THISTLE F.C.
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| 2007 Hall of Fame Recipient TOM MARA |
Helen and I treasure the friendships we made and the memories from our many soccer trips to various tournaments; and to Italy, Germany, Austria,
England, Spain Scotland, Ireland, Poland, and Bermuda to support the United States National Team, our favorite professional clubs, and Thistle.
The greatest joy throughout all of our years in soccer was watching the boys and girls that Helen and I coached develop into outstanding and
successful young men and women. It has also been a pleasure witnessing the life-long friendships our children developed as a result of their playing
soccer.
I am extremely grateful to the Thistle Board of Directors for the honor of entering me into the Thistle Hall of Fame.
England, Spain Scotland, Ireland, Poland, and Bermuda to support the United States National Team, our favorite professional clubs, and Thistle.
The greatest joy throughout all of our years in soccer was watching the boys and girls that Helen and I coached develop into outstanding and
successful young men and women. It has also been a pleasure witnessing the life-long friendships our children developed as a result of their playing
soccer.
I am extremely grateful to the Thistle Board of Directors for the honor of entering me into the Thistle Hall of Fame.
Some outstanding moments in Thistle history were back to back 1981, 1982 Div. 2 Boys State Cup Championships, which I had the honor to coach. Another
outstanding moment was our first victory (Div. 1 Boys), coached by Jim Harkes Sr., over the prestigious Celtic Boys Club of Glascow, Scotland. Another
giant step for thistle was in the inclusion of girls’ teams. (Little did I know at that time, that girls’s soccer would become such a big part of soccer culture in
the U.S.A.).
A few of the most famous players who came through the Thistle program are John Harkes, Tab Ramos, and Tony Meola. Many stories could be told about
their young soccer careers with thistle. And let’s not forget Billy Galka, Kearny High School Varsity Soccer coach, who just completed a very successful
first year, and the many, many former players who are now coaching college, high school, club and recreation teams.
Most important in any youth sports organization are the boys and girls who participate, the coaches who coach them, and the parents who support them.
Yours in Soccer,
Charlie McEwan
outstanding moment was our first victory (Div. 1 Boys), coached by Jim Harkes Sr., over the prestigious Celtic Boys Club of Glascow, Scotland. Another
giant step for thistle was in the inclusion of girls’ teams. (Little did I know at that time, that girls’s soccer would become such a big part of soccer culture in
the U.S.A.).
A few of the most famous players who came through the Thistle program are John Harkes, Tab Ramos, and Tony Meola. Many stories could be told about
their young soccer careers with thistle. And let’s not forget Billy Galka, Kearny High School Varsity Soccer coach, who just completed a very successful
first year, and the many, many former players who are now coaching college, high school, club and recreation teams.
Most important in any youth sports organization are the boys and girls who participate, the coaches who coach them, and the parents who support them.
Yours in Soccer,
Charlie McEwan
| Soccer has been and continues to be an integral part of my family – beginning with my father and continuing on to my children and grandchildren. Without the support of my wife of 41-years, Helen, I could not have spent over 50- years as a player, administrator and coach. We are proud that all of our children: Tom, Sean, Carolyn, and Michael share our love of soccer. They played for Thistle, and enjoyed team and individual success playing soccer in high school and college. |
| 2006 Hall of Fame Recipient CHARLES “Chaz” McEWAN |
| Coach: Thistle F.C. (football club) was founded in the early 1970’s. It started with two boys teams: Div 3 U/14 (coached by Lou Hyles), and Div. 2 U/16 (coached by Charlie McEwan). Before founding Thistle, we played under the banner of the Scots American Club. At that time, we played in the German American League, traveling to New York and parts of New Jersey. Traveling every other week to New York became very tedious and frustrating. After competing for two years in the German American League, we decided to form a new league in Northern Jersey, which we called Northern Counties Soccer Association, which is now one of the most successful leagues in the state. The Thistle F. C. name was suggested to me by Phil Murray, a dear departed friend, thistle being the national flower of Scotland. |
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