North Leigh Snap Up Five Former Red Kites

North Leigh, relegated back to the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, have brought in five players who were on the books at league rivals Thame United last season.

Thame’s long-serving management team left the Red Kites earlier this close season and the Millers have taken full advantage by signing several of their senior players.

And they include Thame’s long-serving manager Mark West’s son Dan.

The 30-year-old striker had been with Thame since 2014 after joining from Oxford United, initially as a midfield player, but moved forward scoring 25 goals in Thame`s Hellenic League championship winning side of 2016/17 before claiming the `golden boot in 2017/18 in the Southern Division One East.

He had a brief spell with Oxford City in 2016.

A familiar face to North Leigh supporters sees midfielder Jack Tutton return to the Millers.

The 24-year-old had joined Thame in January 2019 from North Leigh.

Oxford born, he came through the ranks at Vanarama National League South side Oxford City before joining the Millers in the summer of 2018.

Defender Lewis Thorne has also agreed terms with North Leigh after lots of interest from other elsewhere.

The 21-year-old had been with the Red Kites since August 2021.

Lewis, whose father Alan is a former Thame manager from the early 2000s, played for Hellenic League Division One East outfit Thame Rangers in 2020/21.

Defender George Gilmore was unlucky with injury latest season but when fit is a leader on the pitch and brings quality to the back line.

The 21-year-old progressed through Didcot Town`s youth programme.

He made his first team bow in 2019/20 when he made 26 appearances.

He transferred to Thame in November 2021.

And exciting forward Greg Hackett has also signed for the Millers.

The 27-year-old had signed for Thame from Didcot Town in July 2019.

The forward was originally on the books at League One side Oxford United, where he progressed through the ranks.

After leaving the Kassam Stadium, he became a key player for Hellenic League side Ardley United, where he scored 15 goals by the end of October 2018 – form which earned him a trial at National League side Barnet.

However, when nothing came of the trial at The Hive, he joined Didcot in November 2018, making 29 appearances and adding 3 goals to the 16 he totalled for Ardley in 2018/19.

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