The club has launched a named seat initiative to supporters and the public to help raise funds for its new grandstand. For a £100 contribution, supporters can claim a plaque bearing their name on one of the seats and be recognised on a commemorative board to be installed in the clubhouse.

Seats can be purchased now via this page on our website.

It is a requirement of the National League North for clubs to provide a minimum seated capacity of 500 and a ground capacity of 3,000. In order to take part in the play-offs in this or future seasons, Banbury United needed to increase its number of seats by 226. The new stand, which was completed last week, is a dismountable structure that will stay with the club if it moves grounds.

The cost to the club for the entire construction is £66,000. While the club had access to some funds on a short-term and loan basis to cover the payment terms, the full amount needs to be recovered this Spring through fundraising activity. The stand will have a named sponsor, to be announced in due course, and a Crowdfunder page has been launched to accept donations.

“The named seat initiative is a great way for fans to contribute to the future of Banbury United FC and create a lasting record of their support, while raising a significant portion of the required funds for the new grandstand,” explains Ronnie Johnson, Chairman of Banbury United FC. “Everyone agrees the new stand looks fantastic and is already a fine addition to the club. We are very grateful to anyone who can support the club via this campaign.”

Highlights:

A plaque containing your name (or any named dedication up to 30 characters including spaces) which will remain in place for the life of the dismountable stand.
Names also to be included on a commemorative board, to be installed in the clubhouse.
Ideal for fans and their families past and present, and for example, to commemorate Banbury United supporters who have passed away.
Please make your purchase of £100 via this page on our website. This is our preferred method of payment.
When you have made your payment, please forward the automated payment confirmation email you receive to info@banburyunited.co.uk. In the email, please then tell us the details of the wording for your plaque (your name or any named dedication up to 30 characters including spaces). This is the email address we will use to contact you about your purchase.
If you would like to make payment by cash or cheque, by hand, please complete this download form, enclose with your payment and deliver to the boardroom during any of the April home matches, concluding with the Spennymoor Town fixture on April 22nd. Please note that so we cannot guarantee that applications will be successful. Please don’t delay.
Purchases are on a first come, first served basis and there is limited availability. Multiple seat purchases can be made.
This is a standalone offer, independent of any other club promotions, sponsorship agreements or season ticket holdings.

Please don’t delay: claim a seat and make payment today, via this page: https://banburyunitedfc.ktckts.com/merchandise/bufcseat/named-seat-purchase/

Thank you for your support.

Banbury United FC members’ named seat initiative – Q&As

Q: Will I be able to choose the location of my seat within the stand?
A: For fairness and simplicity, seats will be allocated on a completely random basis.

Q: Can I request to have my seat located next to a fellow member or supporter?
A: For fairness and simplicity, seats will be allocated on a completely random basis.

Q: If I buy a seat does this mean it’s mine to sit in, at every home match?
A: We have discussed this at length and arrived at the conclusion that a named seat will not give the named person, or the person who purchased the seat, exclusive use of the seat. We have considered the practicalities around administering and enforcing such a provision and the additional security, proof of identity and ticketing complexity this would entail.
We have also considered the uptake of seating in the John Nicholls stand among our current volume of spectators; as is the case today, those who arrive early enough to a match should be able to sit at their preferred seat.

We are framing this as a chance to contribute via a one-off financial payment to an essential infrastructure investment for the future of the club, a chance for supporters to mark their support at this historic time of growth and success. (Season) ticket sales with allocated seats are something we may wish to consider in the future, but that is not part of this fundraising initiative.

Q: When will the plaques appear on the seats?
A: There will be an official stand opening event later in the year. More details to follow.

Q: Will the stand be accessible to home or away fans?
A: For almost all anticipated fixtures, the stand will be for the use of home fans. The club will review the layout of spectating areas at the ground for next season and the new stand will be a key factor in those discussions.

Q: Can members buy a seat on behalf/in the name of a non-member?
A: Yes. At this stage, we are accepting one purchase per member, and the wording on the plaque is the member’s choice.

Q: Can I have any words I want on the plaque?
A: Yes, although as a family-friendly club, we will reject any obscenities.

Q: What other fundraising ideas are in place to pay for the new stand?
A: The stand will have a named sponsor, which we will announce shortly, and the club is exploring applications for financial support via various grant-awarding bodies. These avenues supplement the club’s own funds.