Jamie Leacock ready to 'kick on' ahead of Thatcham Town's pre-season preparation

Thatcham Town manager Jamie Leacock is relishing the opportunity for another season at the club as they get set for pre-season.

The Kingfishers squad will link-up next week, ahead of their first pre-season friendly taking place on July 13.

Thatcham haven’t played a competitive game since towards the end of 2020 as their season was brought to a close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking about the return, Leacock said: “We last played a competitive game in November, so to know that we’re going to come back next week and kick off is great and I can’t wait to get started.

Town begin the first of their friendly games with a trip to Burnham on July 13, before an away game at Holyport a few days later.

“We have some games against the strong Step 5 clubs and it gives us a chance to get into it, have a look where the boys are at and kick on from there.

“I like to do a six-week pre-season programme,” he said. “I know we have been away for a long time and there is a lot of clubs who have started already, but in my mind I don’t want it to be too long as it’s all about trying to peak for that first game of the season.

“Sometimes you risk the run of overdoing it if you’re in too long, so we’ll come back next week and it gives us six weeks to do what we need to do.