A football club in a normally quiet Oxfordshire town has apologised after videos appeared to show a Magic Mike-style performance at its clubhouse spiralling beyond expectations.
Banbury United FC promotes The Spencer Clubhouse, on the eastern edge of the town and within a short drive of the Cotswolds, as a venue where “dreams come to life”.
The Southern Premier League club’s venue, at the TUGO Community Stadium, typically hosts weddings, birthday celebrations and corporate functions. Its website promises guests nights that are “nothing short of extraordinary”.
However, the clubhouse hosted an adults-only event on Saturday that has drawn criticism from some local residents. Banbury is also a short drive from areas associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, while Beyoncé has reportedly been linked to a property in the wider region.
Footage shared online from the UK Pleasure Boys’ “Wet & Wild” tour, which stopped in the “community-focused” town over the weekend, has since spread widely across social media.
The clips appear to show male performers in cowboy hats dancing and stripping on stage before entering the audience, where they allegedly simulated sexual acts with members of the crowd.
The scenes prompted Banbury United, nicknamed the Puritans, to apologise to “everyone who attended the event”. The club said the performance “went beyond what we find acceptable at our venue”.
A source familiar with the event said the footage reflected the atmosphere that can develop at occasional nights out for groups of women. “I’ve worked in hospitality for a long time,” the source said. “Whenever these events happen, the women just go nuts — particularly the mums. If it is your one night out in God knows how long, you are going to need to let off some steam.”
The videos have nevertheless triggered a lively debate among Banbury residents online, particularly because the UK Pleasure Boys had advertised the evening as offering “steamy entertainment”.
A male strip show at an Oxfordshire football clubhouse appeared to go far beyond a conventional stage performance on Saturday night
The event was held at Banbury United’s The Spencer Clubhouse, prompting the football club to apologise to attendees
One attendee wrote: “I went with the expectation of a Full Monty-style strip show, perhaps with a brief flash at the end — not a porn show.”
“It was Banbury Utd’s clubhouse, not a strip club, and even strip clubs have separate private rooms. There was absolutely no need for it. It didn’t offend me, but it ruined the night, as it was a great laugh until it wasn’t.”
Another commenter took a different view, writing: “If anyone who went was surprised or offended, they really shouldn’t have bought a ticket in the first place.”
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A third attendee said: “It was an absolute laugh and we’re booking again next year when they’re back. Some of it was a bit like, ‘Whoa’, but it clearly stated strippers. The lads were absolutely fantastic.”
Another added: “Everyone was over 18, so it shouldn’t be an issue. If some people didn’t like it, they could have walked out. Everyone knows what they’re going to see at these events and are acting as if they don’t.”
One social media user summed up the reaction by writing: “From what I’m hearing and seeing all over social media, it sounds like a strip show turned into a Roman orgy.”
Another simply posted: “Oh dear, Banbury United.”
The UK Pleasure Boys have been touring for several months, according to their Instagram account, and have 14 performances still scheduled. The next show is due to take place in Birmingham this week.
Standard tickets cost £16.50 for the two-hour-45-minute show, while VIP front-row tickets are available for £27.50.
‘This high-energy, cheeky and electrifying male revue features the country’s hottest performers,’ a description reads.
Yet, in the view of Banbury United, the 18+ show at The Spencer Clubhouse tipped over the edge.
Their statement, released on Tuesday afternoon, read: ‘We are aware of video clips circulating online from the UK Pleasure Boys’ ‘Wet & Wild’ show held at The Spencer Clubhouse on Saturday, October 17. This was a ticket, 18+ event.
‘The images suggest that part of the performance towards the end went beyond what we find acceptable at our venue. We apologise to anyone in attendance who was offended.
‘The venue was booked for that evening by an external promoter as part of a UK-wide tour.
‘We are reviewing what happened and will revise our hire and conduct terms for performance events as a result.’
The Daily Mail contacted Banbury United FC for comment.