Every few weeks Thame Hub will be featuring an article on various people in Thame who serve the Thame Community. This is your chance for the people of Thame to find out a little bit more about you or your business.
If you’d like to feature in these articles then drop us an email at [email protected].
For our next instalment of the series we are talking to Stuart Blaik, who is Assistant Manager of Thame United, to find out more about the season ahead.
Tell us a bit more about your role at the club
I am Stuart Blaik the Assistant Manager of Thame United First Team, my main role is in a coaching capacity and assisting Mark West (Manager) with team selection and player recruitment. I also link in with the Reserves and Development team to help map a pathway from the junior section into Senior Football.
How proud were you of last season’s achievements?
Last season was nothing short of absolutely fantastic, to win a league at any level is an achievement but to win the Hellenic Premier Division was a bit like Leicester winning the Premier League. A lot of sides in the league had significant advantages in terms of resources so to compete and finish top of the league was amazing.
What are your aims for the season ahead?
We are looking to compete and of course survival is the aim, I am always a little more optimistic and a top half finish has to be the objective and maybe knocking on the door in one of the play off spots!
Any new signings, or new signings in the pipeline?
We have been able to retain all the lads from last season and have about 6 or 7 new faces training with us at the moment. Its always a bit of a merry-go-round with players at this stage but I am confident we will be adding new faces to the squad in the coming days.
Have there been any outgoings?
We have lost a couple of lads who were on the fringes of the squad which was to be expected as they want to play regular football and we couldn't offer them that.
We understand there has been a bit of a restructure with the reserves, can you tell us more about that?
That's right, we have taken the promotion of Thame Rangers who will now be our Reserve side under the excellent management of Craig Falconbridge and Dave Ridgley, they will play in the Hellenic League Div 1 East, in addition to this we will be running a Development Squad as well which will be predominately an U21's side managed by Ben Johnson in Div 2 East of the Hellenic League. This is a really positive move for the club and offers senior football at all levels and will help develop the youngsters coming through.
What’s your favourite thing about local football?
What I am looking forward to most is the local derbies that promotion has thrown up, Both the sides from Aylesbury, Marlow, Beaconsfield SYCOB and Chalfont St Peter.
Who’s your player to watch for the season ahead?
That's a hard one to answer! We have some very exciting players in the squad, obviously Lynton Goss as the leagues top scorer is worth a mention but I am also looking forward to seeing the local lad young Tom Ashworth playing at the next level. Andy Gledhill has improved so much over the last couple of seasons and Dan West looks fitter this preseason than I have seen him before so a few to keep an eye on!
What’s your favourite thing about Thame?
Its a fantastic facility and a great place to come and watch local football, I'm told the kebab van in the town is worth a visit too!!!!!
What would you say to a local football fan, who hasn’t had a chance to visit Thame United yet but is thinking of doing so?
You must definitely come down, we will make you feel very welcome and you will see some good local talent playing attractive and attacking football, you wont see many 0-0 games at the ASM!!
How much does it cost to watch Thame United play?
Admission on a match day is £8 adults, £5 concessions & kids U16 £3. If you're interested in a season ticket please contact the club on 01844 214401 they will do a deal!
Thanks to Stuart for letting us interview him, for more information on Thame United you can visit their website at: www.thamefootball.co.uk
Thanks also to Mark Hewitson for taking the photo for this featured article. For more information on Mark Hewitson photography, please visit his website at: www.markhewitson.co.uk
Read Mark’s behind the scenes blog in the “Portrait of Thame” series here.
