Great Game Shadowed By Shame

The excitement of the new league season starting was made all the more so by the fixtures computer when it scheduled Rob Roy versus Clydebank for the opening day. Newly promoted Bankies against a new look Rabs served up a five-goal thriller but the whole game was overshadowed for me by the casual racism of a group of home fans stood beside me at one of their own players.

I set off early today in the car knowing that the car park had been sold by the club and that street parking is scarcely available. Roadworks across from the ground didn’t help matters and as I parked about four streets away I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the local residents on match days.

Upon entering Adamslie the first thing I noticed was a burger van – Dannys Snacks – which I’ve never seen inside the ground before. I tentatively made my way around to the usual kitchen and to my relief the lovely ladies were still open. Apparently Clydebank were bringing 600 fans with them so the van had been brought in to meet demand. There’s probably a weight based joke in there but I’d never stoop so low.

I’m not sure if there was as many as 600 fans but the crowd was certainly one of the biggest I’ve seen at Adamslie and the majority were Bankies who were in good voice on both sides of the pitch. Although I heard one fan complain that he couldn’t sing about “Kirky scum” because apparently “there’s nane. Ye need a 60 fit gairden to live here!”

The club may be well established but this was a very new team for the Rabs with new manager Jimmy Lindsay making rafts of changes over the summer break. The starting eleven only contained two regulars from last season’s line-up. Clydebank also started with a couple of their new signings but the majority of Budgie McGhie’s side were the stars who had helped them gain promotion last year.

It was the league new boys who shot out the traps with striker Hobbs being put clear on goal after only 2 minutes. A last ditch sliding tackle from right back Cairney saved Rob Roy from an embarrassing start.

Five minutes later and a Rabs attack resulted in the first corner kick of the game. The dead ball was put to the back post tempting goalie Hamilton out to try to clear it. He missed his punch but the Rab’s centre half Keenan could only direct his header over the bar.

It was then the Bankies turn to attack with two chances in quick succession. The first was a looping volley from 25 yards saved well by new keeper Connolly, the second was a free kick in a dangerous area won with more than the suspicion of a dive from Hobbs. However the free kick came to nothing in the end.

After the bankies having the best of the game Rob Roy showed they were still a threat when centre forward Gormley dragged a shot wide of goal after some great hold up play by his strike partner Coakley.

This warning was followed up less than a minute later when Rob Roy were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Hamilton brought down a Rabs striker. As last man Hamilton was also shown the red card and the game was held up for a few minutes while substitute goalie Gonnet prepared to come on as striker McPherson was sacrificed for the team.

With the pressure cranked up by the delay the responsibility fell to captain, Gormley, to open the scoring. His spot kick sent the keeper the wrong way and Rob Roy were 1-nil and 1-man up.

GOAL Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1-0 Clydebank (Gormley(10), 20mins)

The home side continued to press after the opener to try to take advantage of the numerical superiority. Gormley was put clean through on 27 minutes by a long free kick but could only put his shot wide under pressure from the defence. Then a minute later and it was left-winger, Easton’s turn to have a dig go wide after some intricate build up play by Lindsay and Coakley.

At a time when it seemed like nothing was going right for the Bankies their centre forward Hobbs managed to talk himself into the referee’s book. On 30 minutes Hobbs received the yellow card for persistent whingeing and swearing at the ref and linesman.

Having been quiet for much of the match Clydebank’s playmaker, Darian McKinnon, started to see more of the ball. In 38 minutes the Bankies’ number 8 set up Hobbs with a square ball from the left hand side but the forward mis-controlled instead of shooting first time from 8 yards out. Then four minutes later McKinnon went on an unchecked dribble down the inside right channel but his neat pass inside just evaded his team-mate.

The ten men of Clydebank were on the forward foot now and causing the home side problems. It was no surprise on 43 minutes when they got the equaliser. The goal came from a free kick floated in deep from the right wing. A poor headed clearance at the back post actually went back across the face of the goal straight to Hobbs who had all the time in the world to volley home from 4 yards out. It was difficult to see where the Rabs defence disappeared to.

