Thornton Cleveleys Football Club

Paul Gregory Welcomes Josh Winder

Thornton Cleveleys FC have announced the signing of attacker Josh Winder.

The 24-year-old, who can play on either wing as well as through the middle, spent two seasons with Kendal Town prior to his departure last week. Before that, he plied his trade at AFC Blackpool, where he got a taste of NWCFL football, and Northwich Victoria.

The attacker featured regularly for Kendal Town in the Ebac Northern League Division One last season, helping the Mintcakes earn a seventh-place finish – four points shy of the playoffs.

Following his arrival, an optimistic Winder shared how happy he felt ahead of the new season.

“It feels good. It is a new challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

“I have been [at Kendal Town] for two years and it was good. We were laterally moved into North East Counties which was tough, but I am looking forward to coming back to the North West Counties.

“All I want to do is come to the club, score as many goals as I can and see where I go from there.

“The club is growing. We have got a lot of lads down here tonight [at pre-season training]. Got Under-18s, Reserves, First Team – everyone is pushing for places, so the club is growing and going in the right direction.”

Manager Paul Gregory was delighted to see his new signing join pre-season training at Rossall School after keeping tabs on him for a long time.

“Training was very good tonight; I was very impressed. It was good to see a bit of everything from all the lads. With Josh down tonight as our new signing, I’m absolutely buzzing to get him on board,” Gregory added. “A lot of Bondy’s hard work for nearly 12 months that we have been after him, but we finally got it over the line, so it shows our intent. We are well happy with that.

“This is why we have been pestering him. We knew his pedigree and everything else, we followed him all season. We have just been waiting for a moment where it has come good. He has been very honourable with Kendal, and he has put in a shift for a couple of years, so it is a credit to the lad. I know he is a well sought-after player, and we have done well to get hold of him.

With the new season on the horizon, Gregory discussed the club’s preseason friendlies coming up: “We are looking forward to some good pre-season games. Like I said, preseason training has started well, the recruitment has gone well, and the club is doing well. It just goes to show that we are going from strength to strength on and off the field. There are 14 coaches within the senior section of the management team which is great, and we want everything to succeed and progress and keep the club moving forward.”

Winder is TCFC’s third summer signing, as he follows former AFC Blackpool midfield duo Kieran Shaw and Joe Robinson through the front door at Gamble Road.

By Sam Lawson

The first team joined the other senior teams at Rossall School on Thursday evening for their second pre-season training session. This time the emphasis was on ball work.

The latest edition of the Fleetwood Weekly News contains the Kieran Shaw and Joe Robinson arrival. Plus manager Paul Gregory welcomes the duo to Gamble Road.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✍🏻🔴

Winder is a Red 🤝🏻

We’re delighted to finally announce the signing of Josh Winder!

The versatile forward joins us from Kendal Town ahead of the 26/27 season where he’ll bring plenty of high level experience

Another quality signing from the gaffer - we’re buzzing with this one!😎

🔴

PRE-SEASON TRAINING 📣

Just a reminder that pre-season training continues this evening for u18s/Reserves/1st team

This is still an open training, so all are welcome 👍🏻

Please meet at Rossall School @ 18:45

Bring trainers, boots and plenty of drinks 👟⚽️

Don’t be late ⏰

🚨 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2026/27 SEASON 🚨

Thornton Cleveleys FC are delighted to announce our sponsorship packages for the 2026/27 season!

Whether you're a small local business or a larger company looking to increase your brand exposure, we have sponsorship opportunities to suit all budgets.

• Pitch Side Advertising Boards
• Match Day Programme Advertising
• Individual Player Sponsorship
• Reserve Team Man of the Match Sponsorship
• Match Day Hospitality Sponsorship – but be quick, they always sell out fast!

NEW FOR 2026/27 🏟️📣

For the first time in the club's history, we are offering Exclusive Ground Naming Rights.

This unique opportunity allows a local business to put its name at the forefront of our home ground on Gamble Road, with branding displayed on entrance signage and across all digital platforms where our ground is listed.

By partnering with TCFC, you'll be supporting a thriving grassroots football club with 40 youth teams and 6 adult teams, while gaining valuable exposure to thousands of players, supporters and visitors every week.

This is your chance to become part of the future of one of the area's fastest-growing community football clubs.

⚽️ Support local grassroots football.
📈 Grow your business.
🤝 Join our exciting future at TCFC.

For more information on any of our sponsorship packages, please contact the club directly or email:

📧 [email protected]

PRE-SEASON 🔴⚽️

Confirmation of the 1st team schedule throughout July 👏🏻🔐

4th - North Walkden - Away
11th - Millom AFC - Away
14th - Poulton - Away
18th - FC St. Helens - Home
21st - Bamber Bridge - Home
25th - Irlam - Home

Finalised schedule for the Reserves expected by the end of the week 👌🏻

Shout out to Seth Boardman for throwing together the graphics again 👏🏻

🔴

The countdown begins ⏱️, not long until England start their World Cup campaign.

Watch the big game here at the Salthouse Bar. England vs Croatia Wednesday 21.00 kick-off. Great family atmosphere, cold drinks what more could you ask for ⚽️🍻🏆

Pre-season started on Tuesday evening with the development squad, reserves and first team coming together at Rossall School. Running and some ball work were the order of the day.

Images by Debs Armstrong