POLLOK
FC Team Photo for 2007-08
Back Row: Duncan Annandale (Kit
Controller), Derek Heaton, Joe Carruth, Mark Booth, Richie Newall, Brian Mackay.
Middle
Row: George Paterson (Match Secretary), John Paul Murray (Physio), Harry Erwin
(Assistant Manager), Gary Wilson, Davie McGeown, Paul Hyslop, Kris Robertson,
Ian Wilson (left),
Alan Waddell, Robbie Henderson, Chris Cruickshank, Ronnie
Stevenson (Physio), Rab Sneddon (Manager), Fergus McDiarmid (President)
Front
Row: Brian McKeown, Zander Ryan, Stevie Miller, Stevie Aitchison, Robert Downs,
Andy McClay, Bryan Dingwall. Not present: Davie Turnbull, Raymond Logan, Martin
McGarvey.
Management Team:
Rab Sneddon (Manager), Harry
Erwin (Assistant Manager), Mark McWilliams
(Coach)
Current Playing Squad (at 12/03/08): Kris
Robertson (Goalkeeper), Derek Heaton (Central
Defender), Chris Cruickshank (Left Back),
Stevie Aitchison (Sweeper), Joe
Carruth (Right Back), Gary Wilson
(Left Back), Brian McKeown (Central Midfield),
Stevie Miller (Central Midfield),
Zander
Ryan (Right Midfield), Andy McClay (Central
Midfield), Mark Booth (Central Midfield),
Richie Newall (Left Midfield), David
McGeown (Attacking Midfield), Brian Mackay
(Left/Right Midfield), Paul Hyslop (Right
Midfield), Raymond Logan (Central Midfield),
Robert Downs (Forward), Bryan
Dingwall (Forward), Alan Waddell (Forward),
Davie Turnbull (Forward).
| Manager | ||
Rab
Sneddon
| Appointed as successor to Ronnie Lowrie as Lok boss in June 2004, Rab came to Newlandsfield with an impressive track record of success in Junior management. In his playing days Rab was a sweeper and had a long association with amateur side Bellshill YMCA. He also played with Parkside Amateurs then spent four years with Bellshill Athletic, before moving to Cambuslang Rangers in 1984. At the end of the 84-85 season, Rab then went back to Bellshill YMCA to wind down his playing days and become manager. After a spell on the coaching staff, took over as manager at Blantyre Vics in 1995. Success with Vics led to him taking over at Shotts Bon Accord, and thereafter it was Bellshill Athletic, Larkhall Thistle (7 months as caretaker manager) then Maryhill. |  |
| Asst.Manager | ||
Harry
Erwin
| Harry was Rab's number two at both Blantyre Vics and Shotts Bon Accord before taking over the Hannah Park side as manager, who he led to the Sectional League Cup Final against Cambuslang Rangers. He then had a spell assisting ex-Stenhousemuir team-mate Jim Sinnet at Linlithgow Rose, who he played with for a season after quitting Senior football, before they linked up again at Maryhill. A right-sided defender in his playing days, Harry began his playing career with Motherwell then later signed for Airdrieonians (32 Premier appearances) from Coatbridge YMCA in 1978. He moved to Stenhousemuir in 1982, who he was captain of by the age of 23, then onto Alloa Athletic for 1989-90 and East Stirlingshire the year after, in all making 352 league appearances, scoring 34 goals as well as 46 appearances and 6 goals in cup competition. |  |
| Coach | ||
Mark
McWilliams
| 'Marky' arrived at Pollok from Benburb, where he gave many years of service and was the club's youngest ever captain, and was signed by ex-boss Andy Dailly in 1998. Ever versatile Mark tended to play at full back or in midfield, and was a superb man marker. Injuries took their toll in though in later years and he eventually moved onto the coaching staff in 2006. |  |
Physiotherapy Team: John Paul Murray and Ronnie Stevenson
2007-08 POLLOK FC SQUAD
| Goalkeepers | ||
| Kris
Robertson
|
A goalkeeper who began his career on a scholarship at Queen's Park Rangers. He left Loftus Road without having made the first team in 2001 to sign for hometown team St. Mirren and over two seasons made 17 league appearances in the First Division. He then went on trial with Crewe Alexandra and Celtic then made two starts for Dumbarton as a trialist before signing a month-long deal at Aberdeen in the Autumn of 2003 as cover for David Preece when back-up goalie Ryan Esson picked up an injury. Although he impressed the coaching staff at Pittodrie during his brief stay and was an unused sub on three occasions, once Esson was fit, his deal wasn't extended. He then turned out twice for Queen of the South and secured a move to Shelbourne but left after three months and two solitary League Cup appearances for the Dubliners. After a few months away from football, in 2004 he began playing with Arthurlie and wowed many an opposition fan in his two seasons at Dunterlie. He was one of five players to sign from Arthurlie in June 2006. Kris
Robertson's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Defence | ||
| Derek
Heaton
| Derek played Junior with both Benburb and Yoker Athletic prior to signing for Johnstone Burgh who he joined Lok from in August 2002. A towering central defender, Derek is a popular member of the Lok side with supporters who has become a very consistent performer in a successful Lok side. He has suffered more than a few facial and head injuries in his time (without harming his good looks, Derek is keen to point out!) at Newlandsfield while battling for the Lok cause. Derek
Heaton's Playing Record for Pollok |
 |
| Chris
Cruickshank
|
Left back Chris signed for Pollok in March 2005 from Stranraer after the best part of two seasons with the Stair Park outfit. In total, he made 10 league appearances for Stranraer. When Maryhill manager Neil Watt switched to Stranraer in 2003, Chris was one of a handful of players who followed. He had originally stepped up to the Juniors from Glasgow Amateurs U21 and was with Queen's Park before that. Chris likes to get forward given the opportunity and can make the most of his height at set-pieces. Has been seen playing at centre-half. Chris
Cruickshank's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Stevie
Aitchison
|
Stevie is a 100% committed tackler who is a mainstay in the back line for Pollok. Stevie began his career with Pollok Juveniles, making a few appearances for the Junior side in his time at Newlandsfield, before signing for Irvine Meadow. After a successful spell at Meadow Park, he signed for Lok in the summer of 2001. Stevie is also captain of the side and was voted Player of the Year in 2004-05 and again in 2005-06. Despite his card collection, Stevie is a very fair player who leads the team by example. Stevie Aitchison's Playing
Record for Pollok |
 |
| Joe Carruth
| Joe signed for Pollok in August 2005 from Glenafton Athletic. A Junior Internationalist, Joe began his career with Ayr United but never appeared in the first team. He spent most of his time at Somerset Park farmed out to Glenafton who he eventually signed for. His only Senior appearance came as a trialist during 2004-05 for Cowdenbeath. Joe is a versatile and quick player who can play virtually anywhere in defence but enjoys playing on the right of a back three. Joe
Carruth's Playing Record for Pollok | 
|
| Gary
Wilson
|
Gary started his Junior career in the Ayrshire Juniors with Beith before leaving Bellsdale in the summer of 2001 to take up a scholarship in the USA. He returned midway through the following season, before moving on to Neilston. The left-sided player spent just over 2 seasons at Brig-O-Lea before signing for Arthurlie in 2004. A Junior Scotland internationalist, he had been linked with a move Senior at the start of 2005-06 but opted to remain with Arthurlie. He joined Lok in June 2006. Gary
Wilson's Playing Record for Pollok |
 |
| Brian McKeown
| Highly
versatile, hard-working and skilful Brian, who can comfortably play virtually
anywhere bar up-front and in goal, joined Pollok from Beith in June 2007. He started
off in Junior football with Renfrew after signing from St. Peter's Juveniles in
1999 and was a part of the squad that won the Scottish Junior Cup in 2001. He
moved on to Arthurlie a year after that triumph, and he remained at Dunterlie
for four seasons before quitting Dunterlie along with the rest of the squad in
the summer of 2006. At that point he signed up with Auchinleck Talbot but, despite
featuring in the 1st XI for the majority of his time at Beechwood, the move did
not work out as planned and in January 2007 he was sold to Beith. Within 5 months
and one Junior Scotland cap later, he was a Lok player. |  |
| Midfield | ||
| Stevie
Miller
| A defender and Junior Scotland internationalist who came through the youth system at Celtic, Stevie signed up at Maryhill in 2000 after leaving the Hoops and remained at Lochburn Park for over five years. After much speculation in the media, he signed for Pollok from Maryhill in January 2006. Nicknamed 'Bex' or 'Bexy' (purely because it rhymes with his wife Lexy's name), he tends to play in the holding midfield role but can also play at right back or at sweeper. Stephen
Miller's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Zander
Ryan
|
