THAME UNITED NEWS

THAME UNITED PRESENTATION EVENING - 15th May
 

Thame United FC and Thame United Social FC held a joint presentation evening on Saturday 12th May at Racquets in Thame. With over sixty people attending, chairman of Thame Boys and Girls FC, Tim Green, introduced the evening and along with Jake Collinge, chairman of Thame United FC, outlined the work carried out by the Thame Football Partnership over the last year in relation to the creation of a sustainable Community Football Club on a single 20-acre site in the town.

This was followed by the presentation of awards. Nathan Jack, who had scored over 20 goals for Thame United this season, picked up both the Players Player and Managers Player of the Year awards. Matt Higgs, who joined the Club at the same time as manager Mark West in late January was named Most Improved Player for his performances at Centre Back, whilst defender Matt Graves picked up the coveted Supporters Player of the Year award. A special mention was also given to Club stalwart, Fred Saulsbury, who after many years as Football Secretary for both Thame United FC and Thame United Social FC, stood down at the end of the season to concentrate on his business interests. Thanks were also given to manager Mark West and assistant Steve Meredith for their hard work during the latter half of the season.

The awards for the Thame United Reserve team, which was set up this year to provide a footballing outlet for the youngsters progressing from Thame Boys and Girls, were presented by manager Marcus Walker. Sam Cowan and Marc Bell, both of whom also played a number of games for the first team across the course of the season, received the Players Player and Managers Player of the year award respectively. Mike Gibbs received the award for the Most Committed Player of the Year.

Matt Leach received the awards of Managers Player and Top Goalscorer for Thame United Social FC, who play in Division 2 of the High Wycombe Sunday Combination. The awards of Most Committed Player and Players Player of the Year went to Chris Morbey and Steve Clarke respectively, with a special award to Club Man of the Year, Steve Wallington.

The evening was well attended and represented a further step in the joint working between the footballing interests in the town as they strive to create the Community Football Club that Thame richly deserves.
CREATING A COMMUNITY FOOTBALL CLUB FOR THAME - 23RD MARCH
A NEW FUTURE FOR ONE OF OXFORDSHIRE’S OLDEST CLUBS
Plans to create a high quality new home for football in Thame are being launched at the Town Hall on 23 – 24 March.  Developed by the recently formed Thame Football Partnership, the new strategy will bring together Thame United FC, Thames Boys and Girls FC and other footballing interests in the town to create a community football club on a single site in the town.
 
In creating the strategy, Thame Football Partnership is drawing on support from Sports Solutions, a leading national specialist in sports club development. Work has begun in developing financial plans and identifying potential sites locally. Vital capital funding will be available for this project when planning permission is forthcoming for the residential redevelopment of Thame United FC’s former ground at Windmill Road. The development plans will be on view in the Upper Chamber at Thame Town Hall from 2pm-8pm on 23 March and 10am-2pm on 24 March. The plans include providing training and recreational facilities together with an artificial all weather pitch, which will maximise the playing time possible at the new ground.
 
This new centre will provide a much needed home ground for Thame United FC, one of Oxfordshire’s oldest football clubs, established over 100 years ago.  Also, a home and training facilities for the highly successful Thame Boys and Girls FC, which comprises over 350 children from under-7 level onwards.  Representatives of the Thame Football Partnership will be joined by Fraser Digby of Sports Solutions in manning the exhibition, and answering questions from local people.
 
Jake Collinge, chairman of Thame United FC, said: “We are determined to create this valuable new resource for Thame. The new facilities will bring pleasure to hundreds of children playing with the Thame Boys and Girls FC team. Providing a much-needed home for Thame United FC will secure over a century of football heritage for this town.  Fraser Digby, Sports Solutions said: “Looking at this project from the vantage point of the many schemes that we are involved with across the UK, I believe that it is a sound plan, driven by a determined and recently appointed management board of the Thame Football Partnership. “I believe that this is a solid, sustainable project that deserves strong local support. I look forward to discussing the approach being taken with local people at the Thame Town Hall exhibition.” The exhibition will also give the opportunity for residents to view and comment on the draft plans from JG Land and Estates for the residential re-development of Windmill Road – Thame United FC’s former home.
THAME FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP
 
THE THAME FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP NEEDS YOU!

