Latest news with #Drumchapel
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Drumchapel United 0: Pryce praises players for holding big-spending rivals in opener
Glencairn battled out a stalemate in their first game back in the West of Scotland Premier Division Joe Pryce hailed his side's battling performance as they drew 0-0 at big-spending Drumchapel United, and said that's the standard they must hit every week. Glens went toe-to-toe with Drum in their West of Scotland Premier Division opener at Dewar Park, and Pryce reckons they might have got something out of the game with a bit more bite up front. New signing Josh Gemmell nearly made an impact on his debut, but was denied by United keeper Sam Gibson. Neither keeper had a save to make in the first half, with Bradley Rodden and Kieran Moore off-target for Drumchapel, while Danny Smith blazed over for the visitors. Drumchapel's Carlo Monti curled a free kick inches wide in the second half, and Lewis McTaggart hit the outside of Blair Lochhead's post. Glencairn went close when Ryan McManus rattled the crossbar, and Gibson saved well from Gemmell. Co-boss Pryce said: 'We're going to have to perform at the level we did on Saturday for the next 29 games to get anything out of them. 'We started off with a point, it's a good thing to build on, you get yourself off the mark in your first game – but it's only a start, and we have another 29 really tough games to go. 'There were no failures in the team. I was really pleased with the goalkeeper and the back-line to keep a clean sheet. 'The midfield three worked tirelessly throughout the game, and up front the lads really worked hard, and showed a bit of quality as well. 'They were brave and courageous on the ball, they were wanting to take it in tight areas, so I was pleased with them. 'It was a good performance. In your first game back in the Premier League after a while, against a good side like Drumchapel, who have recruited really well over the summer, the first thing we had to do was show that we could compete, and they certainly did that. 'I thought we were excellent, especially in the first half. Our shape and our structure were fine, in terms of keeping the ball we were doing well, but we just lacked that wee bit of a cutting edge up front. 'We lost quite a few players from our front line last season, Jack McIlveen, Scott Jarvie and Boris Melingui, so you're talking over 30 goals, and we're looking to recruit in that area.' Glens came up from the First Division last season by finishing in the promotion spots and Pryce was impressed with how his side quickly got to grips withe the step up. He added: 'It was our first game back in the Premier League and we kept a clean sheet against a good side in Drumchapel, with real firepower up front, so you've got to be happy with that. 'It's great to be back at that level, we've fought hard to get there, so we have to make sure we try and compete. 'Lots of teams are spending quite a few pounds at this level, Drumchapel are not the only ones – every game we play in this division is going to be tough. 'But that's why you're in this division, to play against the big guns every week.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andy Brown: From Loch Insh to windsurfing world champion is quite the journey
When thinking of the breeding grounds of the world's best windsurfers, it's Hawaii, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean that will spring to mind considerably faster than Loch Insh and Largs. But it's the latter where Glaswegian Andy Brown began a windsurfing journey that's seen him sail all the way to the top of the world. Earlier this month, Brown made history by becoming iQFOiL windsurfing world champion. It was a remarkable achievement for someone who was up against men who hail from nations in which windsurfing is a far more mainstream sport than in Scotland and his victory has, he hopes, set him on a path that will lead all the way to Olympic gold. Brown has long been a fan of what he calls 'niche sports'. His first love was not football which so dominates his home city but trapezing over water, which he spent most of his afternoons as a child practicing at the Western Baths in Drumchapel. With opportunities to make a career out of trapezing unsurprisingly limited in his home country, Brown's attentions soon turned to windsurfing, for which he'd found a love after trying it at a summer camp aged just 10. In the early days, Brown may have been operating on a relatively low level but he quickly became aware of quite how thrilling a sport windsurfing can be as one's abilities progress and that, he admits, was a major attraction for him. 'When you're 10 years old, you're not going super-fast but I saw the older guys doing tricks and at the top level, you can reach about 31 knots (over 35mph) which is pretty fast and I really liked the look of that,' the 25-year-old says. "It's a great sport in that you're out on the water all day and at my local club, there was a good bunch of guys and a great coach so I just really enjoyed it right from the start.' Brown progressed through the ranks, going from club competitions through to Scottish, British and then international events. Silverware at the Youth World Championships highlighted his potential and although his early years as a professional brought him considerable success, it wasn't a patch on what he achieved earlier this month at the World Championships. After a competitive battle with Frenchman Tom Arnoux, Brown came out on top to take the world title and the Dorset-based Scot admits that although his hopes had been relatively high going into the World Championships in Aarhus in Denmark, becoming world champion was well beyond what he'd ever imagined achieving. Andy Brown won his world title in Aarhus (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) 'Going into the Worlds, my confidence was pretty high and I was hoping for a top five performance. Top five would have been a bit of a dream so to actually win was just incredible,' says Brown, whose celebrations for becoming world champion have been relatively tame - merely a few trips to the pub. 'Anyone in the top 15 in the world could probably win these major competitions because it's very small margins in this sport. It's about doing everything perfectly in the build-up and then everything going your way on the day. 