Hugh Blair

It is with great sadness that the Club must report the passing of Mr Hugh Blair.
Hugh began following Pollok FC as a boy of 12 and in later life became one of our Life Members.
He served on the Committee for many years and was an active member around the club on the ground maintenance team and helping on match days around the ground.
He loved travelling on the team bus and being an active part of club’s life. Pollok FC would like to pay tribute to a wonderful supporter of the club, who will be greatly missed by all his friends at Newlandsfield.  We would like at this sad time to offer at this our condolences to the Blair family.

Squad update: June 2022

It can be confirmed today that two of Pollok’s first team squad are being released as manager Murdie MacKinnon looks to freshen up the side. First up to depart is Bryan Wharton. Bryan joined the club in September 2017 on loan from Queen’s Park, with the deal becoming permanent later that year. He moved on to Albion Rovers for two seasons, eventually rejoining Pollok in July 2020, with covid effectively making his time away a three-year hiatus. He went on to make 64 appearances for Lok, scoring 10 goals.

Also departing is Grant Evans. Grant signed for Lok in August 2016 from Irvine Meadow XI and made a grand total of 100 appearances for the club, the last of which coming in Saturday’s semi final defeat to Hurlford United. He also scored 3 goals for Lok.

Both players leave with heartfelt thanks for their service to the club over the past few years.

Also moving on are three recent additions to the first team pool: Keelan Braonan, Jack Grimshaw and Thomas Haggarty.

Former Airdrie youth Keelan signed up with the Lok 20s side in July 2020 and went on to make 22 appearances for them before the team closed down in March of this year. He made three first team appearances, with his debut coming on 16/4/22 in the 5-1 win at Lanark.

Jack Grimshaw was the youngest member of the Lok first team squad this season until the very last match when Kieran Davies became the first 2003 player to represent Lok in competitive action. Also ex-Airdrie, Jack made two appearances for the club, the first coming back in October 2021 away to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – he will be able to recall that special day as also being when Jordan Longmuir scored from his own penalty area. As well as his two Lok matches, he played 22 times for the Under 20s.

And finally, Thomas Haggarty. Thomas, or Timbo as he is known, joined the club from Glenvale and also made his Lok debut in the Rob Roy game that featured Jack Grimshaw and went on to play five times in total for Pollok. His sole start came in the Hurlford United semi-final in the last game of the season. He netted 14 goals in 24 appearances for the Under 20s this season.

Best wishes to all five players moving on with your future careers and we hope to see you back at Newlandsfield in future, as a supporter or on the pitch.

Pollok granted SFA Membership

Following a Scottish FA Board meeting on 25 May 2022, we can confirm that the Club’s application for membership, at ‘Entry level’, has been granted. Thank you to every single person who helped us take this massive step forward!

This now allows the club to be promoted to the Lowland League and more immediately, annual entry to the Scottish Cup, a competition Lok have entered twice before as West Super league winners. Lok played 5 matches, beating St. Cuthbert Wanderers, then both drawing with and losing to Montrose and Spartans. In a decade’s time, recalling all of our results will be much more of a pub quiz teaser than at present.

More to follow on this story.

Killie Pie Cup Update

The Killie Pie West of Scotland Cup Final will be on Saturday 11th June at Cumnock Juniors’ Townhead Park. In the semi-final stage, Hurlford United and Pollok meet this coming Saturday (4th June) and the winner will face an unopposed Kilwinning Rangers following Darvel’s withdrawal prior to their Lowland League play off match against Tranent Juniors, a decision accepted by the West of Scotland Football League at a meeting on Friday evening. The WOSFL publically confirmed the news today (see below – the date of the final on the graphic is incorrect).

Friendly Match Vs Yoker Athletic

A friendly match has been scheduled against Yoker Athletic on 26th May 2022.

This game will be played as part of our preparations for the Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland Football League Cup Semi-Final on the 4th of June against Hurlford United.

Yoker Athletic are preparing for the Junior Cup Final Against Auchinleck Talbot also on Saturday 4th June.

This game will be a closed-door match and will not be open to spectators.

Please do not attempt to attend this match as no entry will be permitted.

Squad update: latest re-signings

A number of players have committed their futures to Pollok in recent weeks, so just to bring supporters up to date:

Derek Esplin

Del has signed a new contract tying him to Newlandsfield until June 2025. This was fantastic news that Del, with a year to run on his present deal, saw his future in the black and white of Lok. His value to the club was recognised at the Player of the Year awards where he picked up Fan’s Forum Player of the Year, Player’s Player of the Year and Management team’s Player of the Year – good to keep you Del!

