St John’s Professor joins the Board of Oxford United
Lionel Tarassenko is Professorial Fellow in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at St John's and Head of the Department of Engineering Science. He has long been a United fan: ‘I have been a fan since 1983-4 when I was doing my doctorate at the John Radcliffe Hospital and started going to the Manor Ground next to the hospital. I have watched the club in five divisions, from the old First Division to the Conference, and have been a season ticket holder since 2002.’
As well as being a pre-eminent research scientist, Lionel also has extensive experience of running major projects, fundraising and developing national and international partnerships. ‘I look forward to working closely with the Chairman and bringing my University expertise to help the development of the club in a number of areas.’ Lionel added that, 'There is a strong tradition of St John’s Fellows being involved in professional football, with Sir Harold Thompson (a Chemistry Fellow) being the Chairman of the FA from 1976 to 1981.'
Executive Chairman of Oxford United, Darryl Eales, said, ‘Lionel and I have developed a good relationship over the past 12 months and it is a privilege that he has agreed to join the Board. He will bring a wealth of local, national and international knowledge and experience to the Board as we seek to take the club forward both on and off the pitch.’