Banbury United F.C.
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| Banbury United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Banbury United Football Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | The Puritans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Founded | 1931 (As Banbury Spencer) 1965 (Renamed Banbury United) |
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| Ground | Spencer Stadium Banbury, Oxon |
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| Capacity | 2,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman | D. Bennett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manager | Kevin Brock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | Southern League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005-06 | Southern League, 7th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Banbury United are a football club based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, currently playing in the British Gas Business-sponsored Southern League. They are nicknamed The Puritans and they play their home matches at the Spencer Stadium. They were originally named Banbury Spencer. Their reserve team play in the Hellenic League Division One West. They are currently the second largest team in Oxfordshire, after Oxford United F.C.
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[edit] History
- 1935-36 - Joined Birmingham & District League Southern Division
- 1962-63 - League changed name to West Midlands (Regional) League
- 1965 - Changed name to Banbury United
- 1966-67 - Joined Southern League Division One
- 1979-80 - League re-organised to Southern & Midland Divisions (No Premier), placed in Midland Division
- 1990-91 - Joined Hellenic League Premier Division
- 1999-00 - Hellenic League Champions
- 2000-01 - Rejoined Southern League, in Eastern Division
- 2003-04 - Play-offs for places in new structure - Banbury United 2 Sutton Coldfield Town 1; promoted to Premier Division
Source: Banbury United at the Football Club History Database
[edit] 1999- present
At the start of the 1999/2000 season, former Newcastle United, Oxford United and QPR player Kevin Brock was installed as manager of Banbury United. By the end of 1999, Banbury trailed Hellenic League leaders Highworth Town by 19 points. However, a run of 13 consecutive victories and 62 points from a possible 66 in the new year, saw Banbury overhaul Highworth and Clinch the title.
In the next two seasons banbury finished 13th and 15th. Banbury's hopes of improvement in the 2002/03 season were dealt a blow after injury to the club's top striker Matty Gooderick. Brock signed 19 year old Frenchman Norman Sylla, who would become Banbury's star player. After scoring 1 goal in his first five games, Sylla lit up the team. His record of 41 goals in all competitions that season saw Banbury finish 8th.
Due to the restructuring of the non-league pyramid, the club knew that if in the 2003/04 season they could finish in the top seven or finish eighth and win a play off, they would be promoted to the Southern League Premier Division. Norman Sylla departed the club and joined Conference side Redditch. Banbury wavered between 5th and 9th for much of the season and with twelve games remaining it seemed that they may struggle to finish in the top seven because their rivals had games in hand. Banbury won eight of their next games and finished eighth, securing a play-off match against Sutton Coldfield Town for promotion.
The game was played at The Spencer Stadium due to Banbury's superior record over the season. In the play-off the game was locked in a 0-0 stalemate after 90 minutes despite Banbury's dominance. Early in the second period of extra time, Sutton took a surprise lead. But a Jason Allen equaliser saw Banbury level the scores. And in the dying minutes Wayne Blossom headed the winner to send Banbury up.
In the 2004/05 season Banbury avoided relegation on the penultimate game of the season. New striker Howard Forinton was one of the heroes of the season.
The 2005/06 season saw the signing of a number of new players. Andy Baird joined from local rivals Brackley Town, Paul Lamb and Johnny Gardener signed from Aylesbury United, as well as Darren Pond and Tommy Kinch who came through Banbury's youth system.
Banbury were near the top of the table for the whole season and for a long time it seemed that they would earn a play-off place. However, dip in form followed and Banbury finished 7th.
However, long time player Jody Mckay, who made over 600 appearances, a club record, and scored 170 goals left the club in January 2006 to join Leamington. they are the best in the land.
[edit] 2006/07 squad
Alan Foster (GK)
Alan Judge (GK)
Ady Fuller (D)
Kieran Sullivan (D)
Tommy Kinch (D)
Les Robinson (D)
Matty Hayward (D)
Wayne Blossom (D/F)
Daniel Szczukiewicz (D)
George Redknap (M)
Stuart Bridges (M)
Darren Pond (M)
Paul Lamb (M)
Ollie Stanbridge (M)
Jon Gardner (M)
Murray Nicholls(M)
Jacob Goddard (M)
Neil Lazarus (M)
Howard Forinton (S)
Andy Baird (S)
[edit] Club Records
- Best league position: 7th Southern League 2005-2006
- Best FA Cup performance: 1st round replay, 1973-74
- Best FA Trophy performance: 3rd round replay, 1970-71
- Best FA Vase performance: 2nd round, 1999-00
Oxfordshire Senior Cup Champions
Attendance
In the 2005/06 season, the club had an average league attendance of 415 when playing at home. Their highest league attendance that season was 588 at home to Salisbury City.
