Introduction
Charles Kai Banya (born 18 September 1993) is an English footballer who plays for Margate as a midfielder.
Club career
Banya began his career at Fulham, joining the club at the age of 12, but he never made a first-team appearance, although he was an unused substitute for the Premier League match against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in November 2012.
On 2 November 2013, Banya joined Conference Premier side Woking on a one-month loan. On the same day, Banya made his professional debut in a 2–1 defeat to Grimsby Town, playing the full 90 minutes. Banya went on to make eight league and two FA Trophy appearances before returning to Fulham.
On 30 June 2014, Banya was released by Fulham at the end of his contract.
On 7 August 2014, Banya joined Crawley Town on a short-term deal after his release from Fulham. On 9 August 2014, Banya made his Crawley Town debut in a 1–0 away victory over Barnsley, in which he replaced Lewis Young in the 56th minute. On 2 September 2014, Banya scored his first Crawley Town goal in a 2–0 victory over Cambridge United in a Football League Trophy tie.
On 22 January 2015, Banya re-joined Woking on loan until the end of the 2014/15 campaign. On 24 January 2015, Banya made his Woking comeback in a 3–3 draw against Dover Athletic in the FA Trophy. On 31 January 2015, Banya scored his first Woking goal in a 3–0 home victory against Alfreton Town, netting in the 63rd minute.
On 23 November 2015, Banya joined National League South side Maidstone United on a one-year deal. On 1 December 2015, Banya made his Maidstone United debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Maidenhead United, in which he replaced Alex Akrofi in the 66th minute. On 28 December 2015, Banya was given his first Maidstone United start in a 2–1 victory over Eastbourne Borough, in which he played 76 minutes before being replaced by Bobby-Joe Taylor. On 28 June 2016, it was announced that Banya would leave Maidstone United in search of a club closer to home.
On 21 November 2016, Banya joined Margate after a short-term spell with Billericay Town. A day later, Banya made his Margate debut in a 2–1 defeat against Eastbourne Borough, playing the full 90 minutes.
Career statistics
- As of match played 26 December 2016.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Woking (loan) | 2013–14 | Conference Premier | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Crawley Town | 2014–15 | League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| Woking (loan) | 2014–15 | Conference Premier | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| Maidstone United | 2015–16 | National League South | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| Margate | 2016–17 | National League South | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Career total | 47 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 55 | 2 | ||
Personal life
Banya was born in the London Borough of Lambeth to parents who hail from Sierra Leone, and was brought up in Tulse Hill, South London.