The Thame Football Partnership is looking for independent members from the local community to form part of its Management Board. The Partnership, which is a link-up between Thame United FC, Thame Boys and Girls FC and other footballing interests in Thame, was set up with the objective of creating a sustainable, community football club on a single site in the town that would bring together all football in Thame and the surrounding area in a new facility. This facility would act as a home for Thame United and also the 350+ children involved with Thame Boys and Girls FC from under-7 level onwards.
 
Announcing the move Tim Green, Chairman of Thame Boys and Girls FC, said ‘With the guidance of our advisors Sports Solutions GB, support from the Football Association and Thame Town Council, we are making very real progress on our plans for creating a community football club in Thame. As part of this process we are currently reviewing constitutional arrangements for the Partnership and one of the key elements is the establishment of a Management Board that in the short term will be the driver for the development of the new facility and in the long term will oversee the running of the organisation. Through the Thame Gazette we are seeking expressions of interest for the role of independent member of the Management Board’.
 
Commenting on the Management Board, Jake Collinge, Chairman of Thame United FC said ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the development and running of a community football club that has at its heart the principles of sustainability, openness and opportunity for all’.
 
The role will involve approximately one meeting per month (evening) although this may be slightly more frequent during the set-up period. If you think you have the attributes to make a significant contribution to the Management Board of the Thame Football Partnership, or wish to find out more information, contact Nigel Hargreaves (Nigel.Hargreaves@TheFA.com) by 2nd March 2007.
West Sets Sights on Survival Plan - 20th January

Mark West faces a baptism of fire when he starts his second spell as Thame United's player-manager when they entertain high-flying North Leigh tomorrow at their temporary Wallingford home. West, 38, left Thame last season for Slough after they were relegated from the Southern League. However, West who replaces Richard Searl, decided to return to Thame where he engineered a famous FA Cup victory against Weymouth. "I've gone back because I didn't want to see them go down," said West, who became disillusioned at Slough. Whether it's the right decision, who knows? We are second from bottom with three wins, but if we can win six out of the last 18 I think we can stay up. Hopefully they are getting a new ground as well.

"If they get relegated, they'll be playing on the park and I don't want that. They've got some good players, but I need to bring in some lads with experience of this level of football."

New Management Team at Thame - 16th January 2007

Thame United member’s of the Sport Italia Hellenic Premier Division has a new management team. Former manager and Wycombe Wanderers legend Mark West (pictured in his Wanderers days) returns to the Club for his second spell as manager from Ryman Premier League outfit Slough Town.

West who managed the Club when they were in the Southern League and took them on two memorable FA Cup runs will be assisted by Steve Meredith who steps up from managing Thame United reserves, with Brett Chowns, formerly assistant to Mark West at Thame United, completing the managerial team by overseeing the reserve side.

The Thame-based trio replace Richard Searl and Chris Penny who have stood down from their respective positions as manager and coach. Commenting on the changes, Thame United Chairman, Jake Collinge, first thanked Richard and Chris for their work at the Club, “Richard and Chris were brought in 14 months ago under tremendously difficult circumstances and have done a terrific job in keeping the name of Thame United alive. Their commitment and effort in simply ensuring we fielded a team, especially last season, should not be under-estimated”.
The structure of the new management team is further evidence of the work of the Thame Football Partnership, a partnership between Thame United FC and Thame Boys and Girls Football Club that has been established with the principal objective of creating a sustainable, community football club on a single site in the town. Collinge commented, “The new management team is a product of discussions between Thame United and Thame Boys and Girls Football Club. Mark has a knowledge of football and contacts in the game that are second to none in the town, but we were keen to supplement that experience with key personnel from Thame Boys and Girls to provide a ready progression for the youth of the town in to the senior side. Both Steve and Brett run sides for Thame Boys and Girls as well as being part of their Committee structure. Not only will their football knowledge and experience greatly assist the senior sides, their links with the youth section will enable that progression to take place”.
 
