Recent History

2007/2008 – Lambourn win Thursday Memorial Cup. Two clubs who have been having successful seasons were the finalists this year in the Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup, played at Tucker Park. Lambourn Sports, champions of the North Berks League Division One, and looking to promotion to the Sports Italia Hellenic League for next season, met Letcombe, who had been strong contenders for runner up spot in the Hellenic League Division One West, and only just missed out on that achievement. For Letcombe this match became almost an annual appointment, with nine finals in the past 12 years, but 2008 was Lambourn’s year. They were on their way with an early goal within the first 15 minutes, and had added a second before half time. The second half brought several bookings, but no more goals to add to the first-half contributions of Chris Collier and Adrian Mooney, which won the trophy for Lambourn for the first time in three appearances in the final. The Lambourn Sports Captain was presented with the Cup by Bill Gosling, president of both the Berks & Bucks FA and the North Berks FA. The Maurice Gosling Man of the Match was judged by his son and Competition Chairman Dave Gosling, who awarded the trophy to Darren Gibbons of Lambourn.

2008 – It was with great sadness that the competition learnt of the death of its Vice President Mr.D.Sears on 27th September 2008. Dave joined the committee in 1975, was a popular figure and well respected within the local football fraternity. Being chairman for many years, Dave was also a keen fund raiser for this charitable competition. A recent competition photo of Dave can be seen in the 2008 Committee photograph on the History Photo’s page.

2008/09 – On a Cold Damp Night football was once again a winner in this closely contested Final. Despite the difference in league status, Lambourn (North Berks Div One) and Stanford (North Berks Div Four) were evenly matched in all positions of the pitch, with both teams having their share of goal mouth action. So much so the ball boys had little to do, although there was a few bookings, as both teams wanted to win the cup.

The first goal went to Stanford in the Vale, in the 40th minute, a cross from the right eventually found the number 9 Mike Van Der Mortel who planted it to the left of the diving goalkeeper. But Lambourn quickly replied in the 44th minute, a shot from a Lambourn player coming into the box from the left, was heading goalward, Danny Pugh the Stanford number 6 in an attempt to stop it, could only help to defect it into the net. 1-1 at half time, and the score remained the same at full time, despite much goal mouth action at both ends, probably more so in the Stanford goal mouth, but the keeper was having a good game.

So into extra time with the light fading fast, Lambourn were looking the stronger team, and with a clear penalty decision awarded to Lambourn at the end of the first half of extra time, everyone thought this would be the winning goal, up stepped Matty Pedder the number 7 to sadly blast the shot way above the crossbar in an attempt to make a break in the clouds to let the sun shine through I think! However into the second half of extra time, the Stanford goalkeeper was still doing his best to keep Lambourn out. but mid way into the half, a cross pass found the Lambourn substitute Terry Wood number 14 who blasted from out side the penalty area an unstoppable shot passed the outstretched hands of the Stanford goalkeeper. So Lambourn Sports went on to win the Cup 2-1 aet. The Stanford goalkeeper Ben Carter did not go unrewarded in his gallant efforts, as he was awarded the Maurice Gosling Man of the Match Tankard. The Management Committee was honoured that Mrs. Wendy Sears wife of the late David Sears (Vice President of the Competition) presented the Cup and Awards at the conclusion of the Match.

2010/2011 – Season is the 60th Anniversary of the Competition, and to mark the occasion a fixture between the Over 25’s and the Under 25’s was played between players representing that season’s completing clubs. The over 25’s running out winners 3 -1 at the end. As this competition was started in memory of those players killed in the 2nd World War, a donation was made on the night to the Help for Heroes Fund.  A Special Souvenir Program was sold on the night. Photos of the occasion can be viewed on the History Photo page. A new Trophy kindly donated by the Chairman Dave Gosling was presented to the winning team. The new Trophy will be called the Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Competition Anniversary Trophy, to be played for on each anniversary occasion. 

2010/2011 – On finals night of the 60th year an unusual event happened, The Mayor of Faringdon was presented to the players and officials at the start of the game and was to have presented the medals at the end, but due to an accident during half time Cllr Mrs Margaret Barker had to leave for treatment. Referee’s Secretary Mr Raymond Wood kindly stepped in to present the medals. On behalf of the FTMCC Committee we wished the Mayor a speedy recovery.

2011/12 – FTMCC Final was played on a cold wintery looking night but in good spirit. Childrey fielding a host of reserve players due to a Stag booking gave a good account of themselves. A second half fight back ended with Childrey missing changes in the goal mouth and a missed penalty, too much to pull back Lambourn’s 3-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Adrian Mooney, Richard Guy and Dave Livings. Lambourn’s Daniel Langford won the Maurice Gosling Man of the Match award with his tireless work in midfield.

2012 – Sadly we have to announce the passing of our President Ken Stevenson on Wednesday 29th Feb at the age of 98. The funeral will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium at 11.00 on Thursday 15th March. 

2014 – The Faringdon Thursday Committee would like to congratulate our fellow committee member Des Williams on him being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, for Voluntary Service to Community and Youth Sport in Oxfordshire. As well as running Letcombe FC and his work for youth football in the Vale of the White Horse, Des has also been a Committee Member of this Competition for many years and his contribution has enabled the Competition to continue in memory of past players and members. So well done Des, keep up the good work.

