VT FC

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Ground: VT Group Sports Ground, Portsmouth Road, Sholing, Southampton.

Telephone: 02380 403829

Chairman: William Boyle MBE

Secretary: Arthur Fox

Manager: Dave Diaper

Directions to ground: Leave the M27 at junction 8 and follow the signs to Hamble.

As you drive up the dual carriageway, remain in the left hand lane.

You come to the Windhover roundabout, take the 2nd exit getting into the lane marked “Hamble”, take the right hand lane and go straight over at the small roundabout.

After 200 yards bear right across the 2nd small roundabout (2nd exit).

After 150 yards take the right hand lane and turn right into Portsmouth Road, sign posted Woolston.

Continue for approx half a mile until you see a large lay by on the left.

The entrance to the VT Sports Ground is signposted opposite on your right next to the bus stop.

Club History:

The Boatmen have a long but fragmented history, running teams from the Woolston Works as early as 1884, when they are recorded as being refused permission by the Hants & Dorset FA to introduce fresh players as substitutes at half-time.

In March 1887 they were finalists in the first Portsmouth Challenge Cup, beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth Association Club. The Club were only beaten twice in 16 games that year (goal tally 72-6) and won the last Hants & Dorset Challenge Cup before these Associations split.

Woolston Works won the first ever Hampshire Senior Cup Final in 1888, beating Winchester 2-0. there was some controversy that year concerning Woolstons professional attitude, which was infamously referred to as ‘Kesson’s Boots’. Andover were beaten in an earlier round by Woolston, in which a Glasgow – based player called J. Kesson played a prominent part.

Andover protested that Kesson should be disqualified on the grounds of residency – although he had played for Woolston Works earlier that season, he had since moved back to Glasgow.

Woolstons appeal rested on the fact that Kesson had left a number of clothing items at his lodgings in woolston, and this should be interpreted as his intention to return. The Hampshire FA upheld the appeal and allowed Kesson to play.

Re-forming after World War 1 as Thornycrofts (Woolston), they turned professional and were admitted into the Hampshire County League from 1920/21 to 1925/26. in 1920/21 Thornycrofts reached the FA Cup First Round proper, meeting first Division Burnley at Fratton Park, and held them to a 0-0 draw, before losing 5-0 in the replay.

Burnley were in the middle of a 30 game unbeaten run and went on to win the first Division Championship. Thornycrofts Woolston re-formed in 1947 but were only able to keep going until 1952. the Club were re-formed as Vosper Thornycroft FC in 1960 and joined the Southampton Junior League.

The Club were admitted to the Hampshire League and competed in Division 3 in 1961/62, finishing 11th. Promotion was achieved the following year when Vospers finished 3rd.

After several successful years, Vospers were promoted to the Hampshire League Division 3 in 1991. The following season they were promoted to Division 2. 1997/98 saw Vospers as Hampshire Division 2 Runners-up and also Hampshire Intermediate Cup Winners.

In 2003 Vospers were re-named as VT FC (after the parent company).2003/4 saw VT as Hampshire Premier League Champions, Southampton Senior Cup Winners and promotion to the Sydenham Wessex League Division 1.