THAME United entertain Chesham in the battle of the crisis clubs tomorrow.

United have already been stripped bare by the bailiffs over an unpaid tax bill while Chesham have been threatened with the possibility of a winding up order over an outstanding £11,000 tax bill.

But tomorrow both will be hoping to put their behind-the-scenes troubles behind them and concentrate on the football.

For Thame it is the first pre-season friendly following the departure of manager Mark West to Slough, while Chesham are playing their third match.

And Chesham boss Steve Bateman says that, while there may be a crisis off the pitch, there is no problem on it.

He has managed to retain everyone he wanted to keep from last season and added to the squad with the exception of former Wycombe Wanderers young keeper Tom Gott who has won a scholarship to America.

And Bateman has even added to his squad.

Tough uncompromising defender Matt Corboult has arrived from Hemel Hempstead while 6ft 5ins Darren Bonfield has arrived as goalkeeper after a career with Farnborough and Edgware.

Bateman has also been boosted by the return of Paul Aldridge, who is available to play this season after only managing one match last term because of work commitments.

And he also has central midfielder Mosiah Polidore back at his disposal after he recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Bateman said: "It is like having two new signings. I would like to get another goalkeeper in but I am very happy with my squad.

"It's funny really because the bookies have made us the favourites to go down this year. They assume that because of our off-the-field problems we have lost all our players, but I haven't lost anyone I wanted to keep."

And the United boss reckons spirits in the camp are high and the players focused.

Defender Simon Sweeney even turned down a move to non-league big boys AFC Wimbledon, who are watched by 3,000 fans a week, to stay at The Meadow.

The off-the field woes appear to have led to a new spirit of togetherness at the club with Bateman and his coaching staff helping paint and spruce up the ground over the summer while the supporters have also been rallying around.

Chesham are unbeaten in pre-season so far. They blew a 2-0 lead in last Saturday's opener at Holmer Green and then a John Lawford goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Dunstable Town on Tuesday.

And they will be bidding to make it three wins in a row tomorrow when Thame roll into town.

The Chesham side could also feature striker Coli Bangura on trial.

Thame's new manager Tony Joyce will miss the first match of his reign. He is on a pre-booked holiday so the team will be taken by his assistant Brett Chowns instead.

The Thame side is expected to include new signing Colin Simpson. The former Watford and Leyton Orient striker signed for the club this week which went some way to making up for the disappointment of losing Jon Gardener, who has signed for Banbury after impressing in a trial match for them.