Evan Maley joined Pollok in the summer, with the 25 year-old midfielder arriving from Open Goal Broomhill. Following a head knock against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in the third game of the season however, he only returned to the side against Saltcoats Victoria yesterday and marked the occasion in emphatic fashion, scoring two goals and being selected as the sponsor’s Man of the Match!

He arrived with a strong pedigree, having turned out for clubs in the SPFL, Lowland League and West of Scotland League, and sat down with us to answer some questions about his youth career, his introduction to the Juniors, and what it was like to feature in a fly on the wall YouTube documentary!

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Let’s help the Pollok fans get to know you a bit better. Which teams have you played for before and what kind of player are you?

I started my youth career at Kilmarnock where I played for nine years from the age of eight. From there, I signed for the under 20s at Stranraer where I made my senior debut. After an initial loan spell, I signed with Troon and then onto Glenafton and St Cadoc’s. After that I signed for Dumbarton and then last season was spent at Open Goal Broomhill.

I would describe myself as a quick and direct player who likes to work hard off the ball and link with the forward players to create opportunities for the team.

You came through the ranks at Kilmarnock as a youngster – what did you take away from your experience of being at such a well-established top-flight club?

It was a great setup with some real quality players. At my age group, the likes of Greg Taylor, Greg Kiltie and Adam Frizzell all broke through from our team so it was a really talented side.

I learned so much especially in my later years at the club from some top coaches such as Manuel Pascali, Kris Boyd and Gus McPherson who taught me a lot about the game at a young age. It was a great environment to develop in and learn from the ex-pros.

 

 

Your first introduction to the Junior game came at Troon. How did that differ from your experience with Kilmarnock and Stranraer, and did it take you a while to adjust to that environment?

It was certainly different in terms of style of play and physicality wise but it was a real learning curve for me. I think with it being my local club I embraced the opportunity and enjoyed my time there.

 

 

You were a member of the St Cadoc’s squad during their first senior season in 2020-21, in a campaign that was never completed due to Covid-19. As a player, what was that season like playing in front of no supporters and with social distancing still being enforced?

I actually signed with Glenafton at the start of that season and then they decided to withdraw from the league that season. Southy (Craig McEwan) ended up getting the job at St Cadocs and took most of us with him which was great for me. It was really strange playing with no crowds and with the constant Covid testing, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play when others were stuck at home. The guys at St Cadocs were brilliant with the whole squad and really supported us all during a tough time.

 

You spent the last 18 months at Broomhill and were a regular during their solitary season as Open Goal Broomhill which brought the club a lot of attention. Was this a positive experience for those at the club, and how did the increased scrutiny affect the players?

I loved absolutely everything about it! The standard of training and style of play that Si Ferry implemented suited me perfectly and I learned so much from him. The only disappointment was that we didn’t achieve what we had hoped to with the squad. There was a lot of pressure on us and constant negativity online for everyone to deal with which was a new experience for myself, but I have so many good memories and it is great to be able to look back on them in the documentaries.

 

 

When did you first hear of Pollok’s interest in you and what was your reaction?

I actually spoke to a few clubs in the summer along with clubs from other leagues. Through conversation, I had mentioned to Zee (former Pollok defender Craig Menzies) that I was looking to move on from Broomhill. He was my captain at Glenafton and St Cadocs and I had a good relationship with him and a lot of respect for him. He asked if he could pass my number to Stewart Maxwell and it moved pretty quickly from there. I was aware of how big a club Pollok is and as soon as the offer came it was a no-brainer.

 

 

You have moved to a club in transition, but one that comes with a lot of pressure. How do you handle those expectations from the support when you are on the park?

There are a lot of new faces but it’s a great group of boys who are all desperate to bring success back to Pollok. It’s essential that everyone involved with the club sticks together as much as possible to move forward. We are all well aware of the expectations at such a big club and are eager to show the fans how good the squad is.

 

After a lengthy lay-off as a result of a concussion, you returned to action in the 13-0 win against Saltcoats Victoria and scored twice in a Man of the Match display! How important was it for you to get off the mark and how did it feel to play a part in Pollok’s record victory?

It was really important for me to be involved again and get minutes into the legs. I was also happy to get off the mark competitively for the season and can hopefully continue to score moving forward.

Evan Maley is still available to sponsor for the 23-24 season. Email info@pollokfc.com if you are interested!

The club are delighted to announce that Andrew Gallacher has signed a contract extension at Pollok, which will keep him at Newlandsfield until 2025. 

The talented young winger has been a hit with the Lok faithful since signing from Blantyre Victoria in the summer. He announced his arrival in emphatic fashion, with a stunning late winner against Auchinleck Talbot on the opening day and has since established himself as a key member of Stewart Maxwell’s team.

That match-winning performance gained him the first of three man of the match awards from his seven appearance so far, as he has excited fans with his trickery and attacking flair.

Manager Stewart Maxwell was delighted to extend Gallacher’s stay for another year, saying:

“Gally is an excellent prospect who is already exciting the fans and will only get better.”

When asked how he felt about extending his stay, Gallacher said:

I am delighted to have been offered a contract extension and have loved my time at Pollok so far. It is a great club, with a great group of boys and I am looking forward to kicking on and trying to win some trophies, this year and next!

Gally will be looking to continue his strong start to life in black and white, when Pollok travel to Blair Park to face Hurlford on Saturday 9th September. Kick off at 2pm.

As part of a new series for the Pollok FC programme and website, we will be sitting down with Pollok players and officials, past and present, to get to know more about their involvement in our great club. We begin with a new signing who made a very strong first impression on the Newlandsfield faithful: 21 year-old forward Andrew Gallacher, who joined from Blantyre Victoria.

