The 1964-65 season was notable not only for an Easter rugby tour to Weymouth - the first in the club's history - but for a major re-decoration of the clubhouse. The original estimate of cost was £677 but Hunt Edmunds, the brewers, generously donated £250 towards the cost. Even so the actual cost to the club was £555. A successful party was held at the clubhouse prior to Christmas to celebrate the completion of the work. At this, tankards were presented to three members who had helped with the work - M. Cox, B. Gilkes and M. Goode. At the Christmas draw the club suffered an unfortunate happening. Some of the prizes stored at the clubhouse were stolen. As a result £5 was sent to the winner of the hamper as this was one of the items taken.

Increased use of the clubhouse led to the appointment of a social secretary in August 1966. Space heaters were installed in the changing rooms in February 1967 and in the following August, Mr. Bunny Haydon, on his retirement from business, was taken on for eight hours a week at a modest salary. Throughout the years he had put in many spare time hours on the ground and in the clubhouse. No record of the club would be complete without making mention of his sturdy contribution over the years. He retired, eventually, in 1972 and he was presented with a cheque by the members.

The year 1967-68, under the presidency of Mr. Sam Miller, was memorable also in that the formation of a 200 Club was first envisaged. On the field the playing standard greatly improved. Colin Fairbrother, the captain of the 1st XV, K. Brain and D. Payne all played for the county and D. Payne also played for the R.A.F. Banbury won the Old Coventrians seven-a-side competition. Of the 38 games played by the 1st XV, 19 were won, 3 drawn, 16 lost, 426 points for, 368 against. The County Colts called on the services of no less than seven of the Banbury Colts. The Southern Counties versus the Midlands Colts match was played on the ground. Good cheer on the field was reflected in the clubhouse by players' monthly dances. At the annual dinner two famous players were guests, Dickie Jeeps and Cyril Gadney. Another milestone in the club's financial progress is discernible in that £500 was deposited in a Building Society.

The year 1968-69 was made memorable by a match in September against a United States touring side, the Philadelphians. The tourists were selected from the Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia clubs. Banbury won by 28 points to 8 points chiefly by exploiting the mistakes the visitors made in their own "25'. Club pennants were exchanged prior to the match. The visitors were put up for the night by the Banbury players.

Colin Fairbrother presented to the committee plans for players raising money for a tour to Dublin the following Easter. The aim, he said, was to raise £400. A car washing service was one of the ideas for producing the necessary funds, also players' suppers. Sufficient funds were raised and thirty-two members, including the president, Mr. H. Colegrave, toured happily and successfully.

In January 1969 Mr. D. Harris, who for many years had run the bar, contributing vital profits to club funds, retired and tributes to his work were rightly paid. D. Haskins was awarded the county president's badge for services to the game, with special reference to the Colts. Chris Williams was selected to play for the England Under 19 Group versus Scotland.

A draining scheme for the second pitch was carried out at a cost of £249 in 1970. The club also received an invitation for a team to tour at St. Claude, in the Jura, France, at Easter 1971. Unfortunately this could not take place on account of cost.

A matter of great moment was discussed at a committee meeting in September 1970. Members of the Banbury indoor Bowling Club suggested that they should be leased land on the north side of the ground to erect a bowling arena, bar and refreshment room, the lease to run for thirty years. Although a special meeting of the club was called and a favourable view taken the bowling club eventually found that piling of the ground would be necessary at a cost of £7,000 and this was prohibitive to them.

At the annual meeting the retiring president, Mr. J. Mitchelmore, was able to look back on a successful financial year with the 200 Club showing a profit of £460 on a first year working.

In the Autumn of 1971 thoughts were turned to the purchase of land to the east and also to extending the clubhouse to "the advantage of older members and to those who wished ladies to be more acquainted with the club".

Inquiries into the possibility of buying further land showed that it was valued at development level which was prohibitive. Correspondence with Banbury Borough Council concluded with the promise that the club's needs would be considered if and when the council purchased land to the east as an open space.

