Puritans pull the trigger on Jones

By Jon Couch

DEPARTURE: Mark Jones

MARK JONES says he can look at himself in the mirror on leaving Banbury United – and reckons he was on track to keeping the Puritans in National League North.

Jones departed the Spencer Stadium on Thursday with the club fifth from bottom and five points above the relegation zone.

And the former Oxford City chief reckons he was on course for Step 2 survival when club chiefs decided to end his seven-month spell in charge.

“It was always going to be a difficult task taking over from a club legend in Andy Whing and I quickly realised that all but two of our players had already made their minds up to leave the club,” Jones said in a statement on social media.

“I had to try and build a squad for a challenging season ahead in National League North, which wasn’t an easy task. I think that most people agreed it was going to be tough this season and keeping the club at National League North level would be an achievement.

“We have enjoyed some fantastic results away from home, against the likes of Tamworth, Boston and Southport, but we have struggled at home.

“I can honestly look at myself in the mirror and say that I have given everything to make Banbury United a success and with three games in hand on King’s Lynn and Gloucester City, I felt, with a couple of decent additions player wise, Which I have been working tirelessly on, we would be ok.”

A club statement read: “Mark’s commitment and dedication have never been in question and we would like to sincerely thank him for his contribution to the Club. He took on and delivered the daunting task of recruiting a squad almost from scratch over last summer.

“However, recent results and the current league position meant this difficult decision had to be taken. We wish Mark well for his future in the game.”