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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride YM ace Barry Russell relishing EK Thistle rivalry in West of Scotland League
The defender will face his former side as EKYM embark on their WOSFL journey Barry Russell admits he questioned whether he should play on for another season at East Kilbride YM, but admits he is delighted he did as he gets to face former side East Kilbride Thistle in the West of Scotland League this season. YM were an amateur side until this summer when they were voted into the Fourth Division in the WOSFL, following Lowland League Broomhill folding and opening up a space at the bottom of the Scottish football pyramid. Now defender Russell - who helped YM win the Caledonian Premier League last term - has penned a one-year deal to stay at YM as they embark on their inaugural season in a setup that has the potential to take them into senior football. Russell has completed a local hat-trick by playing for YM, Thistle and, of course, East Kilbride FC where he was captain and famously skippered the side against Celtic in the 2016 Scottish Cup tie. Now 36, Russell says he had contemplated hanging up his boots but is now relishing a new challenge with YM and the chance to tackle Thistle, where he played at both ends of his career, starting out there in 2011, coming in on loan from EKFC in 2018 and joining the Jags again in 2022. He said: 'When it came to signing the contract I was thinking: Am I stupid to go another season!? 'I was 50/50 to keep playing because I keep getting niggling injuries. But I got a good run at things towards the end of last season and managed to get the YM Players' Player of the Year. 'I sat down and spoke to the manager [Graeme Robertson] and he wanted me to stay on, so I was happy to do that. 'If I manage to stay fit, I should be fine. I have played in this league before and I know what to expect and if I get through this season I'll be happy. 'With EK Thistle in the league I think it will be a good one. I had two spells at Thistle and played under Colin Mitchell, Jimmy Kerr, Alan Paterson and Aaron Connolly, so there's a good bit of history there. 'I've had a good few folk from Thistle wishing me luck, just not against them! 'You always look for your derbies and I'm really looking forward to that game. Hopefully a derby will get people down to watch it.' YM have actually raided the Jags this summer for their former captain Adam Edgar and Ryan Anderson, amid a new manager coming in at the Showpark. Stephen Kane has taken the reins there and a complete overhaul of the squad has taken place ahead of the sides facing each other on August 2 at Kirktonholme. Russell added: 'Thistle have got a brand new team this season so I think they will be pretty decent. 'We've got a good team as well with some of the players we've signed so I'm looking forward to it. It should be a tough league as well. 'It is good for the town to have another team into the West of Scotland League. 'We've taken a couple of their players in Adam Edgar and Ryan Anderson, so they are good players that will strengthen our side and provide good competition. 'Last season we had a team where the same guys would play but you need to be on your toes now. It is a bit different from the amateur game. 'At this level, when you are in there you need to fight to hold on to your position. 'We've got good young players who will be looking to keep the older ones on their toes.' YM will be a bit of an unknown quantity to many in the Fourth Division and Russell hopes that can work to their advantage. He said: 'I thought we were outstanding last season. A lot of sides will look at us and just think we are an amateur team but the players we have got have played at a higher level. 'Personally, I think we should be up in the top half of the table. 'But you don't want to sit in a league and just be comfortable. If anything, I think we'll go for it and see what happens at the end of the season. 'Our aim will be to go and put down a marker. 'Wishaw will be right up there as one of the favourites though. They have a good team and, having just been relegated, they will want to go straight back up.'
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Wishaw FC head of recruitment aims to 'bring spark back' to club after back-to-back relegations
Neil Rowatt will work closely with gaffer Paul Wright for next season Wishaw are making moves for next season after appointing a new head of recruitment to work alongside boss Paul Wright. And new recruit Neil Rowatt hopes he can bring the spark back to Wishy. The Beltane Park side were relegated from the West of Scotland Third Division last season after a miserable campaign saw them finish rock bottom, inflicting back-to-back relegations on the club. Wright came in midway through the season to take the reins from Martin O'Neill after he moved upstairs to be the club's general manager. The club have now strengthened their operations with the appointment of Rowatt to run their recruitment. He will work closely with Wright and his No. 2 Alan Robertson to assist with player recruitment and youth development, while also working closely with the club committee to help implement strategic plans to assist with rebuilding the club on and off the field. Rowatt, formerly co-boss at Bellshill Athletic, said: 'I am delighted to accept the role of head of recruitment at Wishaw. 'Since stepping away from a successful period as co-manager of Bellshill Athletic in late December, the batteries have been recharged, and I've taken in a lot of games at many levels and with a lot of engagement with some old friends, coaches and players brought me together again with long time friend and ex-teammate Martin O'Neill. 'We decided to talk football. A lot of the things he highlighted were the same details as I had encountered in my previous role at the start up. 'So straight away the contact was daily between us and, well, here we are. 'From the outside looking in, Wishaw has lost its spark, and back-to-back relegation isn't just rewards for the loyal and caring committee at the club who, when truth be told, have made huge personal sacrifices to keep the club afloat in the past. 'It wasn't so long ago I watched Wishaw compete in the semi finals of Scottish Junior Cup and they were a whisker away from the final. 'The club needs to be back to this sort of level and then on top of the hard-core support those who have drifted away will hopefully return. 'With a lot of discussions happening off the park in terms of sponsorship, the ongoing ground improvements strategy, the youth development pathway being rebuilt. 'There is a lot to be positive about however the main thing we are all involved in football for is three points on a Saturday and a good cup run.' Division Four is set to be a highly competitive league this season and the club discovered a new rival this week when former Amateur side East Kilbride YM announced they have been accepted into the division from next season, having won the Caledonian Premier League last term. Rowatt added: 'I've had plenty of discussions already about dropping into Division Four and how competitive a league this is going to be. 'A lot of local derbies are also on the cards so it's an exciting league. 'The management and players will be given the tools to prepare and be ready to go come the big kick off in what will be the start of a new and positive era in the history of Wishaw juniors. 'I look forward to seeing as many locals get down and support it.' Wishy gaffer Wright, the Kilmarnock legend and ex-striker, is thrilled to have Rowatt by his side for the forthcoming campaign. He said: 'I'm looking forward to working with Neely ahead of the new season. 'Neely is someone with a wealth of knowledge of the junior game and comes with an extensive contact list, which will undoubtedly help the club both on and off the pitch. 'I am very enthusiastic about the about the condition Wishaw FC finds itself in moving forward. 'Bringing Neely into this role only strengthens these views. It is a very positive move and the club have acted so quickly to get him on board.' Meanwhile, the club has confirmed their pre-season schedule for this summer, with friendlies kicking off on Saturday, July 5. Their fixtures are as follows: July 5 (H) 2pm - Larkhall Thistle July 9 (H) 7.30pm - Thorniewood July 12 (H) 2pm - Knightswood July 14 (H) 7.30pm - Kilmarnock FC July 16 (H) 7.30pm - Afroscots United July 19 (A) 2pm - Fauldhouse July 21 (A) 8pm - Caledonian Locomotives.
