Away Friendly v supporter owned Banbury United 31st July

Banbury United is owned by its supporters via membership of a Community Benefit Society (CBS) that owns the club, and we are delighted to extend the hand of friendship and support to another club with the same conviction that the fans of football clubs are also the best custodians of them also, so we are really looking forward to travelling to a completely new ground, the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium, one for the groundhoppers too!

Banbury are rightly proud to represent their town, and of the work they have achieved in six years of ownership of the club including success on the pitch, vastly improved facilities, and a focus on community work including the appointment of a full time community officer, the 'Spencers’ Group for older members of the community and a Community lottery that supports this work as well as the 'Keep the Horton General' campaign. Besides the emphasis on community, Banbury also have in common with FC the fact that they are members of the Football Supporters Association, preceded by Supporters Direct, who were instrumental in our establishment. The FSA is a national, democratic, representative body for football supporters in England and Wales and leading advocates for supporter ownership and better fan engagement. It is through these links that the game has been arranged.

Commenting on the news Banbury Chairman Phil Lines said “This is a massive boost for the club, FC United are at the forefront of supporters owned clubs and a high profile friendly fixture is great news for our supporters and all football fans in the area particular those that follow Manchester United”

Adrian Seddon, Chair of the Board of FC United reciprocated, "We are really looking forward to travelling to Banbury for this fixture, which is important for both clubs, it creates a new bond with another fan-owned club, and given they are also at step 3 of the non-league pyramid it will provide us with a keen test before we commence our league campaign a fortnight later. We are delighted to have also been able to also arrange a return visit for Banbury in 2022 which further shows our desire to support and promote other fan-owned clubs."

We are delighted to be able to make this trip, and have also already agreed a return fixture at Broadhurst Park in 2022. We look forward to the game, and hope that as many of our fans can make the trip to the game, to celebrate “fan owned football”.

Travel

• Trains - The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium is very close to Banbury station, which is on a direct route from Manchester Piccadily.
• Self-drive - The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium, Station Approach, Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 5AB
• Coaches - The first supporters coach for this fixture sold out within two hours, and there are 12 spaces left (as at midday on the 9th May) on the second, please contact Pete Wharton on 07733 040008 to reserve your place