Down The Divisions: Recent Episodes
FortyFour Creative
ARE you a fan of fitba played below the leagues that have the glitz and glamour? Then you’ve come to the right place. Join the Scottish Sun’s Gareth Law and Newmains United co-manager manager Paul Davies for a weekly look at football lower down the ladder. Hear the latest news, discussion and stories along with managers, players, administrators, fans and more from SPFL League One and Two, the Lowland and Highland Leagues, South and East of Scotland Leagues and the juniors. There’s a chance for you to get involved too. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do leave a review too. Down The Divisions artwork by Adam Aitken. www.instagram.com/adamaitkenart Music www.bensound.com
LAST weekend Gordon Robertson steered Yoker Athletic into their first Scottish Junior Cup final for 86 years in just his tenth game in charge.
He might not have decided which suit he’ll wear for the final against Auchinleck Talbot – but things are clearly looking good for the Holm Park side.
Gordon tells us why he doesn’t just want his players to enjoy the big day when he pits his wits against Tommy Sloan.
We also hear how Gordon always knew he’d be taking charge at the club – but just not yet.
Gordon as previously chairman and coach at Clydebank as they re-emerged in the juniors and looks back at those 12 years.
There’s all that and more as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design: Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music: Bensound
IT'S the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup this weekend as Auchinleck Talbot play Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Petershill take on Yoker.
But if Alex McDowall has his way there will only be one more season of the competition in its current guise.
The chief operating officer at the Scottish Junior Football Association joins us on the show this week and he has some big news for clubs.
In a Down The Divisions exclusive he outlines his proposals for a replacement for the flagship tournament and the bumper prize money up for grabs.
It’s a must listen as we look at what’s on offer and what’s needed to make it a reality.
Before taking over at the SJFA Alex was chairman at Gartcairn and he tells us why he thinks the conferences in the West of Scotland league were a bad idea.
He also hits out at the decision to give the Old Firm colts more time in the Lowland League and explains why there should be a board made up of every league at tier six.
Plus there are his plans to reopen junior membership for clubs who left.
There’s all that and more plus Mark Mackay’s Best of the West as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design: Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music: Bensound
AS a kid Ryan Caddis gave taekwondo the heave-ho to play football instead.
After a successful career in the amateurs and juniors he and Andy Bell landed their first jobs as co-bosses of Craigmark Burntonians last year.
Early on Ryan had to buy HIMSELF as a player.
But it’s been a debut season in the dugout to remember for the long-time pals as The Mark have made THEIR mark in Conference A in the West of Scotland League.
We hear how they’ve become obsessed with turning around the fortunes of an East Ayrshire club whose ground was built by miners on their way to a shift down the pit.
There’s the FIFA red tape they faced when Ryan tried to get his former Celtic playing brother Paul a game.
And there’s the reason why Ryan’s three-year-old son went viral earlier this season.
After a weekend to remember for Thorniewood their manager Jamie Nesbitt also joins us and tells us why today’s players just don’t celebrate like they used to.
There’s all that and Mark Mackay’s Best of the West as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design: Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music: Bensound
JAMIE McKIM once joined a team as a player knowing he’d get less game time there – but he’d enjoy the training more.
It’s something that’s stayed with him as he moved into the dugout.
The Johnstone Burgh boss takes a break from trying to steer his side into the West of Scotland League’s second tier to join us on the show this week.
He looks back on last Saturday dramatic Renfrewshire derby in Conference A – and tells us why he thinks The Burgh should have ended Arthurlie’s unbeaten season.
As we get closer to the end of another campaign, Jamie and Paul discuss recruitment and how they go about shaping their squads.
There’s also the Keanie Park kitman who’s helped keep the club going despite missing the opening periods of pretty much every home game.
It’s also hotting up in Conference C, where Drumchapel could – in theory – wrap up the title this weekend by winning their final league game of the season.
But Petershill have a game in hand over the Drum and they’ll finish top if they win this weekend and seven days later.
Drum boss Adam Hopes tells us why he’s given up on lifting the trophy and tells us why they must have their home ground sorted for next term, whatever division they’re in.
Paul also gets all romantic on us and tells us about the difference between loving football – and being in love with the beautiful game.
There’s all that and Mark Mackay’s Best of the West as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
LANARK UNITED have had to play their home games away from Moor Park after it was damaged during the recent storms.
But there’s been plenty of grounds for optimism at the Yowes after they were taken over by a new management team.
They still prop up the West of Scotland League’s Conference C – but last Saturday’s win over East Kilbride Thistle showed things might just be starting to turn.
One half of their new dugout duo Andy Souter joins us on the show this week. He tells us how he and co-manager Simon Eeles plan to take the club forwards.
There’s also their cup run which has kept their season alive and the upcoming clash with Pollok.
Andy talks about his time coaching in the pro-youth ranks, when he worked at Inverness, Ross County, Morton and Queen’s Park – and why there needs to be a better exit strategy for kids who aren’t quite good enough to make it at that level.
We also hear about his spell working with youth teams in the States – and the one Americanism he struggled to shake off.
There’s Mark Mackay’s Best of the West too – and it’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
CHRIS CAMERON grew frustrated watching Neilston tumble down the tables when he was on the outside.
Now he’s one of the men back on the inside determined to take The Farmer’s Boys back up.
Chris shares the Brig O’Lea management duties with Derek Carson and joins us this week.
He tells us how gutted the club were to lose to table-topping rivals Petershill last Saturday – but how it won’t derail their plans for progress.
Chris takes us back to the day he left a pitch with both his cruciate ligaments in bits – and his playing career in pieces.
We also hear why coaching was once never something that interested him.
Also last weekend, Ardeer Thistle rubberstamped their rise from worst in the league to a Division Two team next season.
They did it without kicking a ball too. Their boss Sean Kenney joins us later in the show.
Mark Mackay gives us his Best of the West too and it’s all here, as we go, Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
FINNART became the first trophy winners in the West of Scotland League last week as they wrapped up the Division Four title.
Their boss Brian Blair joins us on the show and tells us where he wants to take the club – and the work they’re doing to ensure it happens.
We hear how he’s having to change mentalities AND why he apologises to referees BEFORE games.
There’s also the day they travelled all the way to Campbeltown only for the ref to call off – but why it was still a good result.
And what next for the likes of Finnart and the other clubs in Division Four?
The West of Scotland League’s fixture secretary Kennie Young is back to give us as many answers as he can.
Plus we hear about the prospect of more teams joining the setup in the summer – and there’s a great debate between Kennie, Paul and Brian over that.
