Thackley’s opener to this season’s campaign is against newly promoted Beverley Town. From a Thackley point of view, and I fully suspect the same applies to Beverley, we are looking forward to a season of success with a certain amount of optimism. Like last season, our opening game is against one of the Premier Division new comers. Beverley Town are a relatively young club in footballing terms, having being founded in 2000. They spent their early years in the Humber Premier League, gaining promotion to the NCEL in 2022. Their first season in Division One was one of consolidation, they finished eleventh in the table. However, last season was much more successful and saw them win automatic promotion to the Premier Division. Parkgate finished as Division One Champions, Beverley were runners up but their points and goals scored tally of 103 and 132 respectively, would have seen them finish in top spot most other seasons. Beverley have had a rather erratic pre season, losing heavily to both Cleethorpes Town and Garforth Town. However, a draw at North Ferriby and beating Bridlington Town away in their final pre season game on Tuesday show that they are likely to be a strong side again this season. Striker Danny Earl has started the season well and may be the one to watch, having scored three times in these games. Next weekend is a rather special one for the ‘Beavers’, when they play their first ever game in the FA Cup. They have had the good fortune of being drawn at home but have been given what looks like a really tough opening game against Whitley Bay.

This will be the first ever league meeting between the two sides but Thackley and Beverley have met just once before, this was in the Second Round of last season’s League Cup. The Beavers came into that tie on a six game unbeaten run and progressed to the next round courtesy of goals from Grant Tait and Benjamin Hinchliffe in a two nil victory.

Thackley will be looking to start their forty third season in the NCEL Premier Division on the front foot after their pre season games. Six in total, the first two ending in narrow defeats. However, they are unbeaten in their final four, when Danny has played a more settled side. Ben Grech-Brooksbank has looked Thackley’s most dangerous forward, having scored in four of their six pre season games. Last season Thackley finished seventh in the table, their highest position since 2017, having spent the majority of the season in one of the play off spots. This season, they will be looking to go one better and are aiming for at least a top five finish. A number of players have departed the club over the close season, which is not unexpected, but Manager Danny Forrest has recruited well and feels he has improved the team enough to mount a serious challenge. We welcome forward, Tawheed Ahmad (T), and midfielders, Nathan Hunt, Lewis Sugden and Lewis Gardner. It will be interesting to see which eleven take the field in this opening game.

Entry to the match is £6 for Adults, £4 for Concessions and u16s Free with a paying adult. Arthur's Bar opens at 12.30pm and the Gates will open at 2pm.