The club has grown steadily since its inception and now has around 30 active teams each season. Playing in the clubs blue and red stripes these teams can be seen playing league matches on Saturday and Sunday mornings around the area, with home matches played at the Queens Drive grounds.
Competitive matches start with the U7s and there are teams in each age group up to U16. Many of the age groups have two or three squads. These are the mixed squads, although predominantly made up of male players, there are several girls who play too.
We have female only teams, at present these are at U9, U10, U12 and U15 age groups. There are plans to expand the range of age groups for girls only teams.
Outside of the leagues we operate two other squads. Firstly, our Strikers disability squad, who train fortnightly and play many galas throughout the season. Secondly the Kickers, our introduction to football squad, with players from Reception and Year 1 at school, who learn the basics of the game at weekly training sessions. The older Kickers then kick on to become the next seasons U7s.
Winning games, leagues, cups and galas is great but at Thornes, having fun, learning skills and teamwork and making friends is just as big a goal as filling the trophy cabinet.
Supporting all these squads and making it happen is a large and dedicated team of coaches, who provide their time to organise matches and training sessions, sort out kits and equipment and look after player development.