Most Haunted

Thringstone Miners Welfare  5  Cottesmore Amateurs Reserves  1

Leicestershire Senior League – Division Two

I can’t think of many football teams named after haunted houses, but, I think I might have found one!

When doing my research into the Leicestershire village of Thringstone, which sits just beyond Shepshed on the A512, and in all fairness, is more of an extension of Coalville nowadays, I found something unusual out.

Grace Dieu Priory, or at least the ruins of, sits on the village outskirts, by the side of the A512, and is famed for being one of the most haunted remains in the County. The ‘White Lady’ apparition is associated with the Priory, and was once seen waiting for the Ashby de la Zouch bound bus, only to vanish as the bus drew to a halt. Other strange sightings have also been reported, but so far, no ghosts or ghouls have been captured, nor has anyone asked for a day return either.

So what is the connection between Grace Dieu Priory and the football club now known as Thringstone Miners Welfare?

Tracing the clubs history back to 1971, then known as simply Thringstone, they joined the Leicestershire Senior League, winning Division Two at the first attempt. Division One was joined, where they remained until the early Eighties when they had a brief hiatus back in the second tier, albeit for only one season.

Once back in the top flight, now named the Premier Division, they were crowned champions in the successive seasons of 1984 and 1985, but by the end of the decade they were relegated again, only to return after three seasons away.

The FA Vase was entered, with the inaugural season in 1975-76 being the most successful. Victories over Gresley Rovers, Knowle and Anstey Nomads saw them reach the Third Round, only to bow out to Bermuda Working Mens Club. Can’t think what the travel bill would have been for that game, but it probably outweighed the gate receipts……!

So, we move onto 1998, and Thringstone embarked on a merger with, wait for it, Grace Dieu United, spooky eh? The newly formed club became known as Thringstone United, but this version only lasted for two seasons, probably due to hauntings and the need of an exorcism, before they eventually settled for the current title of Thringstone Miners Welfare.

Three seasons later, in 2002-03 they finished bottom of the second tier in the league without winning a single game, and the three points they did get from draws were all deducted. So it wasn’t the best, and beyond that they dropped very much into local football.

But, with excellent facilities in the village, it was only going to be a matter of time before they made their way back, and after a successful season in the North Leicestershire League last time out, they were elected as members of the newly formed Second Division (third tier) of the LSL, along with North Kilworth who I visited back in August.

With seven victories from their opening eleven games, they were well placed in a promotion position before the game against bottom of the table Cottesmore Amateur Reserves, so, it was time to go and have a look.

Thringstone is a doddle of a place to get to, just five minutes from the M1, and once on the main road into the village the ground is tucked into a housing estate on the right hand side. A modest sized car park sits behind the goal, with a modern dressing room and clubhouse facility alongside.

The pitch is railed, it’s also floodlit, and on the halfway line is a small area of cover to provide protection from the elements. It’s far better than the notional Step 9 football it hosts, and subject to getting it right on the pitch, the club have the infrastructure to move a number of levels forward.

On a chilly day, the hosts were much the better side, winning 5-1, and missing chances to have scored a few more. Although to be fair, Cottesmore never gave up, and did create opportunities of their own.

David Leigh netted an impressive hat-trick for Thringstone, while further goals came from Jordan Dent and Joshua Warren. The consolation goal for the Rutland based side came courtesy of Ben Dawson.

And that was Thringstone, the team with links to a haunted house, you can’t say that this blog isn’t educational can you?  I think Yvette Fielding is paying them a visit shortly….