About

1975 saw the foundation of the San Antonio Thunder in San Antonio, entering the North American Soccer League as a new American franchise and establishing a brief but distinct chapter in US football history, available at Walkouts. The team played two seasons on the Texas pitch before the franchise rights moved to Hawaii, a short lifespan that has made original shirts and signed examples especially scarce.

The Thunder were owned by Herman Warden "Ward" Lay Jr., heir to the Frito-Lay business, a provenance detail that routinely appears in catalogue notes and provenance write ups. Contemporary reports and club records note the side began competition in 1975 and contested league fixtures across 1975 and 1976, attracting regional interest and a small but loyal fan base in the Alamo City.

Collectors prize Thunder material because the club’s run in San Antonio was so brief, and surviving shirts often show clear wear from NASL match use. Provenance statements for items commonly cite the franchise move to Hawaii and the Lay family ownership, details that help verify an item's background when paired with team photographs or period press clippings.

Anniversary releases or commemorative reissues framed around the club's origin are popular among local historians, often labelled as Founders 1975 editions to mark the club's inception, and these pieces tie directly to the milestone of the club’s establishment. Such releases, when legitimately linked to the original era, carry distinct museum and display interest.

Season and match magnets for Thunder shirts centre on the 1975 season and the 1976 season, the two campaigns the side contested in San Antonio before relocation. Shirts from those specific seasons are chased because they represent the club's only home-era league appearances, they are relatively rare, and surviving examples can be cross-referenced with match reports and local archive images to corroborate wear patterns and squad use.

Iconic kit variants are modest but noteworthy; away shirts described as white with blue trim appear in period photography and are linked to decisive NASL road fixtures, making that colourway a distinct interest for road-match provenance research. Fans and archivists also collect officially sold retail shirts and region-specific runs, emphasising that fanshop items and early retail runs are legitimate collector material alongside any match-worn shirt. Authentication notes frequently list a COA or equivalent documentation when vendors supply a provenance packet.

Short runs, an owner with a prominent corporate family name, and a relocation to Hawaii mean Thunder shirts often surface with accompanying newspaper clippings or photographic evidence, and these attachments are central to verifying a piece. The club’s two San Antonio campaigns, the 1975 season and the 1976 season, remain the primary reference points when assessing period shirts, whether signed retail editions, player-issue variants, or framed display pieces available through specialist outlets, and many listings note Free worldwide shipping when offered.

Honours

The San Antonio Thunder were a short-lived entrant in the North American Soccer League, representing San Antonio at the top level of professional soccer in the United States. Founded in 1975, the club’s competitive story in Texas spanned two local seasons before the franchise rights were transferred to Hawaii. Across that period, no major domestic titles were recorded for the team, and there is no evidence of national cup triumphs or continental achievements associated with the side. While silverware did not arrive, their participation helped embed elite league football in the city, bringing NASL opposition and notable players to Alamo Stadium and leaving a brief but distinct chapter in the region’s sporting record. The Thunder’s honours ledger therefore reflects the realities of a formative project: a presence in the leading national competition of the day, committed professional fixtures, and competitive intent, rather than decorated domestic or international campaigns.

Legends & Leadership

Bobby Moore is remembered as a legend player of the mid-1970s, bringing stature and invaluable experience to the Thunder’s brief NASL journey and lifting standards around the squad. Jose Ferreira Neto followed in that mid-1970s mould as a legend player, adding technique and composure that suited the league’s evolving style. Ilija Mitic also stands out as a legend player of the mid-1970s, contributing nous and game management at a time when the club was establishing its identity.

Jack Brand is noted as a legend player of the mid-1970s, offering reliability and competitive edge during the Thunder’s run in the league. Terry Mancini completes this group as a legend player from the mid-1970s, bringing a seasoned presence that supported the team through demanding fixtures.

Herman Lay Jr. is recognised as the legendary owner of the mid-1970s, providing the leadership and backing that enabled San Antonio’s entry into top-tier NASL competition.

Stadium

Alamo Stadium served as the Thunder’s home ground, anchoring the club’s identity during its tenure in San Antonio. The venue offered a focal point for local supporters and a stage for visiting North American Soccer League sides, helping to establish a matchday rhythm for a new professional team in the city. While not defined by a single derby, the calendar drew interest through the rotation of NASL opponents and the variety of styles they brought, creating an atmosphere that blended curiosity with growing loyalty. Situated within the city’s sporting landscape, the ground gave the Thunder a recognisable base for their fixtures and training patterns, with practical accessibility for fans and media. The sense of occasion around league matches at Alamo Stadium contributed to the team’s short but notable presence, giving San Antonio a taste of top-flight football and leaving a trace of shared community memory even after the franchise moved on.

FAQ

Q: Who were the San Antonio Thunder?A: The San Antonio Thunder were an American soccer team from San Antonio, Texas, competing in the North American Soccer League.

Q: When were they founded and how long did they play in San Antonio?A: The club was founded in 1975 and played two seasons in the city before the franchise rights were moved to Hawaii.

Q: Where did the team play home matches?A: Home fixtures were staged at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio.

Q: Who owned the San Antonio Thunder?A: The team was owned by Herman Warden Ward Lay Jr., son of the founder of the Frito-Lay potato chip enterprise.

Q: Do you offer memorabilia and how is authenticity verified?A: When available, items are supplied with an authenticity assurance such as a certificate or letter of authenticity, or equivalent verification. Free worldwide shipping.