Clyde ace Craig Howie joins 100 club and targets promotion next season
Rutherglen ace Craig Howie hit 100 appearances for Clyde on Saturday – then set his sights on guiding the club to promotion next season. The defender marked his milestone in a 2-0 defeat away to Spartans in what was a dead rubber for the Bully Wee with League Two safety already secured the previous week with victory over bottom side Bonnyrigg Rose. With Clyde's place in the SPFL secured more comfortably than last season's final day survival showdown, Howie hopes the club can now make strides back up the leagues when Darren Young's side compete in the 2025/26 campaign. The 28-year-old, who had his first spell at Clyde in 2019-21, said: 'It is a proud moment for me. To make 100 appearances for any club is a good achievement and it is nice to make it at a club where I have a good relationship with the fans. 'I have had some really good times and some low points over my two spells. I am staying here for another season so hopefully I can build on the appearances and help the club at the top end of the table. 'In my first spell at Clyde we were in League One and I think for the size of the club and the fanbase that it has, that is the minimum where we should be. 'So the target has to be the title or promotion through the play-offs. 'Next season we want to be up there competing. There's six or seven players already committed for next season and I think we are all looking to kick on to get promotion.' Howie returned to the club in January last year after a stint at Alloa and penned a two-year deal at the start of this season, having previously played for East Perth in Australia and Lowland League champions East Kilbride. He is glad not to be involved in another down-to-the-wire relegation scrap with the Bully Wee this term but admits it has still be a far from ideal campaign. He added: 'I don't think this league will ever be as tight as last season again. 'We were something like 10 or 11 points behind with eight or nine games to go and it is a bit surreal to think we did manage to survive after that. 'This season we had a lot of ambition and probably expected to be at the other end of the table, which didn't pan out, but the good thing is we knew with a few games to go we are staying up. 'That is a nice feeling for the fans to not have to go through that again, but I think the overarching feeling is that it has been a disappointing season.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
2 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Highland League digest: Hamish Ritchie joins Formartine United; Rothes boss Ronnie Sharp on his two new recruits
Formartine United manager Stuart Anderson is thrilled to have made Hamish Ritchie his latest summer signing. The 28-year-old midfielder is the seventh new recruit to arrive at North Lodge Park during the close season and returns to the north-east after a year with Edinburgh-based League Two side Spartans. Ritchie's career began with Keith in the Breedon Highland League before he played in America with Hartwick College in New York and Seattle University between 2016 and 2020. When he came back to the north-east during the Covid-19 pandemic Ritchie signed for Inverurie Locos, before having a short loan spell at Cove Rangers. Then in 2021 he joined Peterhead before moving to Spartans last summer. Formartine boss Anderson said: 'Hamish is a very talented player who has played at a higher level for a number of years. 'But he's also got experience in the Highland League from earlier in his career, so he knows what playing in the Highland League is about. 'I think Hamish is someone who will excite the fans, he'll add goals and assists to our team and we're delighted to get him. 'Hamish is comfortable playing in a variety of positions, he's an excellent passer, but he can also move with the ball at his feet. 'He'll bring those qualities to our team and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action.' It is believed Ritchie had interest from SPFL clubs, but has opted to return to the Highland League with Formartine. Anderson added: 'It's really pleasing that Hamish wanted to come to Formartine. 'Circumstances dictated that he wanted to play a bit more locally and we've benefited from that. 