45 replies to this topic

[buford t justice]

According to twitter and their message board.

Be imteresting to see if he's learnt anything different to what we had with him in charge after his time in SL.

Edited by buford t justice, 06 July 2012 - 09:15 AM.

[HaroldShand]

They have my condolences. Only a matter of time before he's handing out childishly written game plans on A4 paper to disgruntled fans. "Stuart Dickens is a big man who runs hard. Keep an eye on him"...............(wipes tears of laughter from eyes).

[vitocorleone]

According to twitter and their message board.

Be imteresting to see if he's learnt anything different to what we had with him in charge after his time in SL.

Ohh I hope that`s true. They suit each other so well.

[buford t justice]

Ohh I hope that`s true. They suit each other so well.

Definitely true -

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityknights/9802922.Gary_Thornton_lands_role_of_Knights_head_coach/

Its like Harry Potter all over again, the dark lord has returned.

[HaroldShand]

Definitely true -

http://www.yorkpress...hts_head_coach/

Its like Harry Potter all over again, the dark lord has returned.

Interesting report that. Lots of factual errors, includng play-off campaigns in 2003 (2004 surely?) and 2005 that are mysteriously absent from my memory banks? I wonder where the journalist got his facts from? Also chuckled at the mention of the 2007 (2008 actually) Northern Rail Cup semi-final. No mention that we lost horribly at home to a National League 2 outfit.

[vitocorleone]

Interesting report that. Lots of factual errors, includng play-off campaigns in 2003 (2004 surely?) and 2005 that are mysteriously absent from my memory banks? I wonder where the journalist got his facts from? Also chuckled at the mention of the 2007 (2008 actually) Northern Rail Cup semi-final. No mention that we lost horribly at home to a National League 2 outfit.

2004?

We got to the play offs once in 2006.

2005 of course was the division 2 play off!!

[HaroldShand]

2004?

We got to the play offs once in 2006.

2005 of course was the division 2 play off!!

Oooof, I remember the 2004 season. We started off really well and then barely stayed up after a 10 game losing streak. What a great side we had that year - Lawford, Eaton, Maun, Spink, Sean Richardson, Sibson, Bryn Powell, Shad Royston, Ryan McDonald, Steve Hill, Lingard, Horsley etc.... The 2005 team was also great on paper - Steve Jones, Berry, Richardson, Martin McLoughlin, Dane Morgan, Lingard, Royston, Darren Robinson, John Gallagher, Eaton, Sibson, Tim Spears. What on earth happened to us in those years?

Edited by HaroldShand, 06 July 2012 - 02:10 PM.

[vitocorleone]

Oooof, I remember the 2004 season. We started off really well and then barely stayed up after a 10 game losing streak. What a great side we had that year - Lawford, Eaton, Maun, Spink, Sean Richardson, Sibson, Bryn Powell, Shad Royston, Ryan McDonald, Steve Hill, Lingard, Horsley etc.... The 2005 team was also great on paper - Steve Jones, Berry, Richardson, Martin McLoughlin, Dane Morgan, Lingard, Royston, Darren Robinson, John Gallagher, Eaton, Sibson, Tim Spears. What on earth happened to us in those years?

2004 was quite a strange year indeed. We stormed through group stages of the national league cup and won 5 out of our first 6 games leaving us joint top, before absolutely capitulating and lost 8 out our next 9. We did however `pull it out of the bag` and win 2 more games to just stay up.

We also got knocked out of both cup competitions by Whitehaven at home. Haven also mauled us in the league at the mount, leading 36-0 at half time.

[BirstallDog]

good luck to gary. he did a great job on and off the field for us in my opinion.

[Bostic Boots]

Birstall Dog you are talking absolute tosh, look at the results in his reign, manner of the many results, and the players who had potential who lost ability, yes your opinion, however it's dross. We have moved on no end, love him or dislike him, Karl sorted the problem, fettled it, and John is improving our level again, not forgetting the work of our other club officials. Bostic!

[blackhawk]

They have my condolences. Only a matter of time before he's handing out childishly written game plans on A4 paper to disgruntled fans. "Stuart Dickens is a big man who runs hard. Keep an eye on him"...............(wipes tears of laughter from eyes).

guess u dont rate GT then,he wont lose any sleep H .ive seen him coaching and i rate him,nothing, nothing to do with him picking his mates ,he will always select players he sees fit to do a job for him

[buford t justice]

guess u dont rate GT then,he wont lose any sleep H .ive seen him coaching and i rate him,nothing, nothing to do with him picking his mates ,he will always select players he sees fit to do a job for him

His coaching must have changed an awful lot since he left Batley then.

Edited by buford t justice, 07 July 2012 - 08:43 AM.

[bulldogtrev]

The appointment is not a surprise. York's aim next season will be to avoid relegation on limited resources and small crowds which is what he did at Batley helped by other clubs having financial problems.

