Category: press

Ryan Docherty in as Rhoddan departs

Pollok are delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Docherty as our new first-team coach following the departure of Derek Rhoddan, who leaves for a coaching post in Dubai with the best wishes of all at the club.

Ryan comes to us following a career in senior football which began at Celtic and Dundee United as a youngster, and spanned clubs such as Stirling Albion, Queens Park and Beith where he took the field against Pollok on several occasions.

Over the past fifteen years, Ryan has been completing his coaching qualifications, culminating in him achieving a UEFA A License. He has coached across youth and senior football and was most recently a player-coach at Benburb. He is also the director of On the Ball Academy in Glasgow.

 

I am delighted to add Ryan to our team. He is a top coach, meticulous in all that he does and has an eye for detail. He will be an ample replacement for Derek who will be sorely missed at the club.

Stewart Maxwell

 

 

When Maxi got in touch a few weeks ago to ask me to join his coaching team, I was very excited to do so given the club’s ambition and the quality of the squad. What I can bring is experience of winning things at this level, as well as a strong tactical knowledge and understanding. I am a training ground coach, and have worked with all levels of players, including revered international players whilst completing my qualifications. I aim to pass this tactical understanding and technical knowledge onto the players at Pollok. Taking the lead from Maxi, I will be working closely with the rest of the team to achieve a successful season at Newlandsfield.

Ryan Docherty

 

 

 

 

Farewell to Dylan Dykes

It can be confirmed today that Dylan Dykes has left the club to rejoin St. Cadoc’s. He originally joined Lok from St. Cadoc’s in March 2022, making his debut against Hurlford United and his first goal for the club arriving from the penalty spot at Troon a month later. In total, Dylan started 13 games for the club, came off the bench a further 3 times and scored four goals. Dylan had a serious health scare in the autumn that saw him take a sabbatical from playing, meaning that his last competitive game for the club came at Buffs Park against Kilwinning Rangers.

Speaking to the PFC website, manager Stewart Maxwell said: “I would just like to wish Dylan all the best. I’m sure he will be a big success in St. Cadoc’s promotion bid.”

Captain David Brownlie was sad to see his teammate move on. He told us “I’ve known Dykesy since I was 15 and got nothing but good words to say about him.”

“His mentality and postive attitude after receiving his diagnosis, from the outside you’d never know he was suffering from such a serious illness but his personality got him through the tough times and helped us as a team come together to beat Annan in the Scottish Cup.”

“I wish him all the very best in his next steps for his career.”

All at Lok wish him well for the future.

Darren’s Darvel Again

It can officially be confirmed that midfielder Darren Miller has been transferred back to Darvel. All at Lok thank him for his time with the club and wish him well for the future.

Darvel game off

A hard frost and forecast low temperatures has put paid to tonight’s game versus Darvel. Any tickets bought for this fixture will be valid at the rescheduled game.

Somer-Set For TV Again!

The BBC and SFA have confirmed today that Ayr United vs. Pollok in Lok’s Scottish Cup 3rd Round debut has been picked for live tv coverage on Monday 28th November. Kick off is 7.45pm.

Farewell to Matty Grant

Pollok FC can confirm that last season’s player of the year Matty Grant has completed a transfer to League 2 side Stranraer. We would like to thank him for his time at Newlandsfield in which he played 39 games and scored 8 goals from his wingback role.

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

West of Scotland League Cup draw – Cads for Lok

Pollok have been drawn at home to St. Cadoc’s in the 1st Round of the West of Scotland League Cup. This will be the first meeting between the sides at first team level (there had been a couple of games last season in the Development League) and the tie is due to go ahead on Saturday 12th November 2022. St. Cadoc’s joined the West of Scotland set-up at its outset, and will be the third ‘new’ club for Lok in cup competition in a year (on the back of Campbeltown Pupils last season and Eglinton up for us in a few weeks time).

Managed by John Doyle, Cads are an experienced side that play out of New Tinto Park at present following a few years at McKenna Park. Chris Erskine and Grant Anderson are two of their veteran dangermen.