'It's my best World Champs result ever by far - I was fifth in 2021, but last year I finished in the 30s so when I realised I'd won this one, my main feeling initially was shock. It felt pretty surreal and I didn't really believe it.' Andy Brown with his gold medal (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown has been a full-time windsurfer since 2017 and his career trajectory has not, he admits, been smooth. But throughout even his greatest disappointments, there was one thing that kept him going and the bank of experience he's accumulated over the years went a considerable way to helping him claim his maiden world title, and will, he hopes, help him successfully defend it on home waters when the 2026 World Championships are held in Weymouth and Portland on the south coast of England next summer. 'I've definitely not had the smoothest path to this point. I've had some good results but I've also had some pretty bad results along the way as well, so it's been quite a journey,' he says. 'But what has always kept me going is how much I love doing what I'm doing. If I didn't love it as much as I do, I would have stopped a long time ago. 'The struggles are all part of the journey and to consistently perform at the top level in this sport, you do need to go through years and years of struggling and figuring things out before you figure it out.' Brown (left) is now targeting the 2028 Olympics (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown's discipline, the iQFOiL class, became an Olympic event for the first time last summer, in Paris. Brown was forced to face the disappointment of missing out on a place in Team GB but that blow of failing to become an Olympian only served to strengthen his will to not only be at the LA Olympics in 2028, but emerge as Olympic champion. 'Missing out on Paris was tough, but I didn't really deserve to be there because I wasn't at the required level at the right time. I feel like I only want to go to the Olympics when I'm in a position to contend for a medal, and I wasn't ready for that,' he says. 'I feel like I've learned from it, though, and I've used it to drive me on. 'I'm at the point now where I've made a lot of the mistakes and so I'm much more aware of what to do and what not to do and that hopefully will help me when I get to the Olympics in 2028.'
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss is looking to strengthen
The club are preparing for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss Joe Pryce expects to add a goalkeeper after signing striker Josh Gemmell from Caledonian Braves. The 20-year-old, who signed on Tuesday morning, and is a graduate of Morton's youth set-up, was one of two trialists who played in Saturday's friendly at Glenrothes to mark the 50th anniversary of the sides meeting in the Scottish Junior Cup final. Glenrothes won 1-0 on both occasions, and was the final warm-up as Glens kick off their West of Scotland Premier Division campaign at Drumchapel United on Saturday. Pryce said: 'The reason they were trialists is purely because the forms hadn't gone through yet, but these boys will be joining us, that's for sure. 'At this time of year everything takes a bit longer, because everybody's putting paperwork in at the same time. 'But we had five of the under-20s up with us, helping us out. We had a few players missing through work commitments and holidays, but we made sure we participated in that celebration, because it was important. 'It was more about the occasion than the game, about celebrating the players from 50 years ago from both sets of clubs. 'The minute they invited us up, we were always going to go. It was a good day, the piper piping the old players onto the pitch, the Provost Jim Leishman being there – it was a terrific day, a great occasion, and something we're very proud to be part of. ' Pryce expects a fierce challenge from a Drumchapel side he reckons will be challenging for the title this season. He said: 'Pre-season has been excellent and we're ready for a really tough game on Saturday. 'Drumchapel are a good side, you can see some of the signings they've made, and they've added real quality to their team. 'They finished well last season in the top half of the table, and they'll be looking to go better than that. They're aiming for the top spot, and with the players they've signed, they should be. 'We're as prepared as we're going to be. We could have done with a few more bodies in the door, but they've got to be the right type. 'If we need to wait three or four weeks into the season to get them in, that's what we'll do. • Glencairn lost 3-1 in a friendly against Queen's Park under-19s at the Spiders' Lochinch training facility, with Ants Maguire getting the visitors' goal.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities
He reckons people still think he acts like he did on the pitch - and called one of his old Celtic enemies "one of the nicest people you can meet" OUT OF THE GAME OUT OF THE GAME 'I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Rangers star Nacho Novo is desperate for a job in football management. But he has been left scratching his head as to why he hasn't had more opportunities. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Nacho Novo was a cult hero during his time at Rangers Credit: Alamy 3 Novo during his time with Lexington SC in the USA 3 He's been talking about his hunt for a full-time managerial job Credit: LET ME BE FRANK The ex-Gers striker returned to Scottish football with Drumchapel United as part of the coaching staff last year. Drumchapel currently ply their trade in the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division - the sixth tier of the SPFL pyramid. While Novo admits he loves working with the part-timers but has found himself questioning why, after such a glittering playing career, that he's been passed over for other coaching jobs. It was reported last year that Novo applied for the Raith Rovers job when Ian Murray was bizarrely sacked just one game into the season. But the Kirkcaldy club appointed Neil Collins as his successor. Novo, 46, retired in 2017 after having played in the top flights of Spain, Scotland and Poland and winning seven trophies (six with Gers and one with Legia Warsaw). He went through his coaching badges before landing his first job as a coach at Lexington SC in USL League One (the third tier of football in the United States). He initially served as assistant manager and as the head coach of the Under-23s before being promoted to the interim role in September 2023. But he left and within a year had returned to Scotland. After a full season with Drumchapel, Novo has admitted he is still chasing a dream of opening a football academy if he doesn't get a full-time job in management. