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Boss gets busy and other news!

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC officials and coaches are ready for an action-packed run before the festive break.

 

In the past few weeks adult team manager James Donnelly has bolstered his squad with no fewer than three new signings.
Former Ayr United, Goldenhill and Yoker Athletic Juniors midfielder Shaun Kelly has joined the club and made his debut from the bench in last Saturday’s 3-1 win over reigning Caledonian Premier League champions Dalziel HSFP.
Kelly looks to be exactly the type of player who could really strengthen the squad at the right time.
Also making welcome returns to the fray were powerful forward Tom Smith and speedster Liam Allen.
Both have already made their presence felt with Allen netting in victories over Westerlands and St Davids whilst Smith provided the killer touch with the third goal in the Dalziel win.
The duo are well-known to everyone at the club whilst the fresh impetus from Kelly’s arrival is sure to help the side mount a title challenge.
Boss Donnelly said: “We have been running with a very small squad for the first few months of the season and biding our time until the right players came along or the timing was right for guys to return.
“The squad has a completely different dimension to it now and hopefully we can kick on.”
The outcome a the weekend’s RJM Scottish Amateur Cup third round replay between MS United and Clydebank AFC has thrown up a trip to Aberdeen for the Johnstone side in the fourth round.
MS United from the Granite City triumphed 2-0 on home turf meaning Thorn will make the three-hour trek north on Saturday, December 2 to bid to secure a place in the fifth round of the national competition against the Aberdeenshire AFA side.
Meanwhile, a couple of players from the club have been supporting the Caledonian League Select side in their build-up to the SAFA’s Inter-League Trophy competition.
Skipper Ryan Crawford and defender Joe Rae have both played most of the warm-up clashes against Lanark, East Kilbride, Cumbernauld Colts and Ashfield over the past five weeks.
Off the field the team is preparing for their fundraising race night this weekend at the the home of their sponsors the Thorn Inn.
And in other good news two members of the adult team – talisman midfielder Paul Young and striker Craig McMahon – will participate in the SFA’s Early Touches course at the Huntershill, the new home of Rossvale Juniors, on Friday night.
Meanwhile, many of the clubs small-sided sides are in end of season presentation mode with events past and planned for the next few weeks.
We wish them all well with their respective celebrations of their sterling work over the past few months.
Friday also sees the return of the club’s Goalkeeper Academy which has been rehomed at Seedhill for the winter months.

All Systems Co!

Posted on by Mark McGee
OUR second Coerver Partner Club event went with a bang as more than 100 youth academy players were treated to another three fantastic sessions.
After the rain-soaked first event the sun finally shone on  the players and coaches at Johnstone Hub and they were put through a varied one and half hour session by the Coerver coaching team, led by Joe Jones.
All three action-packed sessions brought out the best in the players and they all looked hungry to participate in the different drills and games.
It was another hugely successful day for the children and a big well done to the parents who braved the chilly conditions as the day went on.
There was no fear of the kids feeling the chill as they were kept going non-stop and it was great to see so many attacking drills and goals on show.
Everyone at the club is now looking forward to our next session which is scheduled to take place early in December.

Doune ‘N Dusted!

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC moved into second spot in the Caledonian Premier League after returning from Stirlingshire with a vital three points.

