BANBURY CRICKET CLUB

Club History

Recent History

1996 - 1998
After the Banbury Recreational Trust selling the Grange Road ground to housing the Trust moved to the impressive new facilities at White Post Road for the 1996 season. Banbury Cricket Club also embarked on a new venture for club cricket by appointing Neal Radford as their first Director of Cricket. The post involves playing in league and cup matches, coaching at all levels of the cricket club and marketing the ground and clubhouse facilities for the trust, and was for an initial three-year full-time contract.

The first season saw the club finish in third in the Cherwell League, moving up to second the following year before unprecedented success in 1998. The Club won the Cherwell League and the Oxfordshire Cup, the 3rd XI retained their league title, the U-16s won their League whilst the U-13s emulated the first team by completing a League and Cup double.

1999
1999 marked the 50th anniversary of the Club being reformed. Radford signed a two year extension to his contract and three new players joined the 1st XI, though two were lost (one to a professional contract and one to a broken leg!). The Club had to be content with runners up spot, spoiling a potential clean sweep as the second and third teams both won their leagues.

2000
The year 2000 saw a big challenge for the Club as they entered the new Home Counties ECB Premier League, effectively a jump of two divisions, and a new all-day format. Only one new player, all-rounder David Taylor, arrived and the side anticipated a top-half finish. However results and performances exceeded expectations as the team deservedly became the new leagues inaugural Champions, Craig Haupt's 813 runs and Neal Radfords 66 wickets helping them to win 13 of their 17 completed matches.

For good measure the club also won the County Cup for the second time in three years, whilst the 2nd and 3rd XI's tasted success of their own in revamped Cherwell League which now has 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams mixed together in one big league. The seconds, playing against mainly first XI's, finished comfortably in mid table, and 3rd XI gained promotion convincingly without losing a game as runners up.

The Club regularly staged Oxfordshire Minor Counties Fixtures, and also hosted the Minor U-25 XI for one of their home AON Trophy games. In addition this year saw the possibility of a NatWest third round tie with Oxfordshire, if they win their second round match, taking on Surrey.

Off the field the Club continued to thrive, employing not only Neal Radford but also a full-time Club Steward, the whole wages bill being covered by sponsorship and marketing income, putting the Club on a solid financial footing.

2001
2001 saw the club finishing as runners to Finchampstead in the HCPL as well as reaching the last 16 of National Club Knockout Competition and again claiming the County Cup. 2001 also saw the retirement of Neal Radford form Banbury CC after six memorable years, which ended in the club making Neal an Honorary Life member. The Third XI continued to grow with experience, easily winning division 8 only losing once all season, while the Second XI narrowly avoided relegation.

2002
2002 saw a few players leave the club pre-season making way for the emerging youth which has been developed with much success in recent years. This year also saw the arrival of Paul Taylor as the new professional at the club, filling the boots of Neal Radford. Paul joined the club from Northamptonshire and had also played Test cricket for England. Paul proved to a valuable asset to the club in this transitional period for the First XI proving he can hold a bat as well. Craig Haupt continued to set records scoring over 900 runs for the season. However the First XI became the leagues draw specialists finishing the season in sixth place. The second XI had a much improved season finishing third, competing for promotion for much of the season, while the Third XI who were a little under strength finished a creditable fourth in division 7.