The weather has sadly beaten us again this weekend which has meant the start to 2025 is further delayed with today's postponement of our home fixture against Winterton Rangers.

As Thackley AFC recorded 5 wins in a row to sign off 2024 joint top of the NCEL Premier Division, everyone apart from one person at the Club was hoping to continue into 2025 and get back on the pitch as soon as possible. That one person, was oddly our Club Captain and league joint top scorer, Ben Grech-Brooksbank who has 21 goals in all competitions so far this 2024/2025 season. "Grechy" was already due to miss both the Goole AFC and Winterton Rangers games as he was already scheduled to be in Australia attending the wedding of his friends. The postponements now mean that he will be available for the re-arranged fixtures, absent any injury or otherwise.

The skipper kindly took some time out of his day from bbqs on the beach and sipping cocktails in the sun "down under" to answer Ten Questions for Thackley to get to know more about Grechy's football journey and his time at Thackley AFC:

1. How long have you been at Thackley AFC?

I signed for Thackley in the summer of 2019, which means I have now been at the Club for 7 full seasons this summer I think? You may need to check!

(NB - we did check, and thankfully Grechy is a better scorer than his counting! He made his debut in the 2019/2020 season, and this will be his 6th full season at the Club, making 159 appearances so far with 68 goals in all competitions during that time, making his scoring average an impressive 1 goal in every 2.33 games)

2. Which previous clubs have you played for?

Worsborough Bridge, Liversedge, Ossett, Brighouse and Eccleshill United (unfortunately on the last one!).

3. What is your earliest football memory?

Playing football in the summer football tournaments. Genuinely the best days in the sun playing loads of games with spray paint on my mohican hair cut, all with your mates.

4. What is your favourite thing about Thackley AFC?

Hard to pick but I have to say the people. Thackley AFC is the nicest and most welcoming Club, from the committee and volunteers, to the fans all the way to the ladies on the Bar. It is unrivaled, and one of the main reasons I have stayed for so long.

5. What is your best football moment?

Playing against Man United (my team) and against players like Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison at Glanford Park. Although we lost 7-1, I did score!

6. What is your worst football moment?

Playing at Ossett on a contract at 19 and having reoccurring shin splint injuries, which led to me being told I could not play for 12+ months due to it being something worse.

7. Who is your football icon?

David Beckham - surely lived every footballer's dream?! Every hairstyle he had, I copied, and I even signed my signature with a "7" in it like him haha!

8. What are your aims in football for the future?

Lift silverware with Thackley - got to aim high, haven't you? It is my main aim, and we are closer than we have ever been since I have been here. There is still a long way to go in the season and we take one game at a time as the old cliche goes, but there is a really good feeling amongst this set of lads - all top class, barring a couple of wrong uns.

9. Which song is your request for the pre-match playlist in the changing room?

My pre-game request is that [Ben] Bodle tops up his phone with credit so the songs don't cut out half way through!

10. And finally, the question all supporters want to know - Who is the best value for entertainment on a Thackley night out?

Oh here we go. Too many to name them all as I'm non-stop laughing every night out, but for me gotta be Demps [Matty Dempsey], Suggy [Lewis Sugden] and Ginna [GK Coach, Ben Higginson] being the ring leaders of all things and hurling abuse towards everyone. Also a special mention to the little man at left back, Bodle [Ben Bodle] - daft as a brush and hilarious.

Ben Grech-Brooksbank is kindly sponsored this season by Ashbourne Plumbing Services who we kindly thank for their support.