As we find ourselves in the midst of the festive season, it's hard to ignore the gloom that's hung over Banbury this year. With just one final game left this calendar year, the frustration among fans continues to simmer. Since January 2023, we’ve witnessed an inadequate tally of only 19 wins out of 89 matches, celebrated a mere 74 goals, and seen over 75 different players don the red and gold shirt.
Adding to the worries is a persistent concern about the future of the club regarding no news on ground updates and limited effective communication/ attendance from the board has further created anxiety and disconnection which the players, unfortunately, have felt the sting of this discontent. In this blog, we’ll dig deeper into the root of these frustrations and explore what steps we, as a dedicated fanbase compounded with the club, can take next.
No Ground Breaking news.
The issue of the ground is not a recent problem for Banbury United; it dates back to 1989 when the Spencer Stadium was sold. This sale remains one of the biggest mistakes in the club’s history. Firstly, it left us in the precarious position of leasing our own ground, but previous years saw us fortunate enough to use the ground for free yet the past two season has saw us having to divvy out £15k annual rent for the 22/23 season with a second rise to the current £20,000 Per annum—a sum that lines the pockets of our landlord while providing no tangible benefit to the club. In conjunction, this demonstrates the future at the Spencer is uncertain as the landlords are not being as accommodating and understanding as they once were. Secondly, because we do not own the ground, we are ineligible to apply for additional funding from local or national sources to help with maintenance and improvements.
To illustrate the impact of this situation, Peterborough Sports received £300,000 in funding from various local and national sources following their promotion to the National League North in 2021. In contrast, Banbury United received nothing. This lack of funding places the club at a significant disadvantage, regardless of how well we perform on the pitch as player sales, such as Morgan Roberts and Jack Stevens, has been funneled into covering ground costs rather than reinvested into strengthening the squad and maintaining our best ever league status.
Adding to the frustration is the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the prospect of a new ground. For years, the idea of relocating has been a recurring topic of discussion, yet tangible progress has been lacking. The proposed development, led by Hallam Land Management, envisions a 39.23-hectare site off the A4260 Oxford Road, with plans submitted to Cherwell District Council in June 2023. This ambitious scheme includes green spaces, sports pitches with changing rooms, and a purpose-built home for Banbury United. However, despite initial discussions beginning in 2019, no significant progress has been made. The site remains untouched, and even if approved, construction of the new ground and the accompanying housing estate is a long way off.
This prolonged uncertainty deeply concerns the Banbury United fanbase. With one-year leases and the looming threat that landlords could force the club out to make way for their own development at any time, fans are left wondering what the club’s future will look like—even in as little as one or two years’ time. Currently, there is no clear communication or vision from the club’s leadership, and greater transparency is required on this front to cessation the anxiety of the fanbase. Addressing the ground situation must be the club’s top priority and be shared with constant dialogue with the community.
Frustration with results
Banbury sit 17th at the halfway mark of the 42 game season 1 point adrift of the drop zone and only 16 goals scored, placing the club 156th in the top 3 tiers of the Non-league pyramid for goals scored. Couple this with two early exits in the FA Cup and FA trophy to sides in lower league positions to ourselves left us short of a much needed financial boost cup run - something we have missed since February 2022 where we hosted Gateshead in a 5th round FA trophy tie. The frustration has occurred frequently due to the fanbase knowing we have quality in this side to dictate and dominate games due to the abundance of quality and experience at this level but performances have not been easy on the eye with limited attacking intent during the games.
Regardless of budget and finances this squad is capable of challenging in the top half of the table which is highlighted in the teams defensive output being the joint 2nd strongest team in terms of goals conceded in the divison. Yet the balance has to be right and so far we are scared to let go off the shackles and are not brave enough in the attacking third. An example of a team who has got the blend of attacking and defending right is our nearby neighbours Stratford Town who play an expressive 433 and have been rewarded with 29 goals scored whilst having a solid defensive output equalling Banbury’s Impressive record of only 20 goals conceded. I appreciate there squad has been together alot longer than ours but quality wise we match them in most areas of the pitch. This proves that if the mindset changes into showing more bravery in the attacking third with the license to have more freedom to exuberant the flair and creativity within the attackers then we could propel into a top half finish.