'We're delighted to sign Hamish and I think he'll be a really big asset for us.' Anderson has been busy during the close season reshaping his squad ahead of the new campaign, which gets under way on Saturday July 26. As well as Ritchie he has signed Rory McAllister, Connor Scully, Scott Ross, Stuart McKenzie, Finlay Murray and Luke Emmett. However, he has also lost a number of players from his 2024-25 squad. Veterans Johnny Crawford and Stuart Smith retired, Kieran Lawrence joined Fraserburgh, Aidan Combe has moved to Culter, Robert Ward's loan from Peterhead expired and he has since signed for Inverurie Locos and Lewis Wilson returned to America during the course of last term. Reflecting on a busy summer so far, Anderson said: 'We've had a good couple of months in terms of recruitment and the players that we've brought in. 'But we needed to do it because we've had players leave for a variety of reasons. 'We've taken in seven players and we're looking forward to pre-season and building up to the new season.' Elsewhere, Deveronvale have signed midfielder Joel Wiseman on a permanent basis. The 17-year-old was on loan at Princess Royal Park last season from Aberdeen and has joined the Banffers again following his release by the Dons. Wiseman featured for Vale's first-team, under-21s and under-18s last term and manager Garry Wood said: 'Joel has shown great promise, and we look forward to supporting his development over the coming years. 'Our aim is to help him establish himself as a regular member of the squad. 'Last season he demonstrated his goal-scoring ability at all levels and he possesses a number of strong attributes that we're excited to build on as he continues his progression.' Rothes manager Ronnie Sharp believes new signings Rory Williamson and Robbie Lean will prove to be quality additions. The Speysiders have swooped to sign the midfield duo from junior side Nairn St Ninian. Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth player Williamson, 21, previously played for Nairn County in the Breedon Highland League between 2021 and 2023 and also had a loan stint at Strathspey Thistle before joining Nairn St Ninian. Elgin City youth product Lean, 20, was also at Nairn County before joining St Ninian last summer. After finishing bottom of the Highland League last season, Mackessack Park boss Sharp has been keen to strengthen his squad. He said: 'Rory's got good quality, he's got lots of energy and gets up and down the park really well. 'His range of passing is excellent and he can score goals from midfield as well so hopefully he brings that to our team. 'He's played in the Highland League before and knows what it's about which helps as well. 'Robbie is a very tenacious player and I think he'll fit in no problem in the Highland League because he's been excellent for Nairn St Ninian, as has Rory. 'Robbie's very energetic, his fitness is incredible and we're hoping he'll add drive in midfield. 'The two of them will give us extra quality and that's something we've been looking to add. 'You also need guys that are keen to make the step up and play at this level. It's good to get Rory and Robbie in and we're still looking for more.' This summer Rothes have also secured Kenzie Shepherd, Brodie Mitchell, Owen Alexander, Matthew McConachie and Jake Thomson on new contracts. Sharp added: 'Some of the boys did really well for us last season, despite where we finished, and it's good they're staying with the club. 'Towards the end of the season I felt we were unlucky in a few games and we could have picked up more points. 'For a few of them that was their first experience of playing in the Highland League. 'Hopefully they can develop and build on that experience going forward, they were keen to stay with Rothes which is a good sign for us.' Elsewhere, Nairn County attacker Ben Kelly has signed a new contract to remain with the Wee County for season 2025-26. The 27-year-old arrived at Station Park two years ago from Invergordon and helped Nairn win the North of Scotland Cup in November 2023. Nairn have also promoted left-back Ross Murphy, 18, midfielder Chevy Thomson, 18, and 16-year-old midfielder Charlie McKenzie to their first-team squad. The trio have all been part of the Wee County's under-18s set-up.
