KEN – ‘Good Ol’ Grandad! Tom being selected for Thame United was a very proud moment. I always wanted a relative to play for Thame and when he was selected I was over the moon. Next I want him and his brother to play for Thame in the same match.’

What is your own history with Thame United? Are there any other family members past and present associated with football in Thame?

KEN –‘Born in Hampden Ave just 50 yards from the ground in Windmill Road, my dad told me he was the best left winger ever to play for Thame. I found out recently that my eldest brother George played for Thame as a goalkeeper; he never mentioned it to me. I always remembered him as the best darts player in Thame. My brother Ron was the footballer, getting to be the professional, he had a tremendous shot. I can remember him missing a penalty where the ball hit the crossbar and ended up at the centre circle, it was amazing. My career for Thame United started when I was approximately 18. In my first two games I scored two hat-tricks. The Thame Gazette published ‘ALTHOUGH HE SCORED A HAT-TRICK HE WEAKENED THE FORWARD LINE.’ I then played for the reserves however I eventually got back into the first team but always thought I was the weak link. We had some wonderful players; the best was the manager Peter Slade. He had won the amateur cup final at Wembley with Hendon. Lastly I would like to mention my grandson George who plays for Thame Rangers and is a very good midfielder, lovely left foot.’

Please could you share with us how you got the football bug yourself? What was your greatest achievement within football?

KEN – ‘I started at Chinnor Youth club under 16’s. I moved onto Thame minors under 18’s. With Chinnor we lost every game, with Thame minors we won more than we lost. We won the Anstey cup with Thame minors which my brother Ron had won years before. I scored the winner in mine and Ron scored all five in a 5-3 victory. Next I played in Thame reserves which I loved because it was with a lot of players I had watched playing for one of the best minors side ever. Up to playing I supported Thame home and away. Ron’s Thame team won the league and again, were great to watch scoring lots and lots of goals. I also played in the Thame United team that won the Hellenic league in 1969/1970. So I was over the moon when Tom won it in 2016/2017.

What do you do when not watching the grandsons play football?

KEN – ‘Glad to say Thame United and Thame Rangers play at home alternative Saturdays so I can watch every week. My youngest grandsons play on a Sunday morning. Anything with sport and time with the family are my favourite pastimes.’

Can you tell us an unknown fact or story about Tom Ashworth?

KEN – ‘Only time we clashed was when I was refereeing his match and I gave a throw-in and Tom said it hadn’t gone out. To Tom it was the end of the world. We didn’t speak for a while (hehe.) Never seen him miss a penalty, his mum and I would be a nervous wreck watching but Tom would score, no problem.’

Do you support any other football team? Do you have an all-time favourite football player?

KEN – ‘The mighty Arsenal. In this day and age I apologise to Tom as I got him supporting Arsenal (their defence brings tears to my eyes.) Pelé was always my hero, being old. If I had to meet anybody now, it would be Ian Wright Wright Wright. I love him.’

You get a free trip to any football match in the world, which do you choose and why? You can take one person with you so who do you take and why?

KEN – ‘Real Madrid Vs Barcelona in the last few years. So I could have watched the two greatest players of this time. I would take young Bimmy Wyatt. He would take me to all the Thame games in his mini cooper s. (Got the adrenaline going.)’

Do you have a favourite player at Thame United FC and why?

KEN – ‘This year, Craig the goalkeeper has been my favourite. He has been outstanding with lots of clean sheets. Over the last few years it was the two front runners Westy and Lynton. They played wonderful one twos. (I love a one two.) They scored lots of great goals.’

What do you think is the best thing about Thame United?

KEN – ‘The pitch is great, the facilities are great, the team performing well above their station but the best thing is the bar staff. Carl is doing a fantastic job with getting sponsorships and keeping us up to date with match reports and brilliant interviews.’

What for you as a fan would you like to see more of at Thame United?

KEN – ‘Louder supporters to help me counteract the opposition fans who normally out number us.’

Do you have any final comments for our fans and followers?

KEN – ‘Come down to the ASM and watch the lads and support your local football team. Also to keep liking and sharing posts on social media.’