Welcome to Thames Ditton Youth Football Club
A new season and a new chapter for Thames Ditton Youth Football Club
Welcome to the first Thames Ditton Team Talk newsletter!
The new season kicked off on Saturday 5 September, and we are delighted to welcome players, families, volunteers, supporters and local partners back to the club.
This season marks an exciting new era. Thames Ditton Schools Football Club is now Thames Ditton Youth Football Club, with a new club logo to match.
The new name reflects who we are today: an inclusive, welcoming football club for young people, with strong roots in the Thames Ditton community. It also helps us present the club more clearly to local families, volunteers, partners and supporters.
Football remains at the heart of everything we do. With more than 240 players, FA-qualified coaches, FA Charter Standard status and professional coaching support through our Fulham Football Club partnership, we are proud to offer football for girls and boys of all abilities from Reception to U16.
We are also pleased to announce our new club sponsor Douglas & Gordon, who are offering a special way to raise money for our club (see below).
What is changing?
You will begin to see the new Thames Ditton Youth Football Club name and logo across our communications and club materials.
Over time, we will update:
- The club website and email communications
- WhatsApp Community and club updates
- Social-media profiles and graphics
- Club signage and printed materials
- Team and volunteer resources
- Sponsor and local-partner information
Some existing items may still show the former Thames Ditton Schools Football Club name while we complete the transition. Thank you for your patience and support.
What is staying the same?
Our values, football programme and commitment to young people remain unchanged.
We remain the local club families know and trust, focused on:
- Fun through football
- A safe, friendly and inclusive environment
- Football for girls and boys of all abilities
- Development, teamwork, respect and confidence
- Positive coaching from FA-qualified coaches
- Professional coaching support through our Tiller Academy partnership
- Strong links with the Thames Ditton community
Current members should continue to use Spond for fixtures, availability, team communications and subscription payments.
Opening weekend round-up
It was great to see so many teams back in action for the opening weekend of the season. There were plenty of encouraging performances, excellent wins and valuable lessons to take into the weeks ahead.
| U8 Cobras | 4-2 | Won |
| U9s Blues | 9-6 | Won |
| U9s Cobras | 7-2 | Won |
| U9s Swans | 4-2 | Lost |
| U10 Cobras (Girls) | 6-3 | Lost |
| U11s Blues | 0-6 | Lost |
| U11s Cobras | 0-2 | Won |
| U12s Blues | 4-1 | Lost |
| U12s Cobras | P-P | Won* |
| U13s Cobras | 4-0 | Lost |
| U15s Cobras | 0-3 | Won |
| U16 Cobras | P-P | Won* |
*TDYFC awarded win due to cancelled match
Congratulations to all players, coaches, volunteers and families involved. Results are part of football, but the most important things are enjoying the game, showing respect and supporting one another as a team.
For fixtures, detailed match arrangements, availability and team communications, current members should use Spond
Reception and Year 1 training returns this Saturday
Our youngest players will be back in action this Saturday, when Reception and Year 1 training starts again.
These sessions are about enjoying football, developing basic skills, building confidence and making friends in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment.
If your child is in Reception or Year 1 and would like to find out more, please send us a new-player enquiry
Douglas & Gordon: Supporting our grassroots stars
We are thrilled to welcome Douglas & Gordon as our official club sponsor this season.
For every property sold that is introduced through Thames Ditton Youth Football Club, Douglas & Gordon will donate £400 directly back to the club.
This contribution will go towards new training equipment, footballs and team kits. By funding these essentials through this partnership, we can help keep future subscription fees as affordable as possible for all our families.
If you are thinking of selling a property, or know someone who is, please mention Thames Ditton Youth Football Club when making the introduction.
To find out more, contact Lisa Farnfield at Douglas & Gordon:
- Telephone: 020 7963 4658
- Email: lfarnfield@dng.co.uk
Team news
Welcoming a new U7 team
We are excited to be entering a new U7 team this season headed up by coach Jonathan Conn.
The team will take part in the new 3v3 versus format, giving young players more touches of the ball, more opportunities to make decisions and, most importantly, more chances to enjoy the game.
This is a fantastic addition to the club and reflects the continued growth of football opportunities for young people in Thames Ditton.
More information about this here A closer look at 3v3
Meet the TD Cobras
You may notice some new team names around the club this season.
Alongside the Swans and Blues, we are introducing the Cobras.
The name celebrates an important part of Thames Ditton’s heritage: the town’s connection with the building of the iconic AC Cobra. It gives our teams a distinctive local identity and celebrates the community we are proud to represent
Celebrating last season’s success
Before looking too far ahead, we would like to recognise some fantastic achievements from last season.
A huge congratulations to the three teams that won the Surrey Cup:
- U8s Swans
- U11s Swans
- U9 Swans Girls
We also want to congratulate the U12s, who finished as runners-up in their league.
These achievements reflect the commitment of the players, coaches, team managers, volunteers and supportive families across the club. Well done to everyone involved.
All published in September Edition of About Thames Ditton magazine. 🎉
Coming soon: TDYFC boot swap
We are exploring a TDYFC boot swap initiative.
Football boots are often outgrown long before they are worn out. A club boot swap could help families pass on good-condition boots, reduce waste and make football more affordable.
The idea is simple:
- Donate clean, usable football boots that your child has outgrown.
- Browse available boots in a suitable size.
- Take a pair for a small donation, or swap where possible.
- Help another young player get ready to play.
We will share more information soon, including collection dates, drop-off guidance and how the scheme will work.
If you would like to help organise the boot swap, please get in touch.
New teams for the 2026–27 season
The club continues to grow, and we are pleased to introduce new opportunities this season:
- A new U7 team
- A new U16 team
- An additional U9 team
Help tell the TDYFC story
Thames Ditton Youth Football Club is doing great work on and off the pitch, and we are looking for volunteers who can help us tell that story.
We would particularly welcome people with skills, experience or interest in:
- Social media
- Website updates
- Photography or video, subject to club photo-consent processes
- Writing news stories and newsletters
- Graphic design
- Community communications
- Sponsorship and partner communications
You do not need to commit huge amounts of time. Even a small contribution can help us celebrate the club, welcome new families and attract the volunteers and local support that make youth football possible.
Keep in touch this season
Follow The Thames Ditton team talk for club news, volunteering opportunities, community stories, joining information and approved football updates.
For club-wide news, follow our WhatsApp Community and Instagram account (when launched!).
For fixtures, match arrangements, availability, subscription payments and team-specific communications, current members should continue to use Spond.
Thanks,
Simon Farnfield, Chairman, Thames Ditton Youth Football Club