Football club fundraises for clubhouse roof repairs

A semi-professional football club has been forced to launch a fundraiser after postponed fixtures meant it was unable to cover the costs of repairing its clubhouse.

Banbury United said rearranged home fixtures would "significantly reduce" its matchday income, in turn "placing pressure" on the club's finances.

As a result, it said it had been unable to set aside funds required to replace its ageing clubhouse roof - a project the club said could "no longer be delayed".

The Puritans, whose men's first team currently play in the seventh tier of English football, have now started a fundraiser to pay for the roof replacement.

The club described the situation as a "real and urgent challenge".

"After months of severe weather, sections of the roof have deteriorated badly," the club said in a statement.

"If repairs are not carried out soon, the damage will worsen, leading to far greater costs - and potentially the loss of use of the clubhouse altogether."

Banbury United has faced problems in fulfilling its home fixtures in recent seasons, with the club's location on the banks of the River Cherwell making it particularly susceptible to wet weather.

Earlier this season, the club was forced to postpone three home games in a row, due to the pitch at the Spencer Stadium being waterlogged.

The financial implications of these postponements has now left the club hunting for funds for its clubhouse project.

It said it had already received a significant donation towards the project from the Banbury Charities group, as well as from the Unite union.

With additional support, the club added, "we can safeguard Banbury United for seasons to come".

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