From sweeping the terraces of Plough Lane as an apprentice, to forming part of the Crazy Gang, Wimbledon has always been part of Andy Thorn’s life.
Now after a few decades away he’s back where it all started and is keen to create more history with a Club that’s dear to his heart.
Here our newly appointed Chief Scout outlines why he was ready to return, discusses the responsibilities of his role and the importance of getting ahead of the game in the summer transfer window.
Andy, welcome back to Wimbledon. What made you want to return to the Club?
I had a phone call with Craig after I’d just left my position with Celtic as a consultant. He came up to meet me – he’s very convincing, he’s a very clever lad, I liked a lot of what he was saying.
We spoke a lot about the way things need to be done and the work ethic that’s required if we want to be successful. He is on top of everything and that’s what convinced me. After 10 or 15 minutes I knew I was coming back.
It’s what I wanted to hear as someone who works the way I work. It’s good to hear it from someone full of vigor and someone who wants to be successful. It was a no brainer for me. It was a fantastic feeling for them to come back and offer the job to me. It’s the right fit for all of us. I’m privileged to be part of it.
Obviously everyone saw Craig's update last week. The Club are looking to improve a number of areas behind the scenes in order to allow everyone to fulfil their potential. I am hopeful the recruitment can be improved to support the work to minimise injuries and maximise our resources. We are putting the foundations in place for hopefully a really exciting period for the Club.
Its been all systems go for the best part of eight weeks. We’ve been putting our heads down and busting a gut in order to get ahead of the game for the summer. Even today I’ve been out at a game.
You’ve held positions with the likes of Celtic, England, Everton and Fulham. What have those experiences taught you?
To start with I was at Everton with David Moyes. When I finished playing, I always wanted to be on the recruitment side of things. It’s the side that has always appealed to me. I played for a team that was branded and labelled in a certain way. I wanted to broaden my horizons and take in further aspects of the game.
I was fortunate enough to experience different styles and philosophies with the clubs I got to work with. The biggest thing I’ve learnt about recruitment is the work ethic that’s required in order to ensure you get things right.
You have to do things a certain way. If you don’t do things properly, there’s no point trying at all. You won’t get anywhere unless all the bases are covered. That’s one of the things I liked most about Craig and the Club when I spoke to them.
There’s a lot of hard work going on in order for us to hit the ground running in the summer transfer window. I’m certain that what we’re doing is under the right guidance. It is worth remembering that we can’t directly affect things until the summer. We want to move forwards and write some more chapters for this football club.
Please can you describe exactly what your role as Chief Scout entails?
You’re a key decision maker. You bring everything together. You’re always watching players. You’ve got your ear to the ground on who’s available. You use your contacts within the game in order to build up relationships with other clubs. You need help along the way, it’s good to have clubs who can loan you players if needs be.
Every player has to raise their game if new men are coming in. It gives them a lift. This club was built on people coming together and fighting for one goal. There’s no reason why we can’t do that again and be successful.
My task is to put as many good players in front of the manager as I can. Ultimately it’s down to the manager to decide which player he feels fit us best. It has to be affordable and that’s something I work closely with Craig on. It’s important that we get it right this summer. I’m one of those people that has to be organised. If I’m not, I get the hump!
Can you describe the step by step process that goes into scouting and recruiting a player?
Usually you know a lot about the players before you go and watch them. For an individual you’ll ensure you’ve covered all the bases. You’ll have watched them several times, you’ll have a full breakdown of their statistics and you’ll do character work on them in order to understand their personality. You have to leave no stone unturned. That’s how Craig and the team works.
Explain how Craig Cope will be involved in the process of recruitment once you have made a recommendation?
If I like a player I’ll do reports on them. Craig and Johnnie will be aware of that. They’ll then check whether the player is affordable. There’s no point in us chasing players that aren’t within our price range because it’s the position we’re in at the moment. I would never put anything unrealistic in front of the management team.
Much like the Wimbledon of old, we operate within the constraints of a tight playing budget. How do we go about ensuring we diminish the risks around transfers?
Every check you can possibly do on a player helps to minimise that. I’m fortunate enough to know enough people in the game to be able to pick up the phone and find out about them. It’s what you have to do. Craig has already spoken to potential targets, we’re full steam ahead.
How much of your role is linked to our Academy?
It’s fantastic to see how successful it has been. Speaking to them is equally as important as what we’re doing on the recruitment side. I came through at Wimbledon as a young kid, it would be great to see that tradition continue.
However we can’t play players just because they’ve come through the Academy, they’ve got to be good enough. You have to be man enough and strong enough to adapt to the level. Men’s football is an eye-opener, that’s why loan spells are important.
You became part of the Crazy Gang culture during your time as a player. Is there anything you learnt during that time which you have implemented in your post-playing career?
Everything I learnt comes in handy at some stage. People keep telling me the game has changed but the basics are still there and you have to do them right. You’ve got to be an athlete, you’ve got to be able to run and handle the ball well in possession.
People used to hate coming to the old Plough Lane. I used to sweep the terraces when I was an apprentice and it made me hate it even more! There was six of us in a staggered line moving from top to bottom – it took as long as Harry Bassett wanted it to!
This is Wimbledon Football Club. You’re coming to play for us and that has to mean something. It means you have to win at all costs. We don’t want to walk round and have everyone telling us we have a nice stadium, we want to beat them and send them home.
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