Overall, this season fans expectations is a mid-table finish but we also share the expectation of wanting to see performances go in the right direction. Fans don’t mind if we lose as long as we know we have gave it a right good go and threw the kitchen sink at teams, however all to often this season, fans have left with discontent knowing that we have not worked the keeper or got shots off against sides with weaker squads than ours leaving us with limited play to smile about and fustrations to build. The management team need to be stronger with there in game mangement alongside the need to be braver in there tactics to stop us being a conservative team and start to find ways to express and ultise an array of talented attackers to then upturn our fortunes in front of goal.
BUFC Board
It’s essential to start by acknowledging the immense effort and dedication of the Banbury United board. And before I go any further, I would like to share a Big thank you to Claire Dumbriek for her brilliant contributions to the board enhancing the HR side of the club and being instrumental in giving Banbury a fresh look with a unique but modern new badge. As volunteers, they take on one of the most challenging roles in football, balancing the books, creating a vision for the club, and working tirelessly to raise its profile. Their commitment should be commended. However, as a fan-owned club with over 300 members, there must also be room for questioning, accountability, and, most importantly, transparency.
At present, there is a growing disconnect between the board and the fanbase. Limited communication on the main key issues, including the club’s long-term future on our current ground state with continuous flooding and as discussed earlier no news on the new ground, has left fans feeling in the dark. This lack of clarity creates frustration and cultivates a sense of alienation among supporters who are invested not only emotionally but also financially in the club. At the same time, the board must create an environment that encourages and welcomes this participation and fans need to be open to utilising their personal expertise where they can and get involved as frequent as possible. It’s about fostering a true partnership between the board and the fanbase.
However, in the immediate short term, the board needs to prioritise open dialogue and transparency. The increase of Regular updates through bi-monthly emails has been a welcome addition but limited board presence and interaction on match days is paucity and does not create the welcoming atmosphere to any new fan coming through the gates for the first time. Having quick positive interactions can spread knowledge and enhance a positive vibe, thus aiding the fans to feel that their concerns and suggestions are being heard and, when possible, acted upon.
For example, while efforts like introducing draught beer are appreciated, they should not come at the expense of addressing more significant issues affecting the matchday experience. Families, in particular, need a more welcoming and affordable matchday experience. Current practices, such as being searched like you are about to enter Guantanamo bay prison, combined with the cost of £38 for a family of four, create unnecessary barriers. This, along with limited personal engagement from board members on matchdays, contributes to a growing sense of detachment.
To address this, the club could consider implementing a discounted family ticket, especially during periods when two home games occur within four days. This would not only make attending more accessible for families but could also help boost attendance across both fixtures. Such an initiative would provide a win-win scenario, strengthening community ties while generating additional revenue.
To bridge the gap, not only does this fall onto the board but the fans must work collaboratively to create meaningful connections. Simple gestures, like board members visibly welcoming fans, or involving supporters in decision-making processes, can go a long way in rebuilding trust and strengthening the sense of community.
Ultimately, the board and fans share a common goal: to see Banbury United thrive both on and off the pitch. For that to happen, fans need to be more than just spectators—they must feel like active stakeholders in the club’s success. A united front, with transparency, open communication, and mutual respect at its core, will ensure that the club’s future can look brighter and that every supporter feels valued as part of the Banbury United family.
Identifying strategies to support:
I want to emphasise that this blog isn’t about placing blame on individuals. Instead, it’s about expressing the feelings of discontent through a a clear strong message of what has occurred in 2024 but also supported with achieveable solutions. Highlighting these sentiments does mean some of these comments and observations feel like your treading on broken glass but to get the club back on track everyone needs to be on the same page. I want to do my part and propose ideas that could strengthen the connection between fans, the board, and players. Building this triangulation of relationships is essential for creating a united and thriving club. Below are a few suggestions I believe could make a real difference:
1. Organising a Fan and Player Coach Trip (e.g., February 22nd to Lowestoft)
I fully understand and appreciate that cutting the regular team coach has been necessary to save money and to meet our goal of a “break even season”. However, reintroducing it occasionally—for example, once or twice a season—could provide a fantastic opportunity to promote a connection between fans and players. A well-publicised away trip, with players and fans traveling together, could be a small important part of the ingredient to unite the club, as it iwould be accessible to all types of supporters. With advance notice, eliminates the chances of empty seats meaning the club will not lose money and that this could become a memorable away day experience for everyone involved and help bridge the gap between players and supporters.
