Club aims  membership  awards Contacts

History

 The photo on the right goes back to 1907 Well that's what it says on the football. You can click the photo for a larger image. I have no information about its  if you know anything eg. when , where and who please e-mail Phil.

We would like to thank the british history web site for allowing us to use the following article and it is their copyright.

Banbury Harriers and Athletic Club was formed in 1881 and took a leading part in sporting activities in the town at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. The club had a gymnasium at the Corn Exchange, but in 1902 moved to Crouch Street British school. The club ran a Whit Monday sports meeting which was attended by champion walkers, runners, and cyclists from all over the county; German bands, Italians with organs and monkeys, and keepers of dancing bears added to the entertainment on those occasions. (fn. 217) Swimming-pools and public parks and recreation grounds were, from the late 19th century, provided and administered by the corporation. 

From: 'Banbury: Introduction', A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 10: Banbury hundred (1972), pp. 5-18. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63788&strquery=harriers Date accessed: 19 April 2010.

The club badge to the right has 1879 on it. 

In March 1922 the club borrowed sufficient money to purchase the land known as Harriers Ground for £850. Unfortunately funds ran out and the bank had to be paid off. The education authority purchased the land in the 1930s. The clubs fortunes rose and fell until 1966 when it folded. It was revived again in 1970 and in 1978 the membership consisted of Fergus Gillies, Geoff Doyly, Dave Hornsby, Clive Rutland, John Padbury, Andrew Hutton (secretary), Nigel Braggins, Gerrard Sullivan (chairman), Pete Wright, Dave ???, Marie Phillips, Ilene Phillips, Kim Harber, Bernadette Byrne, Ian Hammond, Tracey O'Carroll and Martin Reed. Membership increased to 180 by 1981 and has been going well up to the present day.

 Club aims

To provide a centre of athletic excellence for the North Oxfordshire area in which each club member can achieve his or her full potential.

To provide effective organisation, support and facilities for the pursuit of Track & Field Athletics, Road Running and Cross-Country Running and Sports Hall athletics.

For the club and individual members to enhance levels of athletics performance and compete at the highest possible level in each of the athletics disciplines.

To further develop and strengthen the club’s junior section in order to identify and develop talent in junior members, encourage their physical development and levels of performance, and to encourage team spirit.

To host athletics events which are well organised and which generate funds for the pursuit of the club’s objectives and development and provide local competition opportunities.

To raise the profile and appeal of athletics and to enable the club to become an effective asset for the community.

Membership

All athletes must become a member of the club. There is an annual membership fee and a weekly training fee, which covers entry into league competition, hire and purchase of facilities and equipment and the general running of the club. Membership forms and current membership rates & training fees are available at Drayton Pavilion. Or click here Membership form to download the 2011/12 application form.

Awards

Banbury Harriers hold an awards evening each year to reward its athletes and helpers who do so much work throughout the year. The 2009 awards are here Awards

Volunteers

The club is run entirely by unpaid volunteers in a variety of roles, for example coaching, officiating, administration and catering to name a few. If you would like to become involved, even in a small way, please speak to any of the club coaches or club secretary. There are funds available if you wish to attend any relevant courses.
Remember … without these volunteers there wouldn’t be a club!

Contacts

For further information about the club please contact either:

Chair - Geoff Smith  Tel. 01295 253053

Secretary - Ian Robinson  Tel. 01295 268028 / 07759 290668  

Email ian_robinson_uk@yahoo.co.uk                                        

 Web page editor Philip Coy Tel. 01295 720148 Email phil@coy.prestel.co.uk