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.
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 2001/02 Vospers won the Southampton Senior Cup.
In 2002/03 Vospers were re-named as VT FC (after the parent company), and saw the Club as Runners-up in the Southampton Senior Cup.
2003/4 saw VT as Hampshire Premier League Champions, Southampton Senior Cup Winners and promotion to the Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1.
In 2005/06 VT Reserves won the Southampton Senior Cup at St Mary’s Stadium which gave the club their 3rd victory in 5 years.
Season 2006/07 was a great season for the club. The first team finished in third place and the reserves finished runners-up in Combination 1 and they also won the Southampton Senior Cup again. The Club’s 4th victory in 6 years.
What an amazing season 2007/2008 was. The 1st team were Runners-up to Totton in the Premier League and the Reserves won 3 out of 4 trophies. They are the Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination 1 League Champions, the Southampton Senior Cup Champions (for the third consecutive year) and the Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination Cup Champions. They missed out on the Hampshire Intermediate Cup by losing to Nursling in the semi-final which was the ONLY defeat they suffered all season. An achievement to be proud of.
2008/09 was equally a very successful season with the first team again Runners-up in the Wessex Premier, this time to Poole Town. They were Wessex League Cup Winners with a close 2-1 victory over Hamworthy United. Runners-up in the Hampshire Senior Cup with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Fleet Town.
Reserves again won Wessex Combination 1 and the U18 Youth team made a clean sweep winning four trophies i.e The League, The League Cup, The Hampshire FA Youth Cup and the Echo Floodlit Cup.....what a great season.
HISTORY OF CLUB
1887 Known as Woolston Works. Won Hampshire Challenge Cup.
1919/20 Played Burnley FC in 1stround proper of FA Cup at Fratton Park.Thornycrofts drew 0-0. Lost away tie.
1947 Reformed after War in 1947. Continued until 1952 as Thornycrofts Woolston.
1960 Reformed 1960
CLUB HONOURS
1960 Reformed 1960
1962 Southampton Junior League Div 9 Champions
1962 Hampshire Junior ‘B’ Cup Winners
1963 Southampton Junior League Div 6 Champions
1964 Southampton Junior League Div 3 Champions
1965 Southampton Junior ‘A’ Cup Winners
1966 Southampton Senior League Div 2 Champions
1974 Southampton Junior League Div 7 Champions
1982 Southampton Junior League Div 2 Champions
1982 Southampton Senior League Div 2 Champions
1983 Southampton Junior League Div 1 Champions
1983 Southampton Senior League Div 1 Champions
1990 Promoted to Hampshire League Div 3
1992 Southampton Senior League Div 2 Champions
1993 Promoted to Hampshire League Div 2
1998 Hampshire League Div 2 Runners-up
1998 Hampshire Intermediate Cup Winners
2000 Hampshire Div 1 Runners-up. Promoted to Hampshire Premier
2001 Hampshire Premier Champions
2001 Hampshire Combination 2 Champions (Res)
2001 Youths under 16s Champions
2002 Southampton Senior Cup Winners
2003 Southampton Senior Cup Runner-up
2003 Hampshire Premier League Runner-up
2003 Hampshire Youth Cup Winners (under 16s)
2003 Re-named VT F.C.
2004 Hampshire Premier Champions
2004 Southampton Senior Cup Winners
2004 Promoted to Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1
2006 Southampton Senior Cup Winners (Res)
2006 Hampshire Youth Winners (Vosper Thornycroft Youth) Div 2
2006 Hampshire Youth Runners-up (VT Youth) Div 2
2007 Southampton Senior Cup Winners (Res)
2007 Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination 1 Runners-up
2008 Sydenhams (Wessex) Premier Runners up
2008 Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination 1 League Champions (Res)
2008 Southampton Senior Cup Winners (Res)
2008 Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination League Champions (Res)
2009 Sydenhams (Wessex) Premier Runners-up
2009 Sydenhams (Wessex) League Cup Winners
2009 Hampshire Senior Cup Runners-up
2009 Sydenhams (Wessex) Combination 1 League Champions (Res)
2009 Echo Floodlit Cup Winners (VT Youth U18)
2009 Hampshire FA Youth Cup Winners (VT Youth U18)
2009 Hampshire Youth Division 1 Champions (VT Youth U18)
2009 Hampshire Youth League Cup Winners (VT Youth U18)
2009 Promoted to the Southern League (The Zamaretto League)