|
New Management For KIngfishers - 24 December
Thatcham Town Reserves are under new management for their trip to Chalfont Wasps on Bank Holiday Tuesday.
The new management duo of Matt Robinson and Gary Tingle will be taking charge for the first time against a strong Chalfont Wasps side. (Kick off 2pm)
The KIngfishers are currently third placed in the Uhlsport Hellenic Football League Division One East table. One point behind Highmoor Ibis, but with three games in hand on them. On January 2 Thatcham host league leaders Newbury at Waterside Park in what promises to be an exciting local derby.
. |
Fog Fear Thwarts Kingfisher's Flight - 24 November
Oxford City Nomads got a free ride into the AM Print & Copy Floodlt Cup quarter finals yesterday, as Thatcham Town Reserves were unable to fulfil the fixture.
Town manager Garry Cook was looking to get the tie postponed early morning citing the distinct possibility of heavy fog and potential travel problems. This was not accepted by League Officials and late afternoon Cook contacted OCN officials to advise he would not be able to field a team.
Contact has yet to be made with the Hellenic League on the part of Thatcham Town, who have now been removed from the competition.
|
 Speedy Recovery To Benham - 17 November
All the staff and players at The KIngfishers would like to wish Russell Benham well after undergoing major surgery yesterday.
Russell had an extensive operation Wednesday morning, which is the first of two "op's" to remove and reconstruct his intestines and bowel.
Russell's illness has affected him for the last four years and the last year has been almost uncontrollable. In order for Russell to play football he had to starve himself all day and was lacking in energy and suffering with malnutrition. Despite all this he has been outstanding this season scoring 15 goals in 14 games and is the clubs top goalscorer. The team are looking forward to seeing how good he can be when he gets back to full strength and fitness so from Cookie, Tingle, Nobby and all of Thatcham Town FC we wish you well and a speedy recovery.
|
 Thatcham Sign Tom Browne - 30 September
Tom Browne is a left sided player who started out as a YTS at Reading before joining Hungerford Town, he has a sweet left foot and is deadly from free kicks.
Garry Cook said: "I'm really pleased to finally get Tom over here at Thatcham. I know he's really looking forward to playing here, he couldn't believe what fantastic facilities we have here and at our Park House School base and how close the 1st and Reserve Teams work together. He was also chuffed to join up again with myself, Matt and Gary. He will go straight into the squad for Saturday's game at Woodley Town.
|
Thatcham Signing - 28 September
Reserve Team Manager Garry Cook has completed the signing of defender Gareth Brown from Evo-Stik League Division One Central side Fleet Town
Gareth had not played for Fleet since picking up an injury against his former club Hungerford Town in a pre-season friendly. Cook said: "It's great to have him back with me he's a good lad and always works hard. He has a good attitude and loves to win, he wants to get back playing and push for a First Team place and he knows he can get that with us."
Also Gary Ackling and Garry Cook last night welcomed David Cameron to the club after signing both Hellenic and Southern League forms. David Cameron aged 24 is currently playing football for the Army, but after settling in the area has decided to join Thatcham Town. Cameron has represented Northern Ireland Schoolboys before trialling at Manchester City, Blackburn and Wolves before signing for Leeds United for 2 years. Cameron also played in the Milk Cup with County Antrim playing alongside the likes of Manchester United's Johnny Evans and Darron Gibson. Cameron can play as a Striker, or anywhere down the right and will have to wait international clearance before being able to play. Cook said, "We are glad he chose Thatcham over any of the other local clubs, obviously the message of how good our set up is, is getting out there" Ackling said "The whole club welcome David to the Thatcham and we look forward to seeing what he can do."
|
Cook Gets His Man - 23 August
 Thatcham Town Reserves Team Manager Garry Cook is pleased to have secured the signing of striker Shaun Thorp.
Cook is pleased to have Shaun (pictured) back on board with him as the former Hungerford Town favourite completed his transfer to join up again with his old boss. Thorp has also previously played for First Team Manager Gary Ackling when he was Manager over at Hungerford and also Jason Braidwood when he was at Kintbury Rangers. Cook said: "Shaun is a great lad and all the lads are pleased as punch that he is here. He has a presence about the dressing room as the lads all know what he is capable of doing to opposition defences. We had to wait a few weeks for this one but as they say, good things come to those who wait." Cook added "He will come straight into the squad for Wednesday nights game against Maidenhead, I'm really chuffed to have him back with me. He looks really fit, sharp and ready to go after his pre-season at Hungerford. We have a few other targets in the pipeline to complete the jigsaw, but I think the squad is shaping up nicely as we aim to support the First Team in all areas. Also, we have added the signing of veteran keeper Kenny Rodgers as cover."
|
Happy With Squad - 10 August
Manager Garry Cook said he is happy with the squad. On the forthcoming season he states. "I just want to finish in the top half this year as we have a lot of young lads who will be great to work with , it's going to be an interesting league this season with so many local Derby games"
He continued. "The first team look really strong and we need to add our squad to support the first team when they need them. We have 5 or 6 lads who I know could go and do a job for them if called up. We have all the local lads really close together which is a massive advantage that Thatcham have. It's what I believe in and I know it will work here."