In December a sub-committee reported on improving the club premises and they were asked to go into further details and to include plans for the provision of central heating. On a further report tenders were invited for carrying out the work for central heating and an application made for planning permission for clubhouse alterations. Before Mr. J. McKeand had finished his presidential year a scheme for oil-fired central heating had been agreed at a cost of £1,335 and a clubhouse improvement scheme, costing approximately £5,000, excluding furnishings, embarked upon.

Mr. M.L. Viggers had also offered to provide a cup for "the most deserving player of the year". The first player to win it was Michael Dean. Subsequently a vice-president, Mr. Eric Gleave, provided a replica for the winner. In this year also Tom Cowell reached the final England trial for the Under 19 group.

Problems of financing the clubhouse improvements had now to be faced. The money for the central heating system, which would also heat the water for the baths, it was agreed should be found by the successful 200 Club. A tender from J.W. Rogers Ltd. for £4,750 for extensions and alterations to the clubhouse, plus £40 for facing bricks, was accepted. A loan from Whitbread's, the brewers, for £4,000 at four per cent, was negotiated. Subsequently Whitbread's made a handsome gift of £500 towards the cost. At December the fete and social account had £1,650 in hand and £1,000 was set aside for capital costs. In March a tender from Design Furniture of Banbury for £330 for seating and coffee tables and a tender for carpeting from Chapmans of Banbury, was accepted.

On May 5th, 1973, during the presidency of Mr. Gerald Webb, the extensions and alterations were opened by the President of Oxfordshire RFU, Mr. M. Boddington. The insurance cover for clubhouse, fixtures and stock was then raised to a total of £26,300.

At the annual meeting in June more realistic subscription rates were agreed on - £3.50 for players, £1.50 for vice-presidents, 50 pence for Colts. The final bill for the extension and alterations was £1,429.36; for the carpet £80.

By October the electric wiring of the clubhouse, which had been causing concern, had been renewed at a cost of £74. The roof, however, needed extensive repair. This work was approved at a cost of £522.26. The ladies tea committee also requested a new cooker and sink unit.

Despite these heavy calls, at the annual meeting in June 1974 when Mr. J.P. Page handed over the presidency to Mr. R.J. Court, a profit of £482.30 was reported on the year's working "despite high maintenance expenses on the clubhouse and car park".

The annual meeting also decided to field a regular fourth side and to name the teams. The following names were chosen: A Lions, B Bulls, Ex B Wanderers. It was also agreed to have a Jubilee tie to mark the club's fifty years of existence.

Always forward looking, in July a sub-committee was set up to "consider the future of rugby at Banbury". A successful fete, including bar profit, brought in a welcome £1,000 for club funds.

On the field the club began the 1974-75 season by winning the seven-a-side contest on their own ground and followed this with some excellent victories on Saturdays. The 1st XV reached the semi-final of the Oxfordshire clubs knock-out cup finally falling to the Oxford Marathons at Cowley Marsh. Lions, Bulls and Wanderers have also gained some notable victories. The season has also seen the start of mini-rugby, organised by Gerald Webb. Youngsters in the age group 8 - 11 have been encouraged to come along and learn about the game. This has met with great response.

In writing the story of the club's first fifty years one is conscious of the many omissions that have had to be made in a general history such as this is. The outstanding events of the years, it must be said, are made possible only by the successful conclusion of many supporting occasions and by the efforts of all members, on and off the field.

The club has survived by the devoted efforts of its supporters. It began with no ground and no funds. By assiduous efforts over the years it now has a magnificent ground and clubhouse and turns out regularly five teams each Saturday of the playing season. What will ensure its success in the future, as much as anything else, is the continuance of the good fellowship to be found in the clubhouse. Aided by this, many happy hours lie in store for playing members and supporters alike.

Without doubt, Banbury Rugby Union Football Club can advance towards its centenary with every confidence of successfully achieving it.