There’s also Paul's return to the dugout at Carluke Rovers and Mark Mackay’s Best of the West.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
CRAIG PALMER had to learn to walk again after suffering a horror accident at work.
But now he’s the player turned assistant manager who’s getting Arthurlie up and running again.
The Barrhead side have played 20 league games this season – and incredibly they’ve won 19 and drawn the other.
Craig joins us this week to look at just how they’ve got the Dunterlie Park outfit flying at the top of Conference A in the West of Scotland League.
We hear about the moaners who are setting the standards – and who’s the biggest farter in the dressing room.
Craig also takes us back to those dark days recovering from that spell in intensive care and reveals just how much the football community rallied round to help.
There’s also the way he uses his positive outlook on life to help players going through injury setbacks themselves.
Recorded from the home of Glasgow Girls Football Club, it’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Paul mentions on the show that people can get involved with the new Glasgow Girls Football Club Media Academy. To get in touch go to www.glasgowgirlsfc.com/contact/
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
NEIL SCHONEVILLE was handed his first manager’s job last April after Lesmahagow boss Rab Irving moved upstairs following a 17-year association with the club.
With just two players signed for the season, Neil had to work quickly to rebuild a squad which had drifted away after The Gow skipped the covid hit previous campaign.
It’s been a baptism of fire for the veteran centre-half, who signed on as a player too.
Neil joins us this week and tells us about getting to grips with life in the dugout – including seeing his one goalie get sent off four times.
Never one to shirk a challenge on the pitch, Neil talks about having to get used to the modern day player not hurting as much as he does after a defeat.
He and Paul also discuss the death of the no-nonsense defender and the rise of the astro turf generation.
There’s also the moment former Motherwell star Colin O’Neill made him cry.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
After Paul quit as co-manager at Newmains United there have been more developments at the club this week. Paul gives us the latest as one era ends at Victoria Park and another begins
Craig Menzies also joins us to discuss his move to Premier League leaders Pollok at the age of 35 – and Southy’s shock exit from St Cadocs which led to his decision to leave too.
With just a few games left this season we look down across all the divisions in the West of Scotland League. We hear Paul’s team of the season so far, why he thinks the conferences have worked and the big issue about the new Division Three next term.
Plus there’s Mark Mackay’s Best of the West.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
To most folks he’s known as Spud - and this week Mark Daly tells us why managing Wishaw became a bit of a hot potato.
Mark quit the Beltane club in December after initially saying he wanted to leave six weeks earlier.
He joins us on the show to lift the lid on why he fell out of love with the job and why he’s not ready to return yet.
Just like Mark, Paul has been on the move too, leaving Newmains United while we’ve been away. He tells us the real reasons why he’s no longer at Victoria Park and why he is ready for a return to the dugout in the future.
On a packed podcast we also hear from Clydebank gaffer Gordon Moffat on his side’s agonising Scottish Cup loss to Annan on Saturday.
Plus there’s Mark Mackay’s Best of The West.
After three months away it’s good to be back going Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
AS a kid Jimmy Quigely helped paint the railings at Renfrew’s ground.
Now, after a 21 year association as player and coach, he's the man in charge.
Jimmy took over permanently from the long-serving Colin Clark at the start of the month after an interim spell.
And he’s started on fire – winning all three of his games so far.
Jimmy joins us on the show this week and tells us about making the decision to become the boss.
We hear how he started out at the club he loves – which included being banned for 12 of his first 20 games.
We look back at his part in helping Frew win the Scottish Junior Cup as a player – then how the team literally lost the trophy later that night.
There’s also the day of his testimonial, which started with a hangover and a Big Mac but saw him hit the net against St Mirren.
Plus there’s why he feels referees nowadays in the West of Scotland League deserve more protection.
There’s all that as well as Mark Mackay’s Best of the West as we go Down The Divisions with guest co-host Des Roache.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
BRIAN CRAWFORD went from playing Football Manager the game to – well – being a football manager.
The Larkhall Thistle boss will never forget the chance he got to play in the juniors at 17.
And that’s why he’ll never shy away from giving youth a chance.
Brian tells us about life at the oldest continuous club which started out life in the juniors.
Then we look back at his own goal-laden playing career, when he was the talk of the game.
His strikes for the likes of Carluke and Cumbernauld eventually saw him step up to the seniors with Clyde.
But despite being their top striker at Christmas he was still on the bench.
We hear why scoring a winner for Stranraer one night saw him lose his job the next day.
And how refusing to be subbed before a corner was taken led to him staring at a year out of the game.
Plus there’s Roache’s Roundup and Mark Mackay’s Best of the West.
It’s all here as we go…Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
ALAN ROBERTSON is the man who reared the likes of Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith as Kilmarnock’s head of youth.
But now he’s trying to get Bonnyton Thistle to grow up fast.
After leaving the South of Scotland League for the West, they were immediately plunged into the top flight.
It’s been a steep learning curve. They sit bottom of the pile but they have beaten Pollok and narrowly lost to Cumbernauld United on the weekend.
We hear about the transition for the club and the work going on behind the scenes.
One of the humblest men in the game, Alan also tells us about how he’s finding life managing adults rather than kids – and recalls the first time he saw Boydy score goals.
We also look back at Alan’s career, which saw him play over 600 games for Kilmarnock.
PLUS it’s been a week of drama at Pollok. After seeing THREE men sent off against Auckinleck last Saturday they still managed to draw 3-3 with the league leaders.
But just days later they were booted out of the junior cup along with Irvine Victoria after an injury time fight led to their clash the week before being called off.
We hear from their boss Murdo Mackinnon on both events.
It’s all here, as we go, Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
IT was 15 love to football when Tony McInally chose to go with it rather than tennis when he was 14.
But then he fell out of love with the game in his early 20s and went and played amateur with his mates instead.
Stepping down helped him step back up and he would go onto have a successful playing career in the juniors.
This week Tony tells us about those days in the second part of his interview.
There are the fancy suits he’d wear and why he was often referred to as city boy at Shotts.
There’s the teammate he’d loan a tie to and Davie Menelaws’ lost stereo.
In a packed show we also hear from the West of Scotland League’s fixture secretary Kennie Young on covid and what’s required to ensure a completed campaign.
There’s Sean Kenney on fireworks at Ardeer after transforming their fortunes this season.
And we find out who produced the performance of the week in Mark Mackay’s Best of the West – and this week there’s more than one team.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
TONY McINALLY was the manager in waiting as a player who’s won most things he can in the dugout.
Now he’s trying to take Cumnock back to where they belong.
A win at Darvel last weekend showed just what he’s building at Townhead Park.