Thatcham Town Reserves finish there pre-season warm up with a game against Mortimer FC tonight at Waterside Park. |
A-Plan For Thatcham - 25 July
 Thatcham's branch of A-Plan Insurance have agreed to sponsor The Kingfishers for the forthcoming season with a view to attract new business from the local community.
A-Plan will have two visible advertising boards inside and outside the ground and will feature heavily in matchay programmes and on the club website. They will also sponsor the clubs tracksuits for the forthcoming season. A-Plan insurance will also be offering discounts to members of Thatcham Town and will periodically advertise new discounts in our matchday programme and website. Thatcham Town would like to take this opportunity to welcome A-Plan Insurance to the club and look forward to forming a strong partnership.
|
Double Header At Letcombe - 22 July
Both Thatcham Town Reserves and Development sides head to Letcombe this Saturday for a double header Pre-Season fixture.
Thatcham will see many new signings along with a few that decided to stay put and fight for a place in Garry Cook's new look set up. "I said to all the lads, it's your team so keep your shirt and play" commented Cook." We had to strengthen because it's a new league and a better standard. 3 or 4 of last years squad have been top draw and been working their socks off to get really fit this year and to get in this team that will have a nice blend of experience and some great young talent who have really impressed me. The squad is taking shape and with 40 odd youngsters to look at, it's kept me busy. There are 4 young lads that will no doubt go on to play First Team football, but we will look to bring them along as and when the time is right."
Reserves kick off at 1PM on Saturday with The Development side kicking off at 3PM. |
5 A Side Triple For Kingfishers- 27 June
Thatcham Town have entered several teams in 5 and 6 a side tournaments in the close season, and on Saturday in the Highworth Town 5 a-side the club completed a treble of wins.
Purley Jubilee - Winners and Runners up
Lambourn - Winners
Highworth - Winners
In beating off the challenge of 26 teams on Saturday and then beating hosts Highworth in the final Thatcham collected £250 for their troubles. |
Thatcham Signings For New Season - 23 June
Garry Cook's first signing of the new look Thatcham Reserves set up is his former Captain and stalwart James Mandry.
James's former clubs include Kintbury Rangers, Hungerford Town and Newbury. After a year at Newbury the experienced defender is first to sign up and make his commitment to the club as The Reserve Team Boss starts to put together what looks like being a very powerful outfit. "I want to have a real go at this league and see if we can take Thatcham Town Reserves to a new level. With The First Team's great year last season the whole club is just buzzing. I want to put together at least 7 or 8 of the lads I had before with some exciting new talent I have spoken to and to form a team I think can push hard in this league and also into First Team places."
After the signing of James Mandry, Cook and Tingle have been busy adding to their squad. Former Hungerford Town players Robbie Sadler and Matt Pedder who both featured for the 1st Team in the late season surge towards the Play Off's have signed. Also signing is free scoring Russell Benham and Andy Tingle along with former Frilsham skipper Clive Mellett. The signings continued with the addition of Dan Collins and Daniel Green. We have spoken to a few of last seasons Reserve squad and the message to them is to stay on board and build on what a great team you already have, the door is wide open to everyone.
Cook continued."To add to this is the exciting youngster Gary Dredge from Newbury. We have certainly had a good day at the office. I know if we get Russell fully fit again he will start banging in the goals and with brother Andy already training hard and looking fully fit. Former Frilsham skipper Clive Mellett is a player I've always liked and have tried to get with me in the past, but at last I have him on board, he is another great leader. We are also talking to a few other players at a couple of clubs who sound really keen to step up to a more professionally run club that we can offer."
Turnpike Sports who are now partnering Thatcham Town FC with a view to produce a stepping stone for Thatcham's youth set up are looking for a friendly against a Hellenic Reserve side. Please get in touch with Garry 07931311829 or Trevor 078247788238 to discuss.
|
 New Man At The Helm - 28th May
Thatcham Town have appointed Garry Cook as the manager of their Reserves Team for the forthcoming season.
Cook became involved with Thatcham in the latter part of last season following his departure from Hungerford Town where he was also manager of their Reserves team. Matt Robinson and Gary Tingle, with Cook at Hungerford, have joined Thatcham as assistants to Cook.
All at Thatcham Town Football Club would like to go on record and thank Andy Allum for all his hard work and efforts during his time with the club and wish him well.
|
|
