The chronic disappointment that has been engendered as a result of West of Scotland League beaks declaring tomorrow as an idle Saturday for its entire array of member clubs has not been felt to anything like the same degree through at Rossvale.
Now before anybody thinks it, Xmas shopping doesn’t hold any particular attraction for supporters of the First Division outfit however what clearly does is the novelty of their team chalking up only a second league win of the season as a result of last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Neilston.
Basking in the feel good factor ever since is very much to the liking of everyone connected with the Bishopbriggs based club as has been the impression there could finally be a light shining at the end of a very long and dark tunnel for team boss Kevin Kelly and his playing charges.
The 31 year old, can lay claim to turning out for Neilston, Ashfield, Maryhill, Glasgow Perthshire and Petershill throughout a less than chequered playing career however he has gone on to earn growing respect for his coaching abilities which first surfaced at St Rochs when his dad Paul (now sadly deceased) was manager.
Said the Vale gaffer, “ I know there’s a strong argument to say we should be wanting to keep things going rather than have a break from playing but that’s definitely not to my way of thinking .
“Anyone looking at where we are now compared to our situation way back at the start of this season can see it’s night and day however we cannot and must not get carried away and think our rebuilding work is complete…because it certainly isn’t.
“Right from day one our target was to try and stay in this First Division and nothing has changed other than us making things a lot more difficult for ourselves with results over the first half of the season so this opportunity to draw breath and get that message across to the players is just what the doctor ordered .”
KEVIN WITH SON HARRY IN MORE RELAXED TIMES
It was back in July that Kevin took up the relegated Rossvale’s reins from previous boss Jamie Sandilands whose departure, in tandem with the plug being pulled on a ground breaking link-up with Europa Point F.C from the Gilbraltar National League, also heralded the exits of the entire first team squad.
He smiles in recalling,” You could say I was handed a blank sheet and asked to fill it in but it was no laughing matter attempting to bring new players on board and have them buy into our way of things while the new season was getting underway.
“Performances as you might expect were not the best due to constantly having to chop and change our line-up which in turn meant our aim of staying up was becoming an increasingly tall order with every passing game.
“Picking up just two draws from our opening nine league matches can hardly be described as a positive however I was able to stay level headed thanks in no small part to the superb work and support of John McGowan and Stevie Saunders by my side.
“The pair of them are steeped in the game like myself and slowly but gradually we began to piece together a more fit for purpose playing squad not least of all with the acquisitions of Jason Elliot, Luke Crerand and Conor McLaughlin as well as goalkeeper Chris Prior.
”It’s probably on the money to say our team was crying out for this injection of experience but what cannot be overlooked is the average age of our guys is still only 23 .”
In the context of this season , Rossvale notching up their first league win with a 5-2 early November victory over fellow strugglers Bonnyton Thistle is no big deal and Kevin has similar thoughts about his troops taking ninth in the table Neilston’s scalp last weekend.
But what cannot be denied is the fact there are now definite signs emerging of a turnaround in fortunes which could be on the verge of being further stoked if a good start to the New Year can follow on from coming up trumps against Benburb seven days from now.
KEVIN LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Kevin reiterated,” Ours has to be the old mantra of taking one game at a time starting away to the Bens who ran out narrow 3-2 winners when we met in the opening game of the season .
“There was precious little between the teams back then even though we were a club in turmoil so I don’t see any reason why we should fear going head to head with them for a second time
“Having tomorrow off allowed us to work the guys hard at training this week and next Tuesday and Thursday are already earmarked for workouts so it won’t be for lack of preparation if we come up short.”
Meanwhile ,Shettleston players of a bygone age ,most notably those who were part of their 1976/77 Central A Division title winning side that also took the Sectional League Cup honours but lost out 2-0 to Rob Roy in the Scottish Junior Cup semi-finals are being asked to contact Ross Wilson (07958049345) author of a forthcoming autobiography being penned about their former team mate and soon to be Rangers midfield legend Bobby Russell .
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
About Author
Kevin’s dad , Paul, was a gentleman. Knew him well and as we head towards the end of another year, I personally still can’t believe he is no longer with us. I wish Kevin every success.
P.S. Hope this comment is published. Third response to an article written by Jim, and they haven’t been published. You have my email if there is to be a response.