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Hospitality available for upcoming games

If you are interested in a matchday experience with a twist, then why not try hospitality at Newlandsfield?

 

Give your clients a day to remember, or just bring your friends for a great day out at the football! Our hospitality package includes:

  • Free entry to the game and free programme for each guest.
  • Watch the match from our hospitality suite.
  • Complimentary drinks for one hour before and one hour after the game, as well as during half-time.
  • Buffet lunch.
  • See some of the unique Pollok memorabilia and photographs on display.

Cost: £50 per head. Maximum of fifteen guests.

 

We currently have availability for our next three home games:

Pollok v Troon – Saturday 30th September

Pollok v Dalry – Saturday 7th October

Pollok v Camelon – Saturday 14th October

 

Anyone wishing to take advantage of our hospitality opportunities should contact John McFarlane at the following address:

John.d.mcfarlane@ntlworld.com

With our hospitality, you and your guests will have the best seats in the house!

Club Vacancy: First Team Scout

Pollok FC are currently looking to recruit first-team scouts to assist the manager and coaching team. 

First Team Scout: 

The role will involve talent identification, opposition analysis, and developing our target database to help contribute to the planning of the first team squad.

Further Detail: 

The role will include video work and live match attendance. The scout should be flexible to work in the West & East of Scotland. Being qualified or experienced would be advantageous but not essential. The role will include paid expenses.

Applying: 

To apply for the role contact Info@Pollokfc.com with a CV and cover note stating your interest in the role.

Scott Rumsby Departs

The club can confirm that defender Scott Rumsby has been transferred to Gartcairn FC for an undisclosed fee.

Scott Rumsby signed from League 1 side Clyde in the summer of 2022 and has since made 42  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.

We would like to thank Scott for his contributions during his time at Pollok.

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

Pollok 6 – 0 Irvine Meadow

Pollok welcomed Irvine Meadow on match day five of the West of Scotland Premier Division for the first match of the season under the Newlandsfield lights. The manager made five changes from the disappointing defeat to Benburb at the weekend – Rumsby, Hutton, Duff, Forde and Anderson dropped out and were replaced by Forrester, Main, Gallacher, McKenzie and Kerr.

Pollok started on the front foot, and an early looping cross was dropped by Waters but Main’s shot was blocked and then Christie had a go from just outside the box but it swerved wide all within the first two minutes.

And then with four minutes on the clock the home side could easily have been behind. Gow played a slack pass across the box which Baird intercepted but with only the keeper to beat he was thwarted by Fry’s left boot. Moments later a big boot up the park by Waters caught the Pollok defence off guard and Meadow put a presentable chance just wide of the post.

Pollok were swiftly back on the attack and Allan ran from his own half before firing in a shot from twenty-five yards which went just wide. After this initial burst of goalmouth action the game settled into a midfield battle with neither side exerting control. Pollok did come close from a couple of corners – Forrester just failing to connect at the back post and then seeing his header clip the bar from another Mullen delivery.

Just as the 475 inside Newlandsfield were accepting the first half was going to be goalless, Faulds played a pass back towards his keeper which McKenzie was on to in a flash to expertly guide past Waters and into the net, for his first Pollok goal.

Marc McKenzie wheels away after opening his Pollok account to make it 1-0.

If the first half had been a tight affair, then the same could not be said of the second. Pollok increased their lead in the 64th minute after determined work in the middle of the park by Kerr. He then passed out to Christie whose unerring drive found the far corner.

Christie celebrates doubling Pollok’s lead.

Christie had a similar chance moments later but his effort was off target on this occasion. Gallacher then capped off a wonderful performance with another glimpse of what he is all about. He chased back into his own half to win possession, drove into the Meadow half, beat his fullback and sent over a tantalising cross which went just wide of the far post.

With Ryan McGregor already on for his third Pollok debut he was joined by fellow substitutes Duff, Forde and Anderson and they were to be heavily involved as goals flowed in the final ten minutes.

Duff scored with his first touch as he headed home an excellent Mullen cross. Irvine Meadow then saw a curling effort come back off the bar before the scoring resumed at the other end.

It was an instant impact from Duff who headed home with his first touch after coming on.

Forde got on the end of a Fry goal-kick and dragged defenders wide before slipping the ball into Anderson. His shot from eighteen yards seemed to go under Waters and squirm over the line.

Anderson’s first goal saw the ball slip under Waters for 4-0.

Forde and Anderson were at it again a few minutes later. Hutton found Forde on the left touchline, he beat a man and then sent over a low cross to find the unmarked Anderson at the back post to apply the simplest of finishes.

Anderson celebrates his second.

The scoring was completed from the penalty spot. Christie latched on to a searching, long pass from Mullen and headed the ball past former Pollok left back Byrne. As Christie darted past him he was hauled back. The ball was handed to Anderson who fairly slammed it home to complete an eight-minute hat-trick and make the final score 6-0.

Anderson’s penalty was emphatic, as was the statement made by his eight-minute hat-trick.

Having failed to score in the two games against Irvine Meadow last season this was a welcome win for the Southsiders who played some excellent stuff in the second half after a gritty first half display.

GOALS: McKenzie (42′), Christie (64′), Duff (82′), Anderson (85′, 89′, 90’+3)

Attendance: 475 

Man of the Match – Andrew Gallacher

The youngster was restored to the starting eleven, and staked a strong claim to stay there with another exciting display as he stretched the Meadow defence and created a number of chances.

Report by Peter Thomson

Photographs by Finlay Thom and James Graham

Full Match Highlights from Mark Donnelly

Stewart Maxwell’s Post-Match Interview:

Club Statement: Luke Main

A Scottish Football Association Tribunal has cited Luke Main for a breach of SFA disciplinary rule 81, following the red card received against Broxburn Athletic. The Tribunal’s decision is a 10 game ban applying to SFA regulated competitions, effective immediately.

Luke Main and Pollok FC accept the outcome of the Tribunal and acknowledge the language used was unacceptable. Luke unreservedly apologises for the language used. All parties will continue to assist the SFA when and where required.

Pollok FC have conducted an internal investigation into the incident and will be taking appropriate action on the back of the tribunal’s decision in line with our internal disciplinary policy. Pollok FC reiterates our opposition to any and all forms of discrimination.

With this statement, Pollok FC will not be making further comment on this issue and considers the matter closed.

Conor Morgan Departs

Due to work commitments and a new career opportunity, defender Conor Morgan has agreed to a mutual termination of his contract with Pollok.

Conor signed for Pollok at the start of this season having spent the previous season with East Kilbride FC in the Lowland League.

Conor made a promising start to his time at Pollok making 8 appearances and proving to be dangerous in the opposition box, scoring twice.

However, a new career opportunity has meant that Conor is unable to commit to Pollok.

We would like to thank Conor for his contributions during his short time at the club.

All at Pollok wish him well and the best of luck in his future both on and off the pitch.

Welcome Home Ryan McGregor

The club are delighted to announce that Ryan McGregor has signed for Pollok for a third spell at the club.

Ryan will need no introduction to many Newlandsfield fans playing 125 games and scoring 25 goals during his first two spells with Pollok.

While mainly playing as a central midfielder, McGregor is known for his versatility in playing almost every position at some point for Pollok.

Making his debut back in July 2009 Ryan spent just a single season with Pollok departing for Kilburnie Ladeside in 2010, then going on to play for Petershill, Renfrew and Arthurlie.

Returning to Pollok in 2017 with a five year spell back at Newlandsfield in that time Ryan made 105 appearances as a key part of the squad.

In September 2022 Ryan McGregor departed for a second stint at Arthurlie.

However, after eleven months away from Newlandsfield, Pollok’s prodigal son returns for a third time.

Welcome Back Ryan McGregor!

Kenny Barr Joins Gartcairn on Loan

Kenny Barr has joined Gartcairn FC on loan.

Kenny joined Pollok in January 2023 from East Stirlingshire in the Lowland League.

Since joining the ‘Lok Kenny has made 20 appearances and found the net 3 times.

Kenny is joining Gartcairn for a 3-month loan spell.

Good Luck Kenny!

Tom McAllister

All at Pollok F.C. were saddened to hear of the passing this week of former Match Secretary Tom McAllister at the age of 94.

Tom joined the Pollok committee in 1973 and gained experience on the match committee before succeeding Tom Gillies as Match Secretary in November 1977. In the days before the club had an officially appointed manager the Match Secretary was responsible for team affairs, and unfortunately Tom was unable to prevent ‘Lok dropping to the “B” Division at the end of the season.

Despite the relegation Tom was building a side which would be competitive, and this was demonstrated on 9th June 1978 when a late, late John Redburn goal saw ‘Lok defeat Cambuslang Rangers 4-3 to lift the Central League Cup.

Season 1978-9 saw Pollok bounce back immediately, comfortably winning the “B” Division by nine points and reaching the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final for only the second time in their history, losing 2-0 to Bo’ness United. By winning the “B” Division ‘Lok qualified for the Central League Championship play-offs, defeating Vale of Leven in the semi-final then Port Glasgow in the final to lift the Central League title for the first time.

1979-80 saw more silverware collected in the form of the Central League Cup and the Evening Times’ Cup Winners’ Cup, but this was small fry compared to the successes of the 1980-81 campaign. The “A” Division, Central League Championship, National Drybrough Cup and Evening Times’ Cup Winners’ Cup were four of the five trophies won over a remarkable 50-day spell. The fifth was the club’s first Scottish Junior Cup win in front of a crowd of 13,518 at Hampden Park, Norrie Fulton with the only goal of the game to defeat Arthurlie.

The following two seasons would be trophyless before Tom’s last triumph as Match Secretary when the Sectional League Cup was lifted on 9th November 1983, Larkhall Thistle losing out to a Stuart Stevenson goal. A Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final defeat to Baillieston on 7th April 1984 prompted Tom to resign his post as Match Secretary, which had been his stated intention at the end of that season anyway. Dick Brock had been brought in at the beginning of the season to assist Tom with a view to a smooth transition, and the club’s continued success throughout the decade showed how shrewd that move proved to be.

Tom remained on the Pollok committee until he moved to Newtonards in Northern Ireland, becoming a member of Ards Rangers, and being instrumental in bringing them over to Newlandsfield for a 2013 friendly which ‘Lok won 6-0.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this sad time.