GOAL Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1-1 Clydebank (Hobbs(9), 43mins)

Things could have been worse for the home side when Clydebank number 7, Martin, fired a low volley straight from a corner towards the goal. With the goalie beaten on his left side it was upto the defender on the line to clear the danger.
Half Time Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1-1 Clydebank

As half-time came I was given the chance to reflect on the surprising array of colours on display by the Clydebank team’s boots. I first noticed it with striker Hobbs who sported a pair in the colour known to the B&Q paint aisle as “shocking pink” but he wasn’t alone. His right midfielder Martin had the same pink boots on as did centre half Campbell! The big defender’s partner didn’t fare much better with a lovely “canary yellow” pair on – a style he shared with McPherson up front. Ah, remember the days of a simple pair of black and white striped Copas?

Playing-wise, the half time break couldn’t come soon enough for Rob Roy who looked dazed by the visitors. However their manager must have calmed his team down with soothing words because they came back out looking more like a team with a man advantage.

After 55 minutes right full back Cairney pushed forward and found striker Gormley in space in the centre. The number 9 flicked a lovely ball through the Clydebank defence finding the run from centre midfielder Fulton. He chested the ball down to simultaneously control it and take the covering centre half out the picture before smashing home with a cool finish.

GOAL Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2-1 Clydebank (Fulton(8), 55mins)

Both teams had players booked for rather innocuous looking fouls – Lindsay for Rob Roy after 59 minutes and McKinnon for Clydebank 2 minutes later.

Clydebank made a substitution after 64 minutes when goal scorer Hobbs was withdrawn for No.14 Dymock. The striker was immediately involved in the action when he latched onto a through ball and a slip by the Rabs defence but Dymock could only watch as his fierce drive flashed over the bar from 12 yards out.

A minute later and the game looked like it was beyond the visitors when Fulton scored his second of the game to put Rob Roy 3-1 up. With the Bankies defence under pressure a poor clearance only reached Coakley in space 25 yards out. He slipped Fulton through who kept calm and diverted the ball low past the onrushing goalie.

GOAL Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 3-1 Clydebank (Fulton(8), 65mins)

The game was almost dead and buried 3 minutes later when Fulton was clean through again. He rounded the keeper but his shot was partially blocked by a defender and was slowly bobbling wide but when his team-mate, substitute striker, Mackie put the ball in the net he was flagged offside. As a former Clydebank player he was denied the chance to score against his old team.

It was when Mackie came on as a substitute for Coakley that the game was overshadowed by the group of Rob Roy fans beside me. There were four of them all aged between 50 and 60 at a guess and all looked very respectable. For those readers who don’t know him, Chris Mackie is black. That should not be an issue in 2011 but I was disgusted to hear one of the group calling him “Jungle Ted”. This must have been thought of as hilarious because the term was used continually throughout the rest of the game along with other offensive utterances including “Tell him man of the match prize is a spear”.

There are no stewards or police at this level – only at the high profile games where violence is likely. However I expect you can report these things to the home team’s committee. Unfortunately an official of Rob Roy did come over and proceeded to have a good old chin-wag with these guys like they were old friends so what can you do? My response is to write about it here and I encourage you to share this with your friends. Maybe shame will have an effect.

Back to the football and the game looked to be winding down with the only action being a diving header chance from Mackie after good work by McKay on the right wing and a yellow card shown to Cairney for a clumsy tackle on McKinnon.

However Clydebank set up a nervous last five minutes when they got back into the game in bizarre circumstances. Their players were looking tired after all the extra effort being put in from being a man down. However left winger Berry received the ball on the left wing and sent in a looping cross to the back post. The cross evaded everyone including a back-peddling Connolly in goals and dropped inside the back post for a second Bankies goal.

GOAL Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 3-2 Clydebank (Berry(11), 85mins)

With new hope Clydebank pushed hard for the equaliser and they nearly got one a minute after the goal. Darian McKinnon found space in the Rabs’ penalty box and was about to pull the trigger when a great sliding challenge from centre half Keenan kept the score line in Rob Roy’s favour.

Full Time Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 3-2 Clydebank

(Gormley, Fulton 2; Hobbs, Berry)

Clydebank should take great heart from their performance even if they came away from Adamslie without any points. If they continue to play as well they definitely have the quality to trouble teams in the Super Premier league.

