Holm Park (Clydebank v Lanark United)

Last Friday I decided to give France v Uruguay a miss and go for some live football action instead. West Region Super League First Division side Clydebank were taking on Super League Premier League outfit Lanark United in the second leg of the Super League play-off for a spot in next season's Premier League. Lanark had won the first leg 2-0 so it looked a tall order for the Bankies.

Clydebank play their home games at Holm Park, which they share with rivals Yoker Athletic. I took the bus from Paisley to Renfrew and boarded the Renfrew Ferry, which carried me over the Clyde to Yoker. I had a pint at the first pub I came across, the Anchorage, which was a bit of an old men's pub that must have seen better days. I then had another drink in the Boundary before walking to Holm Park.

Holm Park is a ground full of character but it seems it has fallen into disrepair a little. There is a small covered terrace but there are no seats. There is a shipping container which has been turned into a club shop. I could not resist the temptation and bought a replica shirt that was on a sale!

The game exceeded expectations and was more entertaining than the World Cup game I had given a miss. Clydebank were the dominant team for the full ninety minutes but they were not as effecient as Lanark had been in the first leg and after the Bankies had taken the lead halfway the first half it took barely a minute before the Yowes had equalised. Clydebank took the lead again in the second half and had numerous good chances but Lanark somehow managed to hang in there and ensured they play in the top tier next season as well.

The new Renfrew Ferry is a small boat which holds only twelve passengers. This picture was taken from Renfrew.

I had never been on the ferry, that is why I took it! On my way back home I took the train. This picture was taken after having arrived in Yoker.

Clydebank fans were still confident and a good crowd showed up despite the start of the World Cup.

Another pleasant night to go the football.

The terracing looks like it has seen better days.

No main stand, only a small covered terrace.

Clydebank players celebrating after the first goal.

And another closer look at the roofed terrace.

A good selection of Clydebank merchandise was sold. I could not resist the temptation and bought a Clydebank away shirt.

The eastern side of the park.

Still a blue sky at 9:15pm.

No terraces in the northern end.

Friday 11th June 2010
West Region Super League play-off 2nd leg
Clydebank 2 Lanark United 1 (agg: 2-3)
Clydebank: Dallas 21. Jones 56.
Lanark United: McFadden 22.
Att: 700

Townhead Park (Cumnock Juniors v Arthurlie)

Today I travelled to East Ayrshire for my second junior game in 18 hours. Cumnock were taking on Arthurlie in another quarter final of the Evening Times Cup Winners' Cup. The Ayrshire club ended their season in the West of Scotland Super League First Division in second place and won promotion to the Premier League. Arthurlie were runners-up in the Premier League and must have been considered favourites to win this tie however Cumnock were the deserved winners after a spirited performance that saw them put three goals past the men from Barrhead.

Getting to Cumnock from Paisley by public transport is not as easy as going to Irvine by the way. Cumnock does not have a train station so I took a train to Glasgow first and then the Stagecoach X76 bus to Cumnock which takes about one hour and 20 minutes. On Saturdays the last bus going back all the way to Glasgow leaves at 3:45pm which was a bit awkward with a 2pm kick-off so I decided to take the bus back to Kilmarnock (50 minutes), jump on the train to Glasgow Central (40 minutes) and then take the train back to Paisley (12 minutes). There must be a quicker way to do this (train Glasgow-Auchinleck, bus Auchinleck-Cumnock perhaps?) but I only started planning this journey at 10 o'clock this morning.

On another note: just like last night the weather was brilliant. I really enjoy going to the football in this sunny weather especially after all the postponements and disruptions only a few months ago. There was some talk of making football a summer sport in Schotland but I have not heard anything about it lately, we probably start talking about it again in January 2011...

Entering Townhead Park.

The first time I have seen a female linesperson(?). Fiona Morton had a good game.

The great weather helped making this a pleasant game to watch.

The north side of the ground at half time.

The club building in the east end of the ground.

Today's team sheet.

One of many dangerous moments in front of Arthurlie's goal.

The covered terrace on the south side of the ground. There are no seats in Townhead Park.


Cumnock's first goal came from this penalty. The covered terrace in the west end of the ground can be seen in the background.


A closer look at the west terrace.

Saturday 5th June 2010
Evening Times Cup Winners' Cup quarter final
Cumnock Juniors 3 Arthurlie 0
Goals: Wild (pen.) 13. Gary McMenamin 53, 81.
Att: 300 (est.)

Meadow Park (Irvine Meadow XI v Rutherglen Glencairn)

Tonight I took a train to Irvine (about 20-25 minutes from my hometown of Paisley) to see Irvine Meadow take on Rutherglen Glencairn in the quarter finals of the Evening Times Cup. Meadow Park is a 15 minute walk from the station. The quickest way to reach the park when you are walking from the station is through the Rivergate shopping centre.

Glencairn, who won the West of Scotland Super League First Division this season, more than held their own during the first half against Premier League side Meadow and there were no goals before the interval.

In the second half Meadow continued to struggle but it was a Glencairn own goal that opened the score after around 65 minutes. Chris Robertson made sure the Ayrshire team reached the semis of the Evening Times Cup with a converted spot-kick 10 minutes before time.

For more pictures of Meadow Park see this post.

The main stand.


Glencairn (in black and white) more than held their own during most of the game.


Close-up of the main stand.

Again the main stand.

Roberton's penalty sealed the win for the men from North Ayrshire.

Friday 4th June 2010
Evening Times Cup Winners' Cup quarter final
Irvine Meadow XI 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 0
Goals: Glencairn o.g. 65. Robertson (pen.) 80.
Att: 300 (est.)