This page includes: A history of the club and its current makeup; the code of conduct.

Club History

The exact date of the formation of a football club in Thornbury is uncertain, but it is known that football was being played in the town in 1896 and that there was a Thornbury Town Club in 1898. In their early days only friendly matches were played but the club then joined the Dursley Wotton League.

During the years up until the First War World, football was played on a number of different pitches in the town, but after the War the club settled at the Blakes ground which is now the top part of the old Grammar School field. At this stage the club were competing in the Bristol and Suburban League.

In 1923 the Wesleyan and Free Church League was formed in Bristol, which led to a split in the Town club, with a Thornbury Wesleyan team being formed to play in the new league. In 1933 the two clubs amalgamated to form Thornbury Sports and this is the club which is now running, although the "Sports" was later dropped to become Thornbury AFC before "Town" was added to the title in the early 1970s.

During the Second World War, The Maritime Regiment was stationed in Thornbury and it was with their help that the club was re-formed when hostilities ended. Unfortunately club secretary Mervyn Burns was killed in the war and many of the club's records were lost with his passing. At this time the club started playing at it's present home at the Mundy Field, although in those days where was no changing facilities at the ground and players had to change at such places as the Exchange Hotel (now the Knot of Rope) and even at the Market.

The early years were a bit of a struggle but in 1949-50 the District League Division 3 title was won, and promotion to the top division followed two years later. 1956-57 saw the club achieve its first major honour winning the Premier Combination Championship. A dinner held in celebration was graced by the presence of Sir Stanley Rous who was the Chairman of the Football Association at the time.

Subsequent relegations left them rebuilding once again in the mid-1960s, but they won the Second Division championship in 1965-66 and in 1968-69 the club became founder members of the Gloucestershire County League. Whilst never actually winning the Championship the early years in the County League were relatively successful and crowds for the home fixtures in the Mundy's often topped 500.

In 1971 the club finished third in the league and were accepted into the Western League but because of difficulties in bringing the ground up to the required standard were unable to take the step up. Relegation followed in 1977 when the club rejoined the Bristol Premier Combination.

The next 20 or so years saw Town striving to regain their former status and until the late nineties they never really threatened to take the Premier Combination title and thus ensure promotion. The only success in that period was when they reached the final of the GFA Senior Amateur Cup on two occasions. In 1985-1986 they lost 3-2 to RWP in the last competitive game to be played at Eastville Stadium, and in 1989-90 they were losing finalists once more when Bristol Manor Farm Reserves won 1-0 at Yate Town.

The late nineties saw the Club maintain a strong focus on local talent and this eventually bore fruit. The appointment of former player John Hucker as 1st Team manager in 1999 saw a rise in fortunes and they reached the final of the Stroud Charity Cup at the end of that season, losing narrowly to Dursley Town. The following season saw the club finish 4th in the league, having topped the table for most of the campaign, only to fall away in the last month.

Dave Wiffle, who had given many years service to the Thorns as a player, following a professional career that included Bath City, Manchester City and Clevedon Town, then took up the reins, assisted by Steve Burbage, another former player with a long association with the club. In their first season in charge, Town took the Premier Combination title by 13 points after a highly successful campaign that included a run of 13 consecutive league wins and finally achieved that elusive County League spot once more. They also reached the final of the League Cup, losing to Sea Mills Park.

That summer saw a lot of hard work undertaken at the Mundys, with the building of dug-outs and £16000 spent on improved drainage and some revamping of the dressing rooms. All the work seemed well worth it with the first season back in the County League seeing the club at the top of the table for some three months until the turn of the year. Unfortunately a dip in form after the New Year saw us drop down the table but still finish in a creditable 7th position with 55 points.

The 2003-04 season again saw the team top the table briefly but a poor run of results led to us sliding down the table to again finish in 7th place. However some silverware came our way when we beat Taverners on penalties, after a 2-2 draw, to lift the Stroud Charity Cup at Shortwood United’s ground. This season also saw the formation of an Under-18 side under the stewardship of Terry Payton and they gained entry to the Gloucester County Youth League.

We again finished 7th the following season, but the next two seasons proved to be disappointing and having been relegation at the end of the 2006 – 07 season, a new committee and first team management were appointed. Dave Lippiatt took over as first team manager, coming to the club from Sea Mills Park. He had to bring in virtually a complete new team and the 2008-2009 season was one of consolidation for the club. With the addition of a few new players in 2009-2010, the club was once more looking to challenge in the top half of the table.

Adi Hawkins, a long time supporter of the Club, took over the role of chairman for the 2008-2009 season, after Paul Wisbey stepped down from the role after 18 years at the helm and has now become Club President. Meanwhile long serving secretary and treasurer Mike Wheatley continues in his roles whilst Terry Payton has taken the newly formed role of Commercial Manager. Other long standing committee members Ray Worsley and Malcolm Carr continue their association with the club going back over 25 years.

The junior section of the club began life as Thornbury Falcons Junior Football Club in the summer of 1990 initially with just an Under 9s Boys team.  In 2010, when the two clubs formed to form a new Thornbury Town FC, Falcons catered for Under 6s to Under 16s, for boys and girls, and had over 350 families involved in the Club.  The junior section now covers U6 to U18s and is a parent led organisation with the simple aim to provide an environment within which all boys and girls are able to play, enjoy and develop all aspects of football.