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy’s new manager must be pleased with the contribution shown by his team today. There were weaknesses which I am sure will be worked upon in training and as the team gel over time they could go on to have a good season. They showed they are still an attacking threat.

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy:

Starting 11: Connolly, Cairney, McBride, Carter, Lindsay, Keenan, McKay, Fulton, Gormley, Coakley, Easton. Subs: Robertson, Thomas, McAleenan, Mackie.

Clydebank:

Starting 11: Hamilton, Allum, Paterson, McAdam, Campbell, Bell, Martin, McKinnon, Hobbs, McPherson, Berry. Subs: Gonnet, Stones, Dymock, McComish, Thompson, Crawford, Gold.

The reason I started coming to Junior games was to watch live football without any of the baggage that comes with it – especially in the west of Scotland. I go to games and am heartened by the passion of the fans for their teams, the number of woman and wee kids in the terraces, a real family atmosphere. It should never be marred by racism. There is no place for racism in our football grounds in 2011. There is no place for racism in our society in 2011. We should have progressed a bit further than that in the past hundred years. Don’t you think?

There’s no “Kirky Scum”? I found some.

Debut at the Derby of Holm Park

My first taste of Junior Football was a welcome and comforting one. An experience from which I took many things including the cold.

I had a shortlist of 3 teams that I would trial: Clydebank, Kirky Rob Roy and Petershill. The fixture list for Saturday 26th March 2011 had only Clydebank FC at home, the other two had drawn away games and it was a bit early to be joining the supporters' bus. So only the one game available to me but what a prospect: Central Division Cup 2nd Round tie: Clydebank FC v Yoker Athletic FC. The Holm Park derby, tenants v landlords. Think AC Milan v Internazionale at the San Siro, think Bayern v TSV 1860 Munich at the Allianz Arena, think Scotland v Queens Park at Hampden.

Yoker play in the West Region Central Division 2 at the moment - two divisions below Clydebank but this game was far from a foregone conclusion. The Paper Hankies' record at Holm Park against Yoker made grim reading: W 0; D 2; L 5. The rivalry would make this a tasty starter to my juniors journey.

I took Scotrail's finest from the East End straight to Yoker. Like a low-rent Orient Express I was seeing with my own eyes exotic locations that had previously only existed in my imagination and on the Springburn-Dalmuir timetable. I sat pie-eyed at Partick, gobsmacked at Garscadden, all the time wondering who or what Nico was and how effective an advertising campaign focused on railway bridges could be. The Scotrail Siren called "Next stop Yoker" and awoke me from my wonderment. I was nearly there.

Arriving at Yoker Station, I looked at the print-out from Google Maps that I'd studied earlier. I know there were two routes to Holm Park - 1. the longer way to follow street down to the main Glasgow Road, turn right for a bit with the park on the left or 2. take the shorter, diagonal route straight to the ground. A no-brainer for a lazy get like me or at least that's what I thought on the train but now the reality was facing me. That diagonal short cut was a path through two massive high rises with a group of hard-looking toddlers already eyeing me up for my change and trainers. Long way round it is then.

The ground wasn't hard to find - someone had handily put a huge "Holm Park" sign on the wall - and more surprisingly it wasn't as run down as suggested by the photos I'd seen. I paid in (£5), bought a programme (£1), and was given a leaflet about the United Clydebank Supporters (UCS) Football Trust. All in all I was given a very warm, friendly welcome.

You enter Holm Park behind one of the goals which on this occasion was being used by Yoker for shooting practice. I quickly realised the risk of being skelped by a wayward strike was dangerously high. Time to escape to the safety of the touchline beside the stand (rain was threatening). The only problem was I couldn't see a way over as the pavilion was in the way with a small, gated fence blocking the path. Buoyed by the pleasant greeting I'd received, I asked a guy how to get over to the side. he looked at me as if I was a clown (fair enough) and said bitterly: "Ye go that way when its the Yoker but cos its Clydebank ye'll huv to walk roond there", pointing to the back of the pavilion. I thanked him and left before he'd a chance to highlight any other injustices.

I took my place on the sidelines beside other Bankies fans. I'd say the crowd was a good size, a few hundred on both sides - maybe a few hundred more in the warmth of the social club. Did I mention how cold it was?