A flying right-sided midfielder with a sublime cross who has proved a real thorn in the side of Lok over the years. Signed by Kilmarnock in 1995 from Highbury B.C. as a 16-year-old, he spent two seasons with the Rugby Park side before dropping into the Juniors with Baillieston. He then moved on to Johnstone Burgh and two years with the Keanie Park side was followed up with four at Arthurlie. Also a renowned free-kick taker, Zander signed up at Lok in June 2006. Zander
Ryan's Playing Record for Pollok |
 |
| Andy McClay
|
After a number of seasons
and one Player of the Year award, Andy quit Maryhill for Clyde in the summer of
1998, and stayed with the Bully Wee for over four seasons, before rejoining Maryhill
early in 2003. His second spell at Lochburn came to an end following managerial
changes at both 'Hill and Lok in 2004. He has made a big impression upon the Lok
support and can be a hugely influential member of the midfield where in his role
as vocal playmaker he makes the team tick. Sadly he picked up a serious knee injury
in March 2007 was ruled out for the remainder of the following year. He hopes
to be back playing in early 2008. |  |
| Mark Booth
|
Mark joined Pollok
in October 2006 from Elgin City after just over a season at Borough Briggs. The
tough-tackling central midfielder began his career at Airdrieonians then moved
onto Livingston, Cumbernauld United, Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir, Forfar Athletic,
Shotts Bon Accord and Elgin. In all, he made almost 200 Senior appearances in
just over 7 seasons, scoring 35 goals. Mark is transfer-listed.
|
 |
| Richie
Newall
|
Skilful Richie joined Pollok from Irvine Meadow XI for a nominal fee in December 2006. He began his Senior career with Ayr United after signing from Benburb but was loaned out to Irvine Meadow XI and never made a 1st team appearance for the Honest Men. In the summer of 1999 Richie signed for Partick Thistle and made a handful of sub appearances in league and cup competitions, though within 6 months had signed for Glenafton Athletic. He remained at Loch Park for over five seasons before dropping down to the Ayrshire District League to play for Irvine Meadow again. Richie is capable of scoring goals and netted around 25 in his time at Glenafton overall. Richie
Newall's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| David McGeown
| Glasgow-born
David, a skilful box-to-box midfielder with deadly aerial prowess, spent five
years as a professional on the books of SPL side Hearts, and made his debut aged
18 in a 4-1 defeat at home to Celtic. He spent the remainder of that season on
loan at Stirling Albion. As with so many youngsters, his future lay away from
the SPL and ended up in Australia with West State Premier League side Sorrento
after leaving Tynecastle. When he returned to Scotland in October 2005, he signed
for Alloa and put in a number of impressive appearances between then and the end
of the season. He trained with Lok during the 2006-07 pre-season, but opted for
a break from playing. After a few months out of the game by choice, he joined
Lok as a free agent in December 2006. |  |
| Brian Mackay
| Wide
player Brian, a young winger, joined Pollok from St. Mirren in July 2007, though
he only featured for the U17 and U19 side at Love Street. Prior to playing with
St. Mirren, Brian was with Livingston and before that Partick Thistle. Brian is
a pacy wide player who is particularly effective on the left side - despite being
right-footed. Brian Mackay's Playing Record for Pollok 2004-05: PARTICK THISTLE (-) 2005-06: LIVINGSTON (-) 2006-07: ST. MIRREN (-) 2007-08 (37): 5 starts, 16 sub apps / 4 goals (YC 2, RC 0) total: 5 starts, 16 sub apps, 4 goals (21/4) |  |
| Paul Hyslop
| Paul
joined the club from Ayr United in August 2007. He began his career with hometown
club Ardrossan Winton Rovers before enjoying a lengthy stint at Auchinleck Talbot
that was interrupted for a number of months by a nasty knee injury. Once fit and
back on form, Paul won a move to Ayr United where he remained for two seasons,
though he spent the end of 2006-07 on loan at Kilwinning Rangers. He played trials
with a couple of his previous sides before settling on a move to Lok on the eve
of the 2007-08 league season. A strong and powerful naturally right-sided wide
player, 'Hissy' is also good in the air. Paul has regularly featured on the left