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Novo said: "I've been at Drumchapel for a whole season now and I love it. "Especially because it's proper football, that's how I'd say it! Proper tackles! "We had a good group of boys, some have been pros. They did well this season." Drumchapel finished sixth in the Premier Division this season. And despite his reputation as a former Rangers fan favourite, Novo insists he never had any added grief on the sidelines over the past year. But he does wonder if his association to the Light Blues has held him back when it comes to applying for other jobs higher up the food chain. He said: "I don't know why I can't get a job in football as a coach or anything like that. "Is it because of Rangers? I don't know. "It's probably because of how I was on the park but how I was on the park is not how I am as a person outside." Expanding on that point, Novo talked about how former Celtic foes like John Hartson remain good family friends to this day. And how one-time arch rival Neil Lennon is one of the nicest people he's met in football. Novo said: "People think about Neil Lennon for example, they think he's terrible, that he acts like he did on the pitch. He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. "John Hartson, he's a good friend of my family. "We played on the same park and hated each other but we respected each other. "On the pitch we were enemies and that was my mentality but outside of that I'm very quiet and a family man." Novo has been approached for a scouting job that would see him scour Scotland and the north of England for talent. But his main ambition is to open a cross-border football academy that would link his homeland and his adopted home. He said: "I tried to open a football academy here and in Spain. "I wanted to bring clubs from Scotland over to Spain for a tournament and bring Spanish teams here for the same thing. "But that takes a lot of insurance to do it right, a lot of admin and red tape. "That's my idea at the moment." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Clydebank FC fan given year to live defies the odds to see team win league for first time in 20 years
Stephen Maxwell received the devastating news in 2023 just months after being diagnosed with the skin cancer melanoma. A cancer -stricken football fan told was he only had a year to live has defied the odds - and has now seen his team win the league for the first time in more than two decades. Stephen Maxwell received the devastating news in 2023 just months after being diagnosed with the skin cancer melanoma. Some 18 months later the 58-year-old was on cloud nine as he saw his beloved Clydebank FC lift the West of Scotland Premier Division cup at Holm Park on Saturday. Despite his diagnosis and undergoing treatment, he never missed a single Bankies game in the past year. He said: "It's the only thing I haven't missed out on. I've gone to every game because it's only down the road from me. "We won the league this year for the first time in 21 years. It was brilliant. That was my Saturday outing, down to watch the Bankies. "At the beginning of the season, we started off good, but I thought 'I'm not going to be here at the end'. "I made it and it was absolutely amazing. I got the match ball signed from the first game between Drumchapel and Clydebank in the league." The Duntocher resident discovered he had skin cancer in 2021 after his mum found a lump which looked a bit like a mole on his back. He was initially told by a doctor that it was benign. But the lump grew over the next two and a half years, eventually bursting and forcing Stephen to have it checked again. Shortly after arriving at his GP, he was rushed to West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital at Yorkhill before undergoing immediate surgery to remove the tumour, which was said to be 'the size of his fist'. Stephen said: "I was sent to a specialist in Glasgow in 2021, and he took one look at it and said, 'it's benign, it'll fall off'. "I left it at that, but as time went on, it got bigger and bigger and burst a couple of times. The very last time it burst, I had to phone my brother to come down. "I was sent to the hospital at Yorkhill, and the doctor immediately phoned the surgeon. It took two and a half hours. "The tumour was the size of my hand and I thought 'my god this is worse than I thought'. "They only took the tumour out, the cancer was still there, and I needed more operations. "I underwent immunotherapy, and within three months, I was told it had not worked and it had spread to my bones. "I was basically put out to pasture. I was told I had six to twelve months to live, it was devastating. "It just knocked me off my feet." After this appointment, Stephen said he began to 'sort out his affairs'. But he would get a phone call in Spring 2024 from a doctor at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre that would change his life. Stephen added: "I came home and got my affairs in order. That was it, and I just lay in my bed. Then I got a call from Doctor Tan at the Beatson. "She said I'd been accepted for this new trial, would I like to come the next day and get the medication? "I thought, 'brilliant, of course I will'. I had been booked to go into a hospice just days later. "After getting the stuff, I went to my bed and I literally bounced out of bed in the morning. "I was put on a drug called Opdualag as well as steroids, and I just had the best six months of my life after that. "I did everything I wanted to do. I had a great summer, and in the winter I said cheerio to all my friends at the clubs I go to. "I thought that was me, this was it. That was when they'd said I was going to die, but then I didn't die. I'm still on steroids now, and I've started to go back to some of my wee clubs. "I was the first person in Scotland to be put on that trial, and the greatest thing about it was that most people were only getting three or four months before they had to come off it, whereas I got eight months. "I can't complain. The cancer is still in my bones but hasn't spread anywhere else." Melanoma Focus, a charity that funds research into treatments and causes of the illness, say that the rates of this form of skin cancer are climbing in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases every year. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer as it reportedly has the highest mortality rate.
