No doubts about what club is grabbing centre stage ahead of tomorrow’s packed fixture card?
It just has to be Premier Division big guns Pollok where the initial reaction among supporters upon hearing and then reading the hugely ambivalent announcement (below) that Murdie McKinnon had last Monday “resigned” from his position as Pollok manager, seems on reflection, to be unsympathetic in the extreme.
“Pollok FC can today confirm that manager Murdo MacKinnon has offered the Club his resignation, and after lengthy, amicable discussions, the Club has accepted this, resulting in his leaving Pollok FC by mutual agreement with immediate effect.”
Really? Well word had already been out on the streets as early as Sunday night stating Murdie had received a firm shove out the Newlandsfield exit door yet how can one accept these whispers on face value when the official take on matters clearly states his resignation was accepted “after lengthy amicable discussions “ had taken place???
Does this mean attempts were made to make him change his mind?
Was he for instance, offered a stay of execution to try and put things right or did club officials maybe argue for him to see out his contract?
Only those present when the relevant parties came together (assuming they actually did) truly know the answers to these questions and Murdie himself was not exactly helpful yesterday, when in stark contrast to his normal talkative manner, he steadfastly remained tight lipped and non-committal, when asked for his comments..
He would only say,,” I’ve had four years managing the biggest club at this level so I’ve nothing to be bitter about”
If he didn’t fall on his own sword but instead was given Hobson’s choice then nobody can deny the Pollok people tasked with making this call are at one with the general opinion gleaned from in and around local Southside hostelries following the 3-1 West of Scotland League Cup demise at home to lower league St Cadocs which if penned could easily read as…
`Murdie’s got to go because to have the backing he’s had yet be out of all the Cups and sitting as low as eighth place in the table heading into Xmas is just not good enough for Pollok`
No sitting on the fence there then, however doesn’t fate come across as a fickle lady to think those highly critical voices are more than likely to be the same ones heard llast month, in the aftermath of the historic 4-3 Scottish Cup victory over Annan Athletic, praising the Lok gaffer to the heavens and openly lauding him for bringing together the best playing squad seen on the Glasgow Southside for many a day?
MURDIE – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY OR NOT?
That whimsical pedigree has not survived the test of the three matches played since, two defeats and a draw, and neither as it turns out has Murdie who might understandably consider the timing of his departure (if enforced) is nothing short of abysmal given Pollok’s next two league outings, coming either side of the eagerly awaited glamour Scottish Cup 3rd round clash with Ayr United, are very winnable contests against rank bottom of the table Petershill (tomorrow) and second bottom markers Cambuslang Rangers, two weeks further down the line.
And therein lies a dilemma facing those tying their black and white colours to the `best playing squad` mast because if their averring is to be taken as proof of Murdie’s management being the root cause of Pollok’s diminishing fortunes, then one can imagine they expect his intended replacement will get away to a convincing start to his tenure.
Describing any new man in the dugout as `intended` brings us back to the original unanswered Murdie poser of whether he resigned or didn’t? And can be taken as a reflection on the Glasgow giants putting it out there just four days ago that applications are invited for their vacant post…with a closing date of noon today???
Why the hurry one can hear fans asking particularly when Murdie’s No 2 Budgie McGhie , assisted by Ian Penman ,possess all the necessary gaffer nous and experience to look after team affairs over the coming weeks .And even more so when getting the right man at the helm has to be the more relevant criteria to be taken into the careful considerations rather than landing the best of who is currently available or just feeling unsettled at their current club?
But then one is also acutely aware conspiracy theorists among the Lok faithful would have this perceived unnecessary acceleration of the managerial process seen as a statement of intent by Pollok’s inner sanctum and that credit is due for their combined acumen having long since led to managerial target plans being put in place for the eventuality of Murdie stepping down of his own accord… or that of others?
We might never know the answers however an inescapable consequence of the drama played out over the past six days is ever mounting speculation, over the identity of the next treader of Newlandsfield’s trackside beat?
Former players and current Cumnock management team Brian McGinty and Stevie Aitchison are the clear favourites among rank and file supporters while other names receiving more than a passing mention are Mick Kennedy and Craig McEwan (Darvel), Stewart Maxwell (Rob Roy) and Gordon Moffat (Clydebank).