[grumpyoldram]

The appointment is not a surprise. York's aim next season will be to avoid relegation on limited resources and small crowds which is what he did at Batley helped by other clubs having financial problems.

They're not the only ones who's sole ambition will be to avoid relegation next season - include the other bottom four strugglers in that list. The good news is that four more sides will be promoted (I think ) so there should be more winnable matches.

[Bi11]

Why are people still having a pop at GT on this forum? You may believe that he was a naive coach and did a poor job, or the more generous view that he did a good job in keeping us in the Championship (beating the odd team of full timers along the way) whilst better supported clubs in the division went south. Whichever viewpoint you have, it seems to be universally agreed that he worked hard, was very approachable in my limited experience of the guy, presented a good image of Batley RL to the outside world and did his very best. To compare him with Harrison and Kear would be un fair; there are few coaches with their experience and knowledge in this division and we have been lucky to have them. How well he does at York will depend on resources and luck, but I don't doubt that he will give his all. I wish him well and hope that he always is made to feel welcome at the Mount. All this knocking of a guy that represented us as a player and a coach for so long leaves a nasty taste, to be honest.

[From the South]

Well said Bi11.

[grumpyoldram]

Why are people still having a pop at GT on this forum? You may believe that he was a naive coach and did a poor job, or the more generous view that he did a good job in keeping us in the Championship (beating the odd team of full timers along the way) whilst better supported clubs in the division went south. Whichever viewpoint you have, it seems to be universally agreed that he worked hard, was very approachable in my limited experience of the guy, presented a good image of Batley RL to the outside world and did his very best. To compare him with Harrison and Kear would be un fair; there are few coaches with their experience and knowledge in this division and we have been lucky to have them. How well he does at York will depend on resources and luck, but I don't doubt that he will give his all. I wish him well and hope that he always is made to feel welcome at the Mount. All this knocking of a guy that represented us as a player and a coach for so long leaves a nasty taste, to be honest.

None of my business I know, but If i remember correctly he signed most of the playing staff that served KH so well. GT was only a couple of players from having a winning side - KH was lucky enough to benefit from the misfortunes of Doncaster, and signed Tiger, who made a huge difference. If GT had been able to sign that player, the vitreol that seems to have been aimed at him might have been avoided. Don't know the guy, but on the occasions I saw him in Zuccinis he always spoke, (which is more than I can say for another coach not a million miles from Batley), and seemed a genuinely nice guy. Time to let go lads.

[suzzy]

Why are people still having a pop at GT on this forum? You may believe that he was a naive coach and did a poor job, or the more generous view that he did a good job in keeping us in the Championship (beating the odd team of full timers along the way) whilst better supported clubs in the division went south. Whichever viewpoint you have, it seems to be universally agreed that he worked hard, was very approachable in my limited experience of the guy, presented a good image of Batley RL to the outside world and did his very best. To compare him with Harrison and Kear would be un fair; there are few coaches with their experience and knowledge in this division and we have been lucky to have them. How well he does at York will depend on resources and luck, but I don't doubt that he will give his all. I wish him well and hope that he always is made to feel welcome at the Mount. All this knocking of a guy that represented us as a player and a coach for so long leaves a nasty taste, to be honest.

Yes well said why would anybody try to belittle a person who obviously gave his commitment to the club the best he knew how and if for some reason it didn't work out to the satisfaction of some fans then so be it but because he goes to another club there's no reason to score brownie points by disrespecting Garry who obviously would be too professional to even reply to their remarks.

[Piggy's mate]

Yes well said why would anybody try to belittle a person who obviously gave his commitment to the club the best he knew how and if for some reason it didn't work out to the satisfaction of some fans then so be it but because he goes to another club there's no reason to score brownie points by disrespecting Garry who obviously would be too professional to even reply to their remarks.

I agree time to let go and move on. It was part of our history and he contributed to our club of he decade like it or not. I wish him well until we play his team when I hope we thrash them!

[Paladin]

Why are people still having a pop at GT on this forum? You may believe that he was a naive coach and did a poor job, or the more generous view that he did a good job in keeping us in the Championship (beating the odd team of full timers along the way) whilst better supported clubs in the division went south. Whichever viewpoint you have, it seems to be universally agreed that he worked hard, was very approachable in my limited experience of the guy, presented a good image of Batley RL to the outside world and did his very best. To compare him with Harrison and Kear would be un fair; there are few coaches with their experience and knowledge in this division and we have been lucky to have them. How well he does at York will depend on resources and luck, but I don't doubt that he will give his all. I wish him well and hope that he always is made to feel welcome at the Mount. All this knocking of a guy that represented us as a player and a coach for so long leaves a nasty taste, to be honest.

Good post. I agree and feel that we should not conveniently forget the good work and major just on the bad. The guys only human, and he did actually win a coaches award whilst with us. Just the opinion I have. Others are entitled to theirs.