Never fall in love with a loan player...

Introduction

Given the fact we do not possess a top half budget in this league, it is essential that the squad is constructed with a core of loan players in order to maximise the first team budget for contracted players. During the season, Banbury has utilised 14 different loan players, as well as forging connections with Burton Albion, Swindon Town, and Stockport County, in addition to leveraging the old local Oxfordshire link with Oxford United. Banbury has become a place for young players to thrive and further their football careers, which is why we have been trusted with academies hottest talents. Now that the season has ended, I will be exploring how each loan signing fared in the red and gold, and bidding farewell to a few. It is said that one should never fall in love with a loan player, but I, alongside the rest of the Puritan faithful, have been greedy and fallen in love with three, in addition to our sustained love for James Golding last year.

Ben Radcliffe – Burton Albion

Our first loan signing of the season was Burton Albion Scholar of the year Ben Radcliffe ya know. Although he never seen the boys from Banbury, he was jolted into action in our first game of the season away at Curzon Aston despite only being at the club for 48 hours. This was the start of something beautiful as he knew how to put on a show. The commanding Centre back drove us up the pitch, commanded the box with towering headers and excelled in his passing range. This was a feature all season from the Banbury’s 15 who showed high level of versatility by playing Right side of a 3, Right back and Holding midfield. For someone only 18 years of age Ben has pace, power and strength in abundance as we saw with a fine assist away at Scarborough on the final game of the season. Furthermore, Ben has been crucial in both boxes as he popped up with our first ever home goal in the NLN days after smashing his A levels plus scoring the goal to keep us up in the league at home to Alfreton. The Stalwart centre back totalled up 43 games and 2 goals which is why Ben rightly won the club’s Young player of the season award. With all this in mind, it’s hard not to Love Ben Radcliffe and this is the first of the 3 who fit in the “never fall in love with a loan player” Category.

Farewell: I wish you all the best, it’s been an absolute pleasure watching you storm the National League north in your first full season of Men’s football. It is such a bittersweet moment for all the fans as we know you are on your way to the very top and you’ll be knocking on Burton’s first team next season but it’s very emotional to know that you playing for Banbury in the near future is highly unlikely. I’m so glad you knew the place to go and breathed the coffee air, I will avidly be following your journey and from us all at the Puritans we wish Ben all the best.

THEN HE SAID TO ME …..

Will Owens – Oxford United

A young winger who had a couple of Cameo appearances but nothing to write home about. Bags of pace and is now working his way through Banbury united Managers in Andy Whing, Paul Davis at Bedford Town and Mike Ford at Evesham. Let’s hope Edwin Stein hasn’t got a job as that will be horrible for him to go through that.

Charlie Williams -Burton Albion

Charlie made 4 appearances for the club, looked a tidy player on the ball but ultimately left for more game time. He got released in March from the brewers and is now at Stratford Town.

Harry Parsons – Swindon Town

I would love to have Harry Parsons back next season as he was a great asset to our team. His pace and willingness to press and get in behind the defence was invaluable, and his sublime finish against Scarborough was a testament to his skill. Although his loan spell was cut short due to a double caution at home to Gloucester, he went on to have a successful season with Chippenham and Farnborough in the NLS, scoring 8 goals in 21 games. He would be a great addition to BUFC and I hope we can bring him back for the upcoming season. Aidan Hawtin has already got to work on this by tweeting come home….

Mo Dabre – Swindon Town

Abraca ‘mo’ dabra and Mo was gone without playing a single minute for the club.

Slavi Spasov – Oxford United

With Super H out, in came Slavi Stoichkov, and he made an instant impact in his spell at Banbury, Drawing us level away at Bracknell in the FA Cup. Slavi showed flashes of his potential by scoring a couple of goals in the FA Trophy against Stowmarket and away at Kings Lynn, when partnered with Stevens upfront, we saw the best of him as he gave the solid KLTFC defence a torrid time. Unfortunately, Slavi was sent back to Oxford due to a muscle injury picked up vs Bradford Park Avenue, but he returned in February and started to get some rhythm until another injury broke his loan spell down. Given that Oxford are likely to go out in the transfer market next year to ensure they are not in another relegation battle, Slavi's chances of staying there are slim and we are desperate for a good number 9 so If we can get Slavi back next year injury-free, we would have a real player on our hands.

Louie Walsh – Barnet Fc

In the words of the Irish Louie Walsh on X-Factor - it’s a no from me. But in all seriousness thank you for your effort in the short time for the club.

Janaaii Gordon – Boston United

Sadly, Janaaii did not live up to his first spell at Banbury United where he notched 15 goals. Janaaii had zero impact in front of goal as he scored 0 in the 10 games he returned for. However, his performance away to Hereford was strong as he held the ball up well to occupy the defenders. But overall, one to leave in the past.

