XI questions with | Quorn

Across the country, fans are preparing for the new campaign with renewed hope and ambition for the season ahead.

Ahead of the 2026/27 campaign getting underway on Saturday 8 August, we sat down with supporters from the NPL clubs at Step 3 to hear their thoughts on how things are shaping up.

Up next, we caught up with Quorn supporter Jason Thickpenny.

How would you sum up your transfer window so far?

It’s very early days. The first look we had at our new signings was Barwell in our first pre-season friendly, and some of the trialists looked really good. 

I'm excited about a few of them because we know who they are. I think it’s soon to tell if they’ll ‘set the world on fire’, however the early indicators are positive.

Ryan Beswick was appointed as player-manager in May. How excited are you to see him lead you into this new era as a club?

Bez has been with us a long time now, and I think it was an appointment that all of the fans approved. 

He is a very good footballer, but also so well connected with other players as well. The club will always do well with Bez at the wheel because he’s so well-liked and demands high standards from the team. 

He is very positive with his play, which makes for good, entertaining football.

You’ve made that move across the football pyramid to play the NPL this season. I know there’s lots of discussion surrounding it, but how excited are you by this adventure and playing lots of new teams?

I don’t know if exciting is the right word. Frustrated, annoyed - I’d say all of those things. And that’s just as a fan. 

If you’re part of the football club and it’s going to affect how you compete or travel as a player or management, it’s going to be a nightmare. In my eyes, it's a decision that shouldn’t have been made. 

Having said that, you've got to get on with it, and certainly it will be interesting. 

There are some big away trips like Whitby: that’ll be a good one. I can take the missus away to Whitby for the weekend, and slip in that there’s a football game too!

It’s just going to be difficult in terms of bringing the same away followings with the travel.

How much of a challenge do you think that extra travel will be for players, staff and supporters?

Quorn are always so good with fans. 

If there’s an opportunity to put fans on the bus with the squad, they’ll do it. They’ll always go the extra mile. We did it plenty last year. 

There isn’t as much of an excuse for me being self-employed, I should be able to attend games. Certainly for the players, they are the ones going to suffer. 

They will have to have very understanding employers and families, which will be incredibly difficult. There’s plenty of preparation before a game even starts, for example nutrition, running etc. 

Which new ground are you most excited to visit, and why?

I’m looking forward to Gainsborough. It’s not too far from where I grew up, and it looks like a great setup there. 

And also if you go to Bury for that kind of atmosphere, it will be a new experience. That would be the biggest crowd we’ve played at. 

Which new signing are you most excited to watch, come the new season?

We’ve just signed Luke Shaw, who used to play for Coalville Town. 

I used to watch them play and he’s always looked really impressive. I know he’s had his injury problems, but if he can find some form, that’d be great. 

Which lesser-known Quorn should opposition fans look out for?

Quite a few players have moved on after the FA opted to move us laterally, but what I would say is this. If people don’t know who Zak Goodson is now, they’ll know by the time he’s finished with them. 

On his day, he’s an exceptional player. He just has this elite way of changing games on a sixpence. 

How would you describe your club’s style of play?

We play differently depending on the opposition, but I would say we’re exciting to watch. 

One of the things Bez drums into the team is work-rate, it’s all about working hard. We like to play on the front foot with pace as well. 

What does a successful season look like for Quorn?

Should we be moved back next season, I’d take finishing anywhere.

In all seriousness, if we can finish in the top half, that would be a good result for us. That’s very realistic. A lot will depend on who we can attract through the door between now and the start of the season. 

Who do you expect to be the most important member of your squad?

Especially at this level, you can’t be reliant on one player. 

Quorn has never been about individuals, it’s always been about the team. That’s our great philosophy: there don’t appear to be massive egos. 

I think the fact we’ve been able to keep both centre-backs in Mason Frizelle and Luke Cox is a huge bonus. They’ve created a great partnership until Cox got injured. Those two will play a major factor. 

Who wins the league, and why?

It’s a difficult one, that. 

If you had to push me I’d probably say Bury, but I doubt I'd be the first person to say there are lots of good teams in the division.