2010 saw the 40th Anniversary of TYFC - a very long time in the context of Youth Football. Many players, officials and parents have come and gone, however the good name and the spirit of the club continues to go from strength to strength. Widely regarded as one of the leading youth football clubs in the Medway towns, Thamesview Youth FC has grown with the times and now, 40 years on, is providing football for nearly 250 children in the Medway area. With 2010 marking 40 years of existence, the club arranged various ways of marking the anniversary, including new merchandise in the form of t-shirts, training shirts, fleeces and macs, a history page on the website to display TYFC's rich history through old squad pictures and lastly a reunion event in November 2010. Please click here to access the archived squad picture gallery.
A Celebration Dinner & Dance event was held on 26th November 2010 in the SHO Lounge at the 44Two Sports & Social Club. This gathering saw many guests from the history of the Club along with many current members get together to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Club. We would like to thank everyone who helped arrange the event especially Jo McCormick, Sue Sandmann, Donna Smith and Tanya Silvester. Also many thanks to the 44Two Club and Kent Discos who ensured that the venue, food and entertainment were 1st class.
Honorary Life Vice-President, Mick Shirley, had this to say about the
event - "May I thank you and your committee for organising and inviting my
wife and I to TYFC's 40th Anniversary Dinner and Dance. The event was a
resounding success and it was great meeting up with yesterday's and today's
club members. I would also like to thank present committee members and managers
for the respect and courtesy shown to us. Finally may I wish you all a Merry
Christmas and all the best for the New Year. Best wishes, Mick Shirley, Honoury
Life Vice-President". Tony Campbell, one of our former Squad Managers, said
"Many thanks for the invite, we enjoyed the evening very much. It was good
to see old friends and well done to the organisers. It is good to see the club
is still being run to a very high standard by people so dedicated. We wish the
club the best of success for the future. Tony and Ann Campbell". Meanwhile
Clare Denness added on the TYFC Guestbook "We had an excellent night at
Thamesview 40th Anniversary Dinner and Dance and it was lovely to see everyone.
Well done on your 40th Anniversary. We have many happy memories of the club
from the football, holidays away, tournaments and various functions held by the
club".
A number of pictures were taken on the night and can be viewed by clicking HERE!
Pictures that were taken by our 'Official' professional photographer on the night can be viewed and purchased from EventPhotographer.co.uk. They can do 9"x6" prints on dye sublimation print paper in a black cardboard frame (with silver edging) for only £10 OR a Digital Copy of a specified photo medium resolution 1270 x 847 for only £3 (sent via email). Please view the link for more details.
Thamesview Youth Football Club was first established
back in 1970 when the club had only two teams entered in the (as it was back
then) Medway City Boys League. In those days the home pitch was at Thamesview
County Primary School, Gillingham and the club took its name from this school.
Nowadays the club plays it's matches at various locations in the Gillingham
area, mostly on school pitches, where we have had trusted relationships for
many years. Since those early days the club has seen many changes, but perhaps
the biggest change, and a tribute to it's success, has been the considerable
growth in the number of teams. All ages have been represented in the league,
from under sevens to under eighteen level. Some age groups have two teams and
younger children have the opportunity to train and play friendly matches. Many
events have been run by the Club over the years including the OSM / TYFC
Tournament, the 24 Hour Marathons and various Fun Days. This has only been
possible because of the strong parental support and the dedicated effort of the
club officers that the club has enjoyed over the years. Support which has laid
the foundation stone, creating the platform for the club to
prosper.
The photo on the left is taken from one of Thamesview's
famous '24 hour Marathon' events and features some Club officials from 20 years
ago. One of our Managers from that era, Tony Campbell, has been able to name
all of the guys - they are :- Tony Campbell, Mike O'Meira, Tony Walsh, Richard
Herbert and sitting is Jimmy Arnold.
The club is self financing and is run by a committee with an established constitution. This committee is democratically elected each year at the Club's Annual General Meeting and is made up of managers and representatives from each team, mainly parents and long standing, dedicated members with a long established association with the club. Day to day management is in the capable hands of the elected officers of the club and regular monthly meetings are held to discuss routine and non-routine matters throughout the year. Any parent can attend the A.G.M. or express a view in writing or via a committee member at any committee meeting. The club belongs to the Medway Messenger Youth League (MMYL), which is itself affiliated to the Kent Football Association and this body in turn abides by rules and codes laid down by the Football Association. In April 2008 the Club was recognised as a Football Association Charter Standard Club and is working towards Development Club status during 2010. By the start of 2010 the club boasts 12 FA Level 1 coaches and 2 FA Level 2 coaches on it's coaching staff. Please read our TYFC FA Charter Standard Statement.
