MIKE Ford's five-year spell as Banbury United boss is over.

The Puritans say they could not reach an agreement with the former Oxford City manager to extend his contract, which expires tomorrow.

Ford took over in 2015 and guided the club to promotion from the Southern League South & West Division in his first season.

Banbury have since become established in the Premier Division and were just a point outside the play-off positions when the coronavirus pandemic halted the campaign last month.

A statement from United read: "The club wish to place on record their thanks to Mike for his commitment and support over the past five seasons and wish him every success for the future.

"We will now start the process to recruit a new manager and we believe this will be an attractive opportunity to manage at a well run and ambitious club."