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Squad and Football Management News - Update

Squad and Football Management News - Update

David Shadbolt15 Jun 2016 - 18:50
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Manager Mike Ford has provided the following update to the playing squad and football management team ahead of the coming season.

Playing Squad

Mike has confirmed that he was keen to have all of last season’s squad commit to the club for the coming season and apart from Ollie Stanbridge they have all indicated that they will be doing so. They are all looking forward with excitement to playing for Banbury United in the Southern League Premier Division. Multiple presentation night award winning midfielder Zac McEachran was the first player to put pen to paper last week and others will follow over the coming weeks.

However, the club has to inform supporters that following discussions with Mike, Ollie Stanbridge, has decided to move on. As supporters will know Ollie made his 500th squad appearance for the Puritans during last season, a milestone quite rightly recognised at the end of season awards. The club would like to thank Ollie for his contributions, efforts and outstanding commitment in his time at Banbury United since first joining the club back in 2002. For his part Ollie would like to express his thanks to everyone at Banbury United for the great times he has had at the club and wishes every success to the club moving forward.

There are two new players who have agreed to sign for Banbury United for the coming season. One is a former Puritan returning to the club, this is midfielder Declan Benjamin who has spent the last five seasons with Oxford City, after having a two year spell with Banbury prior to that. The other is midfielder Jack Self who has spent the last two seasons with Didcot Town having previously been with Oxford City. Mike believes these additions will provide vital competition for places.

The original article here did say Aaron Woodley had agreed to sign. But he has since phoned Mike to say he has now changed his mind, so this article has been amended.

Football Management

Following Mike Byrne’s recent appointment as the new FA County Coach Developer for Wiltshire he is now unable to devote the time needed to continue his coaching role at Banbury United. Mike Ford and everyone at Banbury United would like to thank Mike for the important part that he played in United’s promotion success of last season and wish him all the best in the future.

Vastly experienced manager and coach Andy Sinnott, who helped Mike out towards the end of last season in an unofficial capacity, has agreed to take on an Assistant Manager role at the club for the coming season. Matty Haycocks will continue in his coaching role at the club and he will be joined on the coaching staff by former Banbury United player Anton Sambrook who was manager of United Counties League side Cogenhoe United last season. Terry Callow will continue as Sports Therapist and completes the Football Management team.

United’s pre-season fixtures begin with a home game on Thursday 7th July against Conference National side Eastleigh. Kick off at The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium is 7.45pm.

Photo shows Banbury United Chairman Ronnie Johnson and manager Mike Ford prior to a meeting to discuss the forthcoming season alongside the banner depicting the success of last season.

Additional Information on new players and new recruits to the football management team:

Declan Benjamin

25 year-old midfielder who was a scholar at Oxford United. He made 103 appearances, scoring 18 goals, for the Puritans during a two year spell with the club from season 2009/10 through to the end of season 2010/2011. He then moved to Oxford City where he has spent the last five seasons making over 200 appearances.

Jack Self

21 year-old midfielder who has been with Didcot Town since the summer of 2014 after moving there from Oxford City. Made 78 appearances for the Railwaymen in his two years with the club. Spent time with Oxford United in their youth system before joining City.

Andy Sinnott – Assistant Manager

A vastly experienced coach and manager with a number of local clubs including Thame United, Brackley Town and Oxford City. More recently had been coaching at Didcot Town prior to leaving them midway through last season.

Anton Sambrook - Coach

Former Banbury United player who made over 100 appearances for the club. Had a spell as Assistant Manager at Banbury working with Kieran Sullivan during seasons 2007/08 and 2008/09. Had previously managed Hellenic League side Hook Norton and more recently has been with United Counties League side Cogenhoe United firstly as Assistant Manager before taking over there as manager at the start of last season, leading the club to fifth place in the Premier Division.

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