The banter before kick off was nice and friendly. Lots of groups of folk who'd obviously known each other for years. Although I did notice a couple of guys who talked non-stop from the moment I arrived, all through the game and were still going as I left.

The game was about to kick-off when something alarming caught my eye. I was standing with my back to the Clyde facing northish when I looked up to see heading straight for us was a jumbo jet. I quickly scanned left and right to see if anyone else had noticed or was bothered about our impending doom. It was like the film, Invictus, on the opening game of Mandela's rugby world cup when the plane is heading for the stadium and the panic that ensues in the security team while the crowd are oblivious. (not that many people have seen it. It's probably a poor reference) Just as the film the plane didn't dive into us but soared on although this one didn't have "C'mon the Bankies" written on it. And so it was that every 15 minutes or so a plane would fly over Holm Park headed for Glasgow International Airport in Paisley. Ideal for any plane spotter fitba fans out there.

So to the game itself. The first half started with a lot of passion and commitment and long balls from the goalkeepers. After years of watching top level games on the telly I'd forgotten what a goalie kicking from his hands looked like although my neck twinges remind me what it's like to header one. It was a half of few changes but a couple of players did stand out - Darian MacKinnon (No. 9) and Ross Campbell (No. 5) both of Clydebank. The first clear cut chance came from a cutting dribble from MacKinnon. He cut inside from the right wing, jinked past a couple of Yoker lads into the box and just as the defence parted like Moses' wave opening up for a deserved shot on goal, the big No. 9 laid it off to oncoming midfielder who was crowded out and the chance was wasted. The best chance of the half came from a Clydebank free kick on the left. A good cross in found the defender, Campbell, who's powerful header rattled the cross bar, rebounded down towards striker Mark Hailstones (No. 11) a few yards out of a clear goal. Unfortunately the bounce took the ball up high sharply and the Paper's striker isn't the tallest neither. He did well to get his head on it but was only able to loop it over the bar for a bye-kick.

0 - 0 at half time.

Why is it that once the distraction of the game ends you suddenly become aware of how freezing cold it is? Thankfully Holm Park has a burger van in the ground so I was able to grab a coffee at half-time. I wouldn't say it was Miss Cranston's Tea Room (you add and stir sugar and milk using a shared spoon dipped in a cup of water to clean it) but it was a damn tasty cup of coffee. the only down side was i spilt it over my feet but that's hardly their fault. Nope, it was the fault of the gents toilet which at first glance appeared to be an outer wall to cover your dignity while you pish against the wall of the pavilion. I was thankful it was only coffee on my trainers.

Back to my spot on the terracing - for I'd claimed it now - I was reminded of a vivid childhood memory. I had completely forgotten that at half time the pitch is overrun by kids for a game of heider-volley in both goals. Wonderful! Although I thought it was a bit snidey of the Yoker subs who had restarted their shooting practice. The kids were fine but the food van was under siege again.

Half time also gave me chance to read the match programme although not to the end as it was massive. It was packed with loads of great stuff including the managers thoughts from Budgie McGhie, player stats for the season and everything you'd expect from a seniors programme. Obviously a lot of effort goes into creating it and the club should be proud of it. It also kept me entertained for my journey home. Great value for a quid.

The second half was very much like the first with neither team dominating. The biggest issue was possession - neither team kept the ball for very long and this was because there was no perceptible central midfield. For most of the game it seemed like two bands of defence/attack on the pitch. Clydebank were lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation but the gap between the central midfielder and the central attacker was too great. the Bankies were forced to sub midfielder Kevin Murray (no. 8) after only 8 minutes and his replacement, Tommy Martin, did not return after the break - both due to injury. This probably had an effect on Clydebank's game strategy.

The game sorely needed a goal and it came Clydebank's way albeit against the run of play. Yoker had a spell of play putting pressure on Clydebank but some fine dribbling down the left hand side by MacKinnon saw him evade challenges to hit the bye-line just inside the box. He turned the next defender inside before laying off a great ball to Stevie Dymock (No. 10). The Clydebank striker sold the onrushing Yoker defense a cracker of a dummy before rifling a low shot into the opposite, left hand corner of the net. A beautifully worked and finished goal.