But then everything hinges upon whether they apply for the post …or does it?
Barring the next 24 hours bringing fresh developments, both dugouts are set to be patrolled by interim management teams, the McGhie/Penman combo confronted by the Peasy trio of Ian Currie, Kenny Hadden and Stevie McNeil unless of course the latter named goalkeeper is required to don the gloves for his team .
Word on the visiting team front has Tommy Lone and Ross McDonald rated non-starters for the Peasy after both players were transfer listed this week while latest signing Christian Nade ,ex-Hearts, Sheffield United and Hamilton Accies is tipped to lead a forward line likely to include ex-Lok front man Derek Hepburn.
Pick of the other league affairs taking place is the meeting of seventh in the table Rob Roy and third top Hurlford United where the incentive for both combatants is to claim second place in the standings behind current frontrunners Darvel .
Pick of the South Challenge Cup ties has to be Clydebank hosting the visit of Largs Thistle along with Auchinleck Talbot facing Neilston as well as strong going Vale of Clyde taking on Irvine Meadow.
Meanwhile, reigning trophy holders Hurlford United hosting the visit of Rob Roy was the only all-top flight clash pulled from the hat when the 2nd Round Draw for the West of Scotland League Cup was made earlier this week.
Nevertheless there are some tasty encounters promising the likelihood of upsets among the 16 pairings, most notably Premier Division sides Glenafton and Beith going up against strong First Division promotion contenders Kilbirnie Ladeside and Shotts Bon Accord respectively while the somewhat ironic reward for the feats of First Round shock troops West Park United (they knocked out Benburb) and St Cadocs (Pollok’s conquerors ) is to be pitted against each other.
The full draw (ties to be played on Saturday 10th December) is
Kilwinning Rangers v Thorn Athletic,
Yoker Athletic v Rossvale
Auchinleck Talbot v Johnstone Burgh,
Hurlford Utd v Rob Roy,
Cumbernauld Utd v Finnart,
St Rochs v EK Thistle/BSC Glasgow,
Beith v Shotts Bon Accord,
Kello Rovers v Neilston,
Cumnock v Craigmark,
Renfrew v Rutherglen Glencairn,
Forth Wanderers v Drumchapel Utd,
West Park Utd v St Cadocs,
Gartcairn v Blantyre Vics,
Troon v Ashfield,
Glenafton v Kilbirnie Ladeside,
Kilsyth Athletic v Clydebank.
PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick Offs1.30 PM): P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Pollok v Petershill, Arthurlie v Beith, Rob Roy v Hurlford Utd.PDM Buildbase First Division. Thorniewood Utd v Benburb, Bonnyton Thistle v St Rochs, Kilbirnie Ladside v Cumbernauld Utd. PDM Buildbase Second Division. Ardeer Thistle v Glasgow Perthshire, Forth Wanderers v Greenock, St Anthonys v Muirkirk, Wishaw v Craigmark.PDM Buildbase Third Division. Girvan v Ardrossan Winton Rovers,Royal Albert v Dalry Thistle, ,Finnart v Carluke Rovers, Lugar Boswell Thistle v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Newmains Utd, Larkhall Thistle v Vale of Leven , Bellshill Athletic v Port Glasgow, Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Vics. PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. West Park Utd v Easterhouse F.A, BSC Glasgow v Rossvale Academy.St Peters v Thorn Athletic,Kilsyth Athletic v Campbelltown Pupils, Threave Rovers v Glenvale. South Challenge Cup.Rossvale v Johnstone Burgh, Maryhill v Ashfield, Maybole v Glenrothes, Lesmahagow v Whitletts Vics,The Spartans v Glasgow University, Renfrew v Cumnock, Glasgow Utd v Sauchie, Glenafton v Kinnoul, Kilwinning Rangers v Musselburgh Athletic, Cambuslang Rangers v Newton Stewart, Troon v St Cuthberts Wanderers ,Vale of Clyde v Irvine Meadow, Auchinleck Talbot v Neilston, Clydebank v Largs Thistle. Caledonian Braves v Rutherglen Glencairn, Shotts Bon Accord v Dundonald Bluebell, , Edinburgh South v St Cadocs, , Gartcairn v Dunbar Utd, Yoker Athletic v Drumchapel Utd,
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
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