Thornycroft Athletic F.C.

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Thornycroft Athletic F.C.
Thornycroft logo 1923.png
Full nameThornycroft Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s)The Motors
Founded1900
Dissolved1972
GroundWest Ham Park, Worting Road, Basingstoke

Thornycroft Athletic was a works football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. For many years they played in the Hampshire League but were forced to close in 1972 - three years after winning the title, following the loss of their ground.

Contents

History

Thornycroft Athletic FC were formed in 1900, as the works side of the Basingtoke based Thornycroft vehicle manufacturing company. [1] They spent their early days playing friendly fixtures [2] before becoming founder members of the Basingstoke League where they won the title in 1912. [3]

That same year, Thornycroft Athletic joined the North Division of the Hampshire League but in their first two seasons they twice finished bottom. [4] After the Great War they were placed in the County Division (later to become Division 1) and in 1921 they finished runners-up, and also reached the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup where they beaten by Southampton Reserves. [5] Thornycrofts remained in the top flight before being relegated in 1931–32 and after finishing mid-table in Division 2 the following season, the side withdrew from the competition to join the Southern Amateur League, winning the Senior Division 3 title in 1934–35. [6]

When normal football resumed after World War II, Thornycrofts returned to the Hampshire League and were placed in Division 1. The post-war era saw the club remain in the league and were regular entrants in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup [7] but relegation in 1950–51 saw a decline in fortunes. After several years of re-building Thornycrofts won the Division 2 title in 1955–56 and returned to Division 1 where they remained for three seasons before again being relegated. [8]

The early sixties saw Thornycrofts alternate between Divisions 1 and 2 but won promotion back as runners-up in 1963–64. [9] Back in the top flight, Thornycrofts won the title in 1968–69, three points clear of local rivals Basingstoke Town  – whom they often played against in front of large crowds. [10] Also at this time they also enjoyed extended runs in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy. [11]

However, it all came to an end in 1972 when Thornycrofts closed their Basingstoke factory [12] and relocated to Watford, where the company was taken over by Scammell Lorries. [13] Consequently, this resulted in West Ham Park being sold and the club forced to fold. [14]

Honours

Playing records

League

FA Cup

FA Trophy

Ground

Thornycroft Athletic played at West Ham Park, Worting Road, Basingstoke. The privately owned venue was fully enclosed with covered accommodation for spectators. [16]

The ground was closed in 1972 after the company's relocation and subsequent takeover. With the town expanding at a rapid rate, the land was sold for housing development. [17]

Notable players

In the Twenties, Sid Castle and Harry Wingham both began their respective careers with the club before turning professionals. Latterly, members of the successful sixties side included Taffy Davies [18] and Ted Pearce, both of whom later enjoyed long successful spells as managers of Basingstoke Town and Farnborough Town. See also Thornycroft Athletic players

Local rivals

Basingstoke Town were as the club's main rivals with their meetings attracted much local interest. [19]

Print

References

  1. ↑ https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/18483117.world-leading-car-firm-chose-basingstoke/
  2. ↑ Association Football in Hampshire until 1914 by Norman Gannaway
  3. ↑ Basingstoke Football League Centenary by Norman Gannaway
  4. ↑ A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
  5. ↑ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway
  6. ↑ https://www.southernamateurleague.co.uk/thornycroft.html
  7. ↑ The FA Cup Club by Club Record Since 1945 by Tony Williams
  8. ↑ A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway
  9. ↑ "Hampshire League 1960-1970".
  10. ↑ The Story of the Basingstoke Derby Match: Basingstoke Town V. Thornycroft Athletic 1900-1972 by Kevin Smallbone
  11. ↑ "Football Club History Database - Thornycroft Athletic".
  12. ↑ https://probusbasingstoke.club/2019/02/12/probus-hears-about-thornycroft-in-basingstoke/
  13. ↑ https://scammellregister.co.uk/history/
  14. ↑ Gone But Not Forgotten (Part 5), by Dave Twydell, ISBN 1-874427-01-1
  15. ↑ Hampshire Football Association Yearbook 2005/06
  16. ↑ The Cemetery End by Vince Taylor (Groundtastic Productions)
  17. ↑ https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/memory_lane/10834486.west-ham-estate-changes-into-prime-entertainment-complex/
  18. ↑ https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5554989.manager-was-successful/
  19. ↑ https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/18294326.history-towns-football-club/
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