Thatcham Town Football Club was founded in 1894 and played friendly matches only for the first two years at "The Marsh", now known as Dunston Green.[3] The club was known as Thatcham at this time and added "Town" to its name later in 1974.[4] The club joined the Reading Temperance League in 1896 where it remained for the next fifty-seven years, winning Division Two in 1905–06. During this period, Thatcham also won the Reading Town Senior Cup, the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup in 1935–36 and was runner-up in the Reading & District Premier League.[3]
In 1949, the club purchased eleven acres of land off Northfield Road. This became known as Lancaster Close. Early in 1970, seven acres were sold and the proceeds used to finance the construction of a new clubhouse and dressing rooms.[3] In 1953, Thatcham became a founder member of the Hellenic League and was promoted to the Premier Division on three occasions as Division one champions in 1958–59, 1964–65 and 1972–73.[4] In 1974, the club changed its name from Thatcham. In the 1974–75 season the club won the Hellenic League Championship and the Premier Division Cup; in addition Thatcham also reached the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup losing to Wycombe Wanderers. However, Thatcham was awarded the Cup by default because of a dispute between Wanderers and the Berks & Bucks FA.[3]
In 1983, floodlights were erected and were first used when Thatcham entertained Fulham at Lancaster Close in January that year. After a short stay in the Athenian League, the club spent two seasons in the London Spartan League before joining the newly formed Wessex League in 1986. In the 1988–89 season, Thatcham reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, losing 2–0 away at local rivals Hungerford Town.[5]
To provide improved facilities, the club moved to a new ten-acre site at Waterside Park during the 1992–93 season and a record gate for the new stadium was set when 1,400 spectators saw Thatcham lose by a single goal to Aldershot Town, the newly reformed phoenix club of former Football League team Aldershot, in the first round of the 1993–94 FA Vase.[3][6]
Under the management of Jim Greenwood, in 1994–95, the club set a Wessex League and club record when they went thirty-three league games unbeaten and won the Wessex League Cup beating Fleet Town in the final. The following season, in 1995–96, Jim Greenwood led Thatcham to the league title. The following season saw the club's best ever FA Cup run, reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round after away victories against Southern League PremierGloucester City and Bashley, of the Southern League South. Thatcham eventually succame to Isthmian League side Boreham Wood. In 1997, the club reached the Final of the Wessex League Cup for the sixth time in eight years, winning the Cup for the fourth time.[3]
In 2002–03, Thatcham was awarded the FA Community Standard Charter, the first club at this level in Southern England to earn this award. Two seasons later, under new manager Jason Braidwood, the club reached three local cup finals, winning two of them, and finished third in the League. In the 2005–06 season, the club went one better and was runner-up to Winchester City and, with the club meeting FA ground-grading requirements, it joined the Southern League in Division One South & West. In the 2008–09 season, his first full season in charge, manager Gary Ackling guided the club to winning the Basingstoke Senior Cup.[3]
In June 2010, Thatcham appointed Colin Millard as manager. With over half of the squad departed, many to its local rival Hungerford Town, and a reduction in the club's playing budget, Millard had the difficult task of rebuilding the squad for the 2010–11 season.[3] Millard left the club in October 2010, and Ackling returned to manage the club.[7] In April 2011, Thatcham Town beat Tadley Calleva 4–1 to win The Basingstoke Senior Cup Final. This was played at the ground at Andover New Street. Thatcham won the competition again at the end of the 2011–12 season, beating Basingstoke New Inn 3–0 in the final.[8]
At the end of the 2013–14 season, Thatcham resigned from the Southern Football League after eight seasons in the league. The club were placed in the Hellenic Football League Premier Division, a step below their previous division on the National League System ladder, by the FA Leagues Committee.[9]
The 2017–18 season saw Thatcham win the FA Vase,[10] beating the club's previous best performance in the competition.[5] On 21 October, they started in the first round of the competition defeating Horsham YMCA 2–1 at Waterside Park,[11] before an 8–2 victory over Broadbridge Heath in the next round on 11 November.[12] The third round saw Sevenoaks Town fall 3–1 on 2 December,[13] while, on 6 January, Biggleswade were dispatched 2–1 in the fourth round.[14] A 2–1 victory against Bromsgrove Sporting on 3 February saw the club reach the quarter-finals, equalling the club's record performance in the competition set in 1989.[15] On 24 February, a 1–0 victory away at Melksham Town put the Kingfishers into the semi-finals.[16] On 17 March, they beat 1874 Northwich in the first leg of the semi-final 1–0, following a fourth-minute penalty from Ross Cook in front of 1,134 at Waterside Park.[17] The Kingfishers won the second leg 3–2, with a brace from Gavin James and a goal from Shane Cooper-Clark, to give them a 4–2 aggregate victory and a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.[18][19] In the same season, Thatcham won the Hellenic Premier Division by +2 goal difference to earn promotion to the Southern League Division One.
