 1921–22 squad on 15 October 1921 | |||
| Full name | Thornycrofts (Woolston) Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Thorny [1] | ||
| Founded | c. 1910 | ||
| Dissolved | 1926 | ||
| Ground | Veracity Ground, Sholing, Southampton | ||
Thornycrofts (Woolston) F.C. were an English amateur football club, based in Woolston, Southampton.
The club was formed by employees of John I. Thornycroft & Company, the Woolston-based shipbuilders and was active from 1910 to 1926, during which time it was a member of the Hampshire League, other than in 1920–21 when the club joined the Southern League.
The club was founded circa 1910 [2] and initially played in the Southampton League, winning the Junior 'A' Division in 1913. [3] During the First World War they participated in the South Hants War League in 1917–18 and 1918–19, finishing second and third respectively. [4]
In 1919, the club joined the Hampshire League and entered the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, coached by former Southampton player, Jim Angell. [5] After victories over Dulwich Hamlet (won 3–1) and Sheppey United (won 4–0), [6] the club were drawn against Burnley. The match, on 10 January 1920, was played at Fratton Park [7] and ended in a goalless draw. In the replay three days later, Burnley's pedigree and experience prevailed, winning 5–0, with three goals from James Lindsay. [8] Goalkeeper "Gus" Thompson was singled out for particular praise for his performances in both matches. [9]
In 1920, the Southern League underwent a complete re-organisation, with most of the professional teams leaving to form the new Football League Third Division. Thornycroft were elected to join the new English section of the league, but after only four victories from 24 matches, they finished at the bottom of the league table and returned to the Hampshire League. [10]
They continued to enter the national cup competitions until 1925 but were unable to repeat their earlier heroics. However, they enjoyed better success in the local cups. In 1923 they reached the Hampshire Senior Cup final but lost 2-4 against local rivals Sholing Athletic but two years later they won the Southampton Senior Cup, 2-1 in a replay against Harland & Wolfe. Both games were played in front of large crowds at The Dell, Southampton. Thorny's also twice won the Russell Cotes Cup.
Thornycrofts folded in 1926 when the Veracity Ground was sold for housing [8] . However, a few years later they reformed and continued to play on/off in the Southampton League for many years before the present day club, Vosper Thornycroft F.C., was formed in 1960.
The club wore blue jerseys, [11] white shorts, and black socks, [12] with a change shirt of red. [13]
Thornycrofts (Woolston) played at the original Veracity Ground, Sholing Common, Southampton. It was previously used by the successful Bitterne Guild before the Great War.
The pitch was enclosed with a stand and frequently hosted large crowds, although for the 1920 FA Cup tie with Burnley, they had to use Fratton Park. [14]
