History of Thorne Colliery FC

Although very little is known of the early days of the club, it has been said that records show the club being formed as early as 1929, where they played football in the Yorkshire League. Evidence has also shown a record crowd of 750 local people at one match in the early days on what was described as the best playing surface in the County.

More is known of recent times, when the club, due to financial problems, had to resign from the North East Counties League and join the Doncaster Senior League, under the management of Paul Spence. Success came in abundance, continuous back to back championships, with a squad built with experience and youth. The players had previous professional experience in the likes of Mark Ratcliffe, formerly of Huddersfield Town, were combined with the youth of Graham Jones, who made his debut at the age of 15 in goal and now represents the club as Chairman, after four years in the management seat.

After all the success in the Doncaster League, the Colliery applied to the Central Midlands League, now under the management of Barry Spence, brother of Paul and a talented centre forward. Again success in the first season saw the side win promotion to the Supreme Division and win the West Riding County Cup for the first time in 50 years and then achieving the feat again just two seasons further on.

Paul Morrell led the club in the 90’s achieving the success of keeping the club in the Supreme division and matching the top clubs with a team that was being rebuilt. Paul then left the club to higher levels in the Counties League, unfortunately taking the team he had built with him, so therefore the club was relegated.

During their time in the Premier division, Thorne have been unlucky on a number of occasions at not gaining promotions, but have been among the best sides in the league, playing very attractive football in a side that had four years experience between them. The club was runners-up in the League Cup Final in 2000/01 season.

At the beginning of the 2004/05 season, a new Manager was appointed in Graham Lewis.
Graham worked hard up until Christmas to re-build the side but managed to lay a good firm foundation which was then nurtured by the coaches Mark Turner and Ryan Saunders when Graham was unfortunately forced into retirement due to ill health.

Together with the backroom staff the team progressed and having had only 2 points at Christmas and bottom of the league, managed to turn this about and finish the season with 30 points and 4th from bottom, just outside the relegation zone.

In the 2005/06 season Mark Turner and Ryan Saunders continued to work hard and managed to bring the team to a final finishing point of 7th in the league, before moving on to pastures new.

Thorne Colliery appointed Darren Waring, from Bottesford Town and employed by Scunthorpe Utd. Daz had many ambitions for the team and looking to improve on the work done in previous seasons. With many team builds experienced during the season and poor results, Darren resigned but assisted the club until a new management team was sourced.

The club moved swiftly to bring in the new management team of Terrance Williamson (Ex Hull City) and Mike Stannard, both with vast experience at Goole Town. Tex and Mike are looking to build a strong, young and experienced side, improving the clubs fortunes, putting the football back into Thorne Colliery FC and the community.

NB. Information on this page correct at time of uploading!
(Requested updated information from organisation! )