NEW Banbury United manager Mark Jones feels he has a competitive enough budget to help the club consolidate itself in Vanarama National League North.

Jones has agreed a one-year contract with the Puritans, replacing Andy Whing, who resigned on May 22.

Former Oxford United defender Whing led the club to unheralded success, lifting the Southern League Premier Central title by 23 points and then guiding the Puritans to 17th in National League North last season – their highest ever league finish.

READ ALSO: Banbury United announce replacement for Andy Whing

Jones paid credit to the work done by his predecessor and said he wants to nudge the club further forward in a sensible manner.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure to be challenging at the top end of the table, we know where we are,” he said.

“People want to see instant success, but we have to be sensible.

“Last season was the first Banbury had at this level and I want to acknowledge the great success Andy had.

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“I’m very respectful of the work Andy has done and we want to continue that and add little bits if we can.

“I want to make sure we’re competitive in every game and establish ourselves as a National League North club.

“I do believe we have a competitive budget and I’m confident in bringing in the players we need.”

On the journey taken in the past couple of weeks, former Oxford City boss Jones said: “It was a really professional and thorough interview process that the club conducted.

“There was an application process followed by a two-stage interview and I managed to come out on top of that.

“It’s a club with good potential and good backing from the supporters.

“You can have situations in non-league football where things are chaotic behind the scenes and I always take people as I find them, and I’ve been impressed by the vision for taking the club forward.

“It’s important that there’s alignment between the manager, players and the board as that’s the only way to be successful.

“We’re trying to create that one-club mentality and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role.

“I think one thing we’ll be able to promise is that myself and the staff will work very hard and no stone will be left unturned.”

He added: “The main thing I’ll be focusing on is building a solid foundation and work ethic, and the principles of hard work and a winning mentality.

“Banbury fans can expect an honest, hard-working side that gives everything.

“I want players to be comfortable on the ball and I want us to be exciting in the attacking third.

“We’ll have a clear way of playing but I’m focused also on the mental approach of the side.”

Jones, who led the Hoops to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup in the 2017/18 season, has also taken charge of Hemel Hempstead Town in National League South, and was first team coach and lead PDP coach at Yeovil Town in the National League during the 2019/20 campaign.

On Puritans matters off the field, he said: “My job is to focus firmly on the football side of things, primarily that’s what I’m here to do.

“With the training facilities, we need to establish a consistent training base.

“The pitch isn’t always ideal, especially during the winter months, so getting a venue is important as I’m big on training and preparation.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.