The club has a main committee with sub-comittees for the Adult and Junior sections.  The Junior Section Committee is elected at the AGM and meets in the Chantry Community Centre at 8pm on every first Thursday in the month.  All parents and players are welcome to attend.

The structure of the club can be summarised as follows:

  • U6 & U7: concentration on learning ball skills and the rules of the game
  • U8: learning more skills and introduction to seven-a-side friendly matches on small pitches
  • U9: continuing to learn more skills and developing seven-a-side skills in friendly matches on small pitches with options to play in competitive matches
  • U10: perfecting old skills, learning new more advanced skills and introduction to tactics; playing seven-a-side competitive league matches
  • U11: perfecting old skills, learning new more advanced skills and introduction to tactics; playing seven-a-side or eleven-a-side competitive league matches
  • U12: skills, tactics, fitness; playing seven-a-side or eleven-a-side competitive league matches
  • U13 to U16: skills, tactics, fitness; playing eleven-a-side competitive league matches.

Although the club raises as much money as possible from within, we could not continue without the help and financial support of local businesses and organisations.  We are particularly indebted to our sponsors, please visit our Sponsors page for a full list of sponsors, and support them where possible.

The Club also raises money from the parents, friends and families of the young players and an annual 6 a-side Tournament. We also run a andquot;100andquot; Club to raise further money for the Teams.  Anybody interested in joining Thornbury Falcons in any capacity - player, referee or coach - please contact the Membership Secretary (see the Committee page for contact details).

You can get a copy of the club handbook and membership form from your year group manager or download them from here: handbook form.

Code of Conduct

Thornbury Town FC insist that all players, parents and spectators adhere to the following code of conduct:

  • Never argue with a referee or any linesmen or spectator
  • Never molest match officials
  • Never blame the referee for your mistakes or inability
  • Never lose your temper or self control
  • Never take the law into your own hands by retaliation
  • Never cheat
  • Never get involved in matters that do not concern you
  • Never attempt to get opponents into trouble
  • Never copy bad habits of others
  • Never fail to respect the authority of referees

Failure to control your emotions can result in the referee reporting the incident to the Gloucestershire Football Association.  Substantial fines can be imposed and the club banned from playing all football at all ages until the fine is paid.

Discipline and Behaviour (League Players)
  1. Any player whose conduct falls short of the required standard of good sportsmanship and fair play at all times will be withdrawn from the match or training session whatever the circumstances and will be subject to further disciplinary action to be determined by his manager. Swearing, Spitting or Fighting will not be tolerated at any time.
  2. If a player is cautioned during a match then the player shall:-
    • reimburse the Club the amount of the fine imposed by GYFA,
    • be suspended for a minimum of 1 subsequent match actually played, or as the Manager deems fit,
    • be suspended for a minimum of 2 subsequent matches actually played in the event of a second caution, increasing proportionally should subsequent offences occur.
  3. If a player is sent off during a match then the player shall:
    • reimburse the Club the amount of the fine imposed by GYFA,
    • be suspended for up to four subsequent matches actually played, the exact number to be determined by a panel of 3 team managers convened by the Club Secretary having been notified by the player\'s team manager of the offence.
    • in the event of a further sending off the same procedure shall be followed and the period of suspension determined shall include the previous suspension served. A subsequent caution shall result in a suspension of one match plus the previous suspension served.
    • a player may appeal against the suspension in writing to the Club Secretary who shall convene a panel of the Management Committee whose decision will be final.
  4. All players must have completed the Thornbury Falcons F C membership form and paid the annual membership fee. No player will be allowed to participate in either training or matches unless he has done so.
  5. All players must wear appropriate soccer strip at all training sessions i.e., Shirt, Shorts, Socks, Shin pads, Boots or Trainers (depending on surface). Kit for matches will be provided by the Club.
  6. Any player unable to attend training or a match must notify his team manager as soon as possible. Parents are responsible for ensuring that players safely arrive at, and return from, training and matches
  7. Any player injured during any coaching session or match must report the incident to the team manager no matter how slight the injury. Any player requiring physiotherapy or medical treatment must obtain a letter from his Doctor stating that treatment to cure the problem is not available on the NHS within a reasonable period in order to claim under our Insurance policy.

Parent / Carer Discipline and Behaviour

  1. Support your child and his team mates by offering praise whenever possible.
  2. Support the decisions of the referee when ever possible, keeping any criticisms out of earshot.
  3. Do not go onto the pitch unless requested. Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated.
  4. Failure to observe these rules may result in your child's membership being terminated.
  5. If a parent is cautioned or sent off during a match or reported to the Management Committee then the parent shall:
    • reimburse the Club the amount of the fine imposed by GYFA,
    • be subject to a disciplinary hearing of a panel of 3 team managers convened by the Club Secretary having been notified by the team manager of the offence.
    • a parent may appeal against decision of the panel in writing to the Club Secretary who shall convene an Appeal panel whose decision will be final.