Tony joins us on the show this week and in the first of two parts we look back at his stellar career as a gaffer.
He tells us why he was once accused of being a coal thief – and we look back at his successful spell at Shotts Bon Accord which ended with a year-long ban for a first offence.
He explains why he thinks the league setup is better now than it was back then despite his dislike for this season’s relegation scenario.
There’s also his near five-year reign at Pollok, the benefits of cutting his teeth in management away from the spotlight and his little book of players to keep an eye on.
There’s Tayport head of communications Pete McEleny’s roundup of the scores from across the country.
Plus there’s yet another new feature as former Vale of Clyde manager Mark MacKay gives us his standout performance in The Best of the West.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
ROYAL ALBERT were the first club in Scottish football history to score a spotkick.
But last week they were unhappy about a penalty of a different kind.
The Lanarkshire-based outfit were hit with a £500 fine and docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.
They admitted they had made a mistake – but an honest one too.
The punishment saw club secretary Peter Higgins take to social media to outline just what it meant to a club that is one of the oldest in Scotland.
This week Peter joins us on the show and tells us why the decision left him close to walking away after over 30 years at the club.
He also explains why he believes clubs who stray should be treated differently, particularly as clubs deal with the effects of covid.
Royal Albert were named after a boat in 1878 – but Peter tells us why he was never keen to steer the ship away from the juniors and into the West of Scotland League.
We also look back at how it all started for Peter, who is one of those many guys football at this level just needs.
All that plus, in a new slot, we look back at last weekend’s lower league scores from north to south and west to east with Tayport’s head of communications Pete McEleny.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
JOHN McKENDRICK is a referee who got his break in the juniors before taking charge of over 300 senior games.
But after retiring from top level football he wasn’t finished - and wanted to go back to where it all began.
Now every weekend you’ll find John – Professor John to give him his full title - as a man in the middle somewhere in the West of Scotland League.
John joins us on the show this week and reveals just how good a grounding junior football was – AND explains why he’s not prepared to hang up his whistle just yet.
If you happen to be at one of his games you can look out for his legendary warmup, which he tells us all about.
We hear whether referees really take notice of their ratings in the papers – and why there is a shortage of officials right now.
There’s also the time he held up the injury time board without realising the batteries were flat – and just how many red cards he dished out.
Plus there’s the day he got lost going to an orienteering competition, how Michael Palin inspired him to cycle to Nepal and his passion for ending child poverty.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
VALE OF CLYDE still thought Mark Mackay could do it - but instead on Monday night their former boss was B&Qing it.
There aren’t many jobs Mark didn't do during his four year spell bossing The Tin Pail.
But last weekend he called it quits as manager.
The club didn’t want him to go.
But rather taking training this week Mark was wandering around his local DIY store.
Mark joins us on our return to tell us why he couldn't be persuaded to change his mind.
He outlines why he thinks the Old Firm qualifying for the Europa League helps West of Scotland League bosses.
We also look back at his career as a no-nonsense striker he admits he’d have hated to manage.
There’s also Mark’s debut at Baillieston – when he was sent packing after just 13 seconds.
Plus Des Roache joins as guest co-host – and explains why losing a player on call at half-time in a clash played a part in he and boss Martin Ferry leaving Kilbirnie Ladeside.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
GREG GALLAGHER and Andy Reid first got to know each other as kids in the primary school classroom.
Now they’re determined to help Lugar Boswell Thistle get better marks on the pitch.
They passed their first test after seeing off Saltcoats Victoria on day one of the West of Scotland League season despite the trauma of losing one of their players to a horror injury.
We recorded the show before their midweek loss to Muirkirk but it’s clear the pair are studying hard to turn things around at Rosebank.
During pre-season Lugar were without some players who are also some top golfers.
But Greg tells us why they’re no longer content to be the team caught in the rough every week.
There’s Greg on his shock exit from Craigmark Burntonians and being asked back just a few days after being sacked.
Striker Andy has won pretty much all there is in junior football but is still pulling the boots on.
He might have scored against Gary Cahill as a kid at Blackburn but Andy lifts the lid on why that teenage move to Ewood Park was the wrong choice and how much it affected his football.
There’s finding his feet at Troon, a glittering decade at Beith and how he’s using the lessons he’s learned to help the side since becoming GrEg’s assistant.
Plus there’s also breaking managerial news in the West of Scotland Premier Division.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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THIS weekend sees the big kick off in many of the leagues below the SPFL.
One of the newest sides in the West of Scotland League is also one with a proud past.
Harmony Row have made their name bringing through kids. But this summer they’ve added the final piece of the jigsaw by starting their own senior side.
Keith Gibson will be the man at the helm as they take on Glenvale first up in the new Division Four.
He joins us this week and tells us why that was the natural step and why they won't recruit players from outside their system.
We look back at the proud history and their links with Sir Alex Ferguson and just why the club has become an obsession for Keith.
Plus in a busy week for managerial changes we speak to two of the bosses in the news.
David Gormley left Rossvale for Lowland League side Broomhill after Martin Hardie’s very short spell came to an end.
He’s had a week to sign a new squad of players but he’s got there - albeit on very little sleep – and now wants to take them back to where he feels they belong.
Also leaving a club was Jamie McKenzie, who quit Lanark just five weeks after telling Down The Divisions about his ambitions. He tells us why he came to that decision…..
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
THOMAS DEVINE’S love affair with Forth started in the Hamilton Palace nightclub.
After nine years as a player and a spell as co-boss, he’s been the sole man in charge at Kingshill since last November.
Thomas joins us on the show this week ahead of their league opener against Shotts on July 13.
He tells about the day he experienced relegation just TWO hours after joining the Forth management team.
We hear how he’s finding life on his own as a boss and look back at his stint playing at Newmains United, when he picked up personal accolades.
Plus after landing a linkup with the Motherwell Community Trust which sees their freed players get a chance at Forth, we discuss why there should be more joined up thinking in Scottish football.
There’s an occasional guest appearance from Thomas’ dog too.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
BY his own admission Chris Mackie took his playing career for granted.
The Fauldhouse boss was a man of many clubs when he had the boots on.
Chris told us about his hopes and aspirations for The Hoose in the first part of interview in episode 58.
But this time we hear some frank talking as he tells us about the massive regrets he has.
There was the Christmas night fight which got him a move from Shotts and being motivated by a bottle of Moet.
Chris looks back on his best day in football, when he scored in the Scottish Junior Cup final for Clydebank.
He tells us how he was convinced to play again after talks at a burger van and why he went from hero to a villain with no name at St Anthony’s.
Plus there’s why Chris believes his experiences can help him help others not to go down the same path.
And there’s also news of a new club song in the West of Scotland League as Maybole release a new track written by David Anderson. Hear it in full at https://davieanderson.bandcamp.com/track/mon-the-bole for a £1 donation. More on Davie's work at davieandersonmusic.com
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
JAMES ORR has had to buy his wife a miniature poodle to stop her moaning about his football.
But now he’s looking forward to letting his Cumbernauld Colts side off the leash in the Lowland League this season.
James joins us on the show this week and gives us the lowdown on things at Broadwood.
We hear about his sleepless nights as their Scottish Cup clash with Huntly was called off three times.
There’s his views on the Old Firm colt teams joining the division.
He looks back on his playing days when Eddie Hunter once dropped him at Queen’s Park because his hair was too long.
Plus there’s Roache’s Roundup with Kilbirnie Ladesdie assistant boss Des Roache.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
SEAN KENNEY couldn’t take his Kilbride Thistle side into the West of Scotland League - so he took them to Ardeer instead.
Kenney had hoped to get Kilbride into the division being created for new teams.
But when that didn’t happen he jumped at the chance to move to struggling Stevenston-based Ardeer two weeks ago.
He’s taken his squad and staff with him en masse and they’ll now line up in Conference B.
Sean joins us this week and tells us why things panned out at Kilbride the way they did and his plans for rejuvenating Ardeer on AND off the park.
We look BACK at his time at Kilbride, where he will also stay on as the chairman.
But perhaps that should be no surprise.
Since injury forced him to retire as a player at the age of 25 he’s been a coach, scout, assistant boss, manager and president.
Plus, on the night the Euros start, Sean gives us the inside track on local hero Billy Gilmour and his old man – and tells us why he should start against the Czech Republic.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
JAMIE McKENZIE was just 25 when he was thrust into the dugout at Elgin.
But he landed a manager of the month award just a few weeks later.
While he’d return to focus on playing, it was enough to give him the bug for being a boss and so it wasn’t long before he was getting involved in coaching again.
He quickly made his mark.
After winning the Central Division Two title during four seasons at Forth, he lifted the West Region League One title in his first year at Gartcairn.
Following a shock exit from The Cairn he took over at Lanark United last year and is now building his squad for the new season.
Jamie joins us this week and tells us about his ambitions for the Yowes despite a summer of early blows.
We hear why he thinks he has unfinished business at Gartcairn and the influence of John McVeigh, who he played under at four different clubs.
Plus Jamie reveals why it’s his fault he didn’t play at a higher level.
There’s also a recap of all the managers who have been on the move this week in Roache’s Roundup.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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CHRIS MACKIE took over at Fauldhouse a year ago – but has only managed two games in that time.
A squad transformed by the man of many clubs as a player returned to training last week.
They’re gearing up for their first season in the East of Scotland League after quitting the juniors at the end of the latest campaign.
But if Chris had had his way they’d be playing in the west.
The former Clydebank and St Anthony’s striker felt it would have made sense.
Especially when, three miles down the road, it’s exactly where Harthill will line up
Instead though geography will force The Hoose to head in the opposite direction.
Chris joins us this week and tells us why he doesn’t agree with that – but why any move was better than staying where they were.
We’ll also hear about the changes he’s implemented at Park View – and where he wants to take the club.
It’s a great listen – but it’s not all either. We’ll have a second part looking back at Chris’ eventful playing career in the coming weeks.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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ROSSVALE are on the move again – BACK to where it all began.
The club have announced they’ll no longer play home games at Benburb’s New Tinto Park.
Instead they’ll return to Petershill Park, where they made their debut at this level ten years ago.
Chairman Dom McInally joins us this week to tell us just what their latest flit means for a club that now boasts over SIXTY teams.
Rossvale will of course compete in the West of Scotland League Premier Division this term.
But it’s at the other end where all the activity has been just lately.
New clubs have been allowed to join with an associate status to begin with.
We’ll talk about the merits of doing that a year into the new structure’s roll out.
Plus as the transfer activity hots up, we’ve got Roache’s roundup with Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant boss Des Roache.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
WE’RE reaching the business end of the season – and the Lowland League have already secured cash for their clubs for next term.
Rangers and Celtic have agreed to stump up to allow their colt teams to enter the setup.
The Lowland League say it’s just for one season but it’s a decision which has sparked plenty of debate.
Darvel boss Mick Kennedy tells us why he thinks it’s the wrong move for the good of the game.
And, after we’ve heard from the manager of Darvel, we’ll hear from one of his new coaches.
Kieran McAnespie spoke to us before he’d joined up with Mick – and the second part of his interview is a really frank listen.
Kieran tells us why he never fulfilled his potential after leaving St Johnstone for Fulham AND why he’s got a better attitude at 41 then he did at 21.
We cover his spell when he fell out of love with the game and had a stint working at Babestation.
At the end of a season to remember for St Johnstone, we hear his memories of their current boss Callum Davidson nearly chucking football for university.
It's all here as we go Down The Divisions.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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IT’S been a week of elections.
But it’s time to get back to talking about putting crosses into boxes of a different kind.
This week we’ll hear the second part of a great interview with St Cadoc’s boss Craig McEwan.
He tells us why his wife’s underwear regularly turned up in the dressing room, being sold to Raith 24 hours after signing a new deal at Clyde AND learning from Jimmy Nicol, John Brownlee and Terry Butcher in Kirkcaldy.
There’s also the day he stormed out of Linlithgow Rose after being dropped for an important game – only to watch his replacement get injured in the warmup.
He looks back at his Scotland Under-21 days too, when he played with the likes of Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch and also tells us why he’s nicknamed Southy.
Plus we’ve got Matt Maley back on the show after his quick return to management at Girvan and we hear about Annbank’s request to sit things out for 12 months.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Thanks for giving us your vote as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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A YEAR ago Kieran McAnespie agreed to lead Cumbernauld United into the new West of Scotland League.
But after just seven games of a season cut short by covid he stepped down last week.
In the first of a two-part interview we’ll find out why he was unable to continue in the hotseat – and whether he’s looking for a quick return to the game.
He’s got a pedigree too after leading Clydebank back into the top flight - and we’ll take a look back at his two-and-a-half years at the Bankies helm too.
Keep your eyes peeled for a special part two in the coming weeks, where Kieran speaks honestly about a playing career that never lived up its potential and what it was like travelling with Scotland's 1998 World Cup squad.
