27/01/10 Thame football is coming home for 2010 (Status: Press release)

AFTER four years of intensive planning, the Thame Football Partnership (TFP) has announced that work on the new Community Football facility at Church Farm, on the northern edge of Thame, will commence in the next few weeks, with a planned completion date of Autumn 2010.

Frank Thompson, the TFP Communications Director said: “it is great news that we are now in a position to move forward with the largest community investment in Thame for the best part of a decade. As a group of committed volunteers we have worked hard to turn this dream into a reality, but we should not underestimate the contribution that Thame Town Council have made, and will continue to make, in enabling the project to move forward”.

He added: “Support has also been forthcoming from local MP John Howell, who has been instrumental in enabling this project to move forward and we are very grateful for his assistance to date, commented Thompson. With this now in place, TFP are looking forward to working with the local community to create a first class facility for the benefit of the town.”

The project, which will provide a single venue for Thame Boys, Youth and Girls Football Club and Thame United Football Club, will see the creation of nine football pitches on the 20 acre site, including a floodlit main pitch, pitches of varying size to accommodate the needs of youth football and a floodlit artificial pitch, together with a modern clubhouse providing changing and spectator facilities, bar, function area and conference and community facilities.

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS TO BENEFIT

The new clubhouse will include function and community facilities that will be available to use by local groups and organisations, and those interested in using the facilities should contact TFP (admin@thamefootball.co.uk) to register their interest.

HELP FIND A NAME

The partnership (TFP) is looking for assistance in naming the new facility. If you have any ideas for a name, please contact Frank by emailing him:
frank.thompson@thamefootball.co.uk with your suggestions. Whoever comes up with the winning name will win an Xbox360 or a round of golf for four at either the Oxfordshire or the Magnolia Park Golf Club, as well as having the honour of naming the facility.
Further details on this exciting competition will be announced shortly.

GET INVOLVED!

Whilst funding has been secured to build the new facility, TFP are looking to raise extra funds over the next six months to ensure everything is in place when the new facility opens. Accordingly, TFP have announced a series of fund raising initiatives that can be accessed through www.thamefootball.co.uk
ranging from Corporate Sponsorship to a ?Buy a Brick? scheme.

“This facility will be for the benefit of the community as a whole and everyone is encouraged to get involved in any way they can to help in the final push,” said Frank Thompson.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

The main contractors for the development will be holding an open evening in the near future to enable any local businesses interested in tendering for work on the project to register their interest. Further details on this evening will be made available on the TFP website and through the local press soon.

HOW HAS THE PROJECT BEEN FUNDED?

Over the last four years TFP have been advised by specialist sports consultants, Sports Solutions GB, and have worked closely with key local delivery partners and funding organisations, including Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the Football Foundation, in order to create a financially sustainable facility for the town.

Funding and assistance for the circa