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hibs goalie signs new contract as Easter Road club add depth to squad
Smith and Sallinger joined by highly-rated youngster after Bursik and Boruc depart Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs goalkeeping prospect Freddie Owens has signed a new one-year deal with the Easter Road club, as David Gray looks to provide solid cover for his two senior keepers. The 19-year-old is expected to back up established No. 1 Jordan Smith and new summer signing Raphael Sallinger. Owens, who only signed his first pro contract in the summer of 2023, has some senior football experience after loan spells with Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League. He spent last season with Strollers, making a significant contribution to their top-half finish as he played in 31 of their 34 league games. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He's also played for Hibs Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, as part of the team who embarked on such an uplifting run in season 2022-23. Lowland League experience helped Owens develop Hibs academy director Gareth Evans welcomed the youngster's decision to commit to the club for another season, saying: 'We're really pleased to agree a contract extension with Freddie. We monitored his loan with Civil Service Strollers closely, and you could see him developing week on week. 'He performed well and made an important contribution to their season. We look forward to continuing our work with him and seeing him progress with us.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Smith established himself as first-choice keeper after replacing loan signing Josef Bursik in November, the veteran back-up bringing stability to the last line of defence. The 30-year-old's status as No. 1 was cemented when he signed a new contract extension in March, the former Nottingham Forest keeper committing to the end of season 2027-28. Former England Under-21 goalie Bursik has returned to Club Brugge in Belgium after his loan spell came to an end. And third-choice keeper Max Boruc was one of several out-of-contract players released at the end of the season. Sallinger became Hibernian's second summer signing, following the pre-contract arrival of former Aberdeen attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath, with the Austrian penning a three-year contract. The 29-year-old, once on the books of German club Kaiserslautern but most recently with TSV Hartberg in his homeland, is eager to provide competition for Smith. He'll now be joined in the goalie group by Owen, who the second young talent to commit himself to Hibs this week, with Logan Jiminez also signing his first pro contract with the club. The 17-year-old forward, impressive as Darren McGregor's Under-18s won the CAS Elite League, has committed himself to the club until the summer of 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Evans said: "Logan has developed really well since joining the club and thoroughly deserves his first professional contract. He's shown great commitment, versatility, and worked incredibly hard to fight his way into our U18s side. 'This is a big milestone for him, but he knows the hard work really starts now. We're excited to see how he continues to grow within our pathway.' Hibs remain in negotiations with out-of-contract first-teamers Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett, while talks with Sunderland over a move for Nectar Triantis – a stand-out in his second Easter Road loan spell last season – remain very much alive. The bulk of the Hibs squad, barring internationals given extra time off, report for pre-season training at the end of next week.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Chasing East Kilbride to title cost Albion Rovers, admits boss
Sandy Clark says Rovers didn't have the finances to sustain a challenge Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark says foolishly chasing East Kilbride for the Lowland League title over the past two season, following a devastating relegation from League Two, has left the club in a financial black hole. But he says Rovers have a strategy, largely based on the prospect of creating an astroturf-based community hub. The Wee Rovers fell into the fifth tier in 2023 and hoped to earn an immediate return by splashing the cash they had from SPFL parachute payments for going down. However, EK romped to the league title in both of the last two campaigns, finally gaining promotion through the play-offs at the second attempt last month, and with Rovers failing to get up, they now face a season with very limited funds now the two-year support package from the SPFL has ceased. Clark and assistant George Paterson have had to take pay cuts to stay on for next season, while the playing budget has been completely slashed to the point the club will only be able to pay expenses this coming season. The club is in the early stages of trying to change Cliftonhill's surface from grass to artificial, with the support of the SFA, to create a revenue stream but that won't be a quick process. And Clark admits trying to challenge big-spending EK has come back to bite them. He said: 'Relegation was an absolute kick in the teeth. Other clubs who have been down the same pathway, it's hard to get back out when you take that drop, and that's where we find ourselves now. 'In the two years we've been in the Lowland, mistakes have been made at every level. We looked at trying to get back up with a fairly decent budget, but in hindsight, East Kilbride have been so far ahead for two years that it was a real challenge to get there. 'We found ourselves at the end of last season in a financial position where the club had to bottom out. 'Hopefully with the budget we have, we can't go any lower now. This is where it has to stop, and we need to have a foundation and build on the next little bit, as we go along and learn from mistakes in the past. 'I kept believing for the past year we were going to have an astroturf pitch out there, that hasn't come to fruition yet and that really frustrates me, because I think that might well be the focal point where this club can kick on. 'I think when that starts it changes the whole structure of this club and gives it a chance to progress.'
