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Appeal to raise £66,000 for Puritans new grandstand
24/03/2023
Chairman says funding the grandstand is another huge challenge but an opportunity to make the club fit for the future
A fundraising appeal has been launched to help Banbury United build a new grandstand at their ground. £66,000 is needed to cover the costs of the new structure, which will be placed on the opposite side of the pitch to the clubhouse.
National League North rules state that clubs must have a minimum provision of 500 seats. The existing stand has just 280. The new rule is one of the additional burdens on the fan-owned club since they gained promotion last season.
A dismountable grandstand providing 226 seats will be erected, which the club says they can move to their new ground at Bodicote in due course.
The stand will be for the use of home fans next season, as part of expected changes to the layout of spectating areas.
Work to construct the stand began on Monday with the club using existing funds and short-term loans, but the full amount will need to be recovered in the coming weeks.
A Crowdfunder page has been created so people can donate.
In addition a “named seat” initiative costing £100 per seat offers the chance to have a plaque containing the donor’s name or dedication, which will remain in place for the life of the stand.
Ronnie Johnson, Chairman of Banbury United Football Club, said: “The promotion to the National League North has brought the most positive and historic uplift for the club. Behind-the-scenes, it has been a massive step up, bringing unnumerable challenges, which, one by one, our amazing team of volunteers has dealt with throughout the season so far.
“Funding this grandstand is another huge challenge for us, and we see it as a significant opportunity for the club. It makes Banbury United fit for the future and cements our position as being serious about playing in this league: we simply cannot take part in play-offs without 500 seats.
“We are very aware that money is tight for the majority of people at the moment and this ask is yet another demand on finances. We are a community-owned club and we are therefore inviting our community to support the club and its future with this one-off investment campaign.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam