The Fallon family make new managerial moves

May 27 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

THE footballing Fallon family have this week moved into new managerial posts with county clubs.

John senior, who managed Thorniewood United before work commitments took him to Dubai a year ago, has accepted a new role as co-manager at Wishaw.

And his son John has been appointed manager at Thorniewood after a season’s stint as co-manager of the Viewpark club.

John senior is set to team up with Alex Young as Wishaw prepare to move into their new base at Beltane Park – their first home ground in over 20 years.

Both Alex and John have built up a strong reputation in bringing on talented teenage players in the amateur ranks, with Hamilton’s Avondale and Viewpark’s Calderbraes Boys’ Club, respectively.

Alex explained: “John and I were talking about football on his return and we thought about going in together at a club.

“Then the talk came round to him coming here as a co-manager, so it was agreed last Thursday and he will get the chance to meet the players at the club’s prize presentation on Saturday, June 5.”

Fallon senior commented: “I’m excited about my return to junior football – Wishaw have a new park, a new beginning and we can look forward to kick-starting it and pushing it on.”

He added: “When I came back from Dubai, where I was coaching kids as well, Alex spoke to me about coming to join him at Wishaw.

“We had known each other for years through our respective boys’ clubs and I thought ‘why not?’

“I’m looking forward to it and we’ve already got some players lined up.”

Confirmation of young John’s post at Thorniewood was made at the club’s Player of the Year presentation on Saturday night, when young winger Andy Stewart – a young winger/ centre-half, was presented with the top honour.

Players’ Player of the Year was defender Brian Wharton, with Stephen Mullen top scorer.

When his dad quit the club at the start of the season, John moved into a co-manager’s role alongside defender Kieran McGuinness and Kevin O’Neill.

Now the former Motherwell and Bellshill midfielder has been promoted to manager, with Kieran as assistant and Kevin player-coach.

The trio consolidated Thorniewood’s status in the Central LeagueFirst Division, finishing sixth after gaining promotion just the year before.