Final Hits Big Screen

THORN ATHLETIC are delighted to announce that our League Cup Final clash with Dumbarton will be professionally filmed.

For the first time ever, Caledonian League officials have struck a deal with FilmMyMatch company to provide a full package for each of their three showpiece finals.

And our club will be one of the first beneficiaries when we travel to Clyde’s Broadwood Stadium on Friday, April 7.

Their specialist HI-POD equipment enables them to film at a height of up to 30ft above pitch level, giving them the optimum view of any match.

The equipment is mobile and can be used at any facility, from park pitches to Premier League stadiums, providing ‘Match Of The Day’ style footage that can be kept as a unique memento of the match or used as a superb coaching tool.

Footage is uploaded to their secure online video sharing platform within 2-3 days of your match. Your footage can then be viewed and shared online on your PC, laptop or mobile device. Or it can be downloaded and burned to multiple DVDs, saved to memory stick or uploaded to YouTube as you see fit.

Thorn manager James Donnelly said: “This is a wee incentive for the players to go out and play well and also for family, friends and supporters to come along and watch.

“It is a nice touch that the boys will be able to look back on the final in years to come and perhaps show their kids and family. 

“We are grateful to the league for facilitating this and adding to the occasion for both teams.”

Access all areas at Celtic

FOUR Thorn Athletic officials were given an amazing behind-the-scenes insight into Celtic’s Youth Academy at the club’s prestigious recent International Coaching Convention.

Representatives James Donnelly, Steven McKnight, Shaun Gallagher and Mark McGee rubbed shoulders with coaches and staff from as far afield as America, Canada and Kuwait over two action packed days.
Our guys were among only a handful of Scottish based attendees at the Parkhead club’s sixth annual International Coaches Convention staged between Celtic Park, their Lennoxtown Training Facility and St Ninian’s High School in Kirkintilloch, home of the Hoops’ unique School Programme.
Rodgers answers questions
Among the many highlights for the Thorn representatives was hearing from Celtic’s first team manager Brendan Rodgers at length on his football philosophy and getting an amazing insight into mindset from Performance Consultant Jim McGuinness.
And there was a very proud moment for the club as one of the practical sessions at Lennoxtown included former Thorn Athletic 2006 player Ben McCrystal who made the progression to the Hoops and looks to be doing very well.
Convention guests were given unrivalled access to live practical training sessions and enjoyed in-depth analytical information on match preparation and recovery for teams in the club’s academy.
They heard from staff at every level of the Academy including Chris McCart, Martin Millar, Tommy McIntyre, Michael O’Halloran and John McLaughlan who provided detailed presentations that kept all guests listening intently
and taking notes.
Jim McGuinness
It was a superb opportunity for the Thorn Athletic delegates who all admitted they had learned so much over the course of the event.
Even although a lot of the content was relevant to elite level coaching, there were many ideas and pointers that can be integrated at any level of football.
Not only that, but segments of the course will undoubtedly help them all as individuals on their coaching or football journey.
Club secretary Mark McGee said: “We were all very lucky and privileged to get this opportunity to see an academy like this in full swing.
“There was so much to take in and we must credit Celtic for allowing unlimited access to their programme and letting everyone see. It was an eye opener for us all, regardless of which level of football you operate at.
“It has undoubtedly given us all a greater understanding of what we should be doing and the best ways to achieve it.”

Pie and Bovril hits the spot!

SCOTLAND’S favourite football forum has got everyone talking once again after backing Johnstone’s top side Thorn Athletic.

Pie and Bovril attracts millions of visits from fanatical supporters across the globe debating every level of the national game from grassroots right up to the top flight and Gordon Strachan’s international team,

And now they have thrown their support behind the Thorn 2006 team with a strip sponsorship deal that proves they know the score in youth football.

The team play in the Paisley and Johnstone District Youth Football League and have enjoyed considerable success in progressing players to pro-youth level.

Now the players will be the talk of the town with their stunning new yellow and blue Adidas strip bearing the well-known Pie and Bovril logo on the front.

