In the National League system, clubs never seem to have enough money to survive and thrive. The fact many big former EFL clubs are now in the non-league game has made it even more difficult for some of the other clubs to prosper.
Some clubs have new benefactors arrive who look like they could be in football with good intentions. However, they are not always all they seem, as some leave clubs in bigger messes than they were in before their arrival.
The alternative that some non-league clubs have explored is the fan ownership model. One club that has taken this route is the Southern League Premier Division outfit Banbury United. However, that could all now change in the near future.
Talk of private investment in the club
The club has been fan-owned since 2015. However, the financial aspect of running the Oxfordshire club has become too difficult for the fan-appointed board, which is led by Chairman Wayne Farrell.
The board met in late January to discuss all their options to prevent the club from entering dangerous financial territory. The board gave the members three possibilities for a vote to ensure the club’s survival.
The first option was to remain in its current state as a fan-owned club. However, that would require the members to source £140,000 per year to ensure the survival of the club.
The second option also involved the club staying as a fan-owned operation, but cuts would severely damage the playing and staff budgets, which would be detrimental to the club and the team.
The last option, likely the most obvious one, was to seek private investment from outside the club.
In the end, it wasn’t a close vote, as 89 per cent of the members voted in favour of option three, and 98 per cent of members then gave the board their permission to look for new buyers.
Talking about the situation, Wayne Farrell told the Banbury Guardian: “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.”
Banbury United has a rich heritage
In terms of history, Mr Farrell is right when he talks about Banbury United having a rich heritage. The club was founded in 1931 as Spencer Villa. At first, it was a works team, but they joined the Banbury Junior League ahead of the 1933/34 season.
By 1934, the club had changed their name to Banbury Spencer, and they were selected to play in the Birmingham Combination ahead of season 1935/36. The Second World War hampered their progress.
However, after the war, the Birmingham Combination returned for season 1946/47, with the league turning professional. At the height of the era, the club was attracting decent crowds, with United’s average attendance being 3,500 for season 1947/48.
In season 1948/49, the team attracted a club record attendance of 7,160 in an FA Cup first qualifying round of the FA Cup defeat to Oxford City.
Over the years, Banbury has participated in many different divisions. The highest the club has ever reached was step 2 in the National League System, playing in the National League North for two seasons from 2022 until it was relegated back to the Southern Football League Premier Division Central in 2023/24.
Unfortunately for Banbury, they are unlikely to make a quick return, as United currently sit 11 points adrift of the play-off spots in Step 3 of the NAS.
Only time will tell if a private investor is the right move
nonleaguefanatic