Mark Sideserf

The very popular ”Sidey’ signed a new deal in May 2022 that sees him remain with the club until the end of the 2022-23 season. Long may he run down the left flank!

Evan Horne

Evan joined the club at the start of the season but has signed up for a further two years, meaning he is with the club until June 2024.

So, adding those to the players already on board for 2022-23, this is the current situation:

David Brownlie (2024)
Chris Duff (2023)
Dylan Dykes (2023)
Del Esplin (2025)
Adam Forde (2023)
Shaun Fraser (2023)
Evan Horne (2024)
Jordan Longmuir (2023)
Josh Lumsden (2023)
Jonny Lyon (2024)
Craig Menzies (2023)
Jordan Shelvey (2023)
Mark Sideserf (2023)

More updates as and when they occur!

‘A Different View’ of Newlandsfield

Supporters cannot help but see the improvements that have been made in recent months to Newlandsfield, from toilets to floodlights. Newlandsfield was visited by YouTuber ‘adifferentview‘ aka 28-year-old Stephen Reside (son of Bill, former Pollok United youth coach), to put the focus upon them from a disabled supporter’s perspective. Stephen himself has cerebral palsy.

He also chats to a few Lok fans and Mr Pollok himself, Campbell MacLeod, for his perspective on the changes.

You can read more about Stephen here.

Player of the Year Night 2022

Our player of the year night made a grand return on Saturday 7th of May.

A great time was had by all, enjoying a celebration of all that we have achieved this season.

The player’s first award to be presented was the fan’s forum player of the year.
Del Esplin picked up this award based on the man of the match votes over the whole season. A worthy winner based on season-long consistency and outstanding performances.

Fan’s Forum Player of the Year – Del Esplin

Del Esplin again returned to the stage to collect the second award of the night.
Player’s player of the year, clearly a popular figure within the dressing room. Del was nominated by the rest of the squad for his contribution to the team’s season.
A leader and professional on and off the pitch.

Player’s Player of the Season – Del Esplin – Sponsored by Only Sport

Special Recognition was given to recently retired captain Paul Gallacher.

Paul chose to retire this season, ending his career with Pollok.

Since joining in 2014 and making 203 appearances.

Paul spoke briefly summing up his time at the club and how much he has enjoyed his footballing career and being able to spend so many years with Pollok.

Special Recognition is given to Paul Gallacher – Presented by former captain Ian Spittal and current captain David Brownlie.

Take a look at Paul Gallacher’s Pollok Highlights

The top goal scorer was the next award to be presented.

Adam Forde collected this award for his 20 strikes this year.

Finding the back of the net when it mattered and providing match winners all throughout the season.

Top Goal Scorer – Adam Forde – sponsored by McFie

Watch Adam Forde’s goals this season

Making it a Hat-trick of awards, Del Esplin returned to collect the Management Player of the Year award.

Del was awarded this honour for his outstanding attitude and effort this season.

Management Player of the Year – Del Esplin – Sponsored by GMB

See Del’s Season highlights

Young Player of the year was the next award to be presented.

Given to a Johnny Lyon who has burst into the team since joining and made himself an irreplaceable part of the first team.

Young Player of the Year – Johnny Lyon – Sponsored by Richard Healey Removals

Matty Grant Picked up the Members player of the Year and was the final player to be presented.

Again to a young player who has been a fan favorite since signing last summer.

Player of the Season – Matty Grant – Sponsored by Westpoint Homes

Watch Matty in action

Past President and Secetary Stuart McCulloch was give a special recogntion for his service to Pollok FC
Stuart has been volunteering at Pollok for over 50 Years and was presented with an award for his selfless commitment to Pollok FC.

Special Acheivement Award – Stuart McCulloch

Thank you to all who attended the Player of the Year Night and made it a great success!


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Kilmarnock Pie Cup schedule UPDATE

Pollok’s Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland League Cup quarter final tie, at home to Clydebank, was due to go ahead on Saturday 21st May but has been brought forward to Monday 16th May at 7.45pm – this will be the competitive debut of the LOK FLOODLIGHTS! Many thanks to all those who donated towards the cost of their installation and you still can here.

The winner will be away to Hurlford United or Arthurlie on Saturday 4th June, kick off 2pm. Looking further ahead, the final will be at Cumnock Juniors’ Townhead Park on Saturday 11th June.