2013/2014 – The first time in the History of the Competition, the 2012/14 Final’s Night game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch and recording another first the re-arranged date for the final was Wednesday 14th May. The first time a final was not played on a Thursday. That said, it was a lovely sunny evening, beautiful pitch conditions and a good game of football, if not a bit one sided, with Saxton coming out the winners 3 – 0 against Shrivenham Res. Saxton’s No.11 Louis Bloomfield had an excellent game to receive the Maurice Gosling Man of the Match Award. 

2014/15 – Wroughton FC won the 64th playing of the Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Final last night with a 5 – 2 defeat of Abingdon Town at Faringdon Town FC. Wroughton FC last won the Cup in 1992 their only previous success. Wroughton went 1 – 0 down against the run of play, Richard Saunders equalised from a corner. Wroughton then went 2 – 1 down but right on half time equalised again through Glenn Armstrong. In the second half Wroughton went 3 – 2 up through Ryan Keech and further goals from Glenn Armstrong (completing his hat trick) sealed the win. The man of the match was Steve Nesbitt of Wroughton who set up three of the goals. Mr John Davis, President of the Faringdon Branch of the British Heart Foundation (the recipients this year of the annual donation from the Competition) presented the Cup and individual awards.

2016/17 – Clanfield 85 won the 65th Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Final with a 2-0 victory over fellow Hellenic League Division 1 West side, Letcombe FC. On a cold and blustery evening, Clanfield dominated most of the game and made this pay with two second half goals from Chris Blakely and 18 year old Harvey Savin. Clanfield skipper Adam Pendle lifted the trophy, which was the first time for the club in 20 years. 

2017/18 – Wroughton FC collected their third Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Winners trophy in four years, overcoming North Leigh United in the final on Thursday May 3rd 2018. Tyler Wilkinson opened the scoring in the first half and midway through the second period, Jamie McLaughlin doubled the Wroughton advantage. United didn’t give up and Evans scored a great free kick to stage a grandstand finish, but Wroughton FC held on for a 2-1 victory. The man of the match was Wroughton striker Shane Hibbert and the trophies were presented by Jackie Williamson (wife of the late Doug Williamson, competition committee member, long standing referee and secretary of the UTV Sunday League).

2018/19 – This years final saw two sides competing in their first ever competitive fixture between the two sides. North Berks Division One champions Saxton Rovers took on Wheatsheaf Stratton FC from the Swindon & District Premier Division who had finished fourth this season.
Saxton had arguably the harder path to the final.

1st Rd – Highworth Town Res 3 – 0
2nd Rd – Wantage Town Dev 1 – 1 (5 – 4 on pens)
Semi – Letcombe FC 3 – 2 

Wheatsheaf had been handed two fixtures due to varying reasons, however still had to overcome the reigning cup holders.

1st Rd – Purton (Pitch unplayable)
2nd Rd – Wroughton FC 2 – 2 (5 – 3 on pens)
Semi – Carterton Town (Club folded)

Saxton on paper were the favourites going into the tie, having also lifted the North Berks Charity Shield the previous weekend, whilst Wheatsheaf were in cup final action themselves the weekend after this tie. Saxton started brightly and didn’t take long to break the deadlock as on 13 minutes as an initial near post effort hit the upright and the rebound struck an unlucky Wheatsheaf defender before the ball rolled in the goal. On 20 minutes, Wheatsheaf had their first meaningful effort on goal as they seized on a poor Rovers keeper throw out but the keeper redeemed himself with an excellent save to his right. Moments later and Saxton doubled their lead, a terrific Crossfield ball from the right found striker Niall Hodgkinson who headed home past the despairing keeper. The Swindon side didn’t give up and with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, a quick breakaway saw a great strike on goal by the Stratton winger, but the Rovers keeper wasn’t to be beaten as his outstretched right foot deflected the ball against the angle of the goal and away for a corner kick. 
The second period saw Saxton put the game to bed within three minutes of the restart, as Hodgkinson doubled his goal tally as he headed home from close range for a 3-0 Rovers lead. The rest of the half was huff and puff from Wheatsheaf, whilst Rovers were playing well within themselves and the game petered out to the final whistle.
Presentations were my by Berks & Bucks Chief Executive Liz Verrall to the Faringdon Town Boys who acted as ball-boys on the night, to the man of the match Louis Bloomfield (Saxton skipper) before the trophy was presented to Saxton Rovers to lift in front of a healthy following from Abingdon.

2019/20 – The competition this year saw rounds 1 & 2 completed in August 2019, with semi-final ties between Wantage Town Development v Cricklade Town and Letcombe FC v The Globe (Swindon) due to take place in April 2020. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, and following The FA and Government guidance, the competition was expunged for the season. However, with lockdown restrictions lifted, the competition was able to be completed in April 2021, with the semi finals seeing Letcombe FC and Wantage Town Development reaching the final. The final in May 2021 at Tucker Park saw Wantage Town Development overcome their local rivals with a 2-0 victory, with both goals coming in the first half. Town centre forward Jack Badger was named Man of the Match for his opening goal and tireless running.