The full draw is:

Preliminary Round

Ashfield v Vale of Clyde
Ardeer Thistle v Largs Thistle
Greenock Juniors v Benburb
Cumnock Juniors v Dalry Thistle
BSC Glasgow v Harmony Row
St Peters v Glasgow United
Kilsyth Athletic v Kilsyth Rangers
Wishaw v Rossvale Academy
Bellshill Athletic v Kilwinning Rangers
Thorn Athletic v Irvine Victoria
Bonnyton Thistle v Lanark United
Vale of Leven v Whitletts Victoria
Threave Rovers v Thorniewood United

First Round

Glenvale v Glenafton Athletic
Maybole Juniors v Beith Juniors
Glasgow University v Neilston
East Kilbride Thistle v BSC Glasgow or Harmony Row
Royal Albert v Craigmark Burntonians
Lesmahagow Juniors v Johnstone Burgh
Troon v Glasgow Perthshire
West Park United v Greenock Juniors or Benburb
Campbeltown Pupils v Gartcairn
Auchinleck Talbot v Muirkirk Juniors
Arthurlie v Bellshill Athletic or Kilwinning Rangers
Petershill v Forth Wanderers
Vale of Leven or Whitletts Victoria v Blantyre Victoria
Shotts Bon Accord v Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Thorn Athletic or Irvine Victoria v St Anthony’s
Girvan v Rossvale
Cumbernauld United v St Peters or Glasgow United
Saltcoats Victoria v Kilbirnie Ladeside FC
Easterhouse v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
Ardeer Thistle or Largs Thistle v Hurlford United
Port Glasgow Juniors v Yoker Athletic
Renfrew v Threave Rovers FC or Thorniewood United
Irvine Meadow v Cumnock Juniors or Dalry Thistle
Ashfield or Vale of Clyde v Lugar Boswell Thistle
Carluke Rovers v Finnart FC
Larkhall Thistle v Drumchapel United
Maryhill v Rutherglen Glencairn
Pollok v St Cadoc’s
Kello Rovers v Wishaw or Rossvale Academy
Newmains United v St Roch’s
Eglinton v Clydebank FC
Bonnyton Thistle or Lanark United v Kilsyth Athletic or Kilsyth Rangers

 

 

Seasiders for Lok in Scottish Cup – Murdie’s reaction

Pollok’s 3rd crack at the Scottish Cup will get underway on Saturday 27th August 2022 when Girvan will be our visitors. The clubs last met on 14th April 2018 at Hamilton Park, with Lok running out 5-0 winners. Lok’s previous ties saw matches against St. Cuthbert Wanderers, Montrose and Spartans in 2007-08 and 2008-09, with the final two ties going to replays that were lost. The Girvan game will be Lok’s 6th Scottish Cup match.

Manager Murdie MacKinnon reacted to the draw today:

“Firstly it is absolutely fantastic for everyone associated with the club to be back playing in the Scottish Cup. It’s something that everyone at Pollok FC can take great pride in. The thanks of the management team and players go to everyone behind the scenes at the club who made this possible.”

“Today’s draw paired us with our friends from Girvan in what will be a fantastic occasion at Newlandsfield.”

“We expect a tough match against a well-organised and talented Girvan side. They will get our full respect and we will be prepared when the game comes around.”

“Undoubtedly this is an occasion that everyone will look forward to and enjoy when it comes around. However, we will give everything to make it into the first round – until then our focus remains on league duty.”

The full draw is below:

 

Ryan McGregor signs up again

One bit of news that was not put out on the website a few weeks ago was the re-signing of Ryan McGregor on a new one-year deal. A key player for the club due to his commitment and versatility, Ryan is a welcome addition to the reshaped Lok side going into 2022-23.

22/01/22
BARRFIELDS PARK – LARGS
Pollok’s Ryan McGregor opens the scoring

New Doc on duty for Lok

With a few strikers moving on in the latter part of 2021-22, striker Stephen Docherty could be the answer for Lok in our bid to improve on third place last season. After playing for various boys clubs,  Stephen began his non-league career with East Kilbride FC, progressing to their Under 20 squad before transferring to Camelon in the Covid-affected 2020-21 season. He switched to Petershill for the 2021-22 campaign and had a very successful season with the Peasy, scoring 34 goals for them – the highest total since former Lok manager Andy Dailly hit 35 some 40 years earlier. Welcome to Lok, Stephen!