Six of the best for Thorn

Thorn Athletic have unveiled their six shooters for the season ahead with a cracking mix of new arrivals.

The Johnstone side have added half a dozen new faces to their squad for an assault on the Caledonian Premier League.

Former Clydebank captain Martin McInnes has put pen to paper after a spell out.

The experienced defender made more than 200 appearances for the Bankies lifting two League Cups in the process before a spell at Neilston where he won the Central First Division.

Thorn’s rearguard also sees the addition of George Bonner fresh from a successful season with Irvine Victoria where he helped them secure promotion to the SJFA’s new Championship.

Bonner is a well-known face among the Ayrshire Juniors after spells with Saltcoats too, but is a local boy from Paisley who the club have been after for a while.

Those two add to the previous signings of midfielder David Orr and player/coach Alan Muir – both from Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Both have settled into the squad and coaching staff respectively.

That was also complemented by the arrival of two exciting youngsters in Ian Paterson from Bridgewater Amateurs. The 23-year-old, who played his first game in the 1-1 draw with Greenock HSFP last week, looks the perfect fit for the club.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Cameron Craig has also also agreed to sign to bolster Thorn’s options between the sticks. Craig – on the way back from a bad ankle injury – has previously played with Johnstone Burgh Under-21s, Glenvale and Harmony Row.

Manager James Donnelly said:“Both Martin and George bring great experience to the back four and have a wealth of knowledge over their years in the Juniors.

“Martin is exceptionally fit and is dominant in the air, something we have been lacking. George also has an aerial threat and we know him well and what he can do. Early on we brought in Alan, David and Ian to the side and they are well settled in and now Cammy looks hungry to get back involved although will only be here for a short spell as he is due to head off to study at university.”

Thorn’s three pre-season outings so far have seen a 2-2 draw with Vale of Leven, a 4-0 win over Neilston Juniors and a 1-1 draw with Central Scottish AFL cracks Greenock HSFP.

The club still have a couple of long-term injuries to stopper Joe Rae, defender Gary Wilson, wideman Jamie White and keeper Tony McWilliams.