On 10 May 2020, manager Danny Robinson resigned from his post and was replaced by Jamie Leacock. During his first season (2020–21) which was curtailed after playing just 8 matches the team ended with 6 points.
Experiencing a new league or the 2021–22 season, Thatcham Town now play in the Isthmian League Division One South Central. On 27 February 2022 after a series of defeats and with Town in 14th place with 25 points from 27 games, he left the club by mutual consent.
Assistant Manager, Yash Romeo, took on First Team Management duties. Shaun Allaway and Colin Charles continue to be part of the team and are joined by Sam Loades who comes in as First Team Coach.
Seasons
Season
Position
Teams
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
1974-75 HELL-P
1
17
32
22
4
6
49
24
70
1975-76 HELL-P
9
16
30
12
7
11
36
45
43
1976-77 HELL-P
14
16
30
7
8
15
33
62
29
1977-78 HELL-P
15
16
30
3
7
20
20
73
16
1978-79 HELL-1
8
18
34
15
7
12
67
56
37
1979-80 HELL-1
9
16
30
12
6
12
49
55
30
1980-81 HELL-1
8
16
30
11
12
7
48
41
34
1981-82 HELL-1
11
16
30
11
6
13
54
53
28
1982-83 ATHEN
18
20
38
8
6
24
30
85
22
1983-84 ATHEN
17*
21
40
8
14
18
65
79
35
1984-85 LON S-P
4
17
32
15
8
9
54
34
38
1985-86 LON S-P
4
16
30
18
5
7
67
36
41
1986-87 WESSEX
6
17
32
15
6
11
53
33
5
1987-88 WESSEX
11
19
36
14
7
15
50
53
49
1988-89 WESSEX
4
17
32
17
7
8
60
26
58
1989-90 WESSEX
7
19
36
15
12
9
56
45
57
1990-91 WESSEX
6
20
38
19
11
8
68
32
68
1991-92 WESSEX
3
19
36
22
4
10
85
45
70
1992-93 WESSEX
4
21
40
24
10
6
104
45
82
1993-94 WESSEX
4
22
42
25
7
10
96
51
82
1994-95 WESSEX
3
22
42
29
9
4
104
44
96
1995-96 WESSEX
1
21
40
28
8
4
73
27
92
1996-97 WESSEX
3*
21
40
26
5
9
91
45
79
1997-98 WESSEX
10
20
38
16
6
16
64
54
54
1998-99 WESSEX
2
20
38
23
9
6
92
46
78
1999-00 WESSEX
13
21
40
15
7
18
62
69
52
2000-01 WESSEX
6
23
44
24
9
11
81
58
81
2001-02 WESSEX
12
23
44
19
8
17
94
77
65
2002-03 WESSEX
9
22
42
18
13
11
68
58
67
2003-04 WESSEX
10
22
42
16
10
16
70
72
58
2004-05 WESSEX-1
3
22
42
24
13
5
95
51
85
2005-06 WESSEX-1
2
22
42
29
7
6
92
37
94
2006-07 SOUTH-1SW
6
22
42
21
7
14
70
60
70
2007-08 SOUTH-1SW
15
22
42
13
10
19
59
62
49
2008-09 SOUTH-1SW
6
22
42
20
8
14
74
58
68
2009-10 SOUTH-1SW
12
22
42
17
6
19
76
72
57
2010-11 SOUTH-1SW
5
21
40
20
7
13
70
43
27
2011-12 SOUTH-1SW
8
21
40
16
14
10
51
42
62
2012-13 SOUTH-1SW
17
22
42
10
5
27
59
86
35
2013-14 SOUTH-1SW
19
22
42
11
6
25
41
99
58
2014-15 HELLENIC PREM
12
20
38
14
5
19
60
65
47
2015-16 HELLENIC PREM
2
20
38
28
6
4
101
45
90
2016-17 HELLENIC PREM
4
20
38
34
21
5
90
48
68
2017-18 HELLENIC PREM
1
20
38
31
5
2
129
25
98
2018-19 SOUTH-1S
11
20
38
17
5
16
57
58
56
2019-20 SOUTH 1S *
1*
20
27
18
4
5
66
28
58
2020-21 SOUTH 1S *
15
20
8
1
3
4
8
13
6
2021-22 SOUTH 1S
12
20
36
10
8
18
48
65
38
2022-23 SOUTH 1S
20
2019-20 and 2020-21 Season null and void due to COVID-19 pandemic
Thatcham Town plays its home games at Waterside Park. The ground is located 300 metres (330yd) south of Thatcham railway station and 250 metres (270yd) south of the Kennet and Avon Canal and River Kennet; its location next to the two bodies of water gives the ground its name. Waterside Park is additionally 1.9 kilometres (1.2mi) south of Thatcham town centre.
