It is with great regret that the club have had to withdraw from this Saturday’s Southern League Premier Division Championship match at Banbury United. The game pits the winners of the Premier South against the winners of Premier Central but unfortunately we are unable to field a side worthy of such a prestigious fixture due to the level of player injuries we currently have.
The League programme was completed with an effective squad of 13-14 players and on several occasions members of the coaching staff were named to make up the numbers on the substitutes bench. We have played 55 competitive matches against a backdrop of the most severe injury situation the club has faced in many years which sometimes meant that players participated in games when the club’s medical team suggested otherwise.
Our therapists have worked wonders over the past few weeks patching players up to get them through each game to enable us to continue competing for the League title which was our sole focus and of course went to the final game, and it is to their utmost credit that the team succeeded. However, now the League season is complete, we have seven players with a range of injuries who have been placed on a strict rest and rehabilitation regime which will last for 4-6 weeks as their welfare and recuperation is paramount.
We appreciate that the League and Banbury United will be disappointed not to have an end of season showcase, but we are also sure that all concerned will want to place player wellbeing at the very top of their thoughts. We would like to apologise to Banbury United and the Southern League for our enforced withdrawal and wish Banbury every success in the National League next season.