Banbury United boss Mike Ford hopes the support of former Puritans heroes will inspire his side on to glory this season.

All-time leading scorer Tony Jacques, record appearance-holder Jody McKay and former Coventry City pro Martin Singleton are among around 50 former players due to descend on the Spencer Stadium tomorrow They are there to celebrate 50 years since the club changed its name from Banbury Spencer.

With Banbury looking to break back into the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West play-off places with victory over Larkhall Athletic, Ford is hopeful he can restore former glories to the Puritans.

“In the clubhouse and the directors’ room there are pictures of Banbury teams which have been successful and won trophies,” said Ford.

“I want my players to have their picture up there too.”

Chairman Ronnie Johnson, who represented United as a striker in the late 1970s and early 80s, hopes the event will not only recognise Banbury’s past, but also its future.

“It’s without doubt the biggest gathering of former players we’ve ever had at the club,” he said.

“It’s a chance to celebrate our history, but also a chance for some of the greats to see the new era.

“We have an exciting team pushing for promotion and hopefully they will appreciate the history of the club and it will inspire them.”

One man hoping to make history is new striker Felipe Barcelos, who was reunited with former Oxford City boss Ford after signing from Italian side ASD Santhia Calcio.

Fellow striker Louis Joyce is out through suspension.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Banbury Utd (v Larkhall Ath, home): from Harding, White, Steedman, Martin, Wise, Westbrook, Gunn, Stanbridge, Bell, Browne, Nash, Howards, McEachran, Blackstock, Kalakoutis, Welch-Hayes, Barcelos.