Thame Manager Honoured At Presentation Dinner (Contributed)

A SPECIAL award was made to Chairman, Jake Collinge, at Thame United’s Presentation dinner last Saturday. Jake stepped into the breach following the resignation if his predecessor in October. Since then, he has worked tirelessly for the club and it is largely due to his leadership that, although relegated, Thame United has survived the season and is well placed to achieve the objective of bringing the club back to Thame.

During the evening, which was held at Thame Snooker Club, Jake himself and Football Secretary, Fred Saulsbury, reviewed what was probably the most difficult season in the Club?s 123-year history – a season during which the club lost its ground, and came within a few hours of extinction. The objective for this season was survival and this has been achieved through sponsorship and fund raising events. They thanked the players and committee members before handing over to team captain Robbie Eason, together with joint managers Richard Searl and Alan Thorne for the player awards.

The award for the most improved player went to midfielder Ben Connelly. Unusually, the supporters’ player of the year, chosen by a vote, agreed with the person chosen by the players, with Goalkeeper Paul Searl receiving both awards.
The manager?s player of the year award went to defender, Dave Hocking. Alan Thorne praised the resilience and spirit of the players who, even when faced with heavy defeat, kept their heads high and fought to the end.