Thatcham Town Football Club was founded in 1894, and, for the first two seasons only, friendly matches were played at "The Marsh", Dunston Green, before the Club joined the Reading Temperance League in 1896 where they remained for the next fifty-seven years. Steady, if not remarkable, progress, was made winning Division Two in 1905/06, as well as the Berks & Bucks Junior up in 1935/36. During this period Thatcham also won the Reading Town Senior Cup and were runners-up in the Reading & District Premier League.

After playing on two more sites in Thatcham, at Brownsfield, home of the Cricket Club, and at Station Road, the Club purchased eleven acres of land off Northfield Road in 1949. This became known as Lancaster Close. Early in 1970, seven acres were sold and the proceeds used to finance the construction of a new clubhouse and dressing rooms. In 1953, Thatcham became founder members of the Hellenic League and won the Championship in 1958/59, 1964/65, and 1972/73, winning the First Division Cup in the latter season.

The Club's most successful season was in 1974/75, when, in addition to winning the Hellenic League Championship and the Premier Division Cup, Thatcham also reached the Final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup where they lost to Wycombe Wanderers. They were, however, awarded the Cup by default because of a dispute between Wanderers and the Berks & Bucks FA.

By 1983 floodlights had been erected and were first used when Thatcham entertained Fulham FC at Lancaster Close in January of that year. After a short stay in the Athenian League, which was disbanded in 1984, they spent two seasons in the London Spartan League before joining the newly formed Wessex League in 1986, also reaching the last sixteen in the FA Vase that season.

In 1989 Thatcham reached the last eight in the FA Vase, having been drawn away in all six rounds before eventually losing to local rivals Hungerford Town.

In order to provide improved facilities, the Club moved to a new ten acre site at Waterside Park during 1992/93. A record gate for the new stadium was set when 1400 saw Thatcham lose by a single goal to Aldershot Town in the 1993/94 FA Vase.

The ultimate success came in 1995/96 when Thatcham won the League Title and the following season saw the Club's best ever FA Cup run, reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round after defeating highly placed Southern Premier Gloucester City and Southern Division Bashley. In 1997 Thatcham reached the Final of the Wessex League Cup for the sixth time in eight years, and won the Cup for the fourth time.

In 2002/03, Thatcham Town FC was awarded the FA Community Standard Charter, the first club at this level in the south of England to earn this award. Two seasons later, under the guidance of Jason Braidwood, in his debut season as a manager, the Club reached three local Cup Finals, winning two of them, and finished third in the League. in the 2005-2006 season, the Club went one better and were Runners-up to Winchester City, and, with the Club meeting FA ground-grading requirements, the superb efforts of everyone involved with the Club meant that Thatcham Town made for the first time in its history, its debut at Regional Level. The Club finished an impressive 6th place in 2006-07 missing out on the playoffs by a single point. The Club is now under new management with Gary Ackling taking over from John Goddard and Lee Tillen towards the end of the 2007-08 Season.

Thatcham have lost the last five of their games on the bounce, But this means nothing in a local derby.

Kick off 7.45pm

Directions:

A4 Thatcham at Sony roudabout turn into Pipers way. At next roundabout turn left, crossing over the railway line. Entrance to Waterside Park 300 metres on left hand side.

Nearest Railway Station Thatcham

Club email secretary@thatchamtownfc.co.uk

Official Website www.thatchamtownfc.co.uk.