Rugby League Investigation; Part 3

Gary Thornton

Loyalty and dedication are two words that could be used to describe Batley Bulldogs boss Gary Thornton.

After nine playing years and now into his sixth year as coach, Thornton is very much part of the furniture at the West Yorkshire outfit.

And despite a spell at Wakefield Trinity early on, he has a soft spot in his heart for the side he now coaches.

“My love has always been at Batley because it is the club I have represented the longest during my rugby league career,” he said affectionately.

The ground is situated in the heart of Batley’s Asian community at Mount Pleasant, close to two mosques. Batley Cricket Club’s pitch is located next to the rugby ground.

As we trotted along the pitch, which had a ‘Do not walk on’ sign, Thornton raised his concern as to why he sees no Asian supporters in the crowd, even though the club averages just over a thousand fans per game.

“I have been here for many years and a few came in the past but whatever we are doing isn’t successful. They are just not coming to our games,” he said frankly.

We sat down in the stand and he continued by saying: “The club is trying to make some links out in the community. They know where we are, what we are about but the interest doesn’t seem to be there. I know they are keen on their cricket and rugby league is a contact sport.”

This could be a possibility as to why Asian children are eager to play sports which are not dangerous and unlikely to get injured in. Cricket provides an environment where the ball is likely to do someone harm, rather than the man.

However, Thornton feels that the influential people in the community can assist by being a voice piece for rugby league and spread the word of the game.

Local media outlets such as Awaaz News, an Asian newspaper that covers rugby league, can support Batley’s need for Asian followers.

“Everyone can do their bit to attract more fans. There is a well established Asian community here and we should get people through the gates to watch,” said Thornton.

Batley has a notable history having been winners of the first Challenge Cup in 1896 and going on to defend the trophy a year later.

Individuals such as general manager Paul Harrison and club captain Paul Mennell are getting involved in helping the community and building for the future.

A study centre has been built at the ground where school children can attend to use the computers or get help on their homework.

The kids can then take part in playing tag rugby on the pitch which enables them to participate in sporting activity and lead a healthy lifestyle.

And Thornton praised the work of the people behind the scenes by saying: “My job is to get a team together to achieve success on the field, but there are others at the club who are looking to form links with the community, especially the Asian one.”

It seems the club are on a mission to try and tap into a market which, for so long, may have been ignored.

Saquib Murtza was signed from Salford City Reds at the start of the 2008 season, but spent the season in the reserve team.

“Saquib was confident lad and had faith in his own ability. He trained hard, enjoyed the physical side of the game and got stuck in,” Thornton said of Murtza.

He continued his admiration of the South Asian gentleman by saying: “He had a brilliant attitude and I never had a problem with him. Unfortunately, he decided to move on in search of first-team rugby.”

But the biggest regret Thornton has on Murtza’s departure is the missed opportunity to cooperate with the Asian community in working together and forming some sort of partnership with them.

“I thought Saquib may have been a breakthrough for us by using him as a figurehead for the Asian people but it didn’t happen. I’m sure they could have made a massive difference to the club,” Thornton said disappointedly.



With the Bulldogs being a small club, operating on a low budget, they are tipped to be relegated to National League Two at the start of each season.

Yet, remarkably, they have managed to stay in their division under the guidance of Thornton and achieving this feat could be classed as a successful season.

The 47-year-old thinks otherwise as he fondly looked back on 2006 when they reached the play-offs. The exploits of his side led him to the National League One coach of the year award that season.

“We went away to Leigh, no-one gave us a chance, but we came back victorious. We got into the semi-final but the dream ended there.

“That is the standard we are trying to set and we would like to emulate that again one day,” he said optimistically.

Thornton is in the job on a part-time basis as he works full-time at British Telecom, to whom he has given 26 years of service.

Both positions require good man-management and he is able to transfer his skills from one job to another. It is his calm approach which, he believes, has given him satisfaction in both jobs.

“Treat people how you would expect to be treated by them. You have to be firm when needed and you need to point out mistakes when they are made,” he said.

After taking charge of his 150th game recently, Thornton described how winning and losing should be approached and the importance of wearing the Batley shirt.

“If you celebrate victories and give people a pat on the back, you will get more out of them next time but the crucial thing is to take pride in playing for themselves and for the club,” he explained.

Hopefully, the club can continue their push to try and appeal to the Asian community and unearth someone that will be good enough to be a regular in the first-team.

Unfortunately, Gary Thornton quit from his post as Batley head-coach on 14th April 2009 after heavy defeats to Halifax and Toulouse over the Easter period.

Shamoon Hafez