There was obvious disappointment when Thame United’s play-off challenge fell just short in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central.
But now that the dust has settled, the club can reflect on a campaign of real progress.
Having finished one off the bottom at the end of the previous season and earning a reprieve from relegation, their sixth-place berth this time around saw them end with 72 points to their name, almost double what they were able to muster in 2023/24.
On top of that they also achieved their third Oxfordshire Senior Cup triumph in a row as they swept aside Ardley United by five goals to one in the final.
Opening the scoring in that game was Dan West, an extremely popular figure at the club who returned to The ASM Stadium a month into the season.
“This club means so much to me,” he told us. “I was excited to return here and to then play my part in our play-off challenge on the back of a difficult season previously was special.
“To get into double figures with goals is always my aim, so it was nice to achieve that and to be still in contention for a play-off place right up until the final game or two shows real progress.
“Obviously it’s a shame that we ultimately fell just short, but had you offered us sixth place in those early weeks of the season, we would have taken it in view of where the club found itself previously.
“There was a positive end to the season, though, as we lifted the Oxfordshire Senior Cup to secure some deserved silverware.”
It gives the club a solid base on which to build and that was further strengthened with the recent news that manager, Ben Williams, and his assistants, Michael Hogg and Ben Johnson, have all committed for the campaign ahead.
“This is a real boost for us,” West added. “Things are moving in the right direction all of the time and getting these three to commit will allow us to continue building and challenging at the right end of the table.
“For myself, I just want to continue enjoying my football here and stay fit and healthy. Double figures in goals and assists is always an aim and hopefully I can do that again next season.
“The division was just as competitive as we were expecting this season. We knew that Real Bedford and Berkhamsted were the best two teams and so it proved in the end, but as for the rest, there’s not much between most of the other clubs, to be honest.
“We’ll be ready for the challenge once the new season comes around. Having the Gaffer commit so early means that plans and preparations are already underway, so we’re excited about what the future holds in store here.”
IMAGE: Thame United FC
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