New chairman of Oakham United FC Thomas Beach will set out his vision for the club at a special supporters event tomorrow.

Thomas will be staging the Meet the Chairman presentation before tomorrow's 2pm kick off against Long Sutton Athletic.

"I'd like to see not only the football club supporters turn out, but would greatly welcome anyone from the local community," says Thomas.

"Until now we have been in our little own bubble and that is something that needs to change and be more aligned with our local community .

"The transition we are keen to make is from being an exclusive football club to becoming an inclusive community football club"

"There will be football talk tomorrow, but I will also be speaking about how we can become more involved in the community and how the community can become more involved with the club under our new strapline: 'One club, one goal, one Oakham United vision'".

After the presentation Thomas will be inviting questions from the floor.

"I want it to be an open conversation, we are your community football club and I am a firm believer in collaborating effectively to maximize the best opportunities for all," he adds.

Before being appointed at Oakham United, Thomas was a manager for 11 seasons, most lately at Raunds Town Reserves.

"The transition from dugout to board room is one I'm greatly relishing. I've always harbored interests in business development and at 18 I successfully ran my own business 'Club Teen' in partnership with my town council, successfully addressing social inequalities with teenagers from my local community. The opportunity here at Oakham United will utilise that experience as the perfect platform."

High on Thomas' agenda is to create an official supporters' club and develop this going into the next campaign.

"We already have an amazing group of about 20 hard-core supporters who travel to all our games - home and away - with their drums and flags spurring on our lads. That's brilliant to see and hear and I know at first hand there are a lot of other clubs at our level who are envious of this.

"As our match attendances continue to grow, week on week, I want this enthusiasm for the team to extend further throughout Oakham and the wider Rutland community."

Tomorrow's match will be the first opportunity Thomas has had to watch the first team in action since being appointed.

"I've seen three reserve team games, but I am definitely excited for tomorrow's match and seeing the first team play. I've told my First Team Manager's Michael and Stewart its a great day to celebrate the club's journey and really give our fans and the local community a football club to be proud of.

"It's most certainly going to be a special moment when I watch them run out for the first time."

Thomas has ambitions for the team which was relegated from the United Counties League Division One in 2017 and now plays in the Peterborough and District League Premier Division.

"I want Oakham United back in the UCL. At the moment we are one league away from UCL Division One so we need to push on, really establish the team, and move forward.

"I asked our managers Michael and Stewart where they saw the team heading and they are aiming for the top. Their ambition to strive for the very best is both admirable and pleasing, and if we got into the UCL Premier League that would be fantastic and we could hold FA Cup football at Oakham. What a buzz that would create in the town."

The meet the chairman event is being held in the clubhouse at Oakham United Football Club, in Barleythorpe, starting at 1.15pm.