At Home With The Crows
Next Up: 'The Kingfishers' Of Thatcham Town FC
Crows v Thatcham Town FC
Kick-Off: 7:45pm Tuesday 5th February 2013
Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division 1
With nine days to go until the country gets all mushy and lovey dovey (except for me), the Crows will be looking at getting back to winning ways against Thatcham Town. No early Valentine’s presents please lads!
The world's best immobiliser systems were developed here in Thatcham, you know of the Cat variety. Cat as in categories not as in those sweet fuzzy things that purr on your lap and leave presents all over the house. My ex wife hated cats and the feeling was mutual. Our neighbour’s cat used to deposit stuff in her shoes. Revenge is a dish served…..well warm!
Anyhow I am digressing totally, Thatcham is a quaint little town in the county of Berkshire. It lays claim to be the oldest continually habited place in Britain. So it beats Stevenage hands down. Just like us a couple of weeks ago!
There are not any famous people that currently live in the town according to my research. They can lay claim to the fact the very famous astronomer Francis Bailey was from the town. So someone staring through telescopes is the ascent of their fame then! Thatcham though, is a really nice place to live and was recently voted in the top 10 small towns of Britain to live. Do you know where Royston finished? 92 League clubs in Britain and that will give you an idea! The researchers have obviously not spent quality time here then!
HISTORY
Founded in 1894 they played friendly matches for their first two years at “The Marsh”, so abit like Leighton Towns pitch then. They were solely known as Thatcham until they added Town to their name in 1974.
From 1896 they played in that very famous league, The Reading Temperance League. They remained here for 57 years until joining the Reading & District League.
In 1953 the club became founder members of the Hellenic League. They were promoted as champions of Division One in 1959, 1965 and 1973. The latter was when the moon covered the sun, frogs descended from the skies and Jez was born.
1975 came and “The Kingfishers” were champions of the Premier Division. They also won the Premier cup and were runners up in the Buckinghamshire Senior cup to Wycombe Wanderers. They were awarded the cup due to Wycombe playing an ineligible player. They obviously did not have the same representation as Bradford City then.
In 1983 floodlights were erected at Lancaster Close, Fulham were the team that christened them.
Short stays in the Athenian and the London Spartan League (that Spurs never won) followed before Thatcham Town became founder members of the Wessex league in 1986. In 1989 they reached the FA Vase quarter finals before losing to local rivals Hungerford Town FC.
The Kingfishers then moved to a brand new sparkly stadium (yes I am jealous) in 1992 and a record gate of 1400 was achieved against Aldershot Town in the FA Vase.
In 2003 the club were awarded the coveted FA Community Standard Charter and success on the pitch followed. 2006 saw a runners up place and promotion into the Southern League.
2010 saw the appointment of Colin Millard as manager, however due to half the squad departing to fierce rivals Hungerford Town, Colin had a massive rebuilding job on his hands.
Last season saw the club win the Basingstoke senior cup with a 3-0 win against Basingstoke New Inn.
Their Season So Far
Last Saturday saw the Kingfishers secure a 1-0 victory over beleaguered Leighton Town courtesy of an Oliyide strike on 36 minutes. By all accounts it was a hard fought win. After an 8 match winless streak, results have started to improve with wins over Uxbridge and Chertsey. A very creditable draw was attained at Guildford City, 2-2 was the score line that day. Current stats show Thatcham Town in 17th place with 7 wins, 2 draws and 17 defeats.
Ones to Watch
Karl Oliyide recently signed on work experience from Reading FC. Scored last time out, big things are expected from this talented and speedy forward.
In the midfield engine room we may come up against fans favourite Dave Asker. Big Dave is into his third stint with the club. Three goals so far this season, he is deadly from set pieces. Previous clubs include Whitchurch United, Hungerford Town and Gosport Borough.
Tough tackling Damian Smith will give the Rocket Lockett and super Kaan Fehmi something to think about. Colossal defender and an excellent ball winner. Highly saught after during the summer and signed from Godalming Town last September.
The Gaffer
Currently without a manager since Neville Roach resigned in October. Scott Tarr has been handed the reigns on a tempory basis. Scott was previously with Hartley Witney FC. Nope I’ve not heard of them either!
Have We Met Before?
Yes! The Kingfishers were our inaugural opponents in this Division. The Crows returned from Thatcham Town with our opening 3 points courtesy of a 4th minute Kaan Fehmi penalty and an 18th minute goal from Lil Luke Robins. Attendance that day was 86 including approx 15 from Royston.
Jez Izod
