Photo of four local lads who all made their Banbury United first team debuts in a home Hitchin Centenary Cup game against Loughborough Colleges in January 1972.

Left to right: Paul Duester, Wally Hastie, Eammon Kearns and Clive Baker.

Tuesday 18th January 11972 saw United lose 3-2 to the students to exit the competition. Despite the loss, manager Brian Stone was happy with the performance stating that “the game proved that several of the young players will make the grade. I was very pleased with the performance. Every one of the lads played well and two or more will definitely make the squad next year.”

The Banbury Guardian reported that included in the squad were defender Clive Baker from Banbury Town, Eamonn Kearns from Easington Sports, Paul Duester of Witney League Chadlington, who wore the number 9 shirt, and Les Hastie of Banbury Town who came on as a substitute in the second half.

Banbury were 3-0 down at half time but second half goals from Dave Matthews and an own goal gave respectability to the scoreline.

Brian Stone was not though wrong about the potential shown by the four youngsters making their debut as between them they would go on to make over 600 appearances for the club!

Paul Duester.

Striker Paul Duester made 196 appearances for Banbury between seasons 1971/72 and 1975/76, scoring 53 goals. He left the club at the end of season 1975/76 stating that he wished to devote more time to his accountancy studies. These studies would stand him in good stead as he continued to show interest in the club’s fortunes and he had a spell a few years ago on the Board of Directors at Banbury United, responsible as Treasurer for looking after the club’s finances.

Wally (Les) Hastie

Remarkably in Wally’s case it would be over 27 years later after his debut that he would make his final appearance for Banbury United, that being as a substitute away to Shortwood United in an Hellenic League Premier Division game on Friday 20th April 1999. In several spells at Banbury, Wally made 277 appearances for the club and despite playing primarily at full back scored 12 goals though that number was aided by being the club’s penalty taker in the late 1970s. Wally also had a spell managing the club in the 1990s.

Clive Baker

Defender Clive Baker made 29 appearances for Banbury over the two seasons, 1971/72 and 1972/73. He would later have lengthy spells with Easington Sports and Brackley Town.

Eamonn Kearns

Defender Eamonn Kearns made a total of 107 appearances for the Puritans between seasons 1971/72 and 1972/73 and then 1977/78 and 1979/80. He was one of four brothers to play for Banbury, the other three being Mick, Ollie and Aidan.