The summer of 1971 had seen Tony Foster leave the club for Tamworth much to the dismay of the United faithful. With this being 12 months before the return of Tony Jacques to the club after spells with Nuneaton Borough and Kettering Town, this season was the only one between 1969/70 and 1975/76 (inclusive) in which neither Jacques nor Foster were at the club. Former Oxford United Football League striker Alan Willey who had made 128 league appearances whilst at the Manor was brought into the club to add fire power upfront.

Though United lost their first two league games of the season, including a 6-1 home defeat to Stourbridge, form soon improved and by the end of November the Puritans were in fourth place in the table. A notable result in this period occurred on Saturday 23rd October when United beat Bletchley Town 8-1 at the Spencer Stadium with Willey scoring five of the goals, Bob Haynes got two and Tony Bradbury the other. That run of form could not be maintained though and United finished in 10th place in the Southern League First Division North table.

Mick Sherrell was leading league goalscorer with 14 goals, followed by Alan Willey with 12. Full back Ken Butler and goalkeeper Stewart Rennie were ever-present in league games, making 34 appearances. Tony Bradbury, Bob Haynes and Mick Sherrell all made 32 appearances.

There was little joy in cup competitions, United going out in a replay at the first hurdle of the FA Cup to Bedford Town and though beating Bridport Town in the FA Trophy they then found Hereford United too good in the next round, losing 3-1 at Edgar Street.

Gavin Nicholson, confined to a wheelchair due to rheumatoid arthritis, was a keen United supporter, the son of club president Major John Nicholson. In February 1976, 26-year-old Gavin, at a time when United were in financial difficulty, swapped his wheelchair for a rowing boat and did a sponsored row along the Oxford Canal at Banbury. He raised a decent sum for that time of over £200, split three quarters to the football club and one quarter to the Cheshire Care Home at Adderbury. Sadly, Gavin passed away in 1979.

Gavin’s father, Major John Nicholson, served during the Second World War with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, being wounded in the leg at Dunkirk, becoming a Major in the Territorial Army and then after the War concentrated on farming at Park Farm, Drayton. He represented Drayton on the Banbury Rural District Council and was Chairman of the Banbury Branch of the National Farmers Union as well as being President of Banbury United Football Club. The Major died at the age of 69 in 1980.

Eight of the players pictured made over 100 appearances for the club:

Bob Haynes 380
Stewart Rennie 356
Colin Moulsdale 326
Ken Butler 236
Tony Bradbury 210
Terry Jeakings 131
Ian Richardson 119
Mick Sherrell 117

And thanks to legendary United player Bob Haynes for his help in identifying the players