Moving tributes to our Founder, Sheila Thompson

As we started the new season, players paid touching tributes, honouring a minute silence and laying flowers in the memory of our beloved founder, Sheila Thompson, who passed away peacefully on 3rd September 2024.

Sheila formed Ditton Minors FC, with her friend Mary, back in 1968. Sheila was passionate about DMFC and leaves a lasting legacy with us all, to ensure that the Club continues with it's ethos to enable players from all backgrounds to enjoy playing football, in a true, community-oriented club. As a Lady in football all those years ago, setting up a Club was not easy - being laughed at various times, but that did not stop Sheila and Mary from persevering and achieving what the local children deserved. Opportunities. Sheila was also present at our 50th Anniversary when the Club presented her with commemorative gifts.

Back in 1968, the team wore kits that were crocheted, in a purple hoop pattern that Sheila and friends made together as they couldn't afford to buy a kit, until a kit was kindly donated by Ditton Junior School.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and arrangements are being made with the family for a DMFC wreath for the funeral, and our teams have asked their oppositions to honour a minutes silence to remember the hard work and determination. We will continue to honour her determination, and recognise her in one of our Annual Awards, the Sheila Thompson award, which is given to a volunteer who goes above and beyond throughout the year.

Sheila - you were one of a kind. Your perseverance, determination and passion will live on with DMFC, and we promise to run it the way you wanted.