Latest news with #HannahPark
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts gaffer fires warning ahead of Premier Division opener
The Bonny are all set for kick-off in the West of Scotland League this weekend John McKeown has warned his Shotts side they must stop taking their foot off the gas in games as they prepare for their West of Scotland Premier Division opener this weekend. The Hannah Park boss watched the Bonny blow a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3 with Blantyre Vics on Saturday in their final friendly match of pre-season, where goals from Marc McKenzie, Liam Craig and Kieran McGuire appeared to put them on easy street. That came off the back of his side easing up in the recent friendly wins over Fauldhouse and Thorniewood. But a tougher test awaits on Saturday when Glenafton Athletic come calling (kick-off 2pm) in their top flight opener and McKeown has told his players he isn't happy with their recent habit. He said: 'It has been a wee bit of a pattern in our pre-season, starting really well and doing well for the first half hour, then taking our foot off the gas. At Fauldhouse we were 5-0 up and then it finished 5-1, at Thorniewood we were 3-0 up and it finished 3-2, although in those ones we were bringing on kids. 'But on Saturday there was no excuse for it because we never made that many changes. 'I could accept the other two but on Saturday we kept the team strong because we had been taking our foot off the gas - and we still conceded three! I was quite annoyed by that. 'We are missing seven or eight players due to holidays but they will be back this week. 'It is about ironing out this bad habit because the first 45 minutes on Saturday was the best football I've seen us play at Hannah Park in a long time. We looked great, we praised the boys at half-time and then they go and do what they did, so we had a go at them. But it is better doing it now than in the league games. 'This weekend we'll play Glenafton, who are a really good side. We beat them in the West Cup last season and they beat us in the league at their place, then drew at Hannah Park. 'They've got a really experienced manager in Paul Paton, who has played at a really good level. He's really improved them over the last six months so it is going to be difficult. 'We'll need to make sure everyone works hard on the training pitch to be ready for it. I have seen a lot of positives and some really good stuff, but I have seen some negatives as well and I think we are a wee bit short in certain areas.' McKeown revealed he is hoping to add to his squad before the weekend with defender Sam Greenwood out injured long term. He added: 'Hopefully we have one new face in before Saturday. We've been dealt a huge blow with Sam, so we'll need to strengthen in that area.'
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts boss reunited with old team-mate as side secure host of new signings
The Hannah Park have strengthened after seeing several players depart this summer John McKeown is delighted to freshen up his Shotts side with a host of new signings this past week. And the Bonny boss admits he had no option to do just that after big-spending sides raided his young squad during the summer break. The West of Scotland Premier Division side return for pre-season training on Thursday with goalkeepers Stephen Barr and Chris Henry joining alongside striker Kieran McGuire from Lesmahagow, former Cowdenbeath star Marc McKenzie who joins from Camelon, midfielder Darren Bowie from Cumbernauld United, plus ex-Arthurlie duo Sam Greenwood and Dylan McGuigan. They arrive following the exits of Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Sandy Thomson and Danny Burns. McKeown is sorry to see some key men from last season's successful survival mission in the top flight move on, but is pleased with the replacements he has brought in. He said: 'We lost quite a lot of players, we got absolutely raided. There's teams in the First Division who can offer three times what we can, so it was disappointing to lose guys who have been here for quite a while. 'Sandy Thomson has gone back to amateur football for personal reasons, but others have gone to clubs below us. 'But we just need to accept that, it's the nature of football. Some clubs pay really big money and it is hard to compete with but I suppose we can take it as a compliment that they want our players. 'This has been a chance to refresh the squad and it probably needed that. We've managed to add some quality and I am really happy with the signings. 'We've signed two goalkeepers with good Lowland League experience and we've also signed midfielder Darren Bowie from Cumbernauld. 'Dylan McGuigan had a very short spell with us in the Covid season. We played two friendly games and then we opted out of the league that season. But he went on to Bellshill, Arthurlie and was in a Scottish Cup final last season. 'It is always good to get players in who are used to winning. Kieran McGuire has done well at Lesmahagow over the last few years and attracted a lot of attention. We tried to get him last year but he had a year left on his deal. 'He is another we are excited about and the squad is taking shape nicely with Sam Greenwood in as well. Hopefully we will add another one or two.' McKenzie's arrival sees McKeown reunited with the man he played alongside during his playing days at Stenhousemuir in 2005. He added: 'I played with Marc McKenzie and, thankfully, he has looked after his body a wee bit better than I have. 'He is turning 40 in July but he is still fit and has a good bit of pace about him. His stats for Camelon when they won the league last season were excellent. 'I have tried to get him a few times and this time it has finally got over the line after having a bit of competition for him. His influence around the changing room will be massive and he can play in a number of forward areas.'
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts boss says 'having a go' worked well as they avoided Premier League drop
John McKeown's side were on a good run of form at the end of the season Shotts boss John McKeown reckons having a go in games worked well for them, and hopes his side continue that form into next season's West of Scotland Premier League. The Hannah Park side ended with 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six games, as they comfortably evaded the bottom three – though Clydebank winning their Lowland League play-off saved four teams from going down. Now that the dust has settled on their first season in the top flight, McKeown reckons they could have done things differently. 'We know what to expect, but you have to find your feet,' said McKeown. 'As a coaching and management team, I think we were a wee bit negative in the first half of the season. 'In the second half, we had a wee bit more of a go, and ended up doing quite well. In our last six games we won three, drew two and lost one, and that's good going in this league. 'Fair play to the boys, they deserve all the credit they're going to get, and hopefully they continue that form into next season.' Shotts watched Clydebank's play-off in sponsor's pub The Two Chimneys in Uddingston, and the Bankies' promotion to the Lowland League means McKeown can plan ahead. He said: 'I had two lists, and now I can concentrate on the Premier League one, rather than the Championship. 'That gives us a better chance to plan, going forward. 'This is our second season in the Premier League and I think that's for the first time in 30 years, or something like that. 'By hook or by crook, we've stayed there, so fair play to the boys. 'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and I think that's what has kept us up.' Having lost Airdrie neighbours Gartcairn to relegation last season, due to a 15-point deduction, one particular fixture stands out to McKeown, who said: 'Glencairn are my local team, I was born in Rutherglen, so that's another wee derby.' Last week the club announced that a number of players have signed up again for the new season Taylor Evans, Josh Gracie and Paul Byrne have joined Ally Small, Rico De Marco and Jack Gordon in committing to the 2025/26 campaign. A number of players have also departed. Leaving the club are Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Danny Burns and goalkeeper Sandy Thomson. Meanwhile, after getting a bye in the first round, Shotts were drawn against Irvine Victoria in round two of the WoSFL Cup. The date is to be arranged.
