Club Chairman, Ronnie Johnson, welcomed the two new members of the Board who were voted in at the recent General Meeting of Banbury United Community Football Club Ltd, Phil Rabaiotti and Claire Dumbreck.

Ronnie said “Claire and Phil will bring added experience, knowledge and business acumen to the board which will undoubtedly assist the club in our daily routines, strategic challenges and extra workload that the National League North has brought but also of course enjoy the exciting times as we compete at the highest level in the club’s history and move forward with ground improvements to enhance The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium”

Brief bios of Phil and Claire are below.

Claire - I have over 25 years’ experience in marketing communications and public relations, having run my own Banbury-based consultancy since 2010. I help lead and execute strategies to support growth in companies in diverse sectors including automotive, HVAC, construction and manufacturing – from US-based corporations to British start-ups. Day-to-day, I manage a team developing messages and content for websites, media relations, social media, video and events.

Earlier in my career I was involved in professional motorsport and have handled PR and sponsorship activation for manufacturers, race teams and a sporting venue.

I have lived in Banbury for 20 years and my two children were “Born in the Horton General.” My son plays for a Banbury United junior football team. I love football and am also a member of a Premier League club. I play hockey and have managed a Banbury Hockey Club girls’ team as a volunteer over the past few years.

I am evangelical about sport as a force for good, which is why I would like to offer my skills to BUFC. The club is one of our town’s greatest assets and I challenge anyone to talk Banbury down after experiencing the atmosphere at the The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium!

I became caught up with the magic of Banbury United after watching the Canvey Island FA Cup match on the BBC in 2020 when there was nothing else to do in lockdown. I now watch every home match I can. I hope I can represent the new generation of fans that has been attracted to the club following FA Cup successes and promotion, and build on this current energy.

I want to raise awareness of Banbury United, increasing attendance and commercial interest. I see potential in better connecting the wider Banbury community and the junior section to the club, for everyone’s benefit.

Phil -I have over 20 years experience in Telecommunication sales have worked for BT and Cable and Wireless, setting up mobile and Cisco networks.

Earlier in my career I was a serving Police Officer with Thames Valley.

I have lived in Middleton Cheney and Banbury for the last 23 years, and am a qualified UEFA B Licence Football Coach.

In recent years I have worked in the clothing industry supply bespoke and stock supported solutions in the UK Corporate wear industry.

For many years I have been ''watching Banbury United'' and came to this summer's volunteer evening to ''see how I could help''

I started off getting stuck in helping out with Match Day Operations, and quickly moved into the Commercial area to head up the team.

When the management asked me to be co-opted onto the board to help out just before Xmas I was only to glad to help, and now I've been officially voted onto the board I'm excited in growing our on field and off field commercial interests and connecting the Banbury community.

In the last 12 months I have seen at first hand the tremendous hard work that everyone does to contribute to the on-going success of the football club from players, management, support staff, and our army of volunteers and I am proud to be a member of that team on our exciting journey.