadium closed on 31 december 1975 until further notice but reopened during march 1976 and eventually found a buyer in 1977 when northern sports purchased the track for £250,000. the threat of permanent closure had been prevented by david hawkins the managing director of northern sports.