Kieran wasn’t the only manager to move on last week. Davie Irons tell us about leaving Stenhousemuir and successor Stephen Swift lifts the lid on his plans at Ochilview.
And with Paul away we have former Airdrie director of football Stuart Millar sitting in as co-host.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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FORGET the European Super League.
Right now all the chat is about what happens next in the West of Scotland Football League.
Last week Ardrossan Winton Rovers put forward a proposal which has sparked a huge debate.
In a covid world they reckon conferences based on geography will give the coming campaign a better chance of being completed.
On last week’s show fixture secretary Kennie Young told us he’s against the plans – and insisted he’d been misquoted too.
Rovers boss Stevie Wilson helped draw up the detailed argument for change – which even takes into account how many miles it would save teams travelling.
The proposals can be seen in full at https://www.wintonroversfc.org.uk/downloads/1124
There are still some questions though – and we’re delighted to say Stevie is with us this week to answer them.
That’s not all though.
In-demand striker Callum Graham left Ashfield for Pollok last week. He tells us just why he decided to head to Newlandsfield ahead of other options.
Plus in an action-packed show Matt Maley also joins us to explain why he’s quit Annbank.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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IT’S mind over matter this week as we look at how players can get a psychological edge.
If you’re looking for him on instagram, John Johnstone is The Football Mindset.
He’s helped the likes of John Souttar, Chris Cadden and Greg Docherty get mentally ready for action at the top end of the game.
But John reckons his methods can be applied to ANY level of football.
As a player at Tranent Juniors he admits he wasn’t up to much – but if he’d known then what he knows now then things might have been a bit different.
John joins us on the show this week and will talk about some of the techniques you can use to get ahead of your opponent when the game returns.
And talking of when the game returns, West of Scotland League fixture secretary Kennie Young is back to tell us exactly when they plan to start their new season WITH fans – and we also hear his and Paul's views on the proposals put forward by Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
Follow John at www.instagram.com/footballmindset/ and find his book at https://amzn.to/2QpS1Ad
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
It's a special show this week as we broadcast our 50th episode AND celebrate our first birthday.
And for a special show we wanted a stellar guest.
It's a longer episode this week but Ross Stewart's rise from the juniors to challenging at the top of England's League One with Sunderland is a story worth listening to.
Whether you get through it in one go or do it in bursts across the course of the week, ever one of Ross' answers can act as inspiration to anyone involved in semi-professional football.
On Monday Ross made his first start for the Black Cats but just eight years ago he was having to tout himself around juniors teams and working for the land registry.
Ross is the perfect example of just where you can go if you work hard and put your mind to it.
After playing for St Mirren and Celtic as a kid he got his break at Ardeer Thistle then moved onto Kilwinning Rangers and hasn’t looked back since.
Spells at Albion Rovers and back at St Mirren followed before his form at Ross County won him a move to the Stadium of Light in January.
We’ll hear how he fell out of football then found it again after being petrified walking into Ardeer's changing room for the first time.
We hear how his dad had to pay £500 to make his dream of leaving Kilwinning Rangers for Albion Rovers a reality - but has he paid that life changing sum back yet?
There's the spell where he left his day job working for the land registry on a Friday - and started full-time football with St Mirren three days later.
Ross also tells us about the Sunderland medical and his reaction to their manager Lee Johnson's claims he wants to mould him into a combination of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as, for the 50th time, we go, Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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NOT many West of Scotland League sides can say they have a player who scored a winner against Arsenal in the Premier League.
But Annbank can.
They brought in former Sheffield United and Hearts striker Christian Nade this season.
With his help they were flying high in Conference A when things were called null and void.
Their boss Matt Maley was the man who signed the ex-France Under-21 player after they worked together at Troon.
Matt was appointed during lockdown – and so had to hold on for weeks before he could meet his players for the first time.
We’re glad he didn’t keep us waiting though, as he joins us on the show this week.
We’ll talk about the secret behind his successes so far at New Pebble Park, how gutted he was to see the league season shut down and Nade's upcoming pre-season in the Caribbean.
Matt also tells us about the current state of their ground and why they're looking for new blood to join the committee.
We’ll look back on his previous coaching roles at Dundee United, Celtic, Stranraer Reserves, Troon, Maybole and Kilmarnock, where he worked under the likes of Mixu Paatelainen and Kenny Shiels and helped bring through Greg Taylor.
Plus we’ll go all the way back to his playing days in the juniors with the likes of Craigmark, Whitletts, Dalry and the Bankies.
All that and Roache’s Roundup with Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant boss Des Roache.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
PART-TIME, juniors and semi-professional football have all had their attempts at getting back playing.
But just where has the lockdown left the amateur game?
The definitions used by government mean teams at that level haven’t kicked a ball in anger now for over a year.
Is that right? Is that fair? And just what state will the game be in if and when it ever returns?
We’ll put those questions and more to someone who knows the amateur and juniors game.
Paul McColl is currently the vice president of the Football Central Sunday League. He tells us about plans for a two-year trial of summer football starting this year.
We'll hear why co-host Paul Davies feels there should be a pyramid system in the amateurs and look back at just what makes the game at that level so good.
Paul McColl faced Gazza while at English side Darlington in the 80s then returned to Scotland and joined Rutherglen Glencairn.
Spells at other junior sides followed before he stepped into the amateurs, first as a player then in the dugout during which time he lifted several trophies and bossed a player who stepped out in the Champions League.
We’ll look back at those days with Paul, along with his time at a team that left your wages in your shoes.
All that plus Roache’s Roundup with Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant boss Des Roache.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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JOHN GALL is the man who had people saying aye to a Killie pie.
But now the managing director of Brownings the Bakers is ploughing his dough into Darvel.
Crowned World Scotch Pie champion in 2017, John is now targeting silverware at Recreation Park in the coming seasons.
The likes of Ian MacShane, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Ross Perry have signed for the team bossed by Mick Kennedy.
Last week they turned on their brand new floodlights, built as part of the requirements they’ll need if they’re to continue rising up the leagues.
But the lights then went out on their promotion hopes just a few days ago after the West of Scotland League campaign was declared null and void.
We’ll hear John’s thoughts on being left in the dark – and whether he feels this season has now been a waste of money.
Newly confirmed West of Scotland League fixture Kennie Young also makes an appearance just hours after the announcement was made.
He reveals plans for an earlier start date next term, tells us what clubs applying to join the league next season will require - and why the 67 original members will be protected.
After that we’ll ask John about claims he’s buying success – and find out about the secret American-based boyhood Darvel fan who's also invested in the club.
