Banbury United FC v Darlington

Saturday 21st October 2023, 3pm
Vanarama National League North

 

Banbury United FC, The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium, Station Approach, Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 5AB Tel: 01295 263354. info@banburyunitedfc.co.uk History: The club was formed out of the Spencer Villa works team in the early 1930s and as Banbury Spencer played in the Birmingham Combination. They enjoyed reaching the FA First Round for the first of six appearances in 1947. By the mid-60s, the club became Banbury United with ambitions to move up a level, joining the Southern League and upgrading their ground, while on the field was the goal scoring exploits of Tony Jacques. Fortunes faded in the 1970s and they were finally relegated for the first time in 1991. Under Kevin Brock they clinched the Hellenic League championship in 2000 to earn promotion after ending the season with 13 wins in row. A period of ups and down led to relegation again in 2015. Under Mike Ford the club fought its way back to the Southern League Premier and then, after the upheaval of Covid, the club earned promotion to the National League last season under ex-Coventry City right back Andy Whing, its biggest achievement. Capacity: 6,500 Record attendance 7,160 vs Oxford City, FA Cup qualifying round, 1948 Last season: 17th Record victory: 12–0 vs RNAS Culham, Oxfordshire Senior Cup, 1945–46 Defeat: 11–2 v West Bromwich Albion A team, Birmingham Combination, 1938–39 Honours: Southern League Premier Division Central champions 2021–22, Hellenic League Premier champions 1999–2000 Nickname: United, The Reds, The Puritans Colours: Red and yellow Manager: Mark Jones Chairman: Ronnie Johnson 2023/24: Ticket prices to follow. Last season, they were: Adults £15; concessions (Over 65s) £11; Under 18s £5; Under 11s £2 and students with ID £8. Tickets can be bought online.	Distance from Darlington 207 miles (3hrs 25mins) From the North: Follow the M1 until the turn-off for the M42 and Birmingham. Leave the M42 at junction 3A and take the M40. At junction 11, take the A422/A361 exit to Banbury. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto A422. Go ahead at the first roundabout and then turn left at the next roundabout into Concorde Avenue. Go straight on at the next roundabout (with leisure centre ahead on right) and take the left hand lane. Turn left at the Cherwell Street traffic lights then in a very short distance first right into Station Approach. Parking: Town centre car parks are up to 15 minutes walk from the ground. On some match days, parking is available by special arrangement in the railway station car park. Parking limited to 200 spaces at ground. Darlington FC Supporters' Club Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book a seat.Details of the supporters' group travel can be found here. Premier Cars 01295 272020 Banbury Cars 01295 276666 007 Cars 01295 700007	The stadium is a short walk from the railway station, along Station Approach past the station car park. The official site is OK, if some of the information is a bit hard to navigate to.
At the ground: There is a clubhouse at the ground. Town centre: The White Horse 50-52 North Bar Street Banbury OX16 0TH Town centre pub, CAMRA recommended. The Apothercary Tap Butchers Row, Banbury Craft beer bar and bottle shop, open from 12pm. This has a cracking range and a really friendly welcome, right in the centre of town. Due to the late postponement of last season's match, there were quite a few happy hours spent here! DAFTS recommended. The Coach and Horses 4 Butcher's Row, Banbury, OX16 5JH CAMRA recommended town centre pub, which does Hook Norton ales and pub food. The Bell, Middleton Road, Banbury, OX16 4QJ Closer to the ground, does a good range of food, including pizzas. Adnams and some guest ale.