Banbury United members vote to seek new private owner

30/01/2025

A ballot was held after a meeting last Thursday

Members of Banbury United Football Club have decided to explore moving the club from the current fan-owned community benefit society model to private ownership.   Nearly nine in ten of those people who have a stake in the club voted in favour of the move in a ballot.

The club’s members met last Thursday (January 23) and discussed three possible options for the club’s survival, with board members warning them beforehand that staying as they were wasn’t an option.

Exploring finding a private owner to take over the club was one of three options proposed.   Others were increasing the amount members each paid annually to provide more capital to the club, or budget cuts which would affect the amount paid to players and the number of staff employed.

Eighty-nine percent of votes opted for exploring private ownership and answering a separate question 98 percent gave the Board permission to speak to potential buyers.

Chairman Wayne Farrell said, “Following open discussion in a packed Spencer Clubhouse last week, the feedback from our members is clear – we have to be open to private investment in order to secure the long-term future of Banbury United. Our current fan-owned model, in the unique set of challenging conditions faced by the Club, in today’s commercial football environment, does not work, despite the amazing financial contributions and blood, sweat and tears from our loyal sponsors, supporters and volunteers. We are taking responsibility for ourselves comfortably before the Club hits an insurmountable juncture. We run a tight ship. As North Oxfordshire’s largest football club, with a rich heritage dating back to 1931 and a strong fan base, Banbury United FC is a very attractive proposition. We look forward to hearing from investors who not only have the budget, considering our impending ground move and need for training facilities, but the right motivations to take the Club and our town forward.

“I would like to assure Banbury United members that they have not voted to sell the Club at this stage. They will have the opportunity to interrogate and vote on ownership propositions, and to reject selling the Club if proposals are unsatisfactory to them.”

The Board of Banbury United Community Football Club Ltd may be contacted, in strict confidence, via future@banburyunitedfc.co.uk. Expressions of interest should be received by February 28th 2025.

Wayne Farrell concluded: “We will report back to members at a meeting in early March. Absolutely no decisions will be made without member involvement.”

Important note: a transition from the current Community Benefit Society model to full or part private ownership (or any other ownership structure that may be presented) requires a special resolution vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), as per the Club’s Society Rules. A minimum of 75% positive votes from the voting membership is required.

Banbury United Community Football Club Ltd is registered in England and Wales as a Community Benefit Society with the Financial Conduct Authority – Registration Number 7135.


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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