Hard Fought Win Puts Thame Top - 1st March

Thame delivered a professional performance on Saturday against a rejuvenated Chalfont Wasps side to go two points clear at the top of Hellenic League Division 1 East. The Thame management committee had to work flat out to get the game started. Jake Collinge Thame's chairman stated, "When I arrived at the ground at 1pm with Frank Thompson (pictured) we walked the pitch and were pleasantly surprised as to how good the surface condition was".

Ten minutes later following a torrential downpour the pitch was covered in water and needed to be forked extensively by Collinge, Secretary Tony Collingwood and Thompson to satisfy the referee. The efforts proved successful as the game started and no further rainfall during the match ensured a finish to the game. Both sides were a credit considering the difficult conditions and put on an entertaining match with the help of the three officials who were very good.

Thompson commented after the game " Every game for us is now crucial and we are very pleased to come away from that with the 3 points. Chalfont have made quite a few changes recently and have been on a good run, they a decent side so the win was a great boost for us and it was nice to go clear at the top of the league. Our next two games against Holyport and Henley will have a big impact on standings in the league and we feel that if we can come out of these two without losing then we will have done a good job".

More Signings For Thame - 26th February

Thame United have continued to increase their squad following the signing of both Jon Gardner and Adam Stallwood.

Jon returns to Thame United after playing for the club when they were in the Southern League 5 years ago. Jon left to play for Zamaretto Premier side Banbury United and has had some very successful seasons there. Frank Thompson said " We are delighted to have Jon as part of the set up again, he is one of those players who can change a game in an instant with a bit of brilliance, he has great pace and finishes well. Gardner has been top goalscorer at Banbury on a number of occasions. Having continued to play at a higher level he has a great deal of experience to bring to Thame United again."

Also joining is Adam Stallwood (right) from local rivals Chinnor, Adam was Chinnor's top goalscorer last season but has struggled to secure a place this term in the starting line up due to injuries, suspensions and the bad weather. "He has settled in very quickly with the lads and has trained really well over the last week,we know that he is more than capable of scoring goals and with the amount of games left to play he will get an opportunity to prove himself over the coming weeks" said Thompson.

Thame are hoping to play Chalfont Wasps tomorrow at The Hithercroft Stadium. Chalfont are one of only two clubs to inflict defeat on Thame this season. “We totally underperformed at their place in early December and got what we deserved, there are no easy games in this league, if you don't play well you can get beaten. We hope that the weather does not affect our game again tomorrow as we really do want any more of a backlog of games that we have at present” commented Thompson.

Players Charitable Work - 25th February

Thame United player Stuart Barr is leaving all of the luxuries of home life behind for the next two weeks when he revisits a small community in Thailand where he helped to build a fence around a school last year.

Stuart (pictured) has been planning this visit since returning from his previous experience. “ It is very hard work but very satisfactory when you realize exactly what these children haven’t got and which we automatically take for granted”. Stuart whose company Barr Joinery are currently the 1st team shirt sponsors is also taking out some football equipment for the youngsters consisting of shirts, balls and other items.

Stuarts' construction and joinery firm in Thame is taking a team of 6 workers off to build a bamboo hut to house the teenage orphans boys as their current one was washed away in a monsoon at the start of this year out in Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

Stuart commented “the temperature will be roughly 38 degrees so it’s certainly not going to be easy but we are looking forward to the challenge again”.

The Home has 140 kids from as young as 1 week old up to 20 years old, They are all given a great education and looked after extremely well. Unfortunately some of the children arrive on the doorstep of the Home with all sort’s diseases, viruses and traumas.

It is the second year Stuart and team have been out to help at the Children’s home. They travelled out last year at the same time to build a fence around the perimeter of the home to prevent the children from being stolen for prostitution and a number of other reasons.

Stuart raised some money last year doing the Blenheim Triathlon and spent it on some football equipment such as proper footballs, bibs, goalie gloves and cones to take out as they all love a good kick about.

They are not just a team of builders travelling out, Stuarts brother Ross Barr whose "Treats at Thame" therapy clinic is also travelling out to treat the Children with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Also part of the team are, Jamie "Michelle" Pfeifer, who cuts hair at Thame Spa is going to give the 140 kids a little trim, Sean Wilson course manager at the Oxfordshire G.C., Oliver Bromley who works for PJB Cladding Long Crendon and Mike Edward a joiner from Barr Joinery.

To find out more about the home visit www.baanunrak.org or contact info@thamefootball.co.uk

Merritt Returns To Thame- 24th February

Justin Merritt (pictured) has agreed to rejoin Thame United after an absence of five years. Merritt left the club to be player manager at Oxford City FC where he successfully took them up to the Zamaretto Premier League during his reign there.

