The Thistles began back in the 1983/84 season with Plymouth man John Bardens signing up a local boy Mark Lovell, to play for the Plymouth Beaumont FC. 

He asked Mark if he knew any more players in the Tavistock area and such was the response that in no time at all he had six more players.

Eventually the Tavistock and district players with Beaumont were helped by John to form their own team and Tamar Valley Thistles came into being.

Frank Dyer was appointed chairman, Mrs Hazel Lovell, assisted by Mrs Jean Dyer, became treasurer and Mr Walter Meek was secretary.

 

 

 

With financial assistance from Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Council and Tavistock Rotary Club, the little club flourished.

They began with two teams, under 12’s and under13’s. The Thistles had their own field at Chip Shop lent by David and Wendy Soper and in time a changing hut provided and erected by a number of parents led by Frank Dyer.

 

 

Tavistock Thistles commitment to football in the community was recognised by the FA in 2005 when we were awarded the ‘FA Charter Standard’. The FA Charter Standard Programme provides recognition that clubs are well run and sustainable, with child protection and safety paramount. It also recognises a club's commitment to coaching, player and coach development, and the raising of standards of behaviour in the game.

Whilst many clubs reject children, or sign children on but give them little or no opportunity to be involved in the team, Tavistock Thistles believe that this is a harmful message to give to children and endorses the view that ‘Every Child Matters’.

We are an inclusive football club that values children, irrelevant of their background or football skills; assisting children with identified behavioural problems, disability, or victims of bullying, to grow in confidence, bond with their peers and become important team members whose contribution to the team is valued by all.

Our vision is to develop a Football Community where children from 4 to 18 can play their football in a safe environment and go on to become Tavistock AFC’s future players.

Key to this vision is the ‘New Crowndale Community Project’, which will produce unrivalled community football facilities for future generations of Tavistock youngsters. Tavistock Thistles have a long standing commitment to this project and we continue to be represented on the Tavistock Community Football Club committee.

Tavistock Thistles are a community club that encourages the involvement of the whole family. We realise that a football club has the potential to bring people closer together in a spirit of co-operation and commitment and we would like to encourage parents to become more involved in the running of the Club at all levels. If you have the time/skills/ability/desire to be involved, please contact the Chair, Mick Calvert, or any of the team managers.

We are slowly building the history of Tavistock Thistles FC as it is known today. We would welcome any more facts or anecdotal information that can help us continue to build the picture of our past.

Our special thanks go to all those above and those not named who gave up their time to establish a club that is still going strong today.