Viva La Thurmo Magazine - Issue No. 1

NOTES FROM THE GAFFER

JAMES WEST

Hello everyone, and a very warm welcome to the inaugural issue of Thurmo Magazine! While our Men’s team kicked off their season last week, today marks the exciting start for our two Women’s teams.

Pre-season has truly tested us this year, a rollercoaster filled with challenges and milestones. From appointing our new Men’s manager to recovering from a cabin fire, securing new sponsorships, and preparing for some thrilling fixtures, it’s been a journey. And what better way to begin than with all three of our teams in action today, including a huge moment for our Vixens, who travel to face Boston United in the first qualifying round of the Women’s FA Cup. This marks our club’s first-ever appearance in the competition and represents the highest-ranked fixture in our history. A massive achievement!

I want to take this opportunity to wish all three teams the very best of luck for the season ahead.

This year, Dylan Patel steps in as our new Men’s team manager, and I’m excited

to support the squad from the sidelines for the first time since founding the club. Sarah Jenkins leads our Kits with a refreshed squad full of new talent, alongside our loyal returning players, and there’s a real sense of momentum building for the season ahead.

Personally, I’m proud to be managing the Vixens this year, alongside my assistant, Mollie Jowett. We’re focused and ready for a strong campaign, starting with today’s big FA Cup fixture.

A huge thank you goes out to our incredible sponsors. Thanks to their support, each team has brand-new home kits this season, and every club member has received a new tracksuit jacket and undershirt. None of this would be possible without them. Your support truly makes a difference.

The hard work of pre-season is behind us, and today marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and inspiring chapter for Thurmo.

Viva La Thurmo!

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

Here’s a look at where you can see our teams play this weekend

Kits

Leicestershire women’s & girls football league

Women’s league division 2

Roundhill Academy, Thurmaston. LE4 8GQ

Kick Off - 14:00

Kits Kick Off 2025/26 Season with Derby Clash.

The Kits launch their 2025/26 campaign with a home derby against Brookside Athletic Reserves at Roundhill. Brookside, fresh from a 4th-place finish and tipped as title contenders after narrowly missing promotion, will provide a stern test with their high-pressing, youthful side.

Manager Sarah Jenkins has rebuilt the Kits over the summer, adding new signings and fostering a strong team culture built on unity and development. The goal: climb higher in the table with passion and belief. The club also welcomes Deck8 as official kit sponsor, boosting confidence with new matchday gear. Leadership comes from new captain Evie Ludlow, whose determination and tactical awareness will guide the squad. With renewed optimism and a fiery opener ahead, the Kits are ready for a memorable season start at Roundhill.

SARAH JENKINS A WORD FROM

Preseason has been a huge positive for us as a team. We have bought in lots of new faces to the squad which fills us with even more confidence moving into the season. Highlight of preseason is bringing home the silver cup at the Harborough Town tournament.

Hugely looking forward to getting the season started with our first few games at home. I Believe we have a squad who can really push for promotion this season. So proud of the togetherness and commitment from everyone. It’s important to us as a squad to have fun on and off the pitch so win lose or draw, we are one. Up the Thurmo!

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

Here’s a look at where you can see our teams play this weekend

Vixens

The Adobe Women’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Jakemans Community Stadium, Boston. PE21 6JN

Kick Off - 14:00

Vixens Make Historic Adobe Women’s FA Cup Debut.

The Vixens travel to Boston this weekend as they take part in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the very first time. It is both an honour and a privilege to be accepted into this prestigious competition by the FA, marking a proud milestone in the club’s history.

Our hosts, Boston United, compete in the Premier Division of the Quickline Lincolnshire Women & Girls’ County Football League, finishing 7th last season. With a new manager appointed over the summer, they are eager to begin a new chapter and we look forward to stepping out at their first-team stadium for this exciting First Qualifying Round tie.

Manager James West has strengthened the Vixens squad over the summer, with pre-season delivering encouraging performances. A 1-1 draw against West Bridgford (Regional League Division 1) was followed by another competitive 1-1 draw with Anstey Nomads (Regional League Premier Division).

For today’s tie, the Vixens have named an 18-player squad, carefully selected from across the club. Notable inclusions are Evie Ludlow and the experienced Katie Stone, both earning call-ups from the Kits team. Their involvement reflects the management’s commitment to player development and progression through the club pathway. Last season, the Vixens finished 5th in the league and were unlucky to bow out at the semi-final stage of the League Cup. This year, the ambitions are clear: to push further and continue building momentum.

The competition began last month with the Preliminary Round, before the First Qualifying Round fixtures were scheduled for Sunday 7th September 2025. The winners of this weekend’s clash will progress to the Second Qualifying Round on 21st September.

The addition of Mollie Jowett to the coaching staff has already had a positive impact, improving the team’s strength and fitness while bringing fresh energy into the dressing room. Jowett’s expertise makes her a fantastic addition as assistant to James West.

We are also proud to unveil Stag Fencing and Groundworks as our official home kit sponsor for the 2025/26 season. Their backing has given the Vixens a brand-new professional look, and we are delighted they have made the trip to Boston today to cheer on the team. A huge thank you to them for their generous support.