The Johnstone side made the 90-mile round trip to Doune Castle – their furthest away league opponents – and ground out what could prove to be a crucial victory.
Thorn have now won four out of four in the top flight with a visit of Strathclyde University looming this week where a victory would see them go top.
Long-serving talisman Paul Young nodded home the back-post winner after his header proved too hot to handle for the home keeper.
That came after Craig McMahon had pulled the Thorn level with a smashing pull down and finish.
It was a nightmare start for the visitors who fell behind with some sloppy defending after just three minutes leaving themselves with an uphill struggle. Thorn replied as Ross Horne had a shot blocked on the line.
Doune went close on a number of other occasions and only a combination of poor finishing and last-gasp defending prevented them from going further ahead.
However, when the Thorn finally got a foothold in the game they took it to their rivals and could have won more convincingly.
Goalscorer McMahon limped off midway through the first half with a stomach injury after unleashing a powerful shot that the keeper did well to deal with.
He also cracked the bar in the first half but could not continue and was replaced by Young around the half hour mark. Moments later Young’s pinpoint header had the keeper rooted to  the spot but it cracked the front of the crossbar and went to safety.
Into the second half and it was one way traffic with solid displays from man of the match Ross Perrie and Jamie White. But in truth the whole team were playing well.
Joe Rae, Bud McCann, Horne and David McKay were dealing well with the threat of notorious Doune No10 Alan Inglis who has proved a handful in the past.
In central midfield skipper Ryan Crawford and Jack Doak were getting a foothold in the game with Connor McGowan getting plenty of the ball.
A number of chances came and went for the Thorn and it looked like it would be one of those days.
With no natural strikers left on the park or available it was down to manager James Donnelly to go on for the last 15 minutes to try and push the team forward.
A procession of corners saw a number of half chances fall to Thorn before the winner eventually arrived.
A lofted ball to the back saw Young direct a powerful header goalwards to the keeper’s front post. It looked like he would gather it cleanly but instead it slipped through his grasp and into the net.
Boss Donnelly was delighted to see his threadbare squad get another win under their belts.
He said: “We are literally down to the bare bones and at the moment we have no fit strikers so credit must go to the boys for getting the win.
“Doune is a difficult away test and it would have been easy to drop points here. In the past fortnight we have had two very different performances.
“One was a clinical passing display and the other was a battling performance so it shows we are capable. We will still look to strengthen the squad in the coming weeks as we cannot continue with so many missing.”
ENDS

Go Selecta for duo

Posted on by Mark McGee

Skipper Ryan Crawford and defender Joe Rae were part of the new-look Caledonian League Select team that defeated Lanark Juniors 3-1 on Tuesday.

New manager John McClymont – from St Mungos – selected his first squad last week for his first game in charge after replacing Raymond Masterson in the hotseat.
Midfielder Crawford has represented his club in the select before but it was a first call up for Rae after both players had impressed in the weekend triumph over Glasgow Harp.
The match was played at the Hybrid pitch at Wishaw Sports Centre in overcast conditions but the unique surface was hard underfoot.
It was not the ideal start for the Caley side as they fell behind to a sweet Lanark strike inside the opening minutes despite having settled well.
However, it was pretty much one way traffic after that with chances falling to a number of the Caledonian side, including the two Thorn representatives.
There was a serious injury to Larkhall’s Nicky Moore midway through the half as he was assisted off with a suspected broken foot.
Cambria’s Andy McEwan soon had the Caley level with a neat finish.
He was to add another after the break before a dominant display was rewarded with a third from Doune Castle’s Niall McLure.
Rae had over-stretched his groin in the warm up but completed the 90 minutes along with the enthusiastic Crawford.
Next up for the Caley is a tester against an EKFC Lowland League side at the K-Park on October 24 as the team continue preparations for the Inter-League Trophy.
Boss McClymont has promised to get out and watch as many games as possible but based on this performance he has the mainstay of a decent group to represent the league.

Rhythm of the Nike

Posted on by Mark McGee
Thorn Athletic are delighted to announce their latest club-wide initiative after linking up with leading sportswear company PSL Teamsports and global brand Nike.
The club have taken the decision to go for the ‘One Club – One Kit’ approach following some rapid growth within all areas in the past five years.
For several years the various youth and adult teams have used a multitude of suppliers and had kits of various colours. And while this has not been a major issue, the consensus between club officials is that it’s time to begin the move towards uniformity.
As part of the engagement with supplier PSL, there will also be a club shop where garments can be purchased using an online ordering system. It is hoped this will help streamline the process.
The club considered the positives and negatives of a couple of teamwear brands before deciding that Nike would offer the best compatibility for the club going forward.
Connar McGregor with the new adult home kit
It is hoped that with everyone wearing the same colour strips and training kit that Thorn Athletic will develop a better identity within the community.
Dozens of children and adults are already proudly wearing the Thorn crest – in the future it will be opposite the most iconic symbol in world sport – the Nike swoosh!
Club secretary Mark McGee said: “The most important thing at any club is what’s inside the jersey – not what’s on it.
“But for a club increasing in size then we felt it’s time to try and get some standardisation in terms of what the teams are wearing.
“While we will not be forcing people what to wear, it would be fantastic if we could achieve a situation where everyone is recognisable no matter where or who they are playing at football.
“We come across many teams who are instantly recognisable from afar when you see their colours. One day we hope to be the same.”
Ross Horne with the new away kit

Kids soak up the atmosphere

Posted on by Mark McGee

RAIN poured from the heavens as Thorn Athletic launched their Coerver Scotland partnership at the weekend – but all the kids soaked up was a fantastic atmosphere.

