Why this season achievement is more significant than last season…

Introduction

On April 22nd, 2023, 364 days after Banbury's celebrations of becoming centurions away at Needham Market, the Banbury supporters rejoiced differently as the official confirmation was received that the Puritans had successfully retained their Step 2 league status. In this blog, we shall delve into 3 details of why this achievement is as rewarding and significant as, if not more significant than, winning the league last year.

The highest ever league position

The retention of our league status by BUFC has culminated in an outstanding achievement - our highest-ever finish in the club's 93-year history. The team is currently positioned at 17th place in the league standings, and with one game remaining in the season, we cannot descend any lower in the table. However, there exists the opportunity to ascend to 15th place depending on the results of the final day of the season.

The result of the club's hard work and dedication over the past year is a guarantee that they will be situated nine places higher in the football pyramid than they were just 12 months ago when they won the league. This feat is particularly significant when considering the relative budgets of the full-time professional teams in the league alongside the hybrid model teams. This is an achievement the fans should take immense pride in as we have seen the club at times become stale in the southern premier divisions to now competing in practically a full time league thus stands as a testament to Andy whing reign as manager who has installed believe, passion, and ambition to the club.

The growth of the club

In addition to retaining our league status, the club has accomplished full compliance with Grade 2 National League North & South ground regulations, a significant achievement. The addition of 250 new seats has increased the capacity to more than 3000, a noteworthy accomplishment that is indicative of the club's ambition for advancement, both on and off the field.

The installation of this new stand serves as a symbol of the club's ambitious vision for the future, as it positions the team on an upward trajectory towards sustained growth and success. Moreover, the new asset will prove invaluable when the team eventually relocates to our new ground in the coming years.

Upon Andy Whing's appointment, the club's average attendance was at a modest 400, which has now experienced an impressive surge, averaging 902 this season. This achievement has placed the club at 13th position in the NLN attendance table and 23rd out of 48 teams in the step 2 attendance table, which serves as evidence that the local community is finally recognising the potential of the town's sleeping giant. The surge in attendance has had a ripple effect on the club's membership sales, which have tripled from the previous season, contributing to an increase in the number of shareholders in our fan-owned model. Moreover, the partnership with the Terrace has been instrumental in the launch of an online shop for BUFC merchandise, alongside the club shop which has been efficiently stocked and managed by the dedicated volunteer, Jon Ward. The partnership has resulted in the record-breaking sales of the club shop on game day in February Vs Kettering which highlights the interest from the local community for the finest sports team in the Banbury area. However, It’s a shame the council don’t echo the same thoughts and want to help us succeed further though.

Injury Crisis

The club has faced a significant challenge this season with the rigors of semi-professional football and a small playing squad resulting in a spate of injuries. This has left Andy Whing, with limited opportunities to field a full squad on match day. Due to our restricted resources and comparatively lower budget to other teams, we have not been able to afford the luxury of a full complement of players on the bench, a handicap we have faced consistently throughout the season. In contrast, some of our opponents have been able to call on three additional strikers to change the course of a game, such as Kings Lynn, Brackley and Gloucester, while we have had to make do with limited players at hand.

However, when Andy has had the luxury of a full bench, his tactical management skills have shone through, as demonstrated in the Hereford away game when he successfully changed the system and personnel to secure a crucial three points. This underscores the importance of having a deeper squad depth in the future, which would provide Andy with more options to alter the course of a game, and improve our prospects of picking up points.

Apart from Alex Babos and Ben Acquaye, who was forced to come off injured against Spennymore all of the other players has been sidelined due to injury or suspension for an extended period. This serves to highlight the magnitude of our injury crisis, with only two players managing to complete the full season without any injuries. Despite these difficulties, our players have shown an indomitable spirit and given their best for the club, even when there not feeling 100% they still give 100% for the badge. While the injury crisis has undoubtedly impacted our on-field results at times, the players' unwavering commitment indicates their character and professionalism and has rewarded us to enjoy the 2023/24 season at step 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these aforementioned factors hold great significance in the development of Banbury united Football Club both on and off the field, as the club's retention of Step 2 football for another season serves as a testament to its upward trajectory. On a personal note, I am elated to be relieved of the anxiety that final day relegation worries can cause, particularly as I am due to embark on my stag do in Scarborough next week. I look forward in seeing you all in Scarborough and I can’t wait to have a good weekend up there with a lot of loyal puritans.

As always thank you for taking your time in reading this. WE ARE UNITED❤️💛

UTP

Spencer Reds

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