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Club say ownership, structure and operation may need a rethink following relegation
12/04/2024
“What follows now is a time of unprecedented opportunity and challenge at Banbury United”
Banbury United’s board of directors have suggested a complete rethink and debate about the way the club is owned, structured and operated may be needed.
In a message to United’s fans following last night confirmation the club would be relegated from the National League North, the board said: “It’s time to reflect on our capabilities as fan-owned, volunteer-led Club; our structure, roles, income and lack of assets, most notably the lack of our own ground.”
Despite fighting spirit the Puritans fate was sealed when they lost 5-2 to promotion chasing Spennymoor Town.
Banbury United were promoted into the National League North in 2022, having achieved a 23 point lead over their closest rivals in the Southern League Premier Central.
But the man who had largely orchestrated the team’s success, manager Andy Whing, quit in May 2023. Many of his winning team left in the weeks that followed. Since then two managers and a large number of player changes haven’t managed to rekindle previous winning ways.
The Banbury United board have previously hinted that they felt a change in the way the club is owned, structured and operated may be needed in an advertisement for a new Chairman to replace Ronnie Johnson. Mr Johnson is standing down at the end of this season.
In the statement to fans the Board said: “Teams on and off the pitch work immensely hard around the clock to create a club our town can be proud of. However, for now, it is shown that our set up is not aligned to the demands of competing in the National League.
“What follows now is a time of unprecedented opportunity and challenge at Banbury United. We face a ground move and the construction of a new stadium. Becoming a Step 2 and above club with our own ground may involve a complete rethink and debate about the way the Club is owned, structured and operated.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam