Pollok F.C.

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Pollok
Pollok FC crest
Full namePollok Football Club
Nickname(s)'The Lok'
Founded1908 (111 years ago)
GroundNewlandsfield Park,
Newlandsfield Road,
Glasgow,
G43 2XR
Capacity4,000 (All Standing)
PresidentTom Gilliland
ManagerMurdo MacKinnon
LeagueWest of Scotland League Premier Division
2020–21West of Scotland League Premier Division (withdrawn)

Pollok Football Club is a Scottish football club based in Newlands in the southside of the city of Glasgow. The club competes in the West of Scotland Football League and are one of the biggest football clubs operating in Scottish non-league football, regularly attracting crowds of around 700.[1] Pollok play at Newlandsfield Park[2] and wear black and white stripes.[3] Their traditional rivals are Arthurlie of Barrhead.[4]

History[]

Formed in 1908 as an offshoot of Poloc Cricket Club[5] and based at a ground called Haggs Park within Pollok Estate until 1926, Pollok were one of many average clubs in Junior football in Glasgow. The club eventually rose to prominence upon the demise of Third Lanark in 1967 with many supporters opting to support Pollok, being in close proximity on the south side of Glasgow. Pollok eventually became champions of the Central League in 1978–79, and won their first major honour, the Scottish Junior Cup in 1980–81. Pollok have since gone on to win the Junior cup a further two times, in 1984–85 and 1996–97.

Since 2002 League Reconstruction[]

Junior football in the west of Scotland was restructured in 2002, amalgamating the Central and Ayrshire leagues to form the West Region. Prior to this Pollok had been champions of the Central league eight times. The top league of the new set up was the West Premier League which Pollok have won four times.

Beginning in the 2007–08 season the SFA began inviting the winners of the four major Junior honours (Scottish Junior Cup, West Premier League, East Super League, & North Premier League) to take part in the Senior Scottish Cup. Pollok were reigning champions of the West Premier League at the time, and took part in the 2007–08 Scottish Cup. In the 1st round 'Lok were drawn away against St Cuthbert Wanderers of the South of Scotland League. The match took place at St. Mary's Park, Kirkcudbright with Pollok winning comfortably by 6 goals to 2. Montrose of the Third Division were to be Pollok's opponents in the second round. Pollok performed admirably against the Scottish League club, achieving a 2–2 draw at Links Park. In the replay at Newlandsfield 'Lok were not as successful and lost 1–0.

The following year saw Pollok once again crowned West Premier League Champions. At the start of the season they were eliminated in the second round from the 2008–09 Scottish Cup by Edinburgh-based East of Scotland team Spartans. At the end of the season Pollok had a chance once again to retain their West Premier League championship but lost the last league game of the season away to Auchinleck Talbot by failing to defend a 1–0 lead in the last eight minutes. Having exited the Scottish Junior Cup at the semi-final stage for the second year in a row, manager Jim Sinnett promptly resigned after the game.

2009–10 did not go well for Pollok with an early exit in the Scottish Junior Cup away to Newtongrange Star.[6] In March 2010 manager Rab Sneddon resigned for work reasons[7] and was succeeded by Willie Irvine.[8]

Season 2010–11 saw Pollok suffer a shock exit at home to Neilston Juniors in the Scottish Junior Cup.[9] Season 2011–12 saw Pollok lose four of their opening seven league fixtures,[1] prompting Willie Irvine to tender his resignation on Monday, 10 October 2011.[10] His eventual replacement was John Richardson,[11] who kept the club in the top flight after a relegation play-off against Renfrew.[1] Season 2012–13 saw Pollok win both the Central Sectional League Cup and the Central League Cup as well as narrowly avoiding relegation for the second year running. Only three players were retained from the previous season for 2013–14. This season was a disaster for Pollok. The club was embroiled in many off field controversies and had four different managers throughout the season.

Current manager, Tony McInally, was appointed in December 2013 but Pollok were finally relegated on 28 April 2014 with a 3–2 loss to Glenafton Athletic.[12] Under McInally, Pollok were promoted as Champions the following season and won the Evening Times Champions Cup.[13] The club reached the final of the 2015–16 Scottish Junior Cup but lost to Beith Juniors on penalty kicks after a 1–1 draw.[14]

In 2016, the club briefly received widespread media attention after right-back Tam Hanlon scored a hat-trick of long-range goals (two free kicks and one from open play) in a match against Neilston. The feat was captured on video and quickly went viral, being viewed millions of times and leading international players and pundits to praise the quality of the goals.[15]

West of Scotland League[]

In 2020, Pollok moved from the SJFA, to join the pyramid system in Scottish football as one of the inaugural members of the West of Scotland Football League.[16]

On 11 October 2020, the club announced they would not be participating in the inaugural season of the West of Scotland League due to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing safety of volunteers and players, and the financial impact on the club of pursuing a campaign with no matchday income, as the main reasons.[17][18][19]

Former players[]

On settling the Intermediate dispute in 1931 Pollok sold the following players to senior football: J.McBride, J.Robertson and R.Griffiths to Chelsea; Charlie M. Thomson to Sunderland and T.Armstrong to Airdrieonians. Other Pollok players who have also played in the Scottish Football League or Football League include Brian Bilsland, Kevin Budinauckas, Ross O'Donoghue, Craig Cranmer and Danny Diver. Former Pollok striker Dougie Arnott achieved Scottish Cup success with Motherwell.[20] In recent years, Pollok have had numerous players move up to senior level including John Sweeney – Current Clyde Captain, Arbroath keeper Scott Morrison, Airdireonians assistant/player Paul Lovering and Albion Rovers defender Ross Dunlop.. played in all three of Pollok's junior cup final triumphs as a striker.

Stadium[]

Pollok play their home games at Newlandsfield Park in the Newlands area of Glasgow, a ground they have used since the 1928–29 season. The stadium has a capacity of 4,000 (1,500 covered), and is largely terracing.

Pollok's first ground was at Haggs Park in the Pollok Estate, but they were forced to move out in 1926–27 as Glasgow City Council wanted the land for school pitches. After playing temporarily at Rosebery Park and the Queen Mary Tea Gardens at Speirsbridge (in Thornliebank), they acquired Newlandsfield Park, which has been their ground ever since.[21]

Current squad[]

As of 7 September 2020[22]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Scotland SCO Jordan Longmuir
— GK Scotland SCO Josh Lumsden
— DF Scotland SCO David Barron
— DF Scotland SCO Paul Gallacher
— DF Scotland SCO Grant Evans
— DF Scotland SCO Jordan McMillan
— DF Scotland SCO Bryan Wharton
— DF Scotland SCO Danny MacKenzie
— DF Scotland SCO Dom Larkin
— DF Scotland SCO Gerry McLauchlan
— DF Scotland SCO Mark Sideself
— MF Scotland SCO Stephen McDevitt
— MF Scotland SCO Ryan McGregor
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Scotland SCO Chris Duff
— MF Scotland SCO Gary McCann
— MF Scotland SCO Derek Esplin
— MF Scotland SCO Shaun Fraser
— MF Scotland SCO Darren Christie
— FW Scotland SCO Stuart McCann
— FW Scotland SCO Alex McWaters
— FW Scotland SCO Jordan Shelvey
— FW Scotland SCO Iain Russell
— FW Scotland SCO Chris Dallas
— FW Scotland SCO Josh Weir
— FW Scotland SCO Adam Forde

Development squad[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Scotland SCO Grant Jamieson
2 DF Scotland SCO Kieran Docherty
3 DF Scotland SCO Luke Biggart
4 DF Scotland SCO Jack Grimshaw
5 DF Scotland SCO Andrew Melville
6 MF Scotland SCO Matthew McMillan
7 MF Poland POL Kamil Krol
8 MF Scotland SCO Sean Borland
9 FW Scotland SCO Thomas Haggarty
10 FW Scotland SCO Mikey Verrecchia
No. Pos. Nation Player
11 MF Scotland SCO Alex Quinn
12 MF Scotland SCO Douglas Cummings
14 MF Scotland SCO Tiger Lawson
15 DF Scotland SCO Fraser Lee
16 FW Scotland SCO Ben Marshall
17 GK Scotland SCO Ross Shaw
18 FW Scotland SCO Leroy Smith
19 DF Scotland SCO Luke Cameron
20 MF Scotland SCO Keelan Braonan
21 FW Scotland SCO Aidan Craig

Coaching staff[]

Role Name
Manager Scotland Murdo MacKinnon
Assistant Manager Scotland Billy McGhie
Coach Scotland Ian Penman
Goalkeeping Coach Scotland Billy Kerr
Physio Scotland Hannah Miller
Development Squad Manager Scotland Stephen McKenna
Development Squad Assistant Scotland Chris Ferguson