After the opener the Paper Hankies created more chances with their left back, Paul McMenamin (No. 3) looking dangerous all game with some cracking crosses. However the Wee-ho manager, John Brogan, made some changes with Craig Winslow coming on after 67 minutes. It only took him a minute to make an impact. Some good Yoker movement down the right led to No.8 Richard Smith controlling the ball well on the edge of the box before releasing Winslow with a lovely, inviting pass. Without hesitation the No.12 drilled it home, high past the goalie. A fine equaliser followed by a rubbish celebration.

The final 30 minutes featured a few chances for Clydebank to get back in front as they had all the pressure although Yoker could have won it near the end were it not for a smart save from the impressive Liam Campbell.

1 - 1 at full time.

Fearing that I'd miss the end of the game in order to get the train home (my sister was coming over for tea) I was surprised there was no extra time played but it went straight to penalties. The first three spot kicks were put away well - Clydebank 2 - 1 Yoker - and next up was Yoker's No.2, Gary Vickers. He placed the ball on the spot, went to assume position for his run up as the ball rolled back into a hole. He tried to replace it but the ball kept rolling into the divot. As the crowd noise grew, so too did the pressure on the right back who eventually gave up. He started his run up with barely the top of the ball visible and unsuprisingly his shot wasn't the best although Campbell still had to save it which he did well. I remember the same thing happened to me playing boys football - only my shot bounced twice before looping over the keeper's head. i had the temerity not to celebrate other than with a single fist pump.

Campbell did well to save Yoker's next spot kick while Clydebank went on to score their next to two to win 4-1.

On the whole it was a fair result. Clydebank deserved to win the game but Yoker didn't deserve a hiding neither. the Wee-ho can argue that they're still unbeaten in 90 minutes at Holm Park by their rivals.

Happy at being back to the fitba I headed back to the station for the train. I must have been giddy with the excitement or the cold but I decided to take the short cut through the tower blocks. High life living indeed - what I thought was brown wooden panelling was actually doors into the blocks. I made it unscathed but all the while I felt I was being watched like Escape From New York. I was probably saved by the coffee stains.

On the train back I sat in the same carriage as a fast asleep jakey. The conductor was a young girl who walked in shouting "Wakey, Wakey!". Apparently the boy had got on at Springburn, been all the way to Dalmuir and was now on his way back to point A. Apparently the conductor wasn't allowed to touch him and I didn't want to neither. He finally woke up at Duke Street station but wanted to be in Garscadden. I wonder if he made it.

Next game for me:

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Irvine Meadow (The Medda)

Oops, scrap that. The missus invited our friends round for lunch with their baby girl. Next game will be The Rabs v Pollok instead.

Related Links

Full Match Report on Clydebank FC Official Website

Match highlights on YouTube

It's one small step for this man, One giant leap into Junior Fitba

Life was good. I thought I had it all - a beautiful wife, home, a car - I even had a job. What else could I need? But there was something missing. I could feel it gnawing away at me from deep within. It wasn't something that I wanted. No, this I needed. For too long I had gone without. The time had come. I needed fitba.

Living in Glasgow with no affiliation to the old firm - thank you mum and dad - gave me a large spectrum of live football to choose from. But how do you choose? In normal circumstances you don't have to - you've been a fan of your club for as long as you can remember, right? However I was a boy hood fan of Leeds United for two reasons. 1. They had Gary McAllister and 2. My dad had Sky Sports. Nowadays neither my finances nor my wife will allow me to travel to Elland Road every two weeks.

So I have a choice.

I also have some criteria to help me choose a team to follow:

1. Cheap entry fee
2. Chance of a beer before, during or after game
3. Terracing (with optional shelter from the Scottish weather)
4. Decent crowd/banter
5. Accessible without a car (see 2 above)

So I rejected the SPL (Motherwell, St Mirren, Hamilton) on criteria 1. The country's premier game is far too expensive for what you get. Criteria 3 put paid to SFL teams Partick Thistle, Queens Park and Clyde as all play in seated arenas. And who wants to sit in a quarter full stand in those uncomfortable, wee, plastic seats with someone's knee in your back while your own knees are under your chin?

