Message to members

[Steve T]

From an e-mail circulated today:

Dear members,

As the 2023/24 football season has come to an end, and current Chairman Ronnie Johnson has stepped aside as previously announced, a short-term plan is in place regarding the leadership and management of the Club.

Board members Lisa Dixon and Claire Dumbreck will oversee the day-to-day running of the Club, with Terry Thomson and Ryan Duggleby leading on men's football and commercial strategy, respectively. Natalie Brown is leading women and girls' football at Banbury United as well as other commercial projects.

The Board of Directors, with support from various club members, is focussed on recruitment for the roles of Chair and the First Team Manager. Recruitment for the Chairperson position is at an advanced stage and details will be shared shortly.

"We are under no illusion regarding the strategically important decisions that need to be made in a short space of time and will not hesitate to request experience and specialist support where needed," explains Lisa Dixon. "Our two tough seasons and subsequent relegation from the National League North have exposed the urgent need to sort our ground situation – making waves if we need to – and to bolster the organisational structure of the club."

"Banbury United has entered into a concerted recruitment phase to transform the Club, both on and off the pitch. We are looking not just for a Chairperson, but a first team manager, and we will also soon be advertising for a paid general manager position. We're acutely aware that members and fans want to hear more from us about what is going on at the Club, around the ground situation for example. We are taking professional advice and this will be forthcoming just as soon as we can," said Claire Dumbreck.

[Sparky]

Was posted on the Website for all to see.

[Steve T]

It was the paid general manager that caught my eye. I was a bit surprised it hadn't been commented on.

[puritanmk]

As I recall, it was raised at meetings during Dave Goulding era. There was a push for modern professionalism in the club's organisation - then it couldn't/didn't get moved on further. The concept has never been fully explained/described in our club's context. The top-to-bottom structure of the club will be interesting if it's ever discussed.

Another issue I'd like clarity on:
The falling out with The Terrace.

I'm sure there's a couple more for the forum to want to have more info on...

[Steve T]

Apr 23, 2024 15:37:34 GMT 1 puritanmk said:

As I recall, it was raised at meetings during Dave Golding era. There was a push for modern professionalism in the club's organisation.

Before the days of panic-induced spending cuts, I presume...

[puritanmk]

Apr 23, 2024 15:43:45 GMT 1 Steve T said:

Apr 23, 2024 15:37:34 GMT 1 puritanmk said:

As I recall, it was raised at meetings during Dave Golding era. There was a push for modern professionalism in the club's organisation.

Before the days of panic-induced spending cuts, I presume...

Probably.

[Sparky]

One of the main issues is sponsorship, previously it was a case of we will go to them to seek funds hopefully the commercial side in place now will adopt this policy and put in the miles to approach potential contributors rather than wait for firms and others to approach the club.

[blackbeltjones]

Apr 23, 2024 15:37:34 GMT 1 puritanmk said:

As I recall, it was raised at meetings during Dave Goulding era. There was a push for modern professionalism in the club's organisation - then it couldn't/didn't get moved on further. The concept has never been fully explained/described in our club's context. The top-to-bottom structure of the club will be interesting if it's ever discussed.

Another issue I'd like clarity on:
The falling out with The Terrace.

I'm sure there's a couple more for the forum to want to have more info on...

I dont know what happened with The Terrace but *apparantly* the new kit deal supplies every adult/youth team with apparel saving £20k

Would have thought youth teams would cover costs via sponsorship/fees so dont understand the savings unless they still ask parents to contribute.

Always thought it was a good deal with The Terrace - a Banbury company with national reach - commercials cannot have been that bad??

[Steve T]

I know this one hasn't been posted on the website!

---

The recruitment process to find Banbury United's next first team manager is progressing at full speed. We'd like to update you as to how things are going.

As of today's date, we have received 40 serious applications for the role and the applications are still rolling in. We've also approached this appointment proactively, where appropriate and within regulations, and have utilised both the club's professional network and local football scene in order to ensure we've reached certain individuals.

While the applications are still arriving, we've identified an initial shortlist of ten candidates who we will be interviewing this week, via an initial short online video call. These interviews will be held with Banbury United's head of football, Terry Thomson, and another board member.

From there, successful candidates will progress to an in depth, in-person interview, which will involve a broader panel of board members, and some individuals that have been established in the first team, who know Banbury United and the local football world very well and who have experience of appointing and working with previous managers. These people do not wish to have their involvement publicised at this time and we respect that.

Bearing in mind that we may have a second smaller wave of applications to put through this process, our current expectation is that that we will be in a position to appoint someone during the week of May 6th.

We will share further information with you just as soon as we can.

---

[Sparky]

Why would individuals not want to say who they are at this time given the importance of taking on the right person for the job,we should know who is involved with the future of the club going forward and these people should be completely in touch with today’s football world. If these are some of the same people who were involved with the two previous appointments then we will be back at square one given how that worked out. I’m trying not to read to much into this so I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

[Harold]

Established in the first team...

Coaches, players and kit men that shouts out to me.

Or coming up on the rail, Danny the dragon and the puritan.

Surely it isn't the prodigal son 🙌