Which of our new clubs has a former England captain as Chairman? The answer is Uxbridge, who take their place in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South having secured promotion from the Isthmian League South Central via the play-offs at the end of last term.
Mark Bantock was one of the top lawn bowls players in the country, winning a silver medal in the Men's pairs at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal in the lawn bowls competition at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Having since retired from the sport, his focus is now firmly fixed on overseeing the progression of a club that has been a big part of his life and that of his family.
“My step dad, Alan Holloway, was Chairman here for 30 years, as part of an association with the club that lasted for half-a-century until he sadly passed away in 2021,” Bantock told us. “As a result, the club has been a major part of our lives as a family; I’ve been attending games since childhood, so it has a very special place in my heart.
“When my step dad passed away, I was asked to take over as Chairman. To be honest, I was reluctant at first but after some persuasion and wise words from my mum, I agreed to give it a go and I have to say that I really enjoy it.”
Following a couple of mid-table finishes, the club secured runners-up spot behind runaway leaders, Farnham Town, at the end of last season. It meant that they went into the play-offs and after overcoming the challenge of Kingstonian on penalties in the semi-final, they went on to beat Hanworth Villa 2-1 in the final to secure their place at Step 3 for the first time.
“Last season was unbelievable,” continued Bantock. “To reach this level for the first time in the long history of the club is so special.
“This club has rarely been involved in promotion, or indeed relegation, seasons over the years. On one hand you could say that there has never been that much ambition to progress, but by the same token, the future of the club has never been put at risk, something that has been seen all too often at other clubs.
“Last season, the aim was always to be in and around the play-off mix. Like most, we felt that Farnham Town would win it so it was a case of trying to get into the top five.
“We started slowly, losing our first three games and then drawing the fourth, but we stayed loyal to the manager and it paid off. It was obvious after the first month that a few things needed to change and credit to him, he did it and recruited well to secure a second-place finish.
“To see our attendance record smashed with over 1,500 here for the play-off final made me immensely proud. It was a very emotional day for me and our loyal group of volunteers; even if we had lost the game, I would have still had the same sense of pride at the end.
“We’re very much a volunteer-led club, it’s who we are and what we pride ourselves on.
“We know that it will be a massive challenge moving into the Southern League at Step 3. As a club we’re trying to do things a bit differently; our ethos is that football should be affordable for all and our admission prices will be as cheap as anywhere in the country at this level.
“An adult season-ticket here works out at just £1.79 per game, including pre-season friendlies, and for concessions its 18p per game. I’d be surprised if any other club were doing it any cheaper than that.
“We want to appeal to people and provide entertainment at a price they can afford. Of course, our playing and travelling budget will have to increase and this will be a different challenge for us, but we are determined to embrace it and see where it takes us.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever been here and if we can establish ourselves in the Premier South, it will give us a platform on which to build during the years ahead.
“There will be plenty of ups and downs along the way, we know that, but we’re going to enjoy ourselves and give it everything we've got. Things are going well in terms of putting a team together that can compete, so we look forward to what 2025/26 holds in store as members of the Southern League.”
IMAGES: Uxbridge FC
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