Struggling for choices I talked it over with a mate of mine who suggested trying the Juniors. My knowledge of the Scottish Junior game starts and ends with Carluke Rovers i.e. not much. Unsure I dipped into the Pie and Bovril forum (http://www.pieandbovri l.com/forum/index.php/forum/22-junior-football/). I was delighted to find a vibrancy and passion there without much of the dickishness that has seeped into many of the threads I've read on P&B and other football forums.

Another source of great information was the wonderful Non-League Scotland website from Jamie Wire (http://nonleaguescotland.co.uk/). I really couldn't believe the depth and range of Junior Clubs out there. As I took in the photographs of the grounds all the while reading more about the history, the nicknames, the fans of each club the more I became enchanted.

Soon I had a shortlist.

The obvious starting point was the West Region. Armed with my companions Scotrail, Firstbus and Google Maps I plotted out potential teams like a WWII Field-Marshall plotting the downfall of the third reich. Arguably the biggest Junior club in Glasgow, Pollok looked to have a great set up but i discarded them because they've got plenty of fans already. Besides I'd have to take two train or bus rides to get to Newlandsfield. The same reason KO'd Rutherglen Glencairn who's Clyde Gateway Stadium appeared close to me as the crow flies. However on further inspection it would require me to head into the city centre away from the ground before doubling back out to Rutherglen and if there's one thing I can't stand its doubling back.

Being ruthless with my shortlist I brought it down to three potentials : Clydebank, Petershill or Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

When I was a boy Clydebank FC were a Senior league team (I remember them in the top league and being sponsored by Wet Wet Wet) until 2002 when following a period of decline in their fortunes and after the liquidation of Airdrieonians FC a consortium bought out Clydebank's assets and Airdrie United took over their place in the SFL.

The fans kept going though and a club was entered into the West Region's Central League Division Two in the 2003-04 season. It is a romantic notion for all football fans to have a club run by the fans for the fans so I was eager to see this for myself.

Clydebank FC currently play in the West Region Super First Division and are a team on the up. They attract some big crowds to Holm Park - the stadium they share with their landlords Yoker Athletic FC. Holm Park has terraced standing area all around the pitch with a sheltered stand along half of the pitch - ideal for when the hailstones start. Another welcome feature is a licensed social club which has a bar and windows looking onto the pitch from behind the goals.

Getting there couldn't be easier as there's a 20 minute train ride directly from the station across the street from me. So with a team on the way up and many of my criteria met Clydebank FC look a good choice.

Petershill FC are based in the Springburn area of Glasgow and are also a short train journey away. Currently in the West Region Super Premier League, they play in the newly built (2007) Petershill Park which has a covered seating area as well as standing areas. One possible problem is that the pitch is 4th Generation (4G) astroturf which might affect the way the teams play. I know how badly it affects my five-a-sides game - it seems like there's a bobble every time I go to shoot.

A big plus point is the social club which had the dubious distinction of hearing my father-in-law's singing during the 60s. He tells me he was a cracking goalie in his day and even had a trial with Kirky Rob Roy - their loss was Torrance's gain. My mother-in-law used to serve the pies at the Petershill club which is how she met the big man which I admit gives The Peasy a personal and emotional hook that the others maybe lack.

Talking of the in-laws leads me onto the final shortlisted team, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. The Rabs are one of the oldest junior clubs in existence being established in 1878 and like the Peasy play in the West Region Super Premier League. It is also a town close to where my wife is from and in-laws still live.

The furthest away and most awkward of the grounds to get to, Adamslie Park does have a certain charm from the photographs I've seen. The Rabs used to have a social club but the council razed it to the ground in 2004. However I know Kirky has a few good pubs within walking distance of the ground. It's a nicer area than Yoker and Springburn so there's less chance of a beating going to and from the games.

All 3 teams have their pros and cons and I'd be a fool to dismiss any of them until I've experienced all three.

And that's what I'm going to do. First stop is Clydebank FC vs Yoker Athletic. Tenants vs landlords in a Central League Cup derby.

You can follow my experiences here as I plan to write about each game, the clubs, the fans, the bovril, the half time entertainment, the match day programme, the ned evasion techniques, the goals, the rain, the mud and everything I'm looking forward to from getting back to fitba.