Dissolved 1972 Grounds Worting Road, Basingstoke | Founded 1900 | |
Full name Thornycroft Athletic Football Club | ||
Thornycroft Athletic were a highly successful Basingstoke-based football club who played in the Hampshire League for many years. The club were formed by employees of the Thornycroft car manufacturing firm and enjoyed great success during their existence.
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Club history
Thornycroft Athletic were formed as a works team in 1900 and three years later they became founder members of the Basingstoke and District Football League where they twice won the title.
In 1912 Thornycroft Athletic joined the North Division of the Hampshire League where they enjoyed moderate success. In an effort to progress, 1913 saw them absorb local rivals North Hants Ironworks.
After the horrors of the Great War they were placed in the County Division (later to become Division 1) 1921 and promptly finished runners-up. Thornycrofts remained a steady side in the top flight before being relegated as bottom club 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.
Post-war
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 a steady force in the league and were regular entrants in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup 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.
The early Sixties saw Thornycrofts alternate between Divisions 1 and 2 but after winning promotion back as runners-up in 1964–65 their fortunes dramitically took off. Back in the top flight, Thornycrofts became a powerful force and after some encouraging seasons they won the title in 1968–69, three points clear of local rivals Basingstoke Town – with whom they fought many an epic battle, often in front of large crowds. Also at this time Thornycrofts also enjoyed some good runs in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
Demise
In 1969, the parent company relocated to Watford but the football team continued, enjoying further successes, but this was brought to an abrupt end in the summer of 1972 when the loss of their ground forced the club to withdraw from the county league and fold.