Month: September 2018

Thistle started promisingly with new signing Craig Forbes in the line up and for the first 20 minutes played well and looked comfortable with Dylan Simpson netting with a tremendous drive into the postage stamp corner. The lead did not last long and they proceeded to lose 2 goals in 2 minutes . Downfield now took a grip on the game and netted a further two goals before half time.

The home team continued to dominate in the second half and added a further 3 goals to run out easy winners.

Quite clearly we must try and cut out some the basic mistakes we are making.

Team ; Cooper, Fraser, Wells, Boyle McMurray, Adams, Simpson, Forbes, Bartez, Brunton Miller.

Subs ; McGraw, Barclay, Campbell  Cuthbertson, Munn

The funeral of Danny McLeish lifelong supporter  will take place on Thursday 4th. October  timetable as  follows ;

11.30am. at the Cooperative Funeral Parlour, Montgomery Street, Larkhall then onto South Lanarkshire Crematorium ,Sydes Brae, High Blantyre and finally to Danny’s second home Larkhall Thistle Football Club,

11, Raploch Street, Larkhall ml91aj

It is with much regret that we have to announce the passing of ex Thistle player and Larkhall resident Davy Booth.Davy’s grandson David Gibb currently plays with the Jags.

Davy played in a Thistle team along with local lads Alan Sneddon, Mitch McIntosh, Bobby Stillie , Davie Henderson and John Graham also in the team were John Chalmers and the fastest player ever at Gasworks Park, Brian Fisher.  Willie McKinlay was the coach assisted by Thistle legend Martin Mulhearn.

Davy was a tricky winger who could take a chance.

Everyone at the club would like to offer their sincere condolences at this sad time.

R.I.P. Davy .

It is with deep sorry and regret that the club have to announce the passing of yet another stalwart , lifelong supporter and ex committee member of Larkhall Thistle. Danny McLeish passed away late yesterday and it is with a heavy heart that we make this statement. Danny attended both home and away games and took great pride in his morning shift at the park and the surrounds of the clubhouse are a testimony to the big man’s endeavours.

Everyone at the club , committee, players, management staff and his fellow supporters would like to express their sincere condolences to the Mcleish family at this sad time and they are very much in the thoughts of the extended Thistle family at this time.

Rest in peace Danny you will never be forgotten. 

Our final match of last season at home against Troon proved to be what could be considered a seismic shock to the future of our club. At a meeting we had with the management team  the week before the Troon match, it quickly became clear that the increased budget being put forward by them was far and beyond what the club could realistically afford. It is the duty of the Committee as custodians of the club , to protect its future survival by not committing to any unrealistic financial burdens  and risks and regrettably , it was mutually agreed that the management team of Duncan Sinclair, Tam Mclaughlin and Jamie Sandilands would depart the club and that their last game would be against Troon.

The 7-0 lost to Troon proved to be a huge disappointment not only because of the resounding defeat but from the attitude of the players on the pitch.

Those of you who attended the game will have recognised the stark contrast in attitude between the players that day and that of the current squad who may lack experience but who cannot be criticised for any lack of hard work and effort.

When the process of recruiting a new management team began , all of the then playing staff intimated they would be moving on.

Following the selection process , fully qualified coach Derek Holmes was appointed manager with former Larkhall resident Brian Crawford who has extensive playing and coaching history at our level as his assistant.

With a very limited window to recruit what turned out to be a completely new squad , some very nasty and erroneous stories were being spread across social media and other circles that Larkhall Thistle had failed to meet their financial commitments to players and coaching staff for season 2017/2018.Various players approached by Derek and Brian expressed concern they would not be paid fees agreed at the time of signing and this made an extremely challenging task even more difficult to fulfil.

The club would like to state quite categorically that no – one departed Gasworks Park after the Troon debacle being owed any money.

In the 21st. century , junior football operates in a very difficult and more challenging financial environment than in the past. Having to comply with the financial demands of government bureaucracy and legislation considerable burdens are being placed on all junior clubs. However as owners of Gasworks Park we have the additional burden this requires and unlike other clubs in our area who do not own the ground they play at and are able to use the majority of their finances to reward players.

Derek and Brian are working hard to improve the playing squad and we will continue to provide our full support to their efforts to advance our position in what is a very competitive league . The ongoing support from fans is an important factor in any teams success and we  welcome and thank you all for this valuable support and the encouragement you give the team on matchdays.

We would like to express our continued thanks to our sponsors, advertisers and local businesses and everyone who supports the club.

In conclusion we rely on unpaid volunteers  who form the Officials and committee of Larkhall Thistle Football Club.

There is no doubt from positive and negative activity across social media that there exists a passion for the club  and a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to channel that positive passion into becoming directly involved with the club in any voluntary capacity that will enable us to compete in the world that is fast becoming Scottish Non League football.

I hope this statement rectifies some of the misleading information  in recent circulation and shows the club’s gratitude for the many forms of support it receives. Should any further  clarification of matters be required please get in touch with me when I will be more than happy to provide this. I can be contacted before or after any match in the first instance.

Chris Lenson – President Larkhall Thistle. 

Thistle started confidently and competed very well for the first 20 minutes but then proceeded to lose four goals before half time. Worse was to follow at the start of the second period when they lost a fifth goal in the opening minute. But credit to the players they dug in and reduced the leeway with a fine headed goal after fine run and cross by the trialist right back. They then continued to have the upper hand but could not score any further goals subsequently losing a couple of late goals.

The players cannot be criticised for lack of effort without a doubt everyone gave their all which was very encouraging for all concerned.

Team; McGraw , Trialist , Beattie ,(Hazizi) Barclay , Boyle, Adams,(Munn) Brunton, Hunter ,Bartosz, Miller(Campbell), Simpson

Substitutes not used Euan Alexander, Ryan Airth.