And Pie and Bovril spokesman David McDonald, who lives in the local area, said: “Pie and Bovril is the number one Scottish Football Forum, attracting millions of visits from Scottish Football fans all over the world every month.

“We have members of all ages, discussing every level of our favourite national obsession on our website and mobile apps.

“Our members are painfully aware of the extreme financial pressures that exist at all levels of the game in Scotland, none more so than at the all important grassroots level.

“As such we decided we should try and give something back to a local team, and a chance conversation with coach Steven McKnight introduced us to the talented lads of Thorn Athletic.

“We were delighted to help the boys out with some sponsorship which helped them get their new kits. They look really smart but it’s the smiling faces we saw that really made the project worthwhile.”

And delighted coach McKnight added: “Pie and Bovril is synonomous with Scottish football and we are delighted to have the support of such an iconic brand.

“The boys will wear the new strips with pride and they are all absolutely loving them and the new logo on the front. It’s great that David had been able to put something back into grassroots football and we greatly appreciate it.”

Three Picked for Caley Select

CALEDONIAN League Select Team manager Raymond Masterson has called up three players for the Inter-League Trophy competition.

Jordan Devine, Ryan Crawford and Jamie White are set to face Glasgow Colleges AFL in the first match of the competition.

Striker Devine, who has bagged 11 goals in nine appearances this season, was part of last season’s squad.

But it will be the first involvement for new signings White and Crawford, both of whom have been in excellent form so far this campaign.

The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 20 at Dalziel with a 1pm kick-off.

Meanwhile in the other matches Strathclyde Saturday Morning AFL face Central Scottish AFL also at 1pm at Dalziel.

Lothian and Edinburgh AFA v Scottish Amateur FL 3pm at the same venue.

Thorn manager James Donnelly said: “It’s well deserved for all three, who have had excellent starts to the season.

“We could possibly have put more players forward as the squad is firing at the moment but we also have a busy schedule.”

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers
1.Craig Marshall                                             Giffnock North
2.Stuart Wilson                                               Gartcosh Utd
         
Defenders
3. Craig Fry                                                     Giffnock North
4. Andy Duff                                                   Hamilton FP’s
5. John Whitford                                             Milton
6 .Mark Shanta                                                Giffnock North
7. Stewart Mitchell                                          Milton
8. Mark McGinty                                            
9. Scott Cronie                                                Dalziel HSFP’s

Midfielders
10. Gary Close                                                Dalziel HSFP’s
11. Niall McClure                                            Doune Castle
12. Peter Gemmell                                          Giffnock North
13. Ryan Crawford                                          Thorn Athletic
14. David Neale                                               Gifnock North
15. Jamie White                                              Thorn Athletic

FORWARDS
16. Nicky Moore                                              Larkhall Thistle
17.Jordan Devine                                            Thorn Athletic
18. Andy McLay                                              Glasgow Harp
19. Conner McCann                                        East Kilbride YM
20. Paul McAuley                                            Larkhall Thistle

On Stand by
20.      Dylan McGowan                                   Doune Castle
21.      Cammy  McCulloch                              East Kilbride YM
22.      Grant Drummond                                 Larkhall Thistle
23.      Chris Ogilve                                          Doune Castle
24.      Mark Taylor                                           Milton

 

Hampden Role for McKnight

HIGHLY-RATED Thorn Athletic coach Steven McKnight is heading for Hampden after landing a role with SPFL side Queen’s Park.

The 37-year-old 2006 head coach has been rewarded for his hard work with the Johnstone side and will now take up a role both coaching and scouting for the Glasgow side.

McKnight, who was also recently approached by Falkirk Football Club for a similar role, will deliver coaching for Queen’s 2010’s side at Lesser Hampden and search out new talent for all age levels of their academy.

Thorn are delighted with Steven’s news and also that he will continue with the club’s 2006 side where he has blazed a trail sending dozens of boys onto the next level with pro-youth at some of the country’s top teams.

