Banbury’s Pre-Season kicked off at Addison Road in the annual fixture against Easington in the Ron Thomas cup on Tuesday 11th July. Pre-season is a time where fans reunite back on the terraces and meeting up like they never been away as the excitement heightens as football returns after a long summer. Whilst fans take up new interests to fulfil the void of football over the summer, Managers have no time to rest as they are always planning new tactics and wheeling & dealing to try and get talented footballers into their football club. Mark Jones’ has started his rebuild at Banbury United with 7 new faces already signed on the dotted line, this means Banbury will be utilising the famous cliché “Trialist” in many of their team sheets. Managers explore the use of different trialists over the course of pre-season as they don’t like to put all their eggs in one basket as they could possess the qualities on paper but be unimpressed when it matters. Even though described as trialist today we TAPP into more detail about Banbury’s Number 15… Finley Tapp.
Finn Tapp is a Semi-pro footballer who gained widespread recognition as the winner of the popular reality TV show Love Island in 2020. Prior to becoming a well-renowned influencer Tapp footballing career kickstarted as a 8 year old as he was scouted for his hometown club Milton Keynes Dons, in which he successfully impressed throughout the academy which earned himself a Scholarship in 2016, later signing a professional deal in 2018. On 10 November 2016, whilst still an academy player, Tapp was named as a substitute for the first team's EFL Trophy group stage fixture against Norwich City. After coming on as a 76th-minute substitute, Tapp scored in the 84th-minute in an eventual 4–1 defeat. His debut for the club took place on August 28, 2018, as a substitute in the second half during a 3-0 loss to Premier League side Bournemouth in the EFL Cup second round. Due to limited opportunities with the first team in the first half of the 2018-19 season, Tapp temporarily joined Staines Town, a club in the seventh-tier. At the end of the season, Tapp was among the ten players released by Milton Keynes Dons alongside Lawson D'Ath.
Following his release from his hometown club, this is where he first crossed paths with Mark Jones’ as Finn joined Oxford city in 2019. After impressing in the heart of the defence for the hoops, featuring 20 times for the club and scored the winning goal at the turn of the year against wealdstone Finn found his love for football again after feeling bewildered from his release. But with the January transfer window open Tapp found another opportunity to find a different form of love by not joining another football team but to become a love island contestant in the shows first winter series in South Africa. Finn arrived on day 5 becoming the shows bombshell however, not only was the villa shocked to see the new arrival, everyone at Marsh Lane was equally as shocked as the 20 year old, was set to be named in the starting XI for the weekend's match against Braintree. However, the club has not held this against him as it is a once in a lifetime experience, which has proved to be a shrewd move for the youngester as he can now flourish simaltanously in his first love of football and create a successful image/career of the pitch to set him up for life.
Finn's time on Love Island allowed him to showcase his charismatic personality and genuine nature, which resonated with viewers. His strong connection and subsequent relationship with fellow islander Paige Turley became a highlight of the show. Their love story unfolded on national television, captivating audiences and ultimately leading them to win the competition. Since being the winner off series 6, Finn has become Instagram sensation possessing over 1 millions followers and has created a positive appearance in the Public eye.
Not only has Finn Tapp made a positive impact in the public eye, but he is also currently utilising his experiences to mentor young players who find themselves thrown into the deep end of senior teams after excelling in the youth setup. Having been released by Mk Dons the age of 19, Finn understands the challenges and uncertainties that young professionals face. He is now using his own journey to offer support and advice to help them succeed in the highly competitive world of professional football.
In a recent interview with the papers in 2023, Finn expressed his desire to work with more football clubs and provide guidance to young players. He emphasised the importance of relatability and a positive approach, aiming to offer practical insights and strategies to help aspiring footballers achieve their goals. Finn's motivation to give back to the sport he loves stems from his own enduring passion for football. Even before his time on Love Island, he held aspirations of becoming a professional footballer, and that drive remains strong.
Finn's footballing abilities have been evident throughout his career. He made his professional debut in the EFL Cup and scored in the Papa John's Trophy, showcasing his talent and versatility. Mick Livesey, Oxford City's commercial director, described Finn as an "integral" part of the team, praising his consistent performances at Step 2. At the age of only 23, Finn has already faced numerous challenges, displaying resilience that would be invaluable to any team. His presence in the dressing room would provide guidance and support to young players, including Banbury's New signings Josh Barlow, Tai Flemming, and former Oxford City centre-half Jack Davies.
Mark Jones, Banbury United's manager, recognizes the value that Finn Tapp brings to the team. Finn not only adds quality on the pitch but also contributes to the development and growth of the club's younger players. With a blend of experience and youth, Finn aligns perfectly with Jones' vision for the team. Furthermore, Finn's signing could potentially elevate the club's profile as they strive to compete with former Football League clubs.
In conclusion, Finn Tapp's profound contributions make him a valuable asset to Banbury United. His mentorship, on-field ability, and resilience are attributes that any manager would find attractive. As the club aims to raise its stature and compete at a higher level, Finn's presence will not only strengthen the team on the pitch but also enhance its overall profile by becoming a Marquee signing. Overall, I feel this could be a win/win for both parties and if a deal is viable it is a signing we defiantly should be looking to make.
Thank you for reading
UTP
Spencer Reds
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