Monday 14th June marked the first day of employment for the Club's new CDO, Mark Nisbet.  Mark joins us at an exciting time for the CLub and brings with him a vast amount of experience in senior coaching roles both locally and further afield.  Mark has a wealth of SFA qualifications and experience that he is very keen to share with our team of coaches as well as with our players rightacross the age ranges.

Sarah Phillips, KTCFC Chair, said, "I am delighted to be able to welcome Mark to the Club.  His previous experience and relationships within the footballing community will allow him to lead the development of Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club to provide quality opportunities for people of all ages to play and coach football in our community.  Hi appointment as CDO at the Club has brought a buzz of excitment to all those involved."

Upon his appointment, Mark stated, "I'm really excited to be joining the Club as the development officer.  There is real potential to move things forward and, coupled with the good people at the club, it makes this an opportunity I was happy to accept.  It will involve a lot of hard work to get to where we want to be but that can be achieved if we all work together."

Mark is pictured below with the SSE Scottish Women's Cup in a previous role. 

Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club is deepply saddened to have learned of the passing on Sunday 7th February of former Club President and club stalwart, George Morgan.

George was an integral part of the club and a key member for great many years, giving his time and energy to help promote football and develop the skills of those youngsters for whom he cared so much.

Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club sends its deepest condolences to George's family and to those whose lives he affected so positively.

Pictured below is George receiving a donation from the Police Benevolent Fund from the then Chief Constable for Tayside and George with his under-15 team.

KTCFC Online AGM - 24th November @ 1900

All members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting to be held online (invitations and links to be sent out prior to the event).

All posts are open to interested individuals.

Vacant posts:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer

KTCFC Update - return to training

With the announcement from the First Minister last week, it looks like we'll be able to get back to training very soon.  However, we cannot become complacent about the continued risks posed by Covid-19 and, as a Club, KTCFC is taking precautions and implementing plans and guidlines to ensure that we comply with regulations and, most importantly, keep our members as safe as we possibly can.

In light of this, we have produced a document (under licence from Neil Antrobus - thank you very much, Neil) which outlines the guidance we will be implementing.  This guidance and a parental/ carer agreement will be availble through My Club Hub for all members.  The agreement is based on an "opt out" process.  Should you not wish for your child(ren) to participate in training just yet, then that's fine but please let us know.  Those of you who do wish for your child(ren) to make a return to training, we will assume that you have read through both the agreement and the guidance and that you have discussed both with your child(ren) prior to them returning to training.  It is imperative that we all work together for this to be a success but it is also imperative that all our members behave in the manner expected by KTCFC.  Any member who does not follow the guidance whilst representing the club will have their parent/ carer contacted to collect them, take them home and remind them of the expectations and guidelines we will be working to prior to any further return.

More information and details will be shared as they become available.

KTCFC Update

The Club wishes to record its sincere appreciation and gratitude to every doctor, nurse, carer and ALL front-line workers who are risking their own lives to protect us in this time of uncertainty and concern.

It would also pay tribute and thanks to the many members of the Club who have elected to join the established volunteering networks across the town and the county and to those members who are front-line workers.

As a Community Club there will be opportunities for us to use our resources to the benefit of the community once the Covid-19 emergency is over and some degree of normality returns.However, indications are, that in this recovery period and for some time to come, manyneeds (both in the local economy and community) will arise.

In the interim period our position is to continue to follow government guidance and look forwards to resuming playing football but, more importantly, contributing to community support in a positive manner.

Best wishes to all.  Please stay safe and stay at home.

Alan Davie

Chair KTCFC

KTCFC Inaugural Coaches Training and Development Day

Saturday 1st February saw the first in a program of events designed to provide personal development for the coaching staff at Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club.  The event was run by Kevin Garrick, Head of Children's Academy at Dundee FC Pro Youth Academy and was very well received.

20 of our coaching staff supported by Garry Balfour, Club Development Officer, gave up their time for this, the first in a series of masterclasses designed to provide continuous improvement for the coaching of our players and development for our coach volunteers who give up so much of their free time for the club.

Feedback from all involved was excellent annd the involvement of the volunteer players ensured the session provided just as it had been planned.

KTCFC Plans for Further Development and Consideration

As the Club develops, we felt it important to share our ideas:

• continued development and opportuntites for all players
• master class training for coaches and managers
• possible addition of PARA football
• volunteer recruitment and retention strategy development
• annual social event for adult members
• consideration of gala event changing date to coincide with KALBA festival in August
• extension of CDO contract
• mid January managers/ coaches consultation exercise
• identification of a community project with which KTCFC can actively engage

KTCFC Showing Support for Mr Leo and His Family

On Tuesday 8th October, KTCFC Honorary Patron presented a donation to the evergrowing "Mr Leo" fund to show the club's support for the challenges both he and his family support on a daily basis.  Leo was diagnosed with the sadly terminal condition, infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and is one of only 150 people in the world, having been diagnosed earlier this year.  What started as a way to make memories has become a focus for support for the people of Kirriemuir and its district and Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club is proud to be able to support the family.

Pictured are (from left) Claire Davidson (Leo's mum), Alan Davie (KTCFC Chair), Leo and Amanda Kopel (KTCFC Honorary Patron.)

Scott McKenna Soccer Centre Coach's Talent Recognised by Dundee United WFC

Steffi Simson (SMSC Coach) has had her hard work and talent recognised by Dundee United WFC having been signed to the club this week.  Steffi joined Dryburgh Athletic Girls and Ladies FC as a striker in 2017 and scored 79 goals in 41 competitive games prior to signing for Dundee United WFC and Kirrie Thistle Community Football Club has been fortunate enough to secure Steffi's coaching ability for the Scott McKenna Soccer Centre where she has been outstanding.  

We wish you every success for the future, Steffi - congratulations from everyone at KTCFC!

KTCFC patron visits the Scott McKenna Soccer Centre.

Amanda Kopel, KTCFC's patron, visited the soccer centre this morning (Saturday 21st Spetember) to support the players, families and coaches.  It was an honour to have her with us and to show her the progress of the youngsters and the enjoyment of all at such a young age. 

Amanda commented, "I was absolutely delighted to be invited in my role as Honorary President of KTCFC which I am extremely honoured to be, to go along to this morning to watch the youngsters at their training session at the new Scott McKenna Soccer School, at Southmuir PS, Kirriemuir.

There are definitely a few budding football stars of the future among them, even at this early age.

Well done to Garry and his coaching team for making the session so enjoyable for the children.

It was great to see them learning how to interact as a team, all while enjoying themselves, with great fun warm up sessions.

It was great also to meet some of the mums, dads, grandparents and family members who brought the young ones along.

Thank you to everyone for making me so welcome......and a big thank you to the most important people there this morning.....our young footballing stars of the future."