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In 1995 Thornton-Cleveleys Junior Football Club merged with the open age teams of Thornton International FC, previously known as ICI, to form Thornton-Cleveleys Sports Club, which is now based at New Bourne Park, Bourne Road, Thornton.
NEWLY-FORMED Thornton North End Football Club have appointed Mr Donald Culley as general manager. The club, who will enter a colts side and an under-10 team in the Poulton and District Primary League, are looking for lads under 10 on September 1st this year. Under-10 team trials are being held at King George’s Playing Fields on Wednesday at 6.00pm. North end will also have an under-16 team in the Blackpool and Fylde Youth Alliance this season.
The club was renamed Thornton-Cleveleys Juniors the following year, and the kit was changed to the familiar red and white in which we play today.
Originally the teams trained and played their home games on the land at the end of Brown Street. However, by the 1980/81 season they were based at Thornton-Cleveleys Sports Centre.
In 1981 the then under 10 side took part in the Thornton-Cleveleys Gala.
In 1984 the under 10’s side managed by Bob Reeve won the "Sporting Team of the Year" award., and Bob himself, was "Manager of the Year". This squad included some famous names - Stephen Kelly, son of Graham Kelly, and Andrew Tinsley, son of Alan Tinsley. Apparently, Graham Kelly would take on the duties of linesman whenever he was able to attend a game. It was through this connection that Graham Kelly performed the official opening of our new clubhouse in 2001.
Apparently, ICI sponsored a football team for their workers in the early 1900’s. Unfortunately we do not have any records or photographs, prior to 1932. We also have an undated photograph of a team known as “Thornton Jubliee Football Club”, for which we have no further information. A team known as Trunnah United played in the early 1950’s.
The present senior side began in July 1980 when Ronnie Andrews brought the Thornton Catholic Club side to ICI.
They joined the West Lancashire League in August 1981 with Mike Sillis as manager.
The Reserve side managed by Ronnie Andrews played in the premier division of the Blackpool and Fylde Football Combination.
In 1982 the team was Division Two Champions.
By 1987 the Reserve side had moved to the West Lancashire League Reserve division and in 1991 they won the league championship.
More recently, the first team won the Housten Cup in April 2003 and the Reserve side were double winners in the 2003/04 season being both Reserve Division 2 champions and winning the Tavern Cup.
As previously mentioned, the two clubs merged in 1995 when the juniors moved their base from the Sports Centre to the International Club site on Gamble Road.
In 2000 this site was purchased by Barrett Homes and is now a housing estate.
The club was relocated to our present site on New Bourne Road, where we have a purpose built complex consisting of a clubhouse/bar, changing rooms, two pitches and a training area.
We still use the playing field at Burn Naze for games and training.
Since moving to this new site, the club has gone from strength to strength.
We now have:
Two senior teams playing in the West Lancashire league A veterans team Nine junior boys teams Six girls teams Saturday morning soccer schools for boys and girls
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the football club, or can let us know more about our history, please contact the clubhouse on 01253 869666.
or email TCFC Website