With a new ground planned, Cookham Dean are back in the Thames Valley Premier League

Maidenhead-based Cookham Dean are back in the Thames Valley Premier League after a season’s absence, with a new management team in place hoping to rebuild the senior side.

Ever present in the TVPL and its predecessor, the Reading Senior League since 1989, Cookham were league champions in 2006 but were forced to miss the 2021/22 season.

Writing for Football in Berkshire, former Vice Chairman Martyn Newell said: “After a one-season absence from local football Cookham Dean will make a welcome return to Thames Valley Premier League action on Saturday when they visit Sol Joel Park to face Allied Community Elite in a 2pm kick off.

“Cookham have a long and successful history and have reformed the senior section for 22/23 following a one-season break.

“Formed way back in 1879, Cookham, like many other local sides had struggled to maintain the high standards they had set themselves over recent times and were unable to attract players of the necessary calibre to continue in the top tier of the Thames Valley League playing at Step 7 of the Football Pyramid.”

“However Cookham’s Junior and Youth section has continued to thrive and behind the scenes, the club has been working hard with a local landowner to develop a new ground with plans to build a new clubhouse, pitches and ample car parking are already established and the facilities will hopefully be ready in time for the 2023/24 season. 

“This season the new Management team of Ivan Harper, Rob Bhogal and Lawrence Richardson will lead a new-look side consisting mainly of an exciting group of under 23s as the club looks build again. The side will kick off these new beginnings in the TVPL Division Two on Saturday afternoon, and the club is absolutely delighted to be back.”

Cookham Dean are in action on Saturday 17th September against Allied Community Elite (kick-off 2pm) at Sol Joel Park, Wokingham Road, RG6 7DE.