Keeper Beames At Witney - 4th September

FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Division side Witney United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Jon Beames from Southern League side Slough Town.

Beames who started his career as a youngster with Crystal Palace has also appeared for Beaconsfield, Burnham andAylesbury United in the Southern League over recent seasons.

Commenting on the signing Manager Andy Lyne said, “ We needed to sort ourselves an experienced keeper of our own, as the loan arrangements we had in place meant we were living on a knife edge. Reserve team keeper Matt Barnes stepped in for the two recent F A Cup ties and did well but he’s still learning his trade."

"Beamsey has played for me before and he has over the years developed into one of the best keepers in the county. Tom Willshere, who Brackley Town kindly loaned to us, has done a magnificent job for me but I cannot hope to build a team to challenge if I have to live with the fear that he may be called back at any minute."

Lyne Looks Ahead - 29th August

Witney manager Andy Lyne looks ahead to tomorrow’s F A Cup tie with Southern League Thatcham Town. "I have to say it’s nice to be going into a game without any pressure or high level of expectancy. Most of the games we play this season we will be expected to win but with Thatcham being at a level higher than ourselves that wont be the case this weekend. Hopefully that will allow our players to go out and express themselves without the weight of expectation on their shoulders."

"On a personal level it will be great to see my old mates Acko and Haler again. We stay in contact most weeks either by text or phone but it will be good to have a cup of tea and a chat pre-match at least!!"

"Thatcham will also have several of my old players in their ranks, so it will be good to see them all again too. Adam Pilling was with me at both Wantage and Oxford City, in fact he skippered both teams to League championships. Gavin Jones was at Wantage and played a big part in our Championship season. Ryan Williams was at City with me as well, and Dean Flockton came through the youth team structure into first team football at AFC Newbury."

Witney will be without Tom Willshere, Chris Harper and Andy Younie on Saturday but Lee Henderson and Dean Moss return, whilst Liam Illsley and Aaron Parfit are added to the squad.

Lyne Borrows Harper - 22nd August

FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division club Witney United have further boosted their squad with the news that they have signed former player Chris Harper on loan from British Gas Business Southern Premier Division side Brackley Town.

Harper made five starts and four substitute appearances at the beginning of last season before he suffered a hamstring injury and on his return to fitness he moved to Brackley.

With his first-team opportunities being limited so far this season it is a move which works out well for both parties as manager Andy Lyne explained.

"Basically we know Harps' strengths in that he has outstanding pace, at the moment he is not getting in at Brackley and we have come to an arrangement that he will come to us on a loan basis and it will be monitored on a weekly basis. Personally I am delighted to have him back on board"

Harper is the second player to arrive on loan from Brackley this season, following his team-mate Tom Willshere who is also a Saints player.

Wide Man Signs For Witney - 9th August

Following Witney United's last friendly with Easington Sports on Wednesday night FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier side Witney United completed the signing of teenage wide man Aaron Parfitt.

Parfitt was with Chelsea under their school of excellence programme for 5 years before joining the Academy at Reading where he was for two years. He joined Thatcham Town from Reading and last season was with Winchester City in the Southern League. Manager Andy Lyne said “ We’ve only seen two 45 minute performances from Aaron but he showed enough to suggest he can give us something we currently don’t have. He has quick feet and boxes a ball well and early, he also comes in off the line and joins in the play well”.

Youth International Player - 3rd August

Witney United have signed former England Youth international Stuart Bridges on loan from Southern League Premier Division Banbury United for the forthcoming FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier League campaign.

United manager Andy Lyne said “ It is good of Banbury to let him come and I thank Keiren O’Sullivan for his co-operation. Although Stu is very much a Banbury asset and remains so, he will be with us for the foreseeable future as his current work commitments make it virtually impossible for him to give the necessary commitment to Banbury. Everyone is aware of his pedigree in the game, as no one wins 23 caps for their country without having special qualities. I feel that he will give us another dimension with his vision and passing ability. I now feel that we have assembled the depth and quality of squad I’ve been striving to put together since coming to Witney and given the good fortune that you need, would expect us to make a decent fist of things this season”

Bridges has already appeared in pre-season for United but was missing for Saturday's 2-1 win at Moneyfields.

More Signings At Witney - 11th July

FTL Futbol Hellenic side Witney United's squad continued to take shape this week as three more players committed to the cause for the new season with two new faces and one old.

First up was the signing of Dean Moss (left) who signed from BGB Southern League side Abingdon United having previously played in the Hellenic League with Bicester Town, Ardley United and Carterton. Andy Lyne was happy to get his man and said of the signing "I have been wanting to sign Mossy for sometime now so obviously I am pleased that he has chosen to sign for us now. He is good on the ball, has a great engine but he is also a good character who trains well, applies himself properly and will be a good influence on the younger players"

Following that United confirmed the signature of Andrew Styles (right) from Bicester Town.19 year old Styles who was previously at AFC Wallingford and before that was on the books of both Oxford United and Swindon Town on their school of excellence programmes.