 

More than 100 young players from the growing community club attended three sessions over four and a half hours at a windswept and rain-lashed Johnstone Hub.

 

Expert coaches from world renowned coaching company Coerver delivered fun-filled and action-packed hour-and-a-half long sessions to the 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 age groups.

 

Thorn Athletic and Coerver announced their exclusive Partner Club agreement for 2017-18 recently and the project is being part-funded by Johnstone and the Villages Local Area Committee.

 

During a series of sessions over the next 12 months the club’s players and coaches will enjoy support in four key areas – team training, coach education, session planning and access to their flagship Skillful Edge Resources.

 

After the success of the opening sessions, members of Thorn Athletic are now excited about what the rest of the Partner Club programme can deliver for them.

 

Thorn Athletic’s Coerver Co-Ordinator and 2007 coach Neil Fox, who has put months of preparation into pulling off the agreement, said: “Coerver techniques are used by some of the biggest names in world football.

 

“It was a fantastic day and despite the typical Scottish weather all you could hear was laughing and enjoyment from those taking part. For some of the kids was the second time they had been soaked in the one day!

 

“But afterwards everyone was unanimous in their praise for how well it had gone.”

 

Coerver Scotland director and coach Joe Jones said: “We are delighted to welcome Thorn Athletic as a Coerver Partner Club this season.

 

“As one of only 21 clubs across Scotland, the Coerver Partner Club is an exclusive programme working with forward thinking, progressive clubs who wish to develop skillful attacking football players and teams.

 

“Already in the short time we have been working with the club, they have shown a real desire to improve their players and their coaches. We are sure this partnership will help the club to provide a truly unique programme for young players in Johnstone.”

 

Thanks to Iain McLure, Neil Fox & David Gallagher who supplied pictures from the day!

We’re 2005 Alive!

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC are delighted to have found the missing link after announcing they will now be represented at 2005 age level.

 

The thriving Johnstone club have teams at adult level, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and Tiny Kickers. But they had a gap at the 2005 level.

 

But the club has now brought on board a hard working group of officials, coaches and players who will take on the mantle at that elusive age group and bridge the pathway.

 

And that will take the number of teams in ‘The Thorn’ stable up to double figures with a 2012 group to be established in the near future.

 

Officials Iain McLure, Paul Stirrat and Alan Muir are looking forward to getting started and have been working hard to prepare the team for the season ahead.

 

The team will be playing in the Paisley, Johnstone & District Youth Football League this forthcoming season.

 

A spokesperson for the club said: “The club has seen continued growth over the past four or five years down to the positive approach we have.

 

“We are now delighted that the one age group that had been missing from the set has now been filled and we are sure they will do a great job representing the club and our ethos.”

 

Whilst they have been busy raising their own funds the team are on the lookout for a sponsor to support the purchase of rain jackets as they head into the autumn and winter months.

 

Any local business who would be interested in working in partnership with this new venture should contact Paul Stirrat on 07538115530 or [email protected] .

Crawford named club captain

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC have appointed Ryan Crawford as club captain ahead of the Caledonian League season opener next week.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined the club from Ashvale at the beginning of season 2016-17 and his committed performances have earned him the respect of everyone at the club.
Last year he capped a fantastic breakthrough season at the Johnstone side being named Player of the Year at a gala dinner at St Mirren Park.
He replaces goalkeeper Liam McWilliams who passes on the armband after two years as the team’s talisman between the sticks.
McWilliams done a fantastic job but manager James Donnelly has made no secret of the fact he was keen to get the armband back to an outfielder when the suitable candidate came along.
McWilliams lifts League trophy
Crawford, whose previous clubs include Hillwood BC, Park Villa and Firhill United, has already shown during a tough pre-season campaign why he has been selected for the role.
He is a scaffolder to trade and knows all about what the Thorn are trying to build for the future.
Manager Donnelly said: “Liam has been a great captain and thoroughly deserved his term. He led the team back to the Premier League with a title and then lifted the play-off trophy.
“I just felt we have lacked  a bit of leadership in the middle of the park and we have seen qualities in Ryan’s game that we feel will only be improved with extra responsibility.
“On the evidence of what we have seen so far he will be a good choice. Liam will also be able to concentrate more on his own game and he sets his own high standards anyway. It will be good for the team as a whole.”
Fellow central midfielder John Hay, who is thankfully well on the road to full fitness after an ankle injury, will continue as vice-captain.

