Latest news with #JohnstoneBurgh
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Irvine Meadow handed tricky Scottish Cup preliminary round one tie
The tie is scheduled to take place on the weekend of August 9 Irvine Meadow have been handed a challenging Scottish Cup preliminary round one clash as they host Johnstone Burgh. The fixture sees Medda boss Jamie McKim take on his former club - something he did last season when they were edged out on penalties in the Scottish Junior Cup quarter-finals. The tie is scheduled for the weekend of August 9 and should the Medda progress, they would face an away day at either East of Scotland Premier Division side Whitburn or amateur outfit Steins Thistle on August 30 with the winner then reaching the first round proper. The Meadow Park side enjoyed a prolonged run in the Scottish Cup last term, making it to the third round before being knocked out by SPFL League One side Stenhousemuir. McKim's side get their West of Scotland Football League Division One campaign up and running on Saturday when they play host to Muirkirk Juniors.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
We won the Scottish Junior Cup, now we have a women's football team
The club, which was founded in 1956, launched its women's side back in January after "significant interest" from locals. Run by Alexandria Bell, who previously coached youth teams at the club, and Crystal Clayton, a board member and player, the group recently took part in its first-ever game, taking on St Mirren FC [Charitable Foundation] at the Johnstone Hub. While the fixture ended in a 4-1 defeat, Crystal explained the "importance" of the match. She said: "We wanted to make sure everyone got to know each other and were comfortable with the rules, given a few people were getting involved in the sport for the first time, before playing games. "The first friendly was an amazing experience, having been training with the team since March and seeing how far everyone has came in such a short period of time. "The team is for over 18's and we do not have a cap on age and operate on a free trial basis. "It is open to everyone and if people want to even just come along and train then that is completely fine. "We are all on the same page and want to keep women's football in the public eye." READ NEXT: Family of Kory McCrimmon to meet First Minister in bid to tackle youth knife crime READ NEXT: 8 new Glasgow road closures added for Spider-Man: Brand New Day filming While the team is not registered to play in the West of Scotland League format this season, they hope to be part of the women's football pyramid for the 2026/27 campaign. With the men's team recently ending their 57-year wait for a Scottish Junior Cup win, Alexandria feels it is the perfect time to capitalise on the goodwill that currently surrounds the club. The 33-year-old said: "I am super excited for this project. I felt very lucky when the the club asked me to come in and run the team. "Johnstone Burgh is a great club and has a deep history, which hopefully the women's team can add to. "I genuinely believe we can go far. We have a great bunch of girls who show up with a great attitude and an eagerness to learn every week. "Hopefully, the town gets behind us and [dreaming big] we can get all the way up to the Scottish Women's Premier League. "Growing up, we didn't have many female role models to look up to within the game and didn't have the opportunities to play unless it was with the boys in the park. "Now, women's and girls' football is growing rapidly and the more teams that are available for girls to watch, support and play with, the more we can keep inspiring the next generation and keep women's football in the spotlight." Several of the players also explained what encouraged them to join the team. Phoebe O'Neill, 24, said: "I saw the team was looking for players through a post on Facebook. "At the time, I was working full time in an office job and felt unhappy with how inactive I'd become. "I hadn't played football since I was around 13, and I was quite nervous about getting back into it as an adult, but I'm so glad that I did." Megan Eynon,18, said: "I wanted to try something new while pushing myself out of my comfort zone and thought football would be the best choice due to already being interested in it. "I also wanted to meet new people and have a way to exercise/keep busy while doing something I liked." Taylor Fox, 21, said: "I've played football my whole life and I come from a football oriented family as my papa was a professional player for Motherwell and Scotland. "I got involved in football not only to carry on his legacy but because it is a sport that I have genuinely fallen in love with. "I found Johnstone Burgh online and over the short amount of time I have played for the team I have felt completely at home and that is the feeling that I've been looking for." CJ Magson, 35, added: "I love playing every minute whether it's a game or just training. "I just love kicking a ball around."
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Rangers star Kyle Lafferty agrees new Johnstone Burgh deal and admits next season could be his last
The 37-year-old striker has a vision of moving into coaching as he begins to look to the future. Kyle Lafferty has signed a one-year contract extension with Johnstone Burgh as the striker admits it could be his last hurrah in professional football. The former Rangers and Northern Ireland forward has extended his stay at Keanie Park for a third season after pitching up at the club in 2023. The 37-year-old is one of seven players who have signed a new deal with the Junior Cup winners. Lafferty scored the winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out with Tranent at Broadwood Stadium earlier this month. Speaking prior to the deal being announced, Lafferty said he would love one more season on the pitch and to help Burgh not only win the West of Scotland League Premier Division but also get promoted to the Lowland League. He said: 'I would like to be [at Burgh next season]. I know I am getting on and, if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. I would like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League.' However, it won't be the last of the footballing action if the Northern Irishman does call it quits on his playing career in 2026 as he says he has ambitions to go into the coaching side of the game. It is an area he has already explored having set up his own coaching business called Kyle Lafferty Soccer Academy. He said: 'Even after I hang up my boots, I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. 'It is something I have looked at. I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.' Also signing on at Keanie Park for another year is Max Kerr, Darren Christie, Craig Menzies, Malky McDonald and Aaron Mason. Hero keeper Luke Scullion extended his deal until 2028. Still under contract at the club is Calum Law, Cammy Eadie, Danny O'Neill, Kian Gilday, skipper Derek Esplin, Noah Young, Blair Rossiter, Allan MacKenzie, Ross Smith, Aidan Gilmartin and Ciaran Diver. A number of players, however, are moving on. Those heading for pastures new are Jason Naismith, Connor McGlinchey, Fraser Mullen, Gary McCann, Alan Cook and Stuart McCann. Midfielder Ross Davidson returns to SPFL League Two outfit Stirling Albion after his loan expired. The club said in a statement: 'Johnstone Burgh would like to thank the departing players for their time and effort at the club and wish them the very best for their new ventures.'
