Category: academy

Pollok FC U20s confirmed for season 25/26

Pollok FC are delighted to announce that we will be fielding an under-20s team in next season’s West of Scotland Football Development League, in partnership with Pollok United.

This represents a reestablishment of our long-standing relationship with the academy that reached its peak in 2018, when the then Pollok United U19s won the Cumberland and Kilsyth league title at Newlandsfield. That team had previously been captained by Mouhamed “Sena” Niang, who made nineteen appearances for Pollok’s first team before moving to Partick Thistle.

The current Pollok United 2006 team will form the basis of this squad, coached by John Shelvin, Stephen Donnelly and Ross Murray. The core of this squad has been together for a number of years, with coach Stephen being with them for over fourteen years. They will be recruiting players from the 2006-2008 age range over the summer to put together a squad that is able to sustain itself beyond just this season, while providing a clear pathway to the Pollok first team for local youngsters.

Members of the Pollok United 2006 team in 2015, on the day we lifted the West of Scotland First Division title.

Pollok have previously fielded U20s sides in the 21-22 and 23-24 seasons, with players such as Kamil Krol, Adam Cummings and Thomas Starrs making the step up to the first team.

We are looking forward to kicking off the 2025/26 season as Pollok U20s. Our aim is to provide players with a clear pathway to ultimately represent the Pollok first team. The goal is to build a sustainable, long-term partnership between Pollok United and Pollok FC, that will last for years to come.

John Shevlin, Head Coach, Pollok FC Development Squad

 

I am delighted that Pollok will once again have an U20 team, and even more delighted that it is coming from Pollok United. As someone who previously coached at the academy, I have always been keen on there a clear link between us, and being able to offer a pathway for local youngsters to work their way up to our first team is crucial in establishing ourselves as a club at the heart of our community. Linking up with the academy, will also allow us to establish a sustainable U20 set-up that will evolve year on year, in a way we have not been able to do previously. The Pollok 06s were a regular fixture at Newlandsfield once upon a time, and it will be great to welcome them back into the fold as our under-20s team.

Paul Regan, President, Pollok FC

Follow the new U20s team on Twitter, and keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks for more news on this partnership.

 

Newlandsfield Remembers Iain Ashcroft

Prior to yesterday’s match against Cambuslang Rangers, Newlandsfield came together to remember former Pollok defender Iain Ashcroft who tragically passed away three weeks ago. His family were in attendance, alongside his 1997 Junior Cup final winning team-mates who led the present-day Pollok team onto the park for a rousing minutes applause.

 

The 1997 Scottish Junior Cup squad led Newlandsfield in a tribute to Iain Ashcroft.

After seven years at rivals Arthurlie, ‘Ashy’ had a job on his hands to win over a sceptical Pollok support when he signed in 1995, but his commitment to the team and wholehearted approach to the game soon won them over. His finest hour came when he played through a ligament injury to lift the Scottish Junior Cup in 1997, and the turnout from his former team-mates yesterday demonstrated the high regard he was held in by them all.

In all, Ashy made 108 appearances for Pollok, with only one coming off the bench. He scored five goals and lifted a Central League title, Junior Cup and West of Scotland Cup.

Iain Ashcroft: 1962 – 2023

 

Lok 20s find out league make-up

The Scottish Lowland Football League today revealed the make-up of the 88 team development set-up for 2021-22. The Lok 20s will be in Conference E, as listed below.

Conference E (14 teams)

  • Ashfield
  • Benburb
  • BSC Glasgow (WOSL)
  • Clydebank
  • Drumchapel United
  • Johnstone Burgh
  • Maryhill
  • Pollok
  • Renfrew
  • Rossvale
  • St Anthony’s
  • St Cadoc’s
  • Vale of Leven
  • Yoker Athletic

As noted above, the BSC Glasgow in our division is a separate entity to the Lowland League club.

The full divisional breakdown can be found here.

Squad update

Pollok FC can confirm that Pat O’Donnell has joined St. Roch’s on loan a month’s loan, meaning the young central defender will revert to Lok colours in mid October. We wish him well up at James McGrory Park.

Elsewhere, Lok have drafted in 20-year-old Pollok Juveniles keeper Tam McGuire as goalkeeping cover on a delayed transfer basis. He will remain on Lok’s books until the end of the season. He has already been involved with Lok at first team level, featuring in the squad versus Arthurlie in pre-season.

