Thorn’s finest take a bow at club’s gala gong show

Football legend Frank McAvennie does the honours on big night

Thorn Athletic crowned their season with a gala dinner at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Friday evening.

Former Celtic, St Mirren and West Ham striker Frank McAvennie was the key speaker and also carried out the presentation of awards.

Midfielder Ryan Crawford collected the Player of the Year Award, Ross Horne was voted Players’ Player of the Year with strikers Jordan Devine and Craig McMahon sharing the Top Goalscorer gong, having bagged 26 goals apiece.

Around 100 guests enjoyed a three-course meal, entertainment from John McKelvie and largerthan-life figure Macca, along with the glittering awards ceremony which capped a fantastic season for the club.

Thorn reached the seventh round of the Scottish Cup where they were beaten by eventual winners Colville Park, made the sixth round of the West of Scotland Cup along with a cup final and a semifinal.

The club also raised a significant sum after guests supported their giant football card, raffle, silent auction and grand auction.

McAvennie was delighted to sign a retro Celtic Centenary season top which raised a hefty sum at auction along with several other prized items.

Among the guests were representatives from the Caledonian League, East Kilbride Rolls Royce and legendary former professional goalkeeper Jim Gallacher and his former Clydebank team-mate and manager Jim Fallon.

Organiser and club secretary Mark McGee said: “The club would like to thank all those who attended for their continued support.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy both John and Frank’s contribution and there was certainly plenty to keep us amused from some of Macca’s stories!”

The club would like to extend their gratitude to sponsors Direct Engineering, The Thorn Inn, McGinlay’s Butchers and McDoc Caravan Hire and also to Campbell Kennedy at St Mirren for his assistance.

Thorn Athletic are always on the lookout for sponsorships and partnerships with the local business community. If you are interested contact Mark on 07887551234.