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Johnstone Burgh given green light for stadium renovation after Junior Cup joy
Keanie Park will be undergoing a revamp after Renfrewshire Council planning department gave the club the go-ahead to transform the pitch from grass to astroturf Major plans to renovate Johnstone Burgh's Keanie Park ground have been given the green light. The application by the Scottish Junior Cup winners, which was approved by Renfrewshire Council's planning department, outlines how the club want to replace the four floodlight columns, rip up the grass pitch in favour of a fourth-generation astroturf surface and have an all-seater stand. There will also be engineering works, portable toilet blocks and outdoor landscaping. Chairman Brian Williams believes that, while it is sad to be losing the grass park, the positives of having an artificial field outweigh the negatives. He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'It's kind of twofold because obviously it helps the club in a massive way as it allows us to have a surface which is more reliable all year round. 'Ideally, football should be played on grass, but we live in Scotland and it rains constantly. So, to maintain a grass park during that is quite hard to do. 'But second, and probably the main reason why we're changing the pitch surface, is because obviously it's a community club for the kids. 'The lack of facilities in Johnstone probably shows up at the moment. We have to do it ourselves and bring the kids indoors and basically make the club a full community club.' In the papers submitted to the council's planning department by the West of Scotland League Premier Division side, the local authority said that switching to an astro pitch would have 'no visual amenity issues of substance', with the new stand proving to have 'no significant visual concerns'. Burgh announced the planned redevelopment of Keanie Park in April 2024 – a year after the club received significant investment as part of a bid to reach the professional level of the game. Williams added that some of the changes are being made with a vision of gaining entry-level status for the SPFL. He said: 'The first lot of work we'll be doing will be the lights and hopefully we'll have them by the start of the season. 'After that, it's our toilet block, which are the main two things we need as part of the licensing to allow us to be promoted next season.' Johnstone South councillor, and Burgh supporter, Andy Steel is thrilled about the news of the plans being approved – with the politician particularly excited about off-street parking being tackled. He said: 'I welcome this decision because I think this project has the potential to allow the Burgh to develop the site and the club to fit their vision, but also to address some local issues which have been long standing. 'In particular, the creation of off-street parking ought to help address the problems residents have had at times with fans deciding that they are going to park where they like. That's been highly inconsiderate so I hope this will reduce that problem. 'A revamped pavilion will lift the look of the wider area, while seating in the cowshed will be welcomed by those of us on the wrong side of 50. 'The creation of all-weather surfaces will not only drive revenue for Burgh and prevent postponements, but provide another resource for the many teams in our area who are always on the lookout for somewhere to play.'
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Major plans to upgrade Renfrewshire football ground given green light
Johnstone Burgh's application to renovate Keanie Park, situated on Auchenlodment Road, has been approved by Renfrewshire Council's planning department, subject to conditions. Submitted by Glasgow-based firm GlenEtive Projects on behalf of Scott Graham, the club's director, the plans include the replacement of four lighting columns and the erection of four new lighting columns, the installation of a 4G Astro pitch and associated engineering works, and the installation of a portable WC toilet blocks and prefabricated spectator stand. The proposal also details mechanical, electrical and other engineering works, an outdoor amenity space and landscaping. READ MORE: Plans revealed for new takeaway near Glasgow The planning statement, which was submitted in August of last year, outlined the vision to create "a community club for all groups". It read: "The club has recently been promoted and therefore SFA requirement(s) are the clubs facility must be upgraded. "The overall vision is to create community club for all groups within the local community to use the facility and improvements to the pitch, club and facility to allow access to all groups and disabilities. "Overall, the proposals would make a positive contribution to the local sports and health and wellbeing in Johnstone." In its assessment of the plans, Renfrewshire Council said: "In terms of the visual impact, the proposed synthetic playing surface raises no visual amenity issues of substance. "The spectator stand also raises no significant visual concerns. "While the stand occupies an elevated position, it is of a very modest scale and is in keeping with the character of the site as an established football ground. "The toilet block would be sited in relative proximity to Auchenlodment Road and more prominently visible from the road. "While the lighting columns would be quite notably high, they would be sufficiently set back from the roads to result in minimal impact on the respective street scenes. "With regard to issues of noise and disturbance, as the football ground is already long established and the proposals are not increasing its capacity. "The addition of a synthetic playing surface enables the pitch to be used more frequently without deterioration, thereby enabling its use to be extended to the local community. "The extension of sport and recreation facilities has clear potential to benefit the health and lifestyles of many people and the wider community."
