A major fundraising campaign is being launched by the club, to help cover the cost of installing essential new ground infrastructure. A new dismountable grandstand is being erected this week to fulfil a minimum 500-seat capacity requirement of the National League North.

Work to construct the stand began on Monday March 20th at the Sutton End, directly across the pitch from the clubhouse. The stand, which can be moved with the club to a new ground in future, adds 226 seats to the current provision of 280 seats via the John Nicholls stand. The stand will be for the use of home fans next season, as part of expected changes to the layout of spectating areas.

Today, the club is announcing measures to raise funds to help cover the extraordinary cost of £66,000 and informing supporters how they can get involved and give their support. While the club has access to funds to cover the payment terms, some on a short-term loan basis, the full amount needs to be recovered this Spring.

• A Crowdfunder page has been set up to allow for financial donations to be made by supporters in a secure way, via this link: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/project-bufc-grandstand. Please click and donate.
• A named seat initiative, open initially to members-only, will raise £100 per seat. A plaque containing donors’ names or dedications will remain in place for the life of the stand. Members will receive an email about this shortly. Other interested supporters should look out for further communications on this programme.
• The stand will have a named sponsor to be announced in due course.
• The club is holding a sponsors’ fundraising evening on March 23rd.
• The board is continually exploring community grant awards, for which the stand may be applicable.

“The promotion to the National League North has brought the most positive and historic uplift for the club,” says Ronnie Johnson, Chairman of Banbury United Football Club. “Behind-the-scenes, it has been a massive step up, bringing unnumerable challenges, which, one by one, our amazing team of volunteers has dealt with throughout the season so far.

“Funding this grandstand is another huge challenge for us, and we see it as a significant opportunity for the club. It makes Banbury United fit for the future and cements our position as being serious about playing in this league: we simply cannot take part in play-offs without 500 seats.

“We are very aware that money is tight for the majority of people at the moment and this ask is yet another demand on finances. We are a community-owned club and we are therefore inviting our community to support the club and its future with this one-off investment campaign. We would like our supporters and local businesses to consider making a donation, of whatever amount they feel they can afford, via our online Crowdfunder page,” concludes Johnson.

Supporters can access the Crowdfunder page here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/project-bufc-grandstand. Donations can be made anonymously.