I see in this weeks edition of Non League Today newspaper that in their countdown of the top 50 non league managers in Britain coming in at number 23 is Jim Thomson of Crichton FC.

For those interested the top 5 are,

1. Steve Fallon, Histon
2. Steve King, Lewes
3. Gary Waddock, Aldershot
4. Dino Maarmia, Northwich Victoria
5. Liam Daish, Ebbsfleet

The only other scottish manager included is Bathgates Willie Hill who is 42nd.

Decent paper as well by the way with coverage of South and East games through the season.

Fair enough Jim has had a fantastic season and im not doubting his ability but surely the likes of David McVitie should be above him or at least in the list?

How do they work it out?

Good achievement. On another note, surely Diash cant be included, thought Ebbsfeet were with team who where picked by a committee?

What about other south managers? Davie McVittie two titles on the bounce then knocking out Stenny in the cup last year? A good achievement also.

Hi 1919 where do you get this paper i didn't know there was such a paper and is it weekly

sorry meant to say ultrasud not 1919

Since I am generally nice...

Non League Clicky

I pick up a copy from the post office on Annan Road on the way to work and i've seen it in most of the newsagents in Dumfries. During the summer its out on a Saturday during the season it was Sunday morning and included match reports of the previous day games.

Obviously its English dominated but the Scottish content has really improved as the season went along and there are plans to expand it for next season. They cover East, South & Highland Leagues as well as the Juniors in Scotland. If you enjoy reading about obscure teams from Ryman Divison one North then this is just the paper for you! A lot of the Scottish content is provided by a poster on this site and from what he says maybe going to happen next year then it could be well worth tracking down a copy for the Scottish coverage. Its £1.50 a copy by the way.

As to why JT is no. 23 and the only south entrant - no idea how they rank them the way they do i know JT was proposed as worthy of inclusion but dont know how they settled on the rankings. They have in recent weeks gone through keepers, Defenders, Midfield and strikers and the following week theres been letters querying positions. No South players have featured but a couple of East players from Edinburgh City have.

Re Liam Daish - reading various articles recently it seems this fans involvement is maybe a bit over hyped.

Also note this week that the Northern League are looking for a new sponsor as they have heard nothing from their current sponsor Arngrove who are owned by a certain Brookes Mileson.

Read that about Diash having more of a say now and the fans not being involved now. On hear I think, in the massive Gretna thread, think someone wanted to do something like it with them.

I know someone who worked at the NLT until recently. The top 50's were also chosen fairly randomly - though with the idea to be a bit controversial. eg. No AFC Wimbledon GKers were chosen when there is a very good argument that two should have been in there. The Non league paper is much better than the Non league today, though it's not available in Dumfries or anwhere in Scotland I think.



The whole myfootball.com thing is a sham...those who have signed up and paid their money have no influence on team selection or players and very little influence at all.



No suprises there then. Mileson is still lying low...or maybe just lying....



Yes there was a similar mad idea floated on the Gretna site - but their Supporters trust had the sense to kick it into touch pronto.

Now that i've read the piece in full in the interests of fairness i better add that 2 other Scottish managers are listed

31 Raymond Carr, Whitehill Welfare
34 John Sheran, Cove Rangers

And specially for KftS at No. 18 is Terry Brown of AFC Wimbledon

Brown should be in the top 10 on his achievements with Hayes and Aldershot.

I think Jim THomson being high up is fair enough but the fact we don't have a pyramid structure makes it difficult to judge who has been the most successful Scottish manager in Non – League this season, never mind comparing with the leagues down south.


I read the Non League Paper when I lived down south and Non-league Today is no better or worse. The Non League today must be the most frustrating paper ever for Scottish coverage.

Yes it has improved its Scottish coverage, but its debatable whether its worth the £1.50.

The London based company obviously don't want to sell any papers up here.

The paper seems to be more interested in English leagues no-one watches than the big Scottish games.

Scotland covers 10% of the population and the crowds in most of our games are bigger than the above Ryman League but you wouldn't think that reading non –league today.