side for Lok. Paul Hyslop's Playing Record for Pollok 1998-99: ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 1999-00: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2000-01: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2001-02: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2002-03: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2003-04: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2004-05: AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2005-06: AYR UNITED (18 starts, 7 sub apps, 2 goals) 2006-07: AYR UNITED (5 starts, 8 sub apps) 2006-07: KILWINNING RANGERS (LOAN) 2007-08 (37): 13 starts, 9 sub apps / 7 goals (YC 0, RC 0) total: 13 starts, 9 sub apps, 7 goals (22/7) |  |
| Raymond Logan
|
After
spells with Motherwell and Hamilton Academical as a youngster, Raymond began his
Junior career with Fauldhouse United before moving on to Whitburn. His performances
there led to a move Senior with East Fife. After 42 appearances and 4 goals, he
returned Junior with Linlithgow Rose in August 2000. Towards the end of his second
season, he joined Lok in March 2002 and made his debut at Cumbernauld. He was
a Junior Scotland internationalist in his first spell at Newlandsfield but quit
Lok in June 2005 for Ayr United. After
a successful season or so captaining the Honest Men during which Inverness Caledonian
Thistle tried to sign him, Raymond was persuaded to return to Newlandsfield in
September 2006 in what was a stunning transfer coup. He recently returned (October
2007) to training at the club after a number of months on leave. |  |
| Forwards | ||
| Robert
Downs
|
Robert is no stranger to Pollok supporters. He was one of the few bright spots of the 1998-99 season for Lok as an energetic 19-year-old and the follow-up season secured him a move Senior with Hamilton Academical. Injuries hampered him however and after only 9 league appearances he was back at Lok on a delayed transfer. When he was released by Accies at the end of the season, he signed for Arthurlie where he remained for four years. Dave Baikie then took him to Cowdenbeath in the summer of 2005 and he scored Cowden's 5000th ever goal before being struck down by an ankle injury before he was released at his own request in January 2006, after three months sidelined. Despite still being injured, and interest from Lok, Robert at that point signed up with Arthurlie until the end of the season, before moving to Newlandsfield in June 2006. Robert Downs'
Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Bryan
Dingwall
|
A bustling and tenatious striker who has had a long association with Rab Sneddon. It was Rab who brought 'Dingy' into Junior football from Colville Park Amateurs back in 1997 with Shotts Bon Accord, but in early 1998 he was transferred to Lanark United. Rab and Bryan re-united at Bellshill Athletic in 2000 and the talismanic forward remained there for three seasons before switching to Maryhill, again under Rab Sneddon towards the start of the 2003-04 season. Three very successful seasons at Lochburn Park, netting around 100 goals in that time, made him headline news and despite keen interest from a number of clubs, Lok were delighted when he moved to Newlandsfield in June 2006. He fired in 29 goals in his first season at Newlandsfield. Bryan
Dingwall's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Alan Waddell
|
Alan is a forward who began his career with Paisley outfit St. Peter's Juveniles before joining Neilston in 2001. In 2003 he went Senior with Hamilton Academical but left after 5 appearances to sign for Arthurlie in early 2004 and signed for Pollok in June 2006 along with four other Arthurlie players. He is a quick and determinded forward who gives opposition defences much to think about. Also excellent in the air. Alan
Waddell's Playing Record for Pollok |  |
| Davie Turnbull
|
South African-born Davie, a skilful and powerful centre-forward, started his career with Motherwell before switching to Preston North End where he stayed for just over a year. He then moved to Arthurlie then in October 2000 he headed off to Australia and played with a few clubs over there before injury curtailed that. He picked up his football at Knightswood U21s then went Junior with Maryhill for 2002-03 and made a name for himself playing upfront alongside Allan Grant. He was one of a number of players that Neil Watt took with him to Stranraer thereafter. After two seasons, he switched to Stirling Albion and made 11 appearances in all competitions. He had originally joined Lok on a 'delayed transfer' (which is basically a 'Senior to Junior' loan) in January 2006 and signed for Lok upon his Binos release in June 2006. Davie
Turnbull's Playing Record for Pollok |  |