Thame United looks ahead to new season – Contributed

THAME United go in to the new season next week looking to improve on their mid-table position last season and push for promotion back to the Hellenic League Premier Division. United have been given a tough opening fixture, with a home game against Kintbury Rangers on Tuesday evening (12th August; 7:45pm kick off at AFC Wallingford). Kintbury, who finished fifth last season, are known to have strengthened their side over the close season and the game will provide a good measure of the quality of the squad put together by Thame boss, Mark West.

With the exception of Player of the Year last season, Adam Rhodes who has joined Southern League side Aylesbury United, West has kept together the ?backbone? of his Thame-based team from last season. New signings include former Oxford United youth team player Brynley Spence, Mark Jones from Chinnor and Matt Miller who has been a prolific goalscorer at Southern League level with both Slough Town and Burnham. Alongside his playing role, Miller will also form part of the Management Team, acting as joint assist manager with Frank Thompson. Vince Saunders completes the Management Team as physio.

In addition to these new signings, West will have the benefit of a number of younger players progressing from Thame Boys, Youth and Girls FC, and will not be afraid to use the players, in a similar manner to Luke Ricketts last season who progressed from the youth side to a First Team regular.

Thame United Reserves, managed by Marcus Walker, do not begin their league campaign until the start of September, but will be playing home fixtures at the Southern Road Recreation Ground.

Photo: Mark West