The club are delighted to announce that former Thorniewood, Shettleston and Newmains United manager Johnny Fallon has been appointed as the successor to Danny Taylor and become the new Saint Anthony’s Manager.
The 42 year old comes with a wealth of experience both as a player where he played for Motherwell, Stranraer Bellshill and Linlithgow Rose before retiring at 29 with his home town team Thorniewood United. Upon retiring he took up the reins at Robertson Park and led them into the SJFA West Region SuperLeague First Division for the first time in the clubs history before leaving the club stable position in the league as he started a family. He returned for short spells to help rebuild at St Rochs and Shettleston and also led Newmains to their highest league finish ever.
Johnny stepped away from the game for a few years through work and family commitments but has stayed in touch with the game and has helped out recently at Bellshill Athletic with their under 20’s and some help with recruitment.
He is no stranger to the Ants having made his competitive debut in mens football at just 15 when he came on for the Ants as a sub against ironically Thorniewood as a trialist and has always had a soft spot for the club.
Having applied on the Sunday night, the executive committee invited Johnny for a chat yesterday afternoon and by the end of that conversation it was unanimous that we approach Johnny and offer him the job. We were delighted when he accepted and he will meet the players for the first time tomorrow night ahead of our pre season friendly in the Mark Ritchie Memorial match v St Roch’s at McKenna Park.
Speaking to the Ants website the new gaffer said “I am absolutely delighted to be back in the game at St Anthony’s, a club I’ve always had a good relationship with and one who is forward thinking and progressing forward to continue to add to the already sound infrastructure” I can only thank Martin, Felix and the committee for the opportunity to continue the good work done by Danny Taylor who has punched above his weight in what they have achieved over the last 4 years . The timing is not great with only a week before the league starts but we will hopefully hit the ground running Mon the Ants 🐜!”
Ants Club Secretary Martin McKenna is delighted to bring Johnny on board. “Having spoken to Johnny at length on Sunday night and hearing his passion and philosophy on how he wants the game to be played I am excited to see how the team turns out this season. The executive committee were of the same opinion when they invited Johnny over for a chat yesterday and by the end of that meeting we were unanimous that Johnny ticked all the boxes and a couple of extra ones as well. We can’t wait to see him in the dugout”
We will confirm the backroom team over the next couple of days.
We would also like to thank Graeme Crawford and Njabulo Ndlovu for stepping up as the interim coaching team. The boys will take the team on Wednesday night and also for the opening league game of the season away to Kilsyth Rangers to give Johnny time to meet the boys whilst maintaining a bit of continuity given the upheaval of the last couple of days.
Here’s to a new era at McKenna Park.