Since stepping down from his role there he has been playing at Abingdon United. Frank Thompson Thame United's Assistant Manager commented, " Justin can bring much experience and know how to our young talented squad. Many of the current players know him, as a lot of them came through our Youth team whilst Justin was playing at Thame in the then Southern League".

"We have still got a lot of games to play before the end of the season and we have put ourselves in a good position to push for promotion. It's very tight at the top at present and with both Wokingham and ourselves dropping points recently we need to ensure that we have strength in depth with a good squad that is capable of producing consistent performances to the end of the season. "With the new stadium underway we want to make sure that we give ourselves the best opportunity for promotion this season and we are still hopeful of a couple more signings before the end of the month" said Thompson.

Thame United also announce the departure of Dave Ridgeley as Reserve team Manager this week. Thompson aded ” Mark West  and I felt that the reserve team were starting to move away from the infrastructure that we have set up at the club. We both appreciate that it’s a very difficult task running a reserve team but we needed someone at the helm who delivered what we were asking. We would like to put on record however our thanks to Dave for his contribution over the last two seasons and wish him well in the future."

Gary Leach, United’s Under 18’s Youth team manager will be taking charge temporarily as of this Saturday for their game against Ascot United Reserves.

Thame United Looking To Boost Squad - 4th February

Thame United’s management team are looking to boost their squad following their excellent win at Milton United on Monday evening that saw them go to the top of Division One East.

Manager Mark West commented. "We have still got a lot of games to play and Monday’s victory was really important for us as it’s created a small gap between us and third place. We haven’t played many games recently due to the bad weather but that said neither have many of the teams around us. But back to back away victories against sides in close proximity to us and really good team performances have ensured we have made a good start to 2010."

"However we are only half way through the league campaign and with 11 games to be played in April we need to have a squad that will enable us to maintain our promotion push. We need some real experience to add to our talented young squad and that is why we are close to making a couple of signings of players who have that experience and have been playing in the Zamaretto League. It will certainly bring some added know how to our run-in."

Thame hope to unveil the first of their new signings early next week.

Groundworks Commence - 3rd February

Following the announcement last week of the new community football stadium in Thame work has already started at the site this week. The main groundworks will take place in the next few weeks when the 20 acre site will be leveled to create 8 pitches and a main stadium pitch at the complex.

Jake Collinge, Thame United’s Chairman was delighted that work was underway at last, “it’s a great feeling that the work on the site has actually started”. “Once the main plant equipment gets on site the place will be transformed very quickly and the site will start to resemble the plans we have been working on over the last 5 years”.

The new stadium complex will be the home of Thame United and Thame Boys, Youth and Girls FC, with a total of 26 teams playing youth and senior football next season. “Once completed we are hoping to increase the number of teams at all levels as we hope the new facility will attract new players of all abilities to the club” stated Collinge.

Tim Green, Chairman of Thame Boys  commented, “At last we can see something happening at the site, which when completed in the early Autumn will be a fantastic facility for all of the community and members of both clubs.

Football’s Coming Home For 2010 - 28th January

After four years of intensive planning the Thame Football Partnership (TFP) are pleased to announce that work on the new Community Football Stadium at Church Farm, on the northern edge of Thame, will commence in the next few weeks, with a planned completion date of Autumn 2010.

Download the full details of Thame United's exciting development - click

Looking Forward To Challenge - 8th September

Thame United look to extend their FA Cup run this Saturday (12th September) at the Hithercroft Stadium in Wallingford when they entertain Burnham FC from the Zamaretto Division One South & West.

Although Burnham are a couple of leagues above Thame in the current football pyramid this is an eagerly anticipated clash with both sides unbeaten this season, but with Thame boasting one of the few remaining 100% records with seven wins from seven games.

Thame’s Asst Manager, Frank Thompson (pictured) commented “This will be a really good test to see how far we have come recently, we have had a really good start to the season and this is our biggest game by far so we are looking forward to the challenge. We have a home tie and in the FA Cup you can never predict the outcome. If we play to our full potential and compete with them, we will have a good contest here. It would be nice to get a good crowd behind the team, it’s surprising what a difference it can make and it would be a great boost for the club to be in the draw for the next round”.

Club Chairman Jake Collinge added ‘It is a measure of how far we have come in the last year that we are looking on a game against a side two leagues higher as one that we are capable of winning. What is all the more pleasing is that this is being done with a team of mainly Thame-based players, many of whom have progressed from Thame Boys and Girls FC, and along with future development at Church Farm, demonstrates the significant progress we are making both on and off the field’.

All under 16’’s will have FREE entry for the match, Adults £3 and Senior Citizens £2.. The game kicks off at 3pm at the Hithercroft Stadium, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford.