Again Lyne was happy with his capture "Stylo is tremendously enthusiastic. He is very athletic and gets from box to box exceedingly well. He also has a hell of a shot on him as we can vouch for with his strikes that knocked us out of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup last season!"

It was then the turn of another of last season's squad to put pen to paper for another season with highly popular midfielder Stuart Douglas signing on the dotted line at The Polythene UK Stadium. "Dougy had an injury interrupted season last year and we missed him and the qualities he brings to the side. He is looking sharp in training and along with John McMahon it's been like signing a new player”

Another of last season's squad has also chosen to remain with The Blanketmen for the coming season with the news that young defender Liam Illsley has signed. The former Aldershot Town youngster had an injury-plagued season last year but has fully recovered and raring to go. Andy Lyne commented "Liam has been really unlucky with injuries during his time with me at both Oxford City and Witney. He deserves to be fit and successful because he has a great attitude and a lot of unfulfilled potential. He had a very good grounding as a schoolboy at Reading and Southampton. He is very mobile for a big lad as well as being comfortable on the ball and he is happy to put his foot in when required."

Second Mills Signs For Witney - 25th June

FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier club Witney United have been further boosted by the news that Jamie Mills has followed his brother Jon-Paul Mills in signing for the club for the forthcoming season. Jamie who signed last season from Hungerford Town made himself a regular in the starting line-up near the end of the season making 11 starts and 1 substitute appearance with those numbers only restricted due to the fact he was cup-tied in many competitions.

Andy Lyne was pleased that Mills had decided to remain with the club and spoke with delight at the news. "Jamie is a quality player who has always done very well for me both here at United and also when I had him as a player at Wantage Town. I am delighted he is staying with us as in my opinion he is the best in the division at what he does"

Ex-Canary Joins Blanketmen - 23rd June

Witney United have completed the signing of former Norwich City striker Ben Thompson. 24 years old Thompson spent 7 seasons with the Canaries before joining Ridgeons League side Wroxham and In 66 starts with The Yachtsmen he netted 42 goals. This spell included lifting the Ridgeons League Premier Division title in 2006/07 and the Norfolk Senior Cup in 2007-08.

Commenting on the capture Manager Andy Lyne said “ Ben has a great pedigree, he’s a hard working and unselfish striker who has good hold up play and brings others in to the game, he also has an excellent goal scoring record. He and his partner have moved to this area to work and we are delighted to have got him onboard”.

Significant Sponsorship -19th June

Witney United Football Club are delighted to announce the news that a significant sponsorship deal has been signed with local company Polythene UK Ltd. The Witney based company have come to an agreement to sponsor the stadium for the next two seasons with the ground changing its name from “Marriotts Stadium” to the “The Polythene UK Stadium”.

It is seen as further evidence that Witney United of the FTL FUTBOL Hellenic League Premier Division are trying to forge closer links with both local businesses and the community and chairman Steve Lake was naturally delighted with the deal “This is a significant sponsorship deal for a club of our size with a Witney based business that have a genuine interest in supporting their local club. The tie up with Polythene UK is one I am sure that will benefit both parties equally and one we hope is the start of more local businesses backing their local club”

Polythene UK are a highly successful company with over 100 years combined experience in the packaging industry offering all types of packaging from polythene films and bags to boxes and tape either printed or unprinted. Managing Director James Woollard (pictured with United chairman Steve Lake) was equally delighted with the tie-up. “We at Polythene UK Ltd are delighted to have closed this deal with Witney United and are proud to be associated with our local club. There is no better way to do this from our point of view than sponsoring the stadium and we wish United every luck for the forthcoming season”.

More Contract Signings At Witney - 17th June

FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Division Witney United have committed a further two players to contract, announcing defender Dean Smith (right) and striker Andrew Younie (left) have followed in the footsteps of Jon-Paul Mills in signing for the forthcoming season.

Witney feel this sends out a positive message to their supporters regarding the clubs' intent to build upon the progress of the past few seasons. Having achieved their highest end of term place in the league so far, last season, when United gained 4th place the Hellenic Premier.

Manager Andy Lyne didn't hide his delight as he spoke of the news that the duo had put pen to paper, "Each of these players has earned themselves a contract with the consistency of their performances. Deano is a terrific and highly versatile player with great recovery pace. Younie simply lights the place up with his movement, touch and vision, he has great potential and is one of the cleverest forwards I have ever worked with”

Mills Contracted to Witney - 12th June

Jon-Paul Mills has become the first ever player to sign as a contracted player for FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier side Witney United after agreeing terms for the forthcoming season this week.

The former Oxford United, Southampton, Chippenham Town and Swindon Supermarine midfielder was a major influence for Witney United last season and played a big part in their best ever Hellenic Premier Division finish scoring 8 goals in 23 appearances. Manager Andy Lyne, who has worked previously with Mills at both Wantage Town and Didcot Town said of the signing. “For me JP is the most complete midfield player in the league and this represents a significant bit of business for the club. Our plans for next season are going well and getting a commitment from such an influential player at this early stage is a massive boost”

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