A key driver in setting up the new management team was Chairman of Thame Boys and Girls, Tim Green. Green commented, “In addition to managing the Under 16’s, Steve is also vice-chair of Thame Boys and Girls, with Brett an integral part of the management of the Club. We all felt that with their commitment to local football and the youth of the town, their involvement with the senior side would be an ideal opportunity to put in place a framework that enabled the boys to progress. With his wider knowledge of the game, Mark West provides an added dimension to their football development’.
 
The new management team were due to take up the reins for last Saturday’s game, 13th January, against Shortwood United but the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The reserves travelled to Rayners Lane in the 2nd round of the Challenge Cup, and were unlucky to be on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line. Unfortunately tonight’s match, Tuesday 16th Jan, away at Wantage Town has also fallen to the weather. Hopefully the new Management Team will debut at AFC Wallingford, on Saturday 20th January, 3:00pm kick off, against promotion chasing North Leigh.
Thame Keep Faith - 11th August

Thame United have kept most of last season's squad, with the exception of Darren Moore (Chesham), and Nik and Adam Rhodes (university). They have added Turkish-born midfielder Zubeyir Cakmak to the squad following a tip-off from manager Richard Searl's wife Cathy, who works with the wife of Cakmak.

Thame on the telly! - 7th August

Thame United secretary Fred Saulsbury has spoken of his delight after the Sport Italia Hellenic Premier Division outfit were chosen to appear on Football Focus.
Their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie away to Wembley will kick-off the BBC flagship's road to the FA Cup final feature. The match has been moved forward 24 hours to August 18, making it the first game in the FA Cup this season. "It's great for a club like Thame," said Saulsbury. continued...

"Although I don't think we will get any money from our appearance, we need all the publicity we can get. And the programme will give us a chance for a bit of glory."
 
A year ago this week the future of the club was in serious doubt after the landlord threw them out of their Windmill Stadium. They were forced to play their home games at Aylesbury. Then when that arrangement ended after the Buckinghamshire club sold their ground, they were left homeless again. That was until AFC Wallingford stepped in to help. As a result Thame will play at the Hithercroft this season.
Saulsbury added: "We managed to survive. We've got a good set-up and we're now looking to bounce straight back.

THAME TO SHARE AT WALLINGFORD 8th June

Hellenic Premier Division club Thame United have reached agreement to groundshare with AFC Wallingford. Thame shared with Aylesbury United last season after their Windmill Road stadium was repossessed in the summer of 2005. But United needed to find another venue for next season after Aylesbury had to leave their Buckingham Road stadium.

Thame also had offers to share with Abingdon Town and Bicester Town, but the club committee felt AFC Wallingford provided the best available option, despite the 18-mile journey from Thame. Following an inspection of AFC's facilities on Thursday 8th June by members of the League Standards and Regulations Committee the groundshare proposal was given League approval.
 
Club secretary Fred Saulsbury said: "We went to meet and look at the three clubs involved and after weighing everything up, Wallingford's offer was the best available option. At this time, it's for a season, but we have an option to extend it if the need was there.He added: "We feel we've got the best deal available for the club. We would have loved to have stayed at Buckingham Road. The facilities there were excellent."

United have a long-term plan to move back to Thame. Asked about that project, Saulsbury commented: "It's progressing. Chairman Jake Collinge is dealing with that. That's his project. "But it's frustrating. All the dealings with the council, the authorities and things - you want to push along and they want to move along at their pace but it's going as well as could be expected."
NEWS BEFORE JUNE 2006 IN WEBSITE ARCHIVES - CLICK HERE TO ACCESS