Thame have also announced this week the launch of it’s new online Club-Shop where a range of club branded Sports and Leisurewear can be purchased through the club’s website. Further details can be found at www.thameunitedfc.demon.co.uk

Sponsorship Deal For Thame United - 21st August

FTL Futbol Hellenic Club Thame United, who play in Division One East, have announced that Thame Crash Repairs are the new sponsors of the 1st team squad for this forthcoming season. The deal includes the first team squad receiving a players pro-pack consisting of Thame United branded sportswear from local supplier Chiltern Sportswear who have also very kindly sponsored the club.

Chris Connelly of Thame Crash Repairs (seen pictured with Thame United Chairman Jake Collinge) before their 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round game against Bedford on Saturday commented “This will certainly bring a very professional look and feel for the squad and I hope that this helps the performances on the pitch to continue to improve”. Jake Collinge, United’s Chairman added, “This will certainly help us kick start our season off, we have had a great opening with a 3-1 victory in our first league game and the FA cup win and with the vast majority of the players throughout all three sides now coming from Thame and through the Thame Boys FC set-up it is an exciting era in the clubs history especially with the prospects of the new community facility at Church Farm getting ever closer”.

United are also setting up a Club Shop in the near future through the Thame United website www.thameunitedfc.demon.co.uk to enable players and supporters to purchase from a specially selected range of Thame United branded sports and leisurewear. If any local companies are interested in providing sponsorship for the clubs Reserve or Allied Counties U18Youth team squads, please contact Jake Collinge on 07753 502955

Collinge v Thompson - 24th June

There will be a battle of minds and will on the morning of Sunday 28th June 2009 as Thame United Assistant First Team Manager, Frank Thompson, and Thame United Chairman, Jake Collinge, go head-to-head in the Thame 10K.

Although Frank (left) is senior to Jake (right) by a number of years, Jake is anticipating a very close race, ‘whilst I am now officially eligible for veterans football Frank, like any former footballer is a strong and determined character which, combined with the fact that he regularly trains with the First Team, probably means he is slight favourite. I will just be glad to get around the course in something near the hour mark’.

Whatever the outcome, football will be the winner as both Frank and Jake are running on behalf of the Thame Football Partnership, raising funds for the provision of a Community Football Club at Church Farm in Thame. If you wish to sponsor either Frank or Jake, or add to the competitive edge by only seeking to sponsor the winner, please email Jake at jake@collinge.eclipse.co.uk.

Thame United are pleased to announce that the ground share agreement with AFC Wallingford will continue in to the 2009/10 season, the fourth year that United will have played home fixtures in Wallingford. The Agreement, which relates to all home First Team and Youth Team fixtures, follows lengthy discussion with the Wallingford Sports Trust and AFC Wallingford. Jake Collinge said ‘it is a measure of the good and mutually beneficial relationship that we have with everyone connected with AFC Wallingford and the Sports Trust that we have been able to extend the ground share agreement for a further season’.

Thame Get The ‘GREEN LIGHT’ - 5th June

Plans to create a high quality new home for football in Thame have been given the green light following at a meeting of the South Oxfordshire District Council planning committee on Wednesday 4th June.

The committee gave its approval for the £3m-plus scheme, which will bring together Thame United FC, Thame Boys, Youth & Girls FC and other local football interests on a single 20-acre site at Church Farm, located on the northern edge of the town.

The plans for the site include a floodlit main pitch, training and recreational facilities, together with a third-generation artificial all weather pitch and clubhouse incorporating associated community facilities, all of which will maximise playing time at the new ground, whilst enhancing the range of community facilities available in Thame.

The Thame Football Partnership (TFP) has been leading the application and has worked for two and a half years to see the plans through to this stage. TFP communications director, Frank Thompson, welcomed the council’s backing. He said: “We know there is still a long way to go until work can begin on the new site. However, the decision by South Oxfordshire District Council means we are one step closer to creating this valuable new resource for Thame. We have listened to the views of the local community and Thame Town Council and have incorporated these into our proposal which has been revised accordingly. The plans we now have will bring pleasure to hundreds of children playing with the Thame Boys, Youth & Girls FC team as well as providing a much-needed home for Thame United FC which will secure over a century of football heritage for this town.”

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 which, together with grant funding and donations, will enable the creation of this high quality community football club.

The Thame Football Partnership has also worked with Sports Solutions GB, a National specialist in sports club development, to put in place an experienced management structure. “Critical to the success of this project will be the way it is managed and run. Working with the experts at Sports Solutions GB we are now certain we will provide the highest level of corporate governance,” continued Frank. “We have developed a challenging but realistic Football Development Plan and a robust Business Development Plan to ensure the sustainability of the project for generations to come.”