We unveiled the end of season awards for the U18 Development Squad, Women's and Men's First teams last Saturday. This article dives deeper into the seasons of Jack Harding, Ken Charles and Tai Fleming. Let's reflect on why they were chosen for the end of year awards.

Jack Harding – Supporters Player Of The Year and Players Player.

31-year-old goalkeeper Jack Harding originally came through the Banbury United Youth and Reserve sides, making his first team debut as a 16-year-old back in April 2009 in a Buckingham Charity Cup semi-final home first leg game against Bicester Town. There, he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. Jack would make another four first team appearances for the Puritans over the next few seasons, all in cup games, before leaving the Club in search of regular first team football. Jack returned to Banbury United for the start of season 2015/16, playing a key role in that season’s Division One South & West promotion-winning side, missing just one league game, and keeping 20 clean sheets in his 41 league appearances. He was then an ever-present in league games for United the following season in their first season back at Premier Division level.

Since then, Jack has not looked back and in has been a constant figure in the Banbury’s net over the past eight seasons. This season has saw Jack Harding make 38 Appearances keeping 8 clean sheets and countless amounts of match defining saves such as his display away at Boston United where a string of saves allowed Banbury to earn a 2-1 win at the Jakemans stadium. Another example, saw Jack Harding Preserve his clean sheet away at Southport as hit Vital 1 on 1 saves right at the death allowed the Puritans to Leave with the 3 Points. Yet, despite these High-level performances, Harding Display away at Chester, saw him make an array of saves in conjunction by saving an Injury time penalty to allow Banbury to draw 1-1 in Kevin Wilson First Game in Charge.

The local goalkeeper's embodiment of the fans' emotion on the pitch, coupled with his consistent excellence between the sticks has been recognised by his teammates and fans alike proving he is a worthy winner of these awards.

Tai Fleming – Managers Player of the Year and Board Player of the Year.

Tai has been an ever presence at the heart of our defence this season and has been showing his leadership qualities by shepherding a young defence alongside him despite only being 21 years of age himself. Fleming’s tenacious tackling, passion and warrior style defending has been a shining light of stability in a defence which has been ever changing. Since the start of the season Tai has accumulated 49 appearances across leagues and cups this season, only having a one game rest in the semi-final tie against Kidlington in the Oxfordshire Senior. This has led Tai making the most appearances for the Puritans in the 23/24 season, which seen the newly appointed skipper play alongside 46 different players this season. Our number Five has not only impressed in the defensive box, but he has also been a threat in the attacking box as he has scored 3 league goals and 1 goal in the FA trophy against Nuneaton. His league goals have helped Banbury achieved an away win away at Boston United after the young defender showed a strikers finish for an equaliser to help us send us on our way to a 2-1 win, and a month later Tai’s towering header helped salvage a draw at home to Bishop Stortford.

Fleming's football journey began at Norwich City, where he joined as a 10-year-old before moving to Yeovil at the age of 16. Displaying exceptional leadership qualities, Tai captained the youth sides from 2018 to 2020 highlighting he is no stranger to the armband. After his time at Yeovil, Fleming signed a two-year deal with National League side Kings Lynn. During his first season, he was loaned out to Step 3 side Lowestoft Town, where he made 21 appearances, scored two goals, and was named the Manager's Player of the Year. Upon returning to Kings Lynn, he played a role in the first-team setup, contributing to their promotion challenge in the 2022-2023 season with 16 appearances in defence.

Known for his versatility, Fleming has operated at centre back, full back, and holding midfield this season thanks to his tactical intelligence and adaptability on the field showing he is a managers dream to have in a squad and again is deserving of the awards he has won.

Ken Charles Top Goal scorer.

Ken Charles is Banbury United Top Goal scorer for the 23/24 season with 12 goals league goals this season.

Ken Charles became Banbury 7th Summer Signing and is one of only 4 players who have lasted the season with the Puritans. This season have seen Ken Charles become Banbury’s main striker upfront as the young forward has played 44 games in the National League North this season. At just 23 Years of age Ken Charles has shown maturity in a young side in helping the squad throughout the season and this has been rewarded in return of scoring 12 goals and 4 assists. Ken Charles most notable goals saw the striker bag a brace away at Gloucester City on the 3rd game of the season helping Mark Jones secure his first league win with the club. Alongside this, Ken Charles return to Norfolk against Kings Lynn in December saw the Striker with a goal of the season contender as a fine free kick from 25 yards out found the top corner of Jones goal. Lastly, Ken Charles shown his calm persona personified from 12 yards out and a pressured penalty away at Southport when the game was deadlock saw him roll the penalty in style. These goals has allowed Ken to write his name in the Banbury United history Books as he has become the first player to hit double figures in a season at Step 2.

Ken’s Consistency of leading the Line has been rewarded as the Striker picks up the Clubs Top Goalscorer award.