Latest news with #Neilston
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Neilston FC celebrated in Scottish Parliament for West of Scotland League title success
Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, recently visited Brig O'Lea to present a Holyrood motion celebrating the club's triumph. An East Renfrewshire football club has been celebrated in the Scottish Parliament for winning the league. Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, visited Neilston to present a Holyrood motion marking the club's West of Scotland League Second Division title triumph. He met with manager Andy Whiteford, secretary Kevin Robertson and club president Graham Walker at Brig O'Lea following a successful campaign. Mr O'Kane toured the club's new facilities and heard about their future plans for developing the stadium and the wider club. 'It was great to finally meet with the club after their busy season to present the motion and personally congratulate them on their fantastic title win,' he told the Paisley Daily Express. 'I was lucky enough to be shown a ground I know well, and I was told about a few exciting plans the club has for the stadium. The village is very proud and I'm glad the club are getting the recognition they deserve for their achievement. I know that the entire team are preparing to have another successful and memorable season.' The motion lodged by Mr O'Kane states: 'That the Parliament understands that Neilston FC, a community club based in Neilston, East Renfrewshire, has won the West of Scotland League Second Division title; further understands that this title win secured Neilston FC's promotion to the First Division; congratulates the manager, Andy Whiteford, his management team, the players and all the club staff for contributing to this impressive achievement; believes that this title win demonstrates the team's determination and resilience after experiencing the disappointment of relegation last season; congratulates the fans of Neilston FC who have shown their support for the team and players throughout the season; commends the current group of Neilston FC players for winning what is the fifth title in the club's history; wishes the team the very best of luck for next season, and hopes that it continues to have more success and more historic moments going forward.' Neilston secretary Mr Robertson added: 'The club was delighted to welcome Paul O'Kane MSP to Brig O'Lea Stadium and receive a framed copy of the Scottish Parliamentary motion congratulating the club on our recent league title win. 'Paul has been a good friend to the club over many years, and it was great to show Paul the improvements we are making at the stadium.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Defiant Saints pushed until the very last'
Others may have had more to celebrate by the final whistle on Saturday afternoon, but I'd defy them to feel the same level of pride as inspired by the Saints and their efforts.I love this football club and they give me every reason list of reasons why St Mirren should not have been challenging for Europe until the 95th minute of the final game of this campaign is long and familiar at this point, but I'll make no apologies for running through them once 2024-25 campaign started with the unfamiliar pressures of European qualification and the associated travel dramas. Desperate for some semblance of normality, the Buddies were instead unable to train in their usual home. Neilston Juniors, among others, came to the do the Saints open their cheque book and go fishing in the pond of paid transfers. Conor McMenamin's signing from Glentoran was the exception last season, his versatility and directness becoming an integral component of Stephen Robinson's tactical thinking. Greg Kiltie, for many a player of the year pick in securing that historic fifth place, both to require significant medical intervention in pre-season was unfortunate, but the eventual length of their lay-offs was near unthinkable. There was no "fine, we'll sign another couple of wingers" button for Robinson to press and large-scale tactical changes then had to further loss of a starting right-back, striker and cover at left-back for off-field reasons was unfathomable. There is no reason to doubt Robinson when he describes this period as perhaps the most challenging in his managerial Diarmuid O'Carroll's growing reputation was rewarded with a move to lead Newcastle United's growing second side. Brian Kerr, at the time the link between the Buddies academy in Ralston and the first team, was promoted and forced to forge a managerial partnership with Robinson at a time when the team were fighting to arrest challenging is a tiresome and well-worn topic, but I'll include that for a second consecutive season the Saints find themselves at the top of the table for subsequently overturned or disputed decisions - and leave it you're still here, you'd be forgiven for consigning the beleaguered Buddies to the bottom half and hoping this season simply fizzled away into the defiant Paisley men went unbeaten post-split and pushed the city clubs until the very last. Home and away wins over Rangers, Hibs, Aberdeen and more.A point on the final day, so close to taking three and some of the gloss off Celtic's trophy day. A 5-1 rout of bogey side Kilmarnock at the moment it was most needed. A 98th-minute turnaround in Perth. Snatching late victory in the Dingwall you in Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external
