ST –Jim Bergerac – I think you’re wrong to dismiss Thornton.

GT did a good job at the Bulldogs – he probably stayed a year longer than he should – but during his time there did a solid job keeping Batley in NL1 – against I might add, some strong teams with massive budgets and full time squads – Cas, Salford, Celtic, Widnes, Fax, and KR. He gave some good local talent from amateur game a chance in Ash Lindsay and Jonny Campbell, and also brought some quality local players who had been cast aside from super league in John Gallagher, Luke Stenchion, Paul Mennell, and George Flanagan. He was well respected by his players. And I reckon his budget during that time was less than Keighley’s is now too.
I have also heard he has doing a great job at Cas where he is highly rated by the club. Lots of experience and knows the Championship – I reckon he’d be a decent shout!

If only you knew the truth Mr Bergerac you would stop posting your anti-thornton rubbish which makes you look so foolish-still thats not stopped you in the past!

Pardon me, but I've seen enough humiliating and effortless 60+ point defeats at home and away, players who had been quality assets at other clubs reduced to carthorses, talented young players stripped of all ability over a period of time, ridiculously bad loan signings and diabolical tactics to be able to make a decent judgement.
If you can sit at your computer and deny what I suggested in my previous posts - i.e. childlike game-plans written on bits of A4 paper, training sessions that consisted of a jog round an all-weather pitch, and lack of opposition analysis by video (a tactic used by coaches since the year dot), then please feel free to do just that. Then it'll be you that looks foolish.

Sounds youve got an axe to grind!
I suggest you think closer to 'home' before you start diverting blame.

Of course I've got an axe to grind. The bloke presided over the most frustrating under-achieving, soul-destroying 7 seasons that I've watched Batley. A lot of people were far too accepting of that underachievement thanks to a blind belief in the age-old 'limited resources' spiel/excuse, despite the fact we had, on paper, good playing squads in each of Thornton's seasons at the club. The squads of 2004/2005, especially, were filled with quality players, yet failed absolutely miserably in terms of performance.
I note that you haven't tried to defend your man against anything I've said, apart from my overall suggestion that he 'isn't very good'. Thats because you can't.
As for him now being some kind of Academy 'guru' (which is the next response you'll no doubt throw at me), name me one young player he signed for Batley that developed under his tutelage? There isn't a SINGLE one. Quite frankly, its laughable that he's in the fortunate position he now finds himself.

Is this board becoming a resting place for disgruntled Bulldog fans , Thonrton Cronies and the like ...????

Think you may have got lost from here....rlhttps://www.totalrl.com/index.php?showforum

Still ,yet again with my supporters hat on , saying Matty Bramald should be the man for the job ...with Glen in tandem ..no arguments

Other than that completely cant believe that no one has mentioned Dave Clark in the equation , he could be a real asset for Keighley .... Northern Rail Cup Winner , tried n tested and a real grounding in community / development work , also a hell of a nice guy to boot..