It is probably one of those questions that always pops up every once in a while! Who is the most famous person to have played for Banbury United. If you had reasonable knowledge of the history of the Puritans you would ponder on players who had moved on to the professional game, Kevin Wilson would no doubt be top of the list, along with Martin Singleton and Ollie Kearns and these guys would be very deserved nominees! As I write this article another rising star “Manny Duku“ our Dutch striker of a few years ago is making his mark in Scotland with Raith Rovers, presently top scorer and receiving excellent plaudits!

The most famous title though has to go to Gordon Ramsay OBE, a British chef, restaurateur, writer and major television personality. A couple of years ago we had a production team at Banbury United along with Gordon’s son Jack Ramsay for a documentary where he followed his father’s footsteps and family background during his early years living in Banbury.

As a member of Banbury United U18’s Gordon’s ability shone through with his surging runs at full back down the left flank being his trademark in his developing years. Due to work commitments progressing into the senior side was difficult but he was thrilled to get a dream trial with Glasgow Rangers, unfortunately a serious knee injury put paid to his chances with the Glasgow giants! Gordon would turn out for local sides Broughton & North Newington and successful Sunday outfit, Sibford Athletic prior to moving away from the Banbury area.

At the age of 19 Gordon enrolled at North Oxfordshire Technical College to study hotel management and in the mid 80’s worked as a commis chef at The Wroxton House Hotel before moving to London and the start of his restaurant career working for Marco Pierre White at Harveys restaurant.

A young man living in “ The Flats” at Bretch Hill estate and wearing the United kit in his early football career would have a meteoric rise and become world famous and renowned!

Whilst his football career was blighted by injury, if only we could harness that ambition, will to succeed and commitment, is it a magic formula or just down to bloody hard work, football’s loss is business and entertainment world’s gain! Hopefully one day Gordon Ramsay will take the opportunity to visit Station Approach and his old stomping ground!

Ronnie Johnson
BUFC Club Ambassador

Photo at the top of the article is a team photo of Broughton & North Newington featuring Gordon Ramsay (third from the left back row). The photo also includes Geoff & Tony Lines (brothers of our current Chairman Phil Lines), Steve Smith Banbury Guardian Sports Reporter and Banbury United Club Ambassador Ronnie Johnson (second from right front row).

Below is a picture of a piece of paper issued to supporters in lieu of a programme when Banbury United met Northampton Town in a pre-season friendly on Thursday 16th August 1984, on which Gordon is listed. We do not know how accurate this was in terms of who played on that day. Gordon is also listed in the Aylesbury United v Banbury United Southern League Cup programme on August 21st 1984 but he was not actually in the Banbury side that evening and never made a competitive first team appearance for the club.