Steve Adamson’s interview with Boro skipper Will Thornton - Part 1

The dust has finally settled on Boro’s National League North campaign, which saw Jono Greening’s side qualify for the play-offs, despite a succession of injuries to key players, and having to play ‘home’ games in Bridlington.

One of the heroes throughout the memorable year in exile was 28-year-old skipper Will Thornton, who, along with keeper Ryan Whitley, played every minute of all 46 league games, and climbed to third in the list of most appearances for the club on 240, only behind club legends Ryan Blott and Michael Coulson.

Keighley-born Will supported Arsenal as a youngster, but later began attending Leeds United matches at Elland Road with friends, and he retains an affection for both clubs.

He now lives in Idle on the outskirts of Bradford, with his partner Lauren and 4-year-old son Ted, and enjoys playing golf in his spare time.

He began his football career in the Guiseley Academy, and was with the club for seven years, progressing through to the first team in National League North.

While playing for Guiseley he suffered a fractured jaw in a pre-season friendly against Hyde United who at the time were managed by Darren Kelly.

Kelly later became manager at Boro, and kept in touch with Will after his injury, following his progress as he later had a successful loan spell at Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity from November 2019 to May 2020, winning their December player of the month award.

In the summer of 2020, Kelly persuaded Boro to buy out Will’s contract at Guiseley, a move the big centre-back calls “a no brainer, and the best football decision I ever made.”

His Boro debut was in a 2-0 NPL win at Atherton Colls on the opening day of the 2020-21 season, playing alongside the likes of Bailey Gooda, Dylan Cogill and Ashley Jackson.

Unfortunately the season then ended abruptly after just 10 matches due to the worldwide Covid pandemic.

Despite this, Will looks back on his early days at the club with great fondness, and is thankful for the good friends he has made at the club over the years, especially naming Gooda, Ryan Watson, Dom Tear, Lewis Maloney, Luca Colville, Ryan Whitley, Alex Wiles and Kieran Weledji, who have all become friends for life.

He thinks the arrival of Jono Greening as Boro manager in May 2021 was a fantastic appointment by the club, and together with his coaching staff, Greening has created what Will believes is the best team spirit of any club in non league football.

Some of the highlights of his time at Boro, prior to this season, include the 2-1 win against Warrington Town in the NPL Play-Off final - “a magical day I will remember for the rest of my life”, and the tremendous FA Cup runs, including “Lewie’s (Maloney) spectacular late winner at Oxford City, the great battles with Forest Green Rovers, and the fabulous support we took to Burton Albion.”

Difficult opponents he picks out include Glen Taylor (Spennymoor), Cedric Main (Darlington) and the best of them all, Troy Deeney of Forest Green Rovers.

He is still involved at his old club, as head of the Guiseley FC Community Foundation, a charity organisation that works with primary schools, special educational needs children and holiday clubs, and he also coaches the youth teams who train on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Will has now been at Scarborough Athletic for six years, and describes his appointment as club captain as “a very great honour for both myself and my family".

He added: “I love this club, we have a fantastic coaching team, and the fans are unbelievable.

"Wherever we go in the country, the fans are always there in big numbers to cheer us on, and our team spirit is incredible.

"Lots of us have been here for at least four to five years, we train twice a week, and spend a lot of time together, so have all become good mates.”

In next week’s Part 2 of the interview, Will looks back at the fantastic 2025-26 season