Huntly Football Club legend Alex Thoirs will retire from Highland League football at end of season to concentrate on joint-assistant manager role at Christie Park
Long-serving Huntly stalwart Alex Thoirs has announced his retirement from football to focus on becoming the club’s joint-assistant manager.
The 36-year-old said it was a ‘bittersweet’ moment to call it quits on his playing career at a club he has called home for 14 years.
Thoirs was recently given a testimonial by the Christie Park outfit and had taken up a first team coaching role.
He will now serve manager Colin Charlesworth in a dual partnership as assistant alongside Kevin Adams.
In a statement on the club’s website, Thoirs thanked his club and said he will hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign.
“It’s a transition that I’ve been thinking about for some time, and while it’s not easy to say goodbye to playing, I am excited for what lies ahead,” he said.
“Over the past year or so I have broken my thumb, dislocated my shoulder (twice), done my ankle ligaments (twice) and it has been extremely tough physically and mentally to have so many setbacks and come back fit to challenge this great group of players.
“I am in a place where I feel good now and while approaching 37 this year, I think this is the perfect time to call it a day.
“(It is) a bittersweet moment for me after 14 incredible years as a player for this wonderful club.”
The popular player, who has played almost 250 times for Huntly, said he owed a “deepest gratitude” to the Highland League outfit.
“I have had the privilege of putting on the black and gold shirt for many years now and it’s been an absolute honour.
“From the moment I first joined, I was made to feel part of something great at this club, a family, a unit, a community. I’ve shared so many incredible moments with you all, and I’ll carry those memories with me for the rest of my life.
He thanked the club’s committee, management, players and coaching staff and reserved a special thank you to Huntly’s fans and volunteers.
“Your unwavering support, your passion, and your energy for this club is absolutely second to none. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with you all and catching up over a pint in the social club after games.
“Your dedication to this club is something that motivates us all to give our best. Players and coaches will come and go and in my opinion it’s all of you that deserve the real credit behind this great club.
“As I transition to the coaching staff, I am incredibly excited to continue contributing to this club, albeit in a new capacity.
“I’ve always loved the game, and now I look forward to helping shape the future of the team, bringing everything I’ve learned over the years back to the training ground.
“The experience I gained as a player gives me a unique perspective, and I’m eager to work alongside the coaching team to help the next generation of players reach their potential.
“Here’s to the next chapter, and to continuing this journey together – not as a player, but as part of the team that will work to create even more memories for this club.”
Chairman Gordon Carter added: It is rare in the modern game to have a player stay at a club for 14 years, Alex has been a great servant to our club throughout that period.
“He set an example in terms of his commitment to maintaining his fitness levels even when working offshore and missing the team training sessions.
“Alex involvement with our club has gone beyond the training sessions and the matches, he and his family have embraced the club as a whole, with wife Lindsay , mum Donna and dad Alex senior have been regulars at Christie Park throughout this period, eventually being joined first by Chloe and then by Connor.
“The presence of Alex’s family in and around our club on match days and in particular in the social club after games has encouraged other players and coaches to bring their families along too. I really enjoy seeing the families together with the supporters and the Gold Club members.
“This is what being a true community club is all about.”
Manager Charlesworth said: “Alex has had this unmatched ability to instantly become a figure of seniority where everyone who meets him respects him.
I personally want to thank him for his instant support in me when taking the job here at Huntly. He had full belief in me and pushed me to where I am now. From a competitor, to a team mate and now part of the coaching staff together he has been an unbelievable part of the club.
“Huntly needs Alex around the place because it wouldn't be Huntly without him. His family have become part of the furniture here and are fully invested in supporting Alex and the club every Saturday.
“Now we need to make sure we give him a send off like a legend like him deserves. Finishing the season strong and pushing for our best finish in his time here would be the perfect ending.”