A CHAT WITH Lock is a leader on and off the pitch so it seemed only fitting for the club captain to sit in the hot seat first and face our alphabetical questionaire.

EMILY LOCKETT

A – ALL-time favourite football player

Steven Gerrard

B – What BOOTS do you wear & your preferred BOOT BRAND

Adidas, I’m wearing F50’s this season

C – Your go to CELEBRATION when you score?

I don’t score often, so I usually panic celebrate with a big smile on my face

D – Who is the worst DANCER in the squad?

Libbie, even more outrageous when she’s had a drink

E – What do you like to EAT before a game?

Beans & cheese on toast, with a Yorkshire tea

F – Who has the worst FASHION sense in the squad?

G – What is the best GOAL you have ever scored?

I’d probably say the header I scored during this pre-season, Libbie’s delivery in from the corner was unreal, making it even better

Casey Allen - Manchester and her tartan bra has me laughing every time I think about it

H – How do you keep yourself HYDRATED & HEALTHY throughout a season?

I’ve been going the gym a lot over preseason to improve my strength and fitness so I’ll be keeping that up. I love skin care so have a daily routine with that & I try to drink lots of water, as well as meal prepping early in the week so I know what I’m having and when.

I – Who is the biggest INSPIRATION in your life & why?

My Dad – he’s worked so hard to get to where he is now and he’s really instilled a hard work ethic in me, I just want to make him proud all the time. He’s always there for me & I couldn’t ask for a better Dad.

J – Who is the biggest JOKER on the team?

Libbie, Funny girl x

K – What KIT number do you love to wear & why?

Number 3 or 5 – just because they’re classic full back or centre back numbers, but when I was younger I loved the 14 shirt as it’s my lucky number.

L – What is the biggest LESSON that football has taught you?

For me, football is a break from other more stressful things, particularly work. Getting a work/life balance is so important, and through Thurmaston I’ve met some of my best mates which makes football more special now. Joining this team is definitely the best thing I did 4 years ago!

M – What is your go to pre match MUSIC?

O – Can you describe your personality in ONE word?

Leader

Maybe a throwback playlist, but love anything I can sing to - albeit not very well

N – Who is the NICEST player in the squad?

Zoe Hill– absolutely gorgeous person

P – What is your favourite POSITION to play?

Full back, allows me the freedom to go for a run up the wing but also get back and defend.

Q – What is the best QUALITY you need in a teammate?

Communication

R – How do you normally deal with a REFEREE’S tough decision?

Not very well to be honest, more recently I’ve told a ref to go back to referee school, with a couple of added extra words which I won’t repeat here, so I’m going to try and handle it better this season.

S – Which football club did you grow up SUPPORTING?

Liverpool – my Dad & brother are to blame for that one

T – What TV-SHOW are you currently watching?

Love is Blind UK

U – What is the most UNFORGETTABLE moment of your football career?

Winning the league in our very first season as a women’s side – I really want a repeat of that this year, so the goal is to win some more trophies!

V – VACATION spot you’d love to visit after the season?

I’d love to go back to Greece and do some Island hopping

W – WHO is your best friend in the team & why?

Westy – he can be a nightmare but I wouldn’t be without him and am so grateful to him and his family, particularly over the past 6 months

X – What is the worst injury (X-RAY) of your football career? Anything to do with my ankles, I’ve broken them/torn ligaments in them too many times now.

Y – How many YEARS have you played football for? Around 20 I think?!

Z – What is your ZODIAC sign and do you believe it matches your personality on the pitch?

I’m a Pisces, so have some of the traits – mainly supportive & fairly emotionally charged, but not others.

ROSS COLLINS

2025/26 SQUAD

2025/26 SQUAD

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

NIALL CARTER

HONOUR SLATER

SOPHIE HOWARD

DANIELLE LEE

2025/26 SQUAD

LIBBIE TAYLOR

ALYS BROGAN

LAUREN BRACEY

CANDICE-MARIE HATHAWAY

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

LEAH WHEELER

IMOGEN SANDERS

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

SOPHIE HOWARD

HONOUR SLATER

KAISEY HIGGOTT

NATALIE FRIDAY

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

JADE HOWDEN

CHLOE MCDERMOTT

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR CLUB SPONSORS

CLUB TEAMWEAR & TRAININGWEAR SPONSORS

VIXENS HOME KIT SPONSOR

KITS HOME KIT SPONSOR

AWAY KIT SPONSOR CREATIVE SPONSOR

We would also like to offer a huge thank you to Both Blues Home Improvements and Bridge Car Services. Thanks also go to all of our other donators for their generosity and kindness in supporting the club during the difficult period following the fire damage to our cabin. Their help has been invaluable, and we are extremely grateful for the way they have stepped in to support the club in challenging times.

FIXTURES

FIXTURES

LAST WEEKEND’S MENS FOXES RESULT

Luxe FC 3-2 Foxes

NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES

SUNDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Vixens v Allexton & New Parks

Kits v Leicester City Development