Boss sets sights on quality

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC manager James Donnelly is hoping that quality over quantity will see his side have a successful campaign.

His Caledonian Premier League outfit  have two pre-season games under their belts and have performed well on both occasions.

With three new additions taking the squad up to 17 he’s satisfied with how things are shaping up.

Defender David McKay and midfielders Connar McGregor and Ross Perrie have all put pen to paper for the club.

McGregor, who is a local lad, arrives from West Park United Under-21s where he spent six years.

During that time he amassed three league titles, five league cups and also the West of Scotland Cup.

Experienced duo McKay and Perrie will add balance to the squad.

Player warm up at Millburn Park

Perrie, who was with Johnstone Burgh Juniors for a decade, will strengthen the options in midfield while former Shawlands FP two-time player of the year McKay has slotted in seamlessly at the back.

Boss Donnelly said: “We are happy with the way the squad is shaping up and we will be running with a smaller, tighter squad this season.

“The new boys have all shown up well and although the numbers are low because of holidays and work commitments it means plenty of game time for everyone.”

Thorn’s pre-season opener saw them defeat Johnstone Burgh Under-21s 4-2 at the McMaster Centre on Saturday.

Donnelly’s men were 3-0 ahead courtesy of goals from Stuart McCann, McGregor and a smashing volley from Connor McGowan.

The Burgh pulled two back in the second half before Chris Fitzpatrick rounded off the victory.

Boss James Donnelly

And on Monday evening the team travelled to Millburn Park in Alexandria to face Vale of Leven Juniors.

With only 11 players available against a sizeable Vale squad it was always going to be a tough workout for the amateurs.

A saved penalty from Vale keeper Robert Tiropoulous to deny  Jordan Devine saw the home side lead 2-0 at the interval and added another quick goal after the restart.

But despite the junior side introducing several fresh faces in the second half an expert free-kick from Paul Young pulled one back for the visitors.

Then boss Donnelly, who was forced off the bench to replace injured striker Craig McMahon, glanced home a second via a Vale defender from Young’s corner.

There were some tired legs in the Thorn ranks at the end with a couple of players getting their first 90 minutes of pre-season under their belts.

Meanwhile, winger Dean Scott has left the club to join Govan-based junior side Benburb.

Thorn step it up again this weekend when they travel to Kirkconnel to face newly-promoted West Super League First Division side Kello Rovers at Nithside Park, kick-off 2.00pm.

The club are running a bus to the match which will depart the Thorn Inn at 11.30am and seats are available £10.

Thorn Athletic are always on the looking to hear from local business community who are interested in sponsorship or partnership working.

Also we are keen to hear from those people with skills or time who feel they could enhance the committee of the club in some way.

Please contact Mark McGee on 07887551234.

Miles better for youths

Posted on by Mark McGee

THORN ATHLETIC youths have taken to the skies and the roads to clock up the miles over the past few weeks.

The club’s 2004 side flew to Europe to participate in the Holland Cup staged in Almere just on the outskirts of Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, the 2007 side travelled south to the coastal resort of Blackpool to take part in the Blackpool Football Festival.
Both side’s mixed with teams from across Europe and the United Kingdom as they tested themselves outside of their normal comfort zone with the 2007’s winning their first ever trophy.
The 2004’s became the first ever team from the Johnstone club to participate in an international tournament and a fantastic and unforgettable time was had by all in the contingent.
On the opening day they drew with host side FC Almere then recorded victories against St Paul’s from England and Torsted from Denmark ensuring they won their group section and entered the final stages on the Sunday.
The second day saw them lose narrowly to Magherafelt Blues of Northern Ireland then beat Irene of Belgium before eventually losing in the final game to rival Scottish-based side Cumbernauld Colts.
Meanwhile more than 50 Thorn Athletic players, coaches and family enjoyed a couple of great days in the seaside festival at Blackpool.
They competed well against Accrington Stanley, East Fife and Caledonian AFC from Ayr to name but a few of the sides and triumphed to secure the Blackpool Cup Plate.
Both teams done superbly well fundraising to cover the costs of their respective trips and reduce the burden on the children and families participating.
The club appreciate greatly the work of everyone who supported any of those fundraising efforts in the weeks and months building up to these trips.
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