He said: “I received a phone call from Ian Campbell who is head of player recruitment for the Falkirk Academy and he invited me up to the stadium. I met up with him on a Sunday afternoon at the stadium and took in a couple of pre academy games.

“I was also introduced to Michael McArdle who is Head of the Forth Valley academy which incorporates Falkirk, Stenhousemuir and East Stirling and was told to hand my C.V. in with the possibility of a coaching role at the academy. After a long afternoon and a good chat I was offered a role of scouting for Falkirk in the Glasgow and Renfrewshire area.

“The very next day I was contacted by Gardner Speirs who is in charge of the Queens Park Youth Academy and I was invited in for a chat at Lesser Hampden.

“I was offered a scouting role and also coaching the u14’s which I had to decline as it was such a big commitment Monday, Wednesday and Friday and most of the day on a Sunday as they play all over Scotland.

“I eventually agreed to a coaching role at the under 10’s which is Tuesday, Friday and Sunday’s all at Lesser Hampden plus a role of scouting for the club at all academy age levels.”

A Thorn Athletic spokesman said: “The quality of Steven’s coaching has brought amazing rewards and represents a great example to everyone at the club.

“He has really honed his skills and shown great dedication to the kids he has worked with. We are sure he will excel in his new role.”

Pre-Season Round-up

NOT long now until the big kick-off this weekend in the Caledonian League.

During the course of an extended pre-season the Thorn Athletic camp have been busy preparing themselves for the campaign ahead.

 That saw an interesting schedule of matches begin on June 29 and finally end at the weekend ahead of Saturday’s League Cup section opener against Gartcosh United.
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With just a few sessions under their belts the team welcomed brand new team BSC Glasgow Amateurs to Johnstone Hub for a midweek opener.
It was a step into the unknown against a team in their early stages of development but the Thorn ran out 4-3 winners courtesy of a double from Jordan Devine and goals from defender Donny Morrison and midfielder John Hay.
The main reason an early match was arranged was to get some game time ahead of what has now become an annual trip to the Borders to face Lowland League side Sellkirk, managed by Garry O’Connor.
And it was a sparce looking team coach minus a few familiar faces that departed Johnstone for the two-hour trip to Yarrow Park. That didn’t seem to dampen spirits on the way back – but we’ll come to that!
Despite falling behind to a sloppy goal – aren’t they all – the Thorn looked good for the most part and matched their hosts almost all of the way.
An equaliser duly arrived through Craig McMahon and the visitors looked deflated to be undone by a goal with almost the last kick of the ball. That was a measure of how much the players had put into the 90-odd minutes.
But there was no signs of any deflation after receiving the hospitality of the very generous Selkirk committee and a stop at Asda for the obligatory bus ‘kerry oot’.
It was an initiation of sorts for new boys like Darren Lamont, Jack Doak and Connor McGowan – making his first appearance for the club.
The tough games just kept coming for the team and a hard-fought 3-3 draw with Greenock Juniors at Johnstone Hub was next up. The goals were supplied by McMahon, Dean Scott and McGowan. It was a stern test – and one the boys passed.
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The team had plenty match practice under their belts as they headed to ‘The Hibbee’ in Duntocher to face a Drumchapel Colts side who had swept away all before them in the SAFL the previous season.
Again, with several players missing, what followed was a display of free-flowing football and clinical finishing. McMahon bagged a double, Devine was on target and Tony Galbraith, Liam Allen, John Hay and Donnny Morrison also registered on the scoresheet. Things were looking good.
An unscheduled friendly against recent West of Scotland Cup winners Greenock HSFP was squeezed into the diary and off we went to Inverclyde Academy on a Tuesday night.
Another positive result was earned and a scoreline that will have raised more than a few eyebrows among those who were not present.
A comprehensive 5-1 win courtesy of a Devine double (see what I did there) and goals from Morrison, Hay and McGowan was very welcome against a team who were no strangers to dishing that kind of reverse out to their visitors.
It’s always nice to welcome opponents from a different association and Stewarton United seemed well up for their trip to the McMaster Sports Centre to represent the Ayrshire AFA.
With  a bus almost filled they were in good spirits and not even the 7-2 defeat could dampen that in the Thorn Inn afterwards, where they were very welcome guests.
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Two hat-tricks – from McMahon and Devine – were chalked up. But in truth it could have been more but for some fine goalkeeping on the day from a gentleman who had clearly matured like a fine wine.
Another hastily – and probably ill-advised – match was shoe-horned in against Glasgow Junior cracks Vale of Clyde. With a threadbare 11 players available it was always going to be a testing night. And so it proved.
Despite not being outclassed, the Thorn were certainly stretched and succumbed to a 3-1 defeat with Liam Allen countering for the visitors at Glasgow Green.
And so came the final curtain in terms of pre-season with a clash against current Scottish Cup U21 holders Johnstone Burgh in what was loosely a local derby.
Again a stretched squad that had worked immensely hard for the previous six weeks found this was a game too far and turned in probably the poorest display of the eight warm-ups.
But both side’s knocked the ball about well with the Burgh winning 2-1 and McGowan getting in the scoresheet again to take his pre-season tally to three.
But it wasn’t all about the games for Thorn as a visit to Ayrshire Warriors was another highlight for the lads as they enjoyed some fun in the mud down in Kilmarnock.
The usual holidays and suspensions will come into play when the season kick-off but the squad are in decent shape for the campaign ahead and a return to the Premier League.

