Our programme editor, Sam, recently interviewed longstanding club volunteer, Matty Haycocks. After a weekend free of Banbury United men’s first team action, we hope you enjoy this Q&A.

How long have you been a coach at Banbury United and what attracted you to the club?

I moved to Banbury in 1989 to take my first teaching job, a PE teacher at the then Drayton School. I was immediately interested in the club. I always had a warm feeling even when I played for the club’s main rivals. I began coaching in 1996 and worked with various managers, Ian Bowyer, Phil Lines, Billy Jeffrey, Andy Fuller, Mike Ford and more recently Andy Whing. You can imagine I have had many ups and downs but overall I have always enjoyed the company, passion, preparation and matchday edge.

Describe what a typical matchday looks like in your role with the club (home and away).

In the past I have been a paid coach but now, with my commitment to my son Sam’s football, I do what I can as a volunteer. I try to be early on Saturdays, helping with whatever needs doing; managing equipment, helping with the warm-up, being a shoulder to lean on, make the tea and generally supporting the manager to achieve our objectives.

What changes in terms of coaching methods have you seen during your time at the club?

Interesting question! I can remember back in the 90s that pre-season was all about long distance running. Now it is usually far more scientific and specific. We know more about ensuring players are able to perform for the whole season and to not burn them out. Training is more coaching, aiming to prepare players for their specific role on a matchday.

What has been your favourite moment whilst volunteering at the club?

There have been some great moments. Beating Taunton in the play-off final was emotional, winning the league by such a margin with Andy was special, but my favourite moment was probably the night in the bar after we won the league, when we celebrated with the Scalectrics.

Is there a standout individual that you have worked with during your time at Banbury?

There have been so many outstanding players, coaches, supporters and volunteers. Jack Harding’s commitment and quality will stand out in the record books, however, all the recent success since the club became fan-owned would not have been possible without the work of Mark Allitt who, with others, has found the finances to move the club to the level we are now at.

I know that you do a football prediction game on the coach to away games. Who is consistently one of the best performers and who is the one of the worst?

I hope that people enjoy the prediction game and maybe it helps to pass the time as we travel up and down and across the country. I can’t say who the worst performer is as that wouldn’t be fair however it is always funny when the current manager or chairman gets a low score. Overall I would say, from memory, that the best over the years is the man I share my length of service with, the magic man, Jack Harding.