Teams from the
Woolston Works had competed as early as 1878 under various names, and were winners of several competitions - including the inaugural
Hampshire Senior Cup in 1888. This incarnation was founded circa 1910 by employees of
John I. Thornycroft & Company, the Woolston-based shipbuilders. Adopting the company name, they initially played in the
Southampton League, winning the Junior 'A' Division in 1913. During the
First World War they participated in the South Hants War League in 1917–18 and 1918–19, finishing second and third respectively. By the time the conflict had finally finished, Thornycrofts had moved to the Veracity Ground and assembled a fine side - coached by former
Southampton player,
Jim Angell. In 1919 they joined the
Hampshire League and entered the qualifying rounds of the
FA Cup, where after victories over
Dulwich Hamlet (won 3–1) and
Sheppey United (won 4–0), the club were drawn against
Burnley. The match, on 10 January 1920, was played at
Fratton Park and ended in a goalless draw. In the replay three days later, Burnley's pedigree and experience prevailed, winning 5–0, with three goals from
James Lindsay. Goalkeeper "Gus" Thompson was singled out for particular praise for his performances in both matches. In 1920, the
Southern League underwent a complete re-organisation, with most of the professional teams leaving to form the new
Football League Third Division. Thornycrofts were elected to join the new English section of the league, but after only four victories from 24 matches, they finished at the bottom of the table and returned to the Hampshire League. The club continued to enter the national cup competitions until 1925 but were unable to repeat their earlier heroics, although in 1921 they narrowly lost 0-1 away to
Boscombe. They enjoyed better success locally, and in 1923 reached the
Hampshire Senior Cup final - losing 2-4 against local rivals
Sholing Athletic then two years later won the
Southampton Senior Cup, 2-1 in a replay against dockyard rivals Harland & Wolff. Both games were played in front of large crowds at
The Dell, Southampton. Thorny's also twice won the Russell Cotes Cup. Thornycrofts disbanded in 1926 when the Veracity Ground was sold for housing. However, a few years later they reformed and continued to play on/off in the Southampton League for many years. ==Colours==