O’Donnell arrival bolsters squad

The Lok website can confirm that Pat O’Donnell has now signed for the club and is available for selection for the Lanark United cup tie this week. The 22 year old central defender has spent the past couple of seasons with the Lok u21 side and prior to that was with various youth clubs including St. Cadoc’s YC, Giffnock SC and St. Peters Juveniles Giffnock North. Welcome aboard!

In other news, Lok have recalled Mikey McWilliams from his loan to Petershill and he too is available for selection this week.

Sena departs Newlandsfield

Pollok can confirm that Mohamed ?Sena? Niang has now left Pollok and has signed for Scottish Championship side, Partick Thistle.

Sena graduated from the Pollok United Soccer Academy in the summer of 2017 after having captained the U19?s the previous season. As the first academy graduate to make the step up, he made his first team debut against Arthurlie in a 1-0 Sectional League Cup win and made his first league start a few games later away to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in the league. He finished the 2017-18 season with 20 appearances.

Sena has made 9 top team appearances this term and he scored his first goal for the Lok in a 4-1 win against Maryhill.

On his move, Sena had the following message for the Pollok faithful;

It?s been a pleasure to play for Pollok. It?s a journey in my life that I am never going to forget as it gave me the platform to go and play the best sport in the world and finally achieve my dream, to be a full time footballer.

I would like to thank the fans as they?ve been great to me since the day I made my debut. I always gave 100% because of how much love I have for the Pollok fans and my teammates.

I would like to wish all my teammates and coaching staff all the best for the remainder of the season. I will miss playing at Newlandsfield, but now that I live closer to the ground I?ll be coming to most home games as a fan to cheer on the lads.

I?d also like to say a massive thanks to the academy from mini kickers all the way to the Under 19s for always been supportive and cheering my name. You guys mean a lot to me. A special mention to the squad and coaches from last years Pollok u19?s, a brilliant bunch of lads who were always there for me when I needed support.?

MTLN!

Commenting on the move, manager Tony McInally had this to say;

All of us in the dressing room are delighted that Sena has managed to secure his dream?move of playing full time professional football after securing a deal with Partick Thistle. We have worked hard every week with Sena on all aspects of his game so it is fantastic that Thistle have seen this improvement and potential?in the lad to offer him a great deal.

On a personal level, I?m really pleased that his teammates worked with him and helped Sena every week to provide support and experience to him on and off the pitch to develop into the player he is today.


From the dressing room we would like to wish Sena all the very best in the next step of his football career. I am sure he has a really bright future in the professional game if he continues to listen, learn and improve his overall game.

All the best Sena.

Echoing the manager?s sentiments, on behalf of everyone at Pollok we?d like to wish Sena the very best.

MTLN

Jane Lavery

It was with much sadness that we learnt of the passing of Pollok United Soccer Academy coach, Jane Lavery.

Janie was a much loved colleague and coach to everyone involved with the academy and will be greatly missed.

Last year Janie was awarded the Scottish FA grassroots award in recognition for her work with the Academy?s girls and disabled sections. Her contribution was massive and will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.

There will be a minutes silence in memory of Janie prior to tomorrow?s home fixture against Auchinleck Talbot.

(Janie pictured last year with UEFA president Aleksander ?eferin and Stewart Regan of the SFA)

Youth players added to first team squad

Ahead of the new season, Pollok are delighted to announce the signings of ‘keeper Scott Johnson and defender Tony Coutts on dual contracts for the 2018-19 season. The players, both products of the youth academy, rejoin the first team after being part of the squad in the second half of last season.

Scott Johnson made his debut for Pollok in the January Scottish Cup win away to Rossvale, keeping a clean sheet in the process. He went on to make another 7 appearances for the first team as cover for the injured Jordan Longmuir.

Tony Coutts is yet to make an appearance for the first team but served last season as captain to the league winning Under 19’s side.

The players join academy graduate Mohamed Niang in the squad for the forthcoming season.

Pollok U19s to play league decider at Newlandsfield

This Thursday night we are delighted to once again host the Pollok U19’s in their crucial league match against Clydebank.

The final game of the league season sees the young ‘lok three points ahead of their counterparts needing a win or draw to become champions. Kick off is at 7:15 and it’s free to get in.

In their penultimate league game, Pollok U19’s ran out convincing 9-1 winners away at Larkhall Thistle.