Sizzling Summer Camp Success

OUR first ever summer football camp was given a huge thumbs up by everyone who took part.

Almost 30 kids signed up for the action-packed five-day event that ran from July 25-29 at the McMaster Sports Centre in Johnstone.

It was run in conjunction with Thorn Athletic 2006 head coach Steven McKnight and fellow coach Alasdair Buchanan.

Kids were treated to five fun-filled days of drills, ball mastery, enjoyable games and various activities that helped improve their football skills.

The Thorn camp was just one of three hugely successful week-long camps run by coach McKnight which was split into morning and afternoon sessions either side of a lunch break.

And such was the quality of skill on show that scouts of some top senior clubs popped by resulting in two players training at Rangers’ Murray Park this week.

 

camp10

 

Club spokesperson Mark McGee said: “We were delighted that the club was able to promote and host our first ever camp last week.

“It was universally enjoyed by all the kids and they all had a fantastic time. Feedback from kids, coaches and parents alike was superb.

“The quality of coaching delivered by Steven is of the highest standard and the end results are demonstrated by the real progress the children have shown in just a week.

“This is another milestone for the club and we would like to place on record our thanks to Steven and Alasdair for putting on such a great event.”

camp7

 

Dinner Raises The Roof

A BUMPER 150 crowd turned out to see us crown our star men at a glamour dinner at St Mirren Park.

Top table speakers former Scotland manager Craig Brown and ex-referee Willie Young kept the guests entertained after a fantastic three-course meal.

Striker Jordan Devine won the Player of the Year award along with the top goalscorer gong for his haul of 35 goals during campaign 2015-16. Former Aberdeen and Motherwell gaffer Brown handed over the engraved glass trophy.

Midfielder John Hay emerged with the Players’ Player of the Year and received his award from fellow guest and current UEFA observer Young.

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Willie Young and John Hay

Also recognised on the night was attacker Craig McGlone – the Thorn’s all-time top goalscorer – who was presented with an award for his long service to the club from Thorn Athletic life member and club stalwart Jim Allen.

Fundraising efforts on the night from the, giant football card, raffle, auction and silent auction saw just over £4,000 raised to boost the team ahead of their first season in the Premier Division of the Caledonian League.

It was a memorable night for the organisers and everyone was delighted the event was a rip-roaring success.

The club’s sponsors Direct Engineering, Graeme’s Butchers, The Thorn Inn and McDoc Caravan Hire were all instrumental in the success of the night with most represented on the night and others donating great auction or raffle prizes.

Club secretary Mark McGee said: “It was our first attempt at doing something on this scale and it was a resounding success. The support from players, family and friends was tremendous.

