Our Club
Vision
To continue to build on the rich history of the club, providing an inclusive and proud football environment, of continual improvement, ambitious goal setting, becoming a benchmark football club, known for our sportsmanship and attractive and effective style of football, in our region and beyond.
The core values and philosophy are rooted in the concept that:
“A harmonious team environment is more important than any individual, and it is the responsibility of all players and club peers to meet and defend the values of the club”.
Club History - Since 1895
In 1895 the Helensburgh Thistles Football Club was formed, by a group of mineworkers and local citizens from the Cricket Club and Hunting and Sports Social Club. They formed a local social competition, with teams from Struggle Town (Helensburgh North), The Townies, and Up or Top Town, along with a combined team from Lilyvale/Otford. There were three football grounds where matches were played, these were Proud Park (where the current off-leash dog area is near the old tip), Recreation Park (the current Thistle Park) and Walker St ground (where Francis St is, near the Telstra building today).
Between 1900 and 1913 Helensburgh won two Illawarra First Grade premierships. One of these was in 1903 when the first grade team went through the season unbeaten and the Second Grade team also won the season.Club champions have run in our history.
In 1948 the Illawarra School Boys Soccer Competition started and Helensburgh participated in this first season.
In 2023 we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Helensburgh Thistle Junior Soccer Club.