John tells us about plans for Friday night football and his grandad's mystery £100 donation to Hurlford in 1965.
We’ll also look back at his previous involvement in football at Kilmarnock - and try to find out just what the secret is to that baking success, which dates back to 1945.
That, plus Des Roach’s roundup.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
If it’s bread and butter football you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place, as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
LEAGUE ONE and Two clubs are set to restart their campaigns a week on Saturday.
But what about the sides below that? As the days and weeks go on, just how are seasons going to be finished in time.
We’ll discuss that – and hear some inside information from Paul.
One of the League Two sides who’ll be back in action is Stranraer – and later we’ll hear the second part of our interview with club legend Allan Jenkins.
First we’ll hear about his move to ambitious Gretna.
He’ll tell us what it was like being cup-tied for the Scottish Cup final –why James Grady’s dramatic injury-time goal was the worst thing to happen – and what it was like playing in the top flight after being told he wasn’t wanted.
But Allan is idolised in Ireland too. He went on to play even more games for Ballymena than he did for Stranraer.
He’ll look back on six years at the Showgrounds under the best manager he’s played under – and the only one who’d kiss him before kick-off.
There’s scoring the goal that helped lift the League Cup after discovering his mum had been diagnosed with cancer.
And there’s his move into the juniors, first with Hurlford - when Auchinleck Talbot snatched away the Scottish Cup – and then with Darvel.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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PAUL FRIZE had his pick of Premier clubs when he left his uncle's Glasgow Perthshire side in 2013.
Some were surprised when he chose relegated Beith – but it’s been a match made in heaven ever since.
After promotion back to the top flight, he summoned up the energy on a scorching day to score one of the shootout penalties that helped them win the Scottish Junior Cup.
Then he played a massive part as they lifted the league title on a dramatic final day of the season now known as Ford Transit Saturday.
Popular with the fans, last summer Paul was handed the captaincy by boss Bryan Young.
Never a stranger to a yellow card, we’re glad to have the attacking midfielder booked for the show this week.
We’ll look back on those glory years at Bellsdale Park as well as the day he was offered a trial by Clyde.
Beith have managed just five games this season.
And as plans are explored for some lower league football to return we’ll hear why Paul thinks their current campaign should be scrapped.
We'll hear about the Manchester United kits sent by Alex Ferguson that Paul used to wear at Harmony Row.
Plus we take a look at the first ever West of Scotland League committee, which was voted in earlier this week.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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CHRIS JARDINE promised Annan he would play with them for life if they could get him a ticket to see Rangers in the UEFA Cup final.
And after they produced the goods, so did he.
The midfielder came through the ranks at Ibrox alongside the likes of Barry Ferguson and Barry Robson.
We’ll look back on those days when he would get training gear ready for Gazza and Brian Laudrup.
But it was at Galabank where he made his name across 17 years.
After starting out in the East of Scotland League, he captained them as they moved into the senior divisions and is now a legend at the club.
But after hanging up his boots he’s been learning the ropes in the dugout.
In July he was appointed assistant boss at Lowland League side Dalbeattie Star. We’ll find out just how he’s adapting to life in the new role at the Islecroft Stadium.
Plus there's chat on Oasis, two pairs of socks, staying in digs with Davie Moyes' parents, dealing with rejection and the day his family walked out at half-time as he helped Annan win at Ibrox.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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SO we thought things had been tough going in the West
Jamie Sandilands took up his first management role last May – but has since had just TWO games in charge.
The Whitburn Juniors boss had to wait until December for his first match in the dugout.
Then he saw the East Region Premiership South go back into lockdown soon after.
We’ll talk to Jamie about how he’s found his first year in management after 12 years coaching at Larkhall Thistle and Arthurlie.
We’ll find out why The Burnie are the latest club to leave the juniors - and why Jamie thinks they're a sleeping giant he's ready to awaken.
We’ll look back on Jamie’s playing career as a goalie which started in Motherwell youth teams alongside the likes of Lee McCulloch and Stephen Craigan.
There's making his debut for Carluke Rovers when he had a cut running from his ear to nose - and why he loved every moment of it.
Plus there's facing Charlie Miller at the age of 11 and why he gave away his cup loser's medal at Johnstone Burgh after defeat to...Whitburn!
Thanks to Sam Speirs for allowing us to play his The Claret & The Amber song again. Find out more on Sam at https://bit.ly/3sfibn3
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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PAUL MAXWELL scored over a hundred goals in three spells as a striker at Ashfield.
The Milton man was signed after playing as a trialist against his local team – then went on to help them climb the leagues.
Since 2018 he’s been the manager trying to bring those fortunes back to Saracen Park.
The Field share their ground with the Glasgow Tigers Speedway team.
And after a tough start to a covid-hit campaign, we’ll hear how Maxi is planning to get them back on their bike when football returns.
When exactly that will be is anyone's guess.
The government announced this week they aren't prepared to sanction a restart until infection figures fall further.
That situation will be reviewed again on March 1. Interim West of Scotland League secretary Kennie Young will also join us to discuss just exactly what that means for the rest of the campaign.
Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant manager Des Roach brings us news of events in the lower leagues in his new Roach’s Roundup slot.
Then, to finish off, we’ll look back at Paul’s playing career, which also included spells at Dumbarton and Irvine Meadow.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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CRAIG McEWAN thought he’d be managing Glenafton again this season.
He'd started a group chat for Premier Division managers about getting the game restarted.
But when the Glens committee changed their mind and chose not to play this term he decided it was time to leave.
Ten days later hard-working Southy was installed as St Cadoc’s new boss – and they’d won five of their last six heading into the latest lockdown.
In the first of two parts we'll hear why he quit the Glens after ten years and treble glory - and why he believes the decision could set the club back five years.
Craig tells us about the potential at St Cadoc's - and why they could be bigger than Pollok one day.
There's chat about his assistant's 100 percent record while he served a 12-match touchline ban.
We hear about his days facing Rino Gattuso and Brian Laudrup and why he earned an extra £20 off Charlie Nicholas at Clyde.
Plus there's the moment he found a SHARK in his training bag.
Then look out for part two in future weeks, where we hear about Craig's liking for his wife's underwear and his Scotland Under-21s appearances alongside the likes of Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch.
According to the St Cadoc’s boys he’s always reluctant to talk about it though.
There's also more on his spells as a full-back at Clyde, Raith, Ayr, Dumbarton, Brechin and Stenhousemuir and his move into the juniors with Linlithgow Rose, Pollok and, of course, Glenafton.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
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THIS week's guest has shared a dressing room with Kris Boyd, James McFadden, Derek Riordan, Garry O’Connor and Allan Hutton.
