100 young footballers were left unable to train this month after thieves stole their floodlights from the Thame United complex.
Four nine-metre high portable lights worth £11,000, were stolen from Meadow View Park in Thame. The theft has left many of the 450 children who train there unable to practise on the pitches in the dark midweek evenings.
Site general manager Frank Thompson said: "Someone broke in earlier this month and cut the lights off, cutting the wires and unbolting them. It has basically stopped 100 kids from playing football. We've got 26 teams who train here each week."
The £3.1m facilities at Meadow View Park were opened in December 2010. They include six artificial pitches and two grass pitches which are used by Thame United and the youth teams. The lights were provided by Thame Football Partnership from a grant awarded by Sport England.
Mr Thompson said: "Unfortunately it takes floodlights to train in the evenings at the moment, so we are hoping to have a new set up and running by next week. It's not the money because we've got insurance, it's the fact it's stopping children training."
Under-sevens coach Ravi Rao said: "It makes it especially difficult for the older age groups who want to train in the winter evenings. It is hugely disappointing."
Sabrina Stallwood, mother of budding young keeper six-year-old Woody(pictured), said: "The lights were just there on the football pitch and weren't covered by CCTV or anything. But you'd think you could trust people."
Parents and the players helped raise money towards the £1,500 excess for the insurance at the weekend.
Police said the lights were stolen between 5pm on January 6 and 6pm on January 10. Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Pressure On City - 30 September
Thame United boss Mark West says the pressure is all on Oxford City when they host the Evo-Stik Southern League club at the ASM Stadium in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday.
But West admits his Uhlsport Hellenic League side, who could boost their Cup earnings to £9,750 with a shock win, need a repeat of the show which saw them knock Brackley out 2-0 in the last round. However, they be without Alex Stewart (injured), Matt Willett (broken leg), Luke Ricketts (hamstring) and Dan West (suspended), while Nik Rhodes was injured in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Binfield.
“They (City) are massive favourites and if I was in Mike Ford’s shoes, I would be delighted with the draw,” said West. “It’s probably a worse game for them than it is for us because we have nothing to lose, whereas they are expected to beat us. So if we can get something from the game, I will be very happy.”
Back in 2004, West was player-manager when Thame dumped out Conference side Weymouth at the third qualifying round stage 2-1, but he added: “We had a really good side then and we’re not really in the same position now. "We could have six players out on Saturday, so it’s going to be even tougher. We didn’t play very well against Hanwell (they lost 5-2 in the FA Vase on Saturday), but if we play as well as we did against Binfield, then you never know.”
City needed a replay to get past Didcot in the last round, and former Thame defender Ford said: “We are very much aware of Thame because they have beaten a side from our league with three times the budget that we have. They have nothing to lose, but we have everything to lose. They are the underdogs, so they can play with freedom. It’s very much a mental battle for us. We have had them watched and know Westy has a decent side, so we can’t under estimate them. They are going to be massively up for it, but we will be fit, organised and up for it as well.”
Ford knows about Cup shocks, having been in the Oxford United side that lost 2-0 at Marlow in 1994. “We learned from that and when we played Dorchester (the U’s won 9-1) the next year we had to be on it. We approached it fantastically well because we were mentally prepared,” he added. “Thame beating Brackley is no mean feat and it shows we have to be focused.”
The game will be filmed by the FA as part of their Cup coverage after a vote by fans.
Local Derby In FA Cup - 19 September
The Uhlsport Hellenic League's last surviving team in The FA Cup can look forward to a money spinning local derby in the next round on Saturday 1 October 2011.
After putting Evo-Stik Southern League Brackley out of the competition on Saturday, Thame have a home draw against further Southern League opposition, Oxford City or Didcot Town. Didcot held City to a 1-1 draw at Court Farm Place on Saturday with the repaly taking place tomorrow night at Town's Loop MeadowStadium.
Thame United v Man Utd Legends - 25 August
The Manchester United Legends squad to play against Thame United at the ASM Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday in now confirmed.
The legends side will feature Fraser Digby, Mike Duxbury, Lee Martin, Russell Beardsmore, Arthur Albiston, Dennis Irwin, Clayton Blackmore, Alan McCloughlin, Sammy McIlroy, Peter Davenport, Andy Ritchie, Ben Thornley and Deniol Graham.
Advance Tickets are available from the Stadium Office, priced at £7.50 OAP/U16, £10.00 Adults, or save £5.00 with our Special Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children) for just £30.00. Please note, entry on the gate on the day will be £12.50 Adults and £10.00 Concessions with no family ticket available. 29 August 2011 Kick off 3pm.
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Thame Finish Pre-Season At Home - 27 July
Thame United are looking forward to the final part of their pre-season preparations with their final four games.
This Thursday they take on Walton Casuals from the Ryman League (KO 7.45pm) followed by an eagerly awaited clash with NPower League 2 side Oxford United on Monday 1st August (KO 7.30pm). Oxford are planning on bringing over a strong side and the experience will again be invaluable to Mark West's young side. Oxford United have recently been on a tour of America and Thame are delighted to be able to welcome them back to the ASM Stadium again.
