The club was formed in 1995 and were originally known as Thistle Youth, under the leadership of Dave Hoult, Jim Skelley, Fiona Walton and Jimmy Dixon

Over the years, the Club has re-invented itself on more than one occasion, continuing to grow each time.

As a Club, we successfully achieved The F.A. Charter Standard in 2007. As a Charter Standard Club, we ensure that we offer the highest coaching standards and a safe and friendly environment for the children to develop and thrive.

In September 2015, the Club started conversations with Lancing FC about the possibility of merging the two clubs to form one ‘community club’. The new community club that would come from the merger would run seamlessly from U6’s right through to adult football. It will give boys, girls and those with disabilities access to football using some of the best facilities in the whole of Sussex, including access to a Premier League, Category One, Elite Performance Academy situated right on our doorstep. The plan was to run the two clubs with separately elected committees, with separate funds for youth and adult football.

We are pleased to say that conversations were productive, with the Club becoming Lancing FC Youth in time for the 2016/17 season.

Lancing FC adults currently draw players from all around Sussex with only a small portion heralding from the Lancing area. By merging with an established youth football club whose current membership is 150 players and growing weekly, we have established a clear pathway from youth to adult football for children in the Lancing and the surrounding areas. The Club continues to grow from strength to strength. While player numbers have fluctuated from time to time, we currently have over 150 players signed on, with 11 squads from u7s to U16s playing in the Saywell International Arun & Chichester Youth Football League.

We are also proud that early in 2019, after a lot of hard work by members of both adult and youth committees, we were awarded FA Charter Standard Community Club status. We are one of only 9 clubs in Sussex to have attained the highest level of FA Charter Standard accreditation.

In order to reach the Charter Standards clubs must have displayed the following competencies:
· A written constitution
· Self-certified screening of managers, coaches and officials
· All managers to have minimum of Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football
· Commitment to attend in-service training
· Acceptance and promotion of Codes of Conduct
· Commitment to promote schools liaison and equal opportunities

Clubs that are successful in achieving the Charter will get access to a wide range of benefits, some of which are:
· Exclusive Regional Workshops
· Access to Child Protection Training
· Kit and Equipment Grants
· National and Regional Awards
· Subsidies for F.A. Junior Team Managers to attend courses

By achieving the highest Charter Standard Award, Lancing FC is demonstrating to all its members, parents and the public, that we are a well organised & safe club for children to be a part of.