2. Introducing a Player-Supporter Liaison Officer
There has been a noticeable disconnect between fans and players recently, with frustrations boiling over into tense exchanges. One example occurred at the Harborough away game, where Tom Lorraine attempted to confront fans in the tunnel —a situation that has yet to receive a public apology. Additionally, this has not been the only heated exchanges between players and supporters as this occurred at the end of the 0-0 draw with Redditch on Boxing Day highlighting high discontent. But with these exchanges myself and other fans must take an air of responsibility too and that’s why a player-supporter liason could help massively in sharing feelings in a productive way.
Further tension arose from a comment in the programme notes by Simon Hollyhead, suggesting that only “genuine fans trust the process.” This initially caused significant unrest amongst a large proportion of the fanbase. However, the matter was later addressed through a Q&A session, where, despite a somewhat long-winded explanation, the issue was put to rest, allowing fans to move forward and 3 days later saw wonderful scenes away at Telford as George Ball strike saw Banbury take the lead creating a mutual feeling of adulation between fans and players in the Frank Naginton Stand.
To prevent such incidents in the future and foster a more constructive relationship, the introduction of a Supporter-Player Liaison role could be highly beneficial. This role—or even a group—would serve as a bridge between fans and players, providing a structured platform for better communication and collaboration. The liaison could facilitate discussions, organise initiatives, and work with players to promote fan engagement in a more positive and inclusive way.
By creating a dedicated role that fosters interaction and ensures that concerns are heard and addressed constructively, the club could avoid unnecessary conflict and build stronger relationships across all parties. This collaborative approach would help ensure that fans, players, and the club as a whole feel valued and aligned in their shared goals for success.
3. Holding a Meeting to Discuss the Future of the Ground
Transparency is key when it comes to major decisions about the club’s future, especially concerning the ground. Organising a meeting to discuss the next stages of development and laying out a clear long-term vision would be invaluable. This would not only inform fans but Opens dialogue again on such a taboo subject around the club. Regardless of what stage the ground is at, it is perative that fans know even if it is the vaguest of ideas of what the club is going to look in like in the forthcoming years.
4. An Evening with Fans, Players, and the Board
Hosting events that bring everyone together socially could have a transformative effect on the club’s sense of unity. This has already been started with a positive Q&A evening which the players spoke very well during the night and was clear that they have the same interest at heart and want the absolute best for the club. However, due to its infancy and no fault to anyone it was very rigid. The next stage would be to increase more informal engagements and this can be done through organising quiz and curry nights, open training sessions for members, or similar initiatives that would strengthen relationships across all areas of the club. A leadership group of players could share there insights from a playing point of view, while the board could use these events to connect directly with supporters. Moreover, these events could support the club financially by boosting bar takings, making use of the newly refurbished clubhouse and creating a welcoming atmosphere for fans and players alike.
Overall, through identifying the root causes of frustrations it is now important we get this club back on track and every person who represents the Banbury badge has a duty to do so also. By implementing ideas like these, it is a start that we can work towards nurturing stronger relationships between fans, players, and the board. A united club is a successful club, and building these connections will help ensure Banbury United will restart the growth both on and off the pitch. While some of these measures will take time to be implemented with consistentcy, some of these can be a constant. Currently, we have the most powerful consistent factor available at our disposal right now: Our wonderful support. In the second half of the season we need keep turning up in numbers and singing our hearts out for the lads showcasing our support for the Puritans.
Thank you for reading, I would love to hear your thoughts from you all, including the players and board. As always your Retweets, likes, comments and shares are appreciated and I look forward to seeing you in the second half of the season.
UTP
Spencer Reds
❤️💛
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