Waterside Park has a covered-seated stand at the southern side of the pitch, containing around three hundred seats, which hosts the club's offices and changing rooms. The stand is in a central position, running approximately half the length of the pitch. Amenities, such as toilets and catering, are located to the west of the main stand; the dugouts are located opposite. Supporters can stand anywhere around the pitch, with advertising boards and wooden fencing separating spectators from the pitch. The standing areas are uncovered and flat – not terraced – although a path has been tarmacked next to the barriers with grassed areas behind. The ground can be accessed through one of four turnstiles located at the south-western corner, two giving access from the west and two from the south; this enables the ground to be segregated should it be deemed necessary. Behind the main stand, there is a field which the club uses for training and other events.
The club previously played their home matches at The Marsh in Dunston Green, Brownsfield - the home of the local cricket club - and Station Road. The club moved to the current 10-acre (40,000m2) site at Waterside Park in 1992. The record attendance at the current home is 1,400 for the visit of Aldershot Town in the FA Vase in the 1993–94 season.[3]
Support
During the first half of the 2021–22 season, Thatcham Town have averaged 161 supporters for their league home matches, with the highest league attendance being 451 against Basingstoke.
Lawrie Sanchez is one of the better known players to have played for Thatcham. Sanchez was born in London to a Northern Irish mother and an Ecuadorian father; when it came to selecting which country to represent at international level in his playing career, he chose Northern Ireland. He played for Thatcham three times before moving on to Reading; he later won the FA Cup with Wimbledon - scoring the winning goal in the final. The former Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Southampton striker Charlie Austin used to play for Thatcham; he is currently playing for Queens Park Rangers as well as being a presenter on TalkSport Radio.
Professional players
Players who have played for Thatcham and who have played or managed in the Football League or a foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league) are:
Reading Town Football Club were a semi-professional English football club in the Hellenic League Division One East, based in Reading, Berkshire. It was affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association.
Wallingford & Crowmarsh Football Club is a football club based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England. They are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North and play their home matches at The Hithercroft.
Abingdon Abbotts Football Club is a football club based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England.
Abingdon United Football Club is a football club based in Abingdon-on-Thames, England. The club are currently members of the Hellenic League Division One and play at The Northcourt.
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Wantage Town Football Club is a football club based in Wantage, Oxfordshire that currently play in the Hellenic League Premier Division. The club is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association.
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Flackwell Heath Football Club is a football club based in Flackwell Heath, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England. Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association, they are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North and play at Wilks Park.
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Holmer Green Football Club are an F.A. Charter Standard football club based at Holmer Green near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association. They were established in 1908 and were founder members of the Chiltonian League in 1984. They are members of the Combined Counties League Division One. They are currently managed by Keith Scott.
Binfield Football Club is a football club based in Binfield, near Bracknell, Berkshire, England. Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association, the club are currently members of the Isthmian League South Central Division and play at Hill Farm Lane. Their nickname is the Moles.
A.F.C. Aldermaston is a football club based in Aldermaston, Berkshire, England. Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association, the club are currently members of the Wessex League Division One and play at Waterside Park in Thatcham.
Tadley Calleva Football Club are a football club based in Tadley, Hampshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association. The club's name of Calleva comes from the nearby Roman Town of Calleva Atrebatum, based just outside Silchester. They play in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South.
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Marlow United Football Club is a football club based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England. They were established in 1977 and were among the founding members of the Reading Football League in 1989.
Woodley United Football Club is a football club based in Woodley, Berkshire, England. Formed in 2015 by a merger of Woodley Town and Woodley Hammers, the club are currently members of the Combined Counties League Division One and play at Scours Lane.
1874 Northwich Football Club is a football club based in Northwich, Cheshire, England.
The 2017–18 FA Vase was the 44th season of the FA Vase, an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System. The competition was played with two qualifying rounds preceding the six proper rounds, semi-finals and final played at Wembley Stadium. All first-leg ties until the semi-finals were played with extra time if drawn after regulation – first-leg ties could also be resolved with penalties if both teams agreed and notified the referee at least 45 minutes before kick-off.
The 2018 FA Vase Final was the 44th final of the Football Association's cup competition for teams at levels 9–11 of the English football league system. The match was contested between Stockton Town, of the Northern League Division One, and Thatcham Town, of the Hellenic League Premier Division. This was the first time both teams had reached the final and the first visit to Wembley Stadium for both sides. The final of the FA Trophy was played on the same day at the same venue for the third year running, as part of the FA's Non-League Finals Day. Both matches were televised in the UK on BT Sport.
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