Thackley's pre-season preparations go up a pace next week when Sky Bet Football League One side Notts County visit Dennyfield.

The game was arranged between the club's goalkeeper Mark Bower and Magpies manager Chris Kiwomya who were in the same class as 11-year-olds at school in Bradford and played in the same teams throughout youth football for Bradford City Boys and then into the professional game at Nottingham Forest under the late and great Brian Clough.

The pair have remained friends since those days and, when Chris offered to bring his Notts County team to Thackley, the NCEL Premier Division side were only too delighted to accept.

And, it should be an entertaining encounter at Dennyfield on Monday (29th July), with a kick-off time of 7.30pm.

Admission will be ?5 for adults and ?3 for concessions.