He also played his part in Helicopter Sunday with Motherwell and won six caps for Scotland's Under-21s.
But right now Willie Kinniburgh is the man in the managerial hotseat at Gartcairn.
We hear how a season of non-competitive football led to Gary Harkins, Steven Saunders and Martin Grehan leaving after originally signing up to play.
Willie tells us how he's gone from life and soul of the changing room as a player to the man at the helm.
His management style is different to his gaffer at Fir Park. Willie tells us about Terry Butcher's "Thou shall not pass" mantra and how he would tell his players to get their bayonets out before a game.
We hear why Butcher branded Willie and Stephen Craigan Captain Mainwaring and Private Pike.
He relives Helicopter Sunday, why Tom Boyd knocked on the Motherwell dressing room to get his bottle of champagne back and the phone call Alex McLeish made to Butcher to express his thanks.
There's also the day Willie changed Craig Hinchliffe's number plates at Partick Thistle - and why he went to court afterwards.
Plus there's his naked superhero cycling prank and why Gerry Britton started wearing his gardening gear to training. and a look back at his time at Irvine Meadow, Cambuslang Rangers and Thorniewood United.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and vudeo editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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ALLAN JENKINS is a legend at Stranraer AND Ballymena.
He’s played in every senior league in Scotland and scored in an Irish League Cup win while keeping his mum’s cancer diagnosis a secret.
He came back to Scotland to play in the juniors with Hurlford, Darvel and Dalbeattie Star.
And now he’s at his local club again, pulling on the boots for Stranraer’s reserves - but more importantly overseeing their youth setup.
In the first of two parts we’ll look at:
- Life playing boys’ football with Kevin Kyle
- Why he thinks a generation of players could be lost because of the pandemic.
- Both sides of Billy McLaren - and his fight with a naked player.
- Neil Watt's jotter of the players he'd sign to make Stranraer successful.
- Why being a postman helped his career.
- The day he walked out holding hands with his future Hurlford manager.
- His rapping to Vanilla Ice.
- Why Stephen Swift terrorised Peter Crouch
- The day they wrecked Stuart Millar's pre-match toilet routine.
- Allan's aspirations as a coach.
AND look out for part two in the coming weeks where Alln talks about the massive highs and huge lows of playing at Gretna on the up then leaving on the down.
Then how a move across the Irish Sea ended with him being inducted into Ballymena’s hall of fame.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and vudeo editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here, as for the first time in 2021, we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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LOWER LEAGUE football is back on hold again.
That’s despite requests from some sides to halt certain levels being turned down by the Lowland League last week.
One of the clubs who wanted a suspension was Maybole. Their manager, club legend Carlo Walker, joins us on the show this week.
We’ll hear how player concerns and fears over asking them to play with resentment prompted him and the club to make their appeals to the authorities – and what they thought about the initial reactions to it.
With the game now mothballed for at least three weeks we’ll talk to Carlo about just how he thinks Maybole and other clubs will survive this latest lockdown, plus the balancing act needed when bringing players in on loan during the pandemic.
But we’ll make sure it’s not all doom and gloom too. We’ll also take a look back at Carlo’s playing and management career.
Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant might have ducked out of his testimonial game at The Bole – but Carlo reveals just why he's been there for an incredible 18 years.
The record holder for playing the most games for Stranraer reserves without getting a contract explains why he'd take his 20-year-old self with him if he was stranded on a desert island - and why he was his toughest opponent.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and vudeo editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here, as for the first time in 2021, we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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SO the special day is almost upon us – and it’s time for a special final show of the year.
We’ll find out exactly what Paul is hoping to get in his Christmas stocking – and just who is doing the stuffing in the Davies household.
On a more serious note we’ll talk about the vital handouts which have been promised to clubs after the SFA’s deal with the National Lottery.
We’ll hear Kennie Young’s response to why clubs who withdrew from the West of Scotland League can feature in this season’s Scottish Cup.
Plus there’s the second part of an interview with Clydebank boss Gordon Moffat which was so good we thought we’d make another show out of it.
Gordon tells us about one of his biggest regrets in football, who always wanted to be his banter guy and the car crash injury he suffered on the pitch.
Tis the season to be jolly – or so they say. We’ll do our best as for the final time in 2020 we go Down The Divisions.
FortyFour Creative have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers and videographers to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
It’s all here as we go, Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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DAVID BAIKIE is a man steeped in lower league football in Scotland.
There’s not a lot he hasn’t seen as a player, manager and now a chairman.
His most successful stay was at Tayport, where across 13 years he amassed nearly 30 trophies including two Scottish Junior Cups.
We'll hear the part former top athlete Liz McColgan played in helping Baikie create a positive mental attitude at the club.
He retired from management in 2015 but couldn’t stay away from Canniepairt and for the past four years he’s been heading up things in the boardroom.
We’ll hear how he’s finding life out of the dugout – and look back at his career in it.
With more teams voting to join the East of Scotland league this year, Tayport are now the only Fife team left in junior football.
But not for long according to David. He'll tell us how and why he sees them heading to the East next term too.
Perhaps that's no surprise, though, after David helped draw up a pyramid structure for the juniors 30 years ago - only to be reprimanded for doing so.
Plus David explains why car boot sales were so crucial to the club during the covid crisis.
We have also have our first sponsor for the show.
FortyFour Creative have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers and videographers to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
It’s all here as we go, Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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BELLSHILL ATHLETIC are one of three teams riding high in the West of Scotland League’s Conference A.
But they needed their 42-year-old assistant boss to grab their last ditch winner to keep them there in their last outing.
Manager Derek Wilson reckons right-hand man Davie Menelaws no longer has the legs to play from the start.
We’ll find out just what Davie thinks of that as he joins us on the show this week.
The pair only took charge at Rockburn Park in April.
But after bringing in a host of new players they’ve masterminded an impressive start to the season.
We’ll speak to Davie about how they’ve sparked things.
A man of many clubs as a player, first in the seniors then the juniors, we’ll also look back at those days.
We hear about the game that Davie hoped could make him as a player - but ended up with a leg break that left him fearing for his career.
Davie tells us why he's convinced the days of the £100,000 player are coming back now the West of Scotland League has been set up.
There's the night he headed to watch WWE wrestling at the Hydro - only to learn he and Derek were being axed as the management team at Carluke Rovers.
Plus we look at the match-ups in the WOSFL this weekend, which include Premier League leaders Clydebank going to Darvel.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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ARE the Bankies on the way back to the big time?