“We would like to thank everyone who made it happen, in particular Campbell Kennedy at St Mirren for his help organising the event and his valued support on the night itself. It’s a great venue.”

Both guest speakers spoke highly about the club as they addressed guests and afterwards the ex-Scotland boss Brown – the last national team manager to lead the country to a major championship, said: “It was a very enjoyable evening in great company. Good luck to the club going forward, you deserve the best.”

  • All the pictures from the night out can be viewed on the Gallery page of the site.

 

 

We are the Champions

WE finally ended a six year wait this week when the club’s adult side were crowned Caledonian League First Division 1B champions.

A fantastic season – which saw the team win 14 out of 18 games – meant they cannot now be caught by rivals like Westerlands, Cambria and Larkhall as the battle rages on for second spot.
The triumph ended a barren spell for the team which has undergone a huge transitional phase over the past three years under Paul Elliott, Scott Graham and current manager James Donnelly.
And after the bitter disappointment of last year’s farcical SAFL Premier League disgrace this is doubly as satisfying for all involved.
It also vindicates the committee’s decision to quit the SAFL set-up which had become riddled with mismanagement, self-interest and downright incompetence.
Thorn look poised to end the campaign with a comfortable margin over all their rivals and will now begin the work of preparing to face a Championship play-off match against the winners of Division 1A.
champs2
It looks like Glasgow Harp will clinch their respective league in the near future and both teams will be promoted to the Caledonian Premier League for season 2016-17.
The fact that Thorn Athletic will return to top-flight football at the first time of asking is huge credit to Donnelly and his coaching staff and the team that he has built.
After an initial decade which saw the team regularly collect silverware the past few years have made everyone involved realise just how hard it is to survive and succeed at this level.
And manager Donnelly told the club’s official website: “I am delighted for everyone at the club that we are now able to enjoy this success.
“The team won all the crucial matches during the season and especially during the hard winter months we produced the results that took us into a fairly comfortable position in the end.”
The team are also still involved in the Presidents Cup and are currently sitting top of Section 3 after three wins from three.
Despite a poor defeat away to Milngavie on the last Saturday of the campaign, the players celebrated their success at the home of sponsors The Thorn Inn.
The club also thanked Direct Engineering, McDoc Caravan Hire and Graeme’s Butchers for their continued support.

Brown To Attend Gala Dinner

FORMER Scotland manager Craig Brown will speak at our first ever Player of the Year Dinner at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on May 27.

Brown, now 75, was the the last international boss to lead the country to a major finals when Scotland qualified for the World Cup in France 1998, following their run to Euro 96 in England.
But now he will become the first headline speaker at the club’s end of season gala dinner at the home of St Mirren, where guests will enjoy a superb three-course meal, waitress service, top-notch entertainment, a presentation and auction.
Brown, who is also a Bachelor of Arts in English and geography, is expected to recount stories of his time in top-level football management and some of the characters he’s come across over the years.
Also keeping guests entertained on the night will be John McKelvie who is a highly-rated regular on the Scottish after dinner circuit.
Former referee McKelvie – a top cop with Starthclyde Police for around 30 years – spent man seasons officiating in the amateurs and refereed the showpiece Scottish Amateur Cup Final.
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Meanwhile, former Aberdeen, Motherwell, Preston North End and  Clyde gaffer Brown joined the SFA’s staff in August 1986.
He spent seven years as Assistant Technical Director and Assistant National Coach leading the Under-21s, Under-19s and Under-17s through successful periods.
After one game in temporary charge of the senior squad against Italy in Rome he was appointed International Team Manager on November 17, 1993 in succession to Andy Roxburgh.
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Between 1993-2001, under Craig’s management, the team played 70 games of which 32 were won, 18 were drawn and 20 were lost. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1999.

The club are expecting a fantastic night to bring down the curtain on their first season in the Caledonian League and are hoping many family, friends and supporters will attend.

Tickets are priced at £40 and are available from players, committee or management.

They can also be ordered via e-mail to [email protected] or text to 07887551234.