James Golding – Oxford United

6 months of constant wishing the return of James Golding it finally Happened. A superstar who still has plates on his learner car impressed on his 7 appearances’ back at the club as it was like he never went away. It was a joy to watch him back in the red and gold shirt and I’ll forever dream of him returning. Sadly, I have two regrets with this loan, the first one being it was cut short because of injury meaning I couldn’t watch him put on a show for longer and second not be able to watch much of him and Ben Radcliffe on the pitch together due to injuries, Postponements and Bens recall for 10 days.

Come back superstar – please.

Cody Johnson – Stockport County

A 17-year-old who’s going right to the top. After being hand-picked by Stockport County because of our brand of football we play, Cody Johnson was loaned out to us in January. I personally think Cody Johnson produced the best debut I have ever witnessed from a Banbury player so young. 1-0 Down away at Hereford we struggled to get out of our own half until Andy Whing produced a tactical masterclass and subbed on Cody to play alongside Josh Smile. This led us to dominating the ball as Cody can execute the ball exquisitely in tight spaces as the cryuff turn should be renamed to the Cody turn. Cody has absolutely smashed his loan spell at Banbury and showed he is not just a holding midfielder who can tackle and pass but also showed that he is an amazing ‘8’ producing fine box to box displays with his young energy. This lad has it all and he will be prove to be a very Valuable asset to Stockport county next season.

Farewell: Thank you for your services at Banbury United. Again, similar to Ben Radcliffe it is Bittersweet as I know the next challenge is to cement a first team spot at Stockport however that means we will never see you at the Spencer stadium again putting on a show. Every week I am in disbelief of how good of a baller Cody is and it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch him run rings around experienced pro’s. This is loan player number 2 who they say never fall in love with but we did. Go smash it Cody lad.

Keane Baraugh – Stockport County

A player with talent however it was a tough time for a winger to come into the club to try and displace Ben Acquaye. He managed a single short cameo against Kettering in a 3-0 defeat.

Joe Iaciofano – Oxford City

A similar story to super H, and Slavi. He came here for minutes which he got but injury got the better of him after a few games into his loan spell. A player with a lot of finesse and clear talent in this league and with Oxford city not playing him regularly as well as possessing the chance of going up I think it would be shrewd business to try and sign him as he is a proven goal scorer. It is a shame his loan spell was cut short through injuries as he is guaranteed goals when fully fit.

Tom Costello – Coventry City

A young talent who is still finding his feet in the men’s game, a willing runner and led the line at a challenging time for the club. He scored a valuable goal against Gloucester to help us swerve survival. A common theme here with our strikers… Injury cut his loan spell short.

Aidan Elliott-Wheeler – Oxford United

It’s a sign of a good player when the crowd already give you a chant after 10 minutes into your debut. His electric impact against Darlington in his very first men’s game of football was just the start for Aidan Elliott Wheeler. He proceeded to start every game for the club firstly excelling in an unfamiliar RWB position and then excelling in a RW position. Aidan gave the boost and energy the club needed in a relentless season which is a testament to his character and ability on the football pitch. He has taken to this level like a duck to water and has absolutely thrived in competitive football against senior pros and the pressures of away grounds due to his similarities to skinhead Rooney as he breezes past players and makes things happen but also not afraid of the physical side. This raw ability therefore has given Henry Landers goal of the season a run for its money as the youngster gave no fucks running at the Scarborough defence and bent a magnificent finish into the top corner sending the Hawaiian Banbury fans into mayhem. Another Oxford talent gaining pivotal minutes at Banbury clearly highlight it is the right club to aid to teenagers’ development so hopefully Oxford act sooner and send him on a season long loan to us right away next season.

Farewell: Aidan Elliott Wheeler you will never need to buy a pint in Banbury ever (When your old enough) the instant impact in your loan spell will never be forgotten to keep us in this league and we all pray you can flourish again next season by coming back to the Spencer Stadium. Your mazy runs and your finish against Scarborough will live long in the memory. If this is your last goodbye, thank you and I can’t wait to watch you dominate the football league. Loan player number 3 which has caused us to fall in love.

Conclusion

Overall, we have had 3 of the best 17/18 years old to grace this league. It has been exhilarating to watch Ben, Cody and Aidan perform triangles around the opponents down the right side in the past month… a true definition of watching Banbury United put on a show. These 3 players will go right to the top with their amazing attitude and ability. However, I must display my thanks to anyone who represents Banbury United even if it hasn't quite worked out as you lived the dream of playing in front of the Townend.

Thank you for reading. WE ARE UNITED.

UTP

Spencer Reds.

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