Juniors

Club Thorne Juniors is the youth section of Club Thorne Colliery, offering football opportunities for young people aged 3 to 18 across Thorne and the surrounding community. We provide a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment where players can learn, have fun and develop both on and off the pitch.

Our coaching team is made up of qualified, experienced coaches who are passionate about supporting each player’s football journey. Whether a child is taking their first kick in our Mini Bees sessions or working towards competitive football in our older age groups, we aim to help every young person grow in confidence, skill and enjoyment of the game.

We are proud to be a community-focused club, built by local people for local families. At Club Thorne Juniors, every player is encouraged, supported and given the chance to thrive – not just as a footballer, but as a teammate, a friend and a young person with potential.

Our Player Pathway is designed to give every young footballer the chance to grow, progress, and thrive – whether they’re just starting out or dreaming of a future in the game.

• Mini Bees (Ages 3-6): Fun, introductory sessions focused on movement, coordination, and confidence-building.
• Foundation Phase (U7-U11): Core skill development in a positive team setting with matches of less competitiveness.
• Youth Development Phase (U12-U16): Tactical training, match experience, and personal development.
• U18s & Transition to Senior Football: Prepares players for men’s football, offering a pathway into our U21s and first team.
• Opportunities for Progression: We are proud to promote from within and help players push towards higher levels, including opportunities with local professional academies.

One of our main goals is to develop local talent – supporting young players as far as their potential can take them. Whether it’s progressing into Club Thorne’s senior squads or being scouted by a local academy, we aim to create the right environment for players to thrive both on and off the pitch.

At Club Thorne, we believe football offers opportunities both on and off the pitch. For our players, we provide a pathway to become qualified referees. We guide young people through their training, support them in gaining their official refereeing badges, and offer them opportunities to referee matches within our junior age groups.

This not only builds confidence, leadership and communication skills, but also creates paid opportunities and keeps young people positively involved in the game as they grow.

We are also committed to developing the next generation of coaches. At Club Thorne, all our coaches are supported to gain their coaching qualifications, including safeguarding and first aid training. Whether they’re new to coaching or looking to expand their skillset, we provide guidance, mentorship and financial support to help them progress.

Our aim is to build a strong, knowledgeable and confident coaching team who can provide the best experience for every young player at the club.

• Fully FA-affiliated teams across multiple age groups
• Experienced, DBS-checked volunteer coaches
• Coaches have a root for development
• Regular matches, structured training, and tournament opportunities
• Clear links to senior football and wider development support
• Links to local academies
• High level of football at certain age groups (JPL)
• Strong community feel, focused on player wellbeing and enjoyment

We believe in football for everyone, and we’re passionate about helping each player reach their full potential – whether that’s building confidence, making friends, or taking the next step in their football journey.

Coach Contacts:

U7: Steve Benson – 07920 420482

U8: Rik Firth – 07885 677527

U9 Sat: Gary Vick – 07938 377350

U9 Sun: Rob Chester – 07399 576082

U10: Natasha – 07903 053320

Meet the Committee:

Dave Margrave

Dennis Merchant

Richard Breckell

Sarah Robertson

Sarah Houseman