This week’s blog is all about the man who is responsible for the Banbury players' ridiculous fitness levels: Aidan Hawtin, Ex Professional Footballer, Builder and Banbury United Fitness coach. Hawtin Joined the Backroom team in July 2021 and since then he has made all the players not just fully fit but ‘AIDAN FIT’ so they can still press and hunt in packs up until 90 plus minutes perfect for Andy Whings' aggressive attacking playing style. This Blog embarks on the life of our fitness coach and behind the scenes of our wonderful club from back in his first spell in 2015 as a player to now on the backroom staff as the ‘best utility fitness coach-player,’ non-league has ever seen.
The Oxford-born Star, joined Launton boys aged 8 where his impressive performances earned him to be scouted at the age of 9 for Oxford United - the second biggest club in Oxfordshire after the famous Puritans from Banbury. After years of dedication, hard work and talent playing in the academy, he earned his first professional contract at the age of 18 after having a work experience loan spell at then Conference South side Hayes and Yeading, where he accumulated 14 appearances for the club. Then at the end of August in the 14/15 season, Aidan Hawtin signed on loan for the red and gold army making his debut against Frome in a 4-2 defeat away from home. Aidan discussed his first spell at the club before the bumper 857 crowd on Tuesday 27th September vs Gloucester City stating, “it’s completely different now from when it was back then, we wouldn’t get crowds like this on a Saturday let alone a Tuesday”. Even though Banbury United was not putting on shows back then, Aidan Hawtin the CM/winger was delivering fine performances week after week notably against Bishop Cleeve away in the FA cup first round qualifier and a Tuesday evening game vs Cambridge City where he scored his only goal for the club in front of 232 fans in attendance, highlighting his two spells are light years apart. With Aidan putting on a show in his 15 appearances at BUFC -Michael Appleton acknowledged his fine performances and dedication by handing him his debut away at Tranmere Rovers on the April 18th 2015, a game where he also shared a bench with Andy Whing who was an unused sub.
However, after making his debut for the Yellows the upwards trend of his career didn’t carry on due to his release from the ‘The U’s’. This meant he joined Norwegian team Valdres FK before returning home in 2016 and having to do the unthinkable for a 21-year-old calling it time to retire after damage to both knees. “I completely fell out of love with football and hated it” Aiden mentions which was a completely understandable reaction from a 21-year-old, however, Charlie Allen former youth coach of Aidan shared his sympathy and quoted “ "One thing I do know is whatever he goes into now he will be fine”. This quote from his previous coach proved to be true as Hawtin is a qualified Personal Trainer and currently working as a builder. After years disillusioned from football his love began to blossom again after getting in touch with ex-teammate Andy Whing to join his backroom staff. Since being reunited with Whingy Aidan expressed “I love it, I love being at the football again and being with the boys”. With the demands of being a semi-professional player/coach, it is hard to juggle work and football, but Aidan has struck the balance that he can leave the builders' site early for midweek games and training. This highlights Aidans' dedication to the game which links to what Michael Appleton quoted about him in 2015 after his first team appearance for the U’s ‘he genuinely was one of those who would give you everything, his attitude and commitment were first-class.”
After putting on individual shows weekly in a dull season for the club back in the 2014/15 season on the pitch, Hawtin has put on his own show off the pitch as he expects the current players to cover 10km in the games. Aidan’s fitness regime is a secret to our success last season with 11 points gained from scoring in the 80th minute or later changing draws into wins or defeats into draws. In addition to the league, we also had two FA Cup qualifying rounds which saw last-minute goals from Sam brown against Nantwich town and Ethan Johnson away at Basford, sending us on our way to FA cup glory of experiencing the magic of the first round of the FA Cup on ITV4. These results here are a testimony to Aidan’s success as he has conditioned players to be able to go till the final whistle resulting in fans experiencing limbs on the terraces with so many last-minute winners. Aidan quotes ‘we have an incredible back-room staff as well as player staff - there is not one bad egg in the group", This shows how united Banbury have become on the pitch as all the player have made this possible for the fitness coach by performing in high level training sessions to ensure they are "AIDAN Fit".
Not only has Hawtin made an impact off the pitch since his return to the club, but he has also made an impact on the playing side. Hawtin is a hidden asset that other clubs don’t have at their disposal as Banbury can name a highly talented backroom staff to bulk up the subs bench. His only league start in the centurion season was to fill in at left back alongside a makeshift defence in a fine display away to Nuneaton in January in which he did not look like a player who has been retired for 7 years. This highlights Aidan’s refound love for football alongside his desire and commitment to the club playing in an injury crisis aligning with Michael Appleton's earlier comments stating “His attitude and commitment is first class."
Aidan shares the same ambition as a lot of our current squad that he would love to get back into full-time football but his only focus right now is Banbury United the club which helped rekindle his love for the game. Morgan Roberts has proved that there is a clear pathway back into the full-time game giving hope to all our players and Aidan. However, With Banbury’s fine start to the National League North and putting on regular shows, there may be a different pathway to the full-time game as Aidan quotes ‘Hopefully we will be full time soon anyways…”. Overall, Aidan has been a fine servant to our club across two spells and all the red and gold army are glad he is enjoying his football again.
I just wanted to share a message of thanks to Aidan Hawtin for allowing us to share his story and on the behalf of the loyal puritans we want to show our appreciation to all the volunteers, backroom staff and players as no one’s effort/work ever goes unnoticed. We wish Aidan and the team all the best for the rest of the season.
Thank you for reading.
Spencer Reds.