Honours[]

Scottish Junior Cup

  • Winners: 1980–81, 1984–85, 1996–97
  • Runners-up: 1985–86, 1997–98, 2015–16

SJFA West Premier League

  • Winners: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08

SJFA West Super First Division

  • Winners: 2014–15

Other honours[]

[23]

  • West of Scotland Cup winners: 1944–45, 1986–87, 1991–92, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2016–17
  • SJFA Supercup: 2003–04, 2005–06
  • Central League Premier Division winners: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1994–95, 1995–96
  • Central League champions: 1978–79, 1980–81
  • Central League A Division winners: 1980–81
  • Central League B Division winners: 1968–69, 1978–79
  • Glasgow Junior Cup: 1941–42, 1953–54, 1961–62
  • Glasgow Dryburgh Cup: 1930–31, 1941–42, 1948–49
  • Central League Cup: 1977–78, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1989–90, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2017–18
  • Central Sectional League Cup: 1983–84, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2012–13
  • Evening Times Cup Winners Cup: 1979–80, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2014–15

Notable players[]

These players have achieved success playing for teams in the Senior leagues.

  • Dougie Arnott – Motherwell
  • Fraser Wishart – Motherwell, St Mirren, Rangers, Motherwell
  • Gary Clark – Falkirk, Sliema Wanderers, Hamilton Academical
  • Ian Spittal – Partick Thistle, Stranraer, Clyde
  • Robert Prytz – Malmö, Rangers, Sweden
  • Bobby Collins – Celtic, Everton, Leeds United, Scotland
  • Sandy Stewart – Hearts, Airdrieonians, Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle
  • Danny Diver – Kolding IF, RC Tournai, Ayr United, Hamilton Academical, East Stirlingshire
  • Chic Charnley – Hamilton Academical, Djurgårdens IF, Partick Thistle, Bolton Wanderers, Hibernian
  • Andy McLaren - Dundee United, Reading, Kilmarnock, Morton, Scotland
  • Carlo Monti - Morton, Dundee
  • Grant Evans - Hamilton Academical, Morton, Airdrieonians, Dumbarton

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Fixtures & Results 2016-17". Pollok F.C. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Newlandsfield". pollokfc.com. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Photos: Glenafton Athletic v Pollok 12/01/13". pollokfc.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Pollok V Arthurlie Legends Prepare To Renew Old Rivalries For Charity". The Glaswegian. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  5. ^ Club history, Poloc Cricket Club
  6. ^ "Crilly Isn't Running Scared of Lok". Paisley Daily Express. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Pollok looking for new boss as Rab Sneddon stands down". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  8. ^ "Pollok Boss Willie Irvine Up for the Fight at Newlandsfield". The Glaswegian. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Loony Joons: Queen's Park Veterans Had It All To Prove in Ashfield Classic". The Glaswegian. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Pollok FC Official Statement". Pollok Football Club. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  11. ^ "New Manager Appointed". Pollok Football Club. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  12. ^ O'Donnell, Jim (28 December 2013). "Tony: I want to bring back days when Pollok was the pinnacle". Evening Times. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Relegation nadir was the spur for Pollok boss Tony McInally to haul southsiders back to the top of the game". Evening Times. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Gutted Pollok boss Tony McInally blames Scottish Cup Final defeat on lack of a cutting edge in front of goal". Evening Times. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Loony Joons: Tam Hanlon's hat trick of howitzers goes global - and this video proves it was no fluke". Daily Record. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  16. ^ Pirie, Mark (4 May 2020). "West of Scotland League unveil full division list ahead of non-league overhaul". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Club Statement on Season 2020-21". Pollok Football Club. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Club Ballot Results – West of Scotland Football League". Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  19. ^ Pirie, Mark (10 October 2020). "BREAKING: West of Scotland League chaos as 14 clubs pull out ahead of kick off". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  20. ^ Pollok FC player index Archived 17 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine (click on History/Past Players)
  21. ^ Pollok FC History Archived 5 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "Squad". Pollok Football Club. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  23. ^ McGlone, David; McLure, Bill (1987). The Juniors - 100 Years. A Centenary History of Scottish Junior Football. Mainstream. ISBN 1-85158-060-3.

External links[]

Coordinates: 55°49′26″N 4°17′16″W / 55.823930°N 4.287880°W / 55.823930; -4.287880

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