Clydebank are flying high in the West of Scotland League with 12 points from 12 and a cup win.
It’s been 18 years since we last saw them in the top four leagues.
But with the new pyramid system now in place could we see them back amongst the big boys once again.
Gordon Moffat is the man who’s steered them to the Premier Division summit - and he joins us this week.
He’s only been in charge at Holm Park for 14 months.
But after bringing in a whole new team during lockdown he’s seen them gel and become the early pacesetters.
We’ll talk to him about being handed the dream job – and just how big Bankies can be when the supporters return.
Gordon tells us about the team meeting where he told players they'd have to take a paycut to play this season and just how pleased he was with the response.
Plus we hear about the day Darren Fletcher scored five against his side, what it was like being given the runaround by James McCarthy and why the number seven means so much for him.
Away from Clydebank we get the post-match thoughts of Tayport boss Chris McPherson and hear why his four-goal hero didn't get the man-of-the-match award after their 7-0 win over Brechin Victoria.
And with Paul away we’re doing it with special guest co-host, Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant manager Des Roach.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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THERE can’t have been many busier football administrators this summer than Kennie Young.
The West of Scotland League’s fixture secretary hasn’t just had a new setup to schedule.
He’s had to deal with a global pandemic, ever-changing conditions and teams pulling out.
That’s seen conferences ripped up and redrawn and matches altered and called off at the last minute.
But in between it all he’s made time to listen to Down The Divisions – and he’s ready for some straight talking about what’s been said on the show.
Kennie joins us on the show this week.
We’ll hear just how chaotic the last few months have been and exactly what’s gone on.
We’ll take a look to what the future holds for the new structure - and why some clubs could be back in changing rooms soon.
Plus we’ll reflect on Kennie’s long and distinguished career helping to make the juniors game work as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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PARTS of Scotland have gone back into lockdown this week.
We’ll wait to hear if or how these tighter restrictions could affect football.
Our latest guest is still unhappy about what happened after his side called off a game because of a covid outbreak.
News of the West of Scotland League dishing out a 3-0 defeat to Yoker Athletic after they cancelled their clash against Drumchapel United broke just as we went to air for our last episode.
Yoker co-manager Tommy Montgomery is with us this week to give their side of the story in the latest controversy to hit the new setup.
The stadium at their Holm Park has been upgraded.
And we’ll also hear about the work Tommy and fellow co-boss Peter McKenna have been doing on the pitch after they finished in the relegation spots in the old League One last year.
Plus we’ll take a look back at Tommy’s playing and coaching career - and hear about his boyhood dreams of becoming the next Gordon Banks.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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YOKER share the lead in a weather-affected West of Scotland League Conference C.
But they’ve hit out at being given a 3-0 defeat to Drumchapel on the weekend after calling the sides’ game off because of coronavirus issues.
They claimed the game should be postponed after a player tested positive with covid-19.
But Yoker were told they needed to show they had at least seven players either with the virus, awaiting a test or contacted by NHS Track & Trace.
They couldn’t – but chose to call the match off themselves anyway. That decision has now cost them three points.
We’ll talk about the latest controversy to hit the new setup.
Then we’ll listen to an unaired second part from a brilliant conversation we had with St Roch’s manager Paul Kelly a few weeks ago.
Paul tells us about his decision to go back to boss the Candy Rock again after winning the league in his first spell at the age of just 29.
He reveals the historical family links he has with a club which is about more than just football.
Paul lifts the lid on the self-doubt which engulfed him after leaving Petershill and remembers the days he played with Pat Nevin under Craig Brown at Clyde.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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WE’VE had matchday two of the West of Scotland League – and it’s Darvel and Clydebank flying high at the top of the Premier Division with maximum points.
In another season Shots Bon Accord might have been battling it out with them in the top flight too.
But instead they’re one of 15 clubs now looking on from the outside after choosing to sit out a season without fans.
The Bonny had hopes of winning promotion from the West Juniors Championship last season.
But the early finish to the campaign because of the pandemic saw them narrowly miss out.
Their boss John McKeown joins us on the show this week.
We’ll get his views on the situation they’ve found themselves in – and look at how he’ll handle things at Hannah Park between now and next season.
Plus we’ll look back at a lower league playing and managerial career which started out at Ipswich as a kid.
We'll hear how hard it was when a hip injury ended his playing days at the age of just 27 and the transition into the dugout at Wishaw.
There's his first training session as Cumnock boss, when just seven players turned up, and why he feared the sack after losing 6-0 to Auchinleck just a few days later.
Plus John reveals one of the few times he cried as a boss.
We’ll also discuss the impact of former Lanark chairman and Juniors chief Tam Anderson, who sadly passed away on Saturday.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Apologies for the poorer sound quality this week.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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THE first ever West of Scotland League season finally got up and running on the weekend.
But Dalry Thistle have become the 15th side to withdraw – after their opening game of the season was rained off.
That’s left Conference C a side down – but with us we have a manager from that section whose side certainly started on the up.
Lanark United are seen as one of the favourites to finish top of the pile.
But Jamie Nesbitt’s Thorniewod United produced one of the performances of the weekend with a 3-0 win at Moor Park.
Jamie joins us on the show this week.
We’ll discuss that impressive victory – and look forward to their next game against Glasgow Perthshire as well as some of the other main fixtures this weekend.
With no relegation and promotion this season, we’ll find out just where the priorities lie at Robertson Park.
We’ll look back at Jamie’s outstanding spell at Royal Albert, which saw the club win their first title in almost 90 years - and why getting five in a motor was a key part of that success.
Plus there's why he didn't make the most of his playing days - and why he won't make the same mistake as a boss.
There's all that and more as we go Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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THERE’S been more upheavel in the West of Scotland League this week.
On the day of recording, 13 teams had confirmed they CAN’T take part as long as fans aren’t allowed into games. Lesmahagow have since joined them.
That’s seen the conferences redrawn and confirmation there will be no relegation or promotion.
In the meantime fixture secretary Kennie Young has worked like a Trojan to ensure there are games to play this week.
St Roch's have gone from Conference C to Conference A – and their manager Paul Kelly joins us on the show this week.
We'll hear why he says the decision-making at the new setup leaves a lot to be desired and the reasons he thinks show the league aren't respecting the clubs who want to play and those lower down.
Paul tells us why an idea of the football family doesn't match reality, asks why players weren't consulted over the decisions for the future of the league and tells us why he thinks there's an appetite for Ayrshire football to return.
Plus we’ll preview the season which starts this Saturday as both Pauls take a look at where the winners could come from in all three conferences and the Premier League