Thackley’s ground up Ainsbury Avenue has got a new name. For the first time since the club was formed in 1930 Thackley’s ground has been sponsored by a local company. At the start of the current season Thackley’s first home game will be played at the ‘Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield’. Signs displaying the new name have already been erected as part of a two year deal with Mitton.

This deal came about through Thackley chairman Phil Woollias, he is a keen Bradford City fan and Mitton also sponsor the Bantams. Phil got into conversation with one of the directors and told them that Thackley were looking for a company to sponsor the ground. They were very supportive and were happy to agree to a two year deal for which the club is very grateful. Over the years Thackley have had a number of very generous sponsors, Specsavers and Surefreight have been the main playing kit sponsors and Towngate Fisheries have supported the club over the last couple of years but this is the first time that the ground has carried a company name. The Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield may sound a bit of a mouthful but Mitton also sponsor Eccleshill United’s Kingsway Ground, with the venues being so close, Thackley did not want to cause any confusion between the two for spectators so it was decided to maintain part of the original name.

Thackley’s ground has had a previous name change but this was quite a few years ago, originally known as just Ainsbury Avenue, it took the name Dennyfield after the retirement of its groundsman George Denny in the 1980’s. George’s name was again the focus of the club’s nick name the ‘Dennyboys’ which was adopted just a few years ago following a poll by supporters of the club.

This is not the only change that has occurred at Thackley during the close season. The management team has undergone change as well. Chris Reape is still in charge but his assistant Paul Clayton has moved to a similar position at Knaresborough Town. Chris and Paul were appointed as the management team back in October 2014; Paul had a year away working with Tadcaster Albion before returning at the beginning of last season. He made the decision to leave because of work commitments and the travelling involved in getting to training and matches. Paul lives at Boroughbridge, which means Knaresborough is virtually on his doorstep.

Chris was swift to appoint a replacement and Thackley favourite Andy Patterson was only too willing to take on the roll. Andy, is no stranger to Dennyfield, he has been involved with the club as player and as reserve and first team manager since his release from Bradford City in 2001. He also does quite a lot of work on the up keep of the pitch.

Chris has also appointed Niall O’Brien as First Team Coach. This is Niall’s first venture into management following a long career in football which included spells at both Halifax Town and Hucknall Town in the Conference North. Other clubs in his early career include Scarborough, Eastwood Town and Retford United and more recently he has played at both Ossett clubs as well as Wakefield and Emley. Niall did make a few appearances for the Dennyboys back in 2016 but work commitments curtailed his playing days. It is hoped that Niall’s introduction into the management team will bring new ideas and a fresh outlook to both training and on match days. The new management team will be looking to build on last season’s success when Thackley finished in fifth position in the League.

An incentive to improve on last season is the restructuring to some of the feeder leagues next season, which means there is a possibility of two teams being promoted from the Northern Counties East League. Extra divisions are being created at steps 3 and 4 (Thackley play in step 5) in the football pyramid, which means that extra teams will move from step 5 to fill these places. There are fourteen step 5 divisions; the top club from each division will be promoted along with twelve of the second placed clubs. The twelve runners up to progress will be decided on the teams having the best points per game.

The season starts in earnest for Thackley on Saturday 5th August, when the Dennyboys host Harrogate Railway in the Extra Preliminary of the FA Cup. Harrogate Railway are no strangers to Thackley for they were founder members of the NCEL. They were promoted in 2006 but were relegated in 2016. The two teams have met in the FA Cup on one previous occasion, Thackley running out comfortable 5-0 winners back in 2010. They will be hoping for a similar result this year which will give them the opportunity of hosting Kendal Town in the following round.

Thackley have lined up a number of friendly matches in preparation for the season’s start, they have already met ex Assistant Manager’s Paul Clayton’s new club Knaresborough Town and local rivals Silsden. Further home games against Ossett Albion, Colne and Campion are planned before an away game at Steeton on the Tuesday before the season starts.

Thackley are also fielding two other new senior teams starting this season, Thackley Under 21’s which will be playing in the Premier Division of the West Riding Under 21 League. The other senior team, which is a first for the club, is Thackley Ladies, they will be playing their home games at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield on Sunday afternoons. I will be able to provide more information about both of these teams next month. However, the Ladies have arranged their first home friendly game for Sunday 30th July against Silsden Ladies.

Thackley pre season friendly matches:
Saturday 22 July Thackley v Ossett Albion home KO 3.00pm; Tuesday 25th July Thackley v Colne home KO 7.30pm; Saturday 29th July Thackley v Campion home KO 3.00pm; Tuesday 1st August Steeton v Thackley away KO 7.00pm.