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Let’s help the Pollok fans get to know you a bit better. Which teams have you played for before and what kind of player do you think you are?

I spent most of my younger years playing with Jerviston, Moorlands and Cantera and then started playing Junior level at around 18. I have played for St Cadoc’s and most recently Blantyre Victoria. I am a player that likes to take defenders on, creating and scoring goals.

You have come to Pollok from Blantyre Victoria where you enjoyed a great breakthrough season last year, being named Fans’ Player of the Year at KG Stadium. What did you learn there that will help you at Newlandsfield?

I think playing week in week out is massive for any young player and definitely helped me build confidence to get the most out of my game. There were a lot of good experienced players that have played at a high level around the club that helped me massively with the tactical side of the game.

When did you first hear of Pollok’s interest in you and what was your reaction?

It was pretty last minute if I’m honest, I had a few offers and wasn’t sure whether to stay at Blantyre or move elsewhere. Pollok then came in at the end of the season and I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t knock back.

You have moved to a club in transition, but one that comes with a lot of pressure. How do you handle those expectations from the support when you are on the park?

It’s something I think you need to thrive off of. The Pollok support is class and if you’ve got them on side then it makes your job easier on the park. No matter where you play you’re always wanting as many fans as possible at the games and that pressure is only going to help us.

You made an instant impact on your competitive debut against Auchinleck Talbot on the opening day of the season. What did Maxi and the coaching team say to you as you were coming on?

For a period in the second half we started to really come into it creating some good chances and he just told me to go on and try make something happen and bring a spark to the game.

You certainly managed that, and your winning goal will live long in the memory. Talk us through it.

I picked up the ball from Scotty (Forrester) on the left after a good bit of play and found myself in a lot of space. As I started driving towards the defender, I could see him backing off a bit so knew that if I could cut inside then I could get a shot off and try to find the opposite corner and thankfully it flew in.

That was a big three points in the first game of the season. How important was that win in giving the squad confidence that this season can be a successful one?

It’s massive for the squad to get that first win especially at home in the first game of the season. It’s something we can now go and build on and we are confident that we can do really well this season.

Finally, what are your ambitions for the season, both on an individual basis and for the whole team.

Individually I want to add as many goals and assists as possible and become a mainstay in the squad. The whole team is ambitious in terms of what we can achieve, and the goal is ultimately for us to win the league.

Written by Paul Regan.

Banner photograph by James Graham.

Pollok FC are delighted to confirm that defender Scott Rumsby has signed a contract extension until June 2024.

Scott Rumsby signed from League 1 side Clyde in the summer of 2022 and has since made 30 appearances in ‘Lok colours, tapping home his first goal against Troon earlier this year.

The experienced defender started his career at Rangers, before moving on to Aberdeen, followed by Stranraer, Peterhead, Cowdenbeath and finally Clyde. After four years with Clyde Rumsby signed for Pollok in 2022.

Pollok FC and Evan Horne have mutually agreed to a termination of his contract.

Evan departs the club with immediate effect.

Pollok can confirm that Gary McCann and Stuart McCann have left the club following the expiration of their current contracts.

Gary McCann joined Pollok in 2016 from Irvine Meadow XI and has made 164 appearances scoring 31 goals.

Gary was instrumental in the West of Scotland Junior Cup win in 2017 and was voted as the club’s Player of the Year in 2018.

Stuart McCann joined Pollok in 2017 from Petershill and has made 186 appearances scoring 73 times.

Both players were offered contracts for the 2023/24 season but have chosen to end their time at the club.

The club would like to thank Gary and Stuart for their contributions during their time at Pollok.

All at the club wish them both well for their future careers.

Pollok are delighted to announce the double-signing of Right Back Matty Burrows and Goalkeeper Ben Fry from University of Stirling!

24 year-old Englishman Burrows has been at the students since 2018 and signs having made 33 Lowland League appearances last season, scoring two goals.

Fry hails from Ballymena in Northern Ireland and made 35 league appearances in 22/23, keeping 13 clean sheets. He also played, and impressed, at Tannadice as the Students made it to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup against Dundee United.

Manager Stewart Maxwell had this to say about the club’s new recruits:

“Matty has had an outstanding season with an excellent Stirling Uni team.
He is both aggressive and strong. Qualities that make him a proper old fashioned defender.”

“Ben is another who has had an outstanding season at Stirling Uni and has played nearly sixty games. Outstanding shot stopper, athletic and brave. The modern day goalkeeper and an outstanding young man will give Jordan stiff but friendly competition.”

Stewart Maxwell

Both players join Pollok for the start of the new season subject to SFA approval during the registration process.

Now that Matty and Ben have signed on for next season at Newlandsfield, why don’t you join them? Season tickets are available now!

Pollok are delighted to confirm that Stephen Docherty has signed a new contract to remain at the club.

Stephen Docherty signed for Pollok in 2022 coming off a fantastic season in the West of Scotland Conference Leagues, helping Petershill achieve promotion with 34 goals that campaign.

Doc’ made 27 appearances and scored 5 goals in his debut Pollok season.

He has now committed to a further 2 years at Newlandsfield until 2025.

Doc has signed on for 23-24. Why don’t you join him? Season tickets available now!

Pollok FC can confirm that defender Craig Menzies has left the club following the expiration of his current contract.

The vastly experienced and accomplished defender joined Pollok in January 2022 following a short spell with St. Cadocs.

Before moving to the Southside club, Craig was captain of Glenafton Athletic spending 10 seasons in New Cumnock and leading the club to a league and Junior Cup double in 2017.

Since arriving at Pollok Craig has made 30 appearances at both centre back and right back.

The club would like to thank Craig for his contributions during his time at Pollok.

All at the club wish him well for his future career.