This is followed by a game against another former club of West's when Southern League opposition Slough Town (KO 3.00pm) visit the ASM on Saturday 6th August and their final match is against Blue Square Premier side Hayes & Yeading (KO 7.00pm) before the league campaign kicks off with two home fixtures starting on Saturday 13th against Highworth Town (KO 3.00pm) quickly followed by Wokingham & Embrook (KO 7.30pm) on Tuesday 16th. This will be Thame's first full season at their impressive new Stadium and will be a good challenge for the young squad.
Man Utd Legends At ASM - 10 July
A Manchester United Legends Team will be appearing at the ASM Stadium on Monday August 29 and you have a chance to play alongside them.
As part of this fantastic day TFP are offering THREE places to be auctioned to be a member of the Man Utd squad and play alongside the Legends.
TO BID FOR A PLACE IN THE UNITED SQUAD SIMPLY E-MAIL IN CONFIDENCE TO frank.thompson@thamefootball .co.uk giving your contact details and amount that you wish to bid for a place. The top three bids will be given a place in the squad to play with the Legends. The Legends team will be from the following, Russell Beardsmore, Frank Stapleton, David May, Fraser Digby, Peter Davenport, Mike Duxbury, Arthur Albiston, Lee Martin, Clayton Blackmore, Andy Ritchie and others to follow. The fixture is going to take place on the Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August Kick Off at 3.00pm.
PLEASE NOTE: The match will be ALL TICKET
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE from the MVP Box Office and are priced at £7.50 OAP/U16, £10.00 Adults, or £30.00 for a Special Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children).
Contact 01844 214401
DON’T MISS OUT, TABLES ARE GOING FAST
There is also a further opportunity to meet the players at a special function following the match at The ASM Stadium with a BBQ/Buffet Evening .Tables of 10 for this event are priced at £150.00 or a seat at a table can be purchased individually for £15.00 and include a BBQ/Buffet meal, players from the Legends team will visit each table as a guest and the evening will include a prize auction, raffle and entertainment
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To book a table for this event, contact MVP on 01844 21440
Details on the TFP WEBSITE: http://www.thamefootball.co.uk/man-utd-legends/
TUFC Reserves Pre-Season Line Up - 8 July
Thame United Reserves have lined up a series of Pre-Season friendlies starting on July 14th when they entertain Grendon Underwood with a 6.30pm KO.
This is followed by games against Hounslow United (Sat 23rd,3.00pm) Chalfonts Wasps away on Saturday 30th, Mansfield Road on Saturday 6th August 2.30pm and Oxford University Press on Tuesday 9th August 6.30pm.
Youth Team
Wednesday 10th August v Oxford United Academy U17's, KO 7.30pm,at the ASM Stadium
Addition to Thame Pre-Season Matches - 20 June
In addition to the range of competitive friendly fixtures already announced by the Club, including Oxford United on 1st August, Thame United have today agreed an additional friendly for Tuesday August 9th against Blue Square Premier side Hayes and Yeading FC.
Newly appointed Hayes and Yeading manager, Nas Bashir, will bring a first team squad to the fixture for what will be both teams final friendly before the season kick-off. The match will kick-off at 7:30pm
Thame Structure - 15 June
Thame United manager Mark West has confirmed the management structure at the Club for next season.
Continuity is the key word at first team level, with Mark assisted by Frank Thompson and Vince Saunders (Physio). At Reserve Team level, Steve Meredith and Gary Leach have been brought in and will work alongside Martyn Saulsbury, whilst Paul Hopwood will manage the Allied Counties Youth side. In addition, United have appointed Paul Kuhn as full time groundsman at the ASM Stadium. Paul was previously groundsman at Southern League Premier Division side Brackley Town and has twice won Groundsman of the Year for Step 3 / 4 Clubs.
Pre-season training commences on Tuesday 28th June (7:00pm) at Meadow View Park.
United have also confirmed the following pre-season friendlies, all of which will be played at the ASM Stadium:
Saturday 16th July, Burnham, 3.00pm
Tuesday 19th July, Aylesbury FC, 7.45pm
Thursday 21st July Marlow FC , 7.30pm
Saturday 23rd July, Aylesbury United 3.00pm
Thursday 28th July, Walton Casuals, 7.45pm
Monday 1st August, Oxford United, 7.30pm
Saturday 6th August, Slough Town 3.00pm
Four nine-metre high portable lights worth £11,000, were stolen from Meadow View Park in Thame. The theft has left many of the 450 children who train there unable to practise on the pitches in the dark midweek evenings.
Thame United boss Mark West says the pressure is all on Oxford City when they host the Evo-Stik Southern League club at the ASM Stadium in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday. 
A Manchester United Legends Team will be appearing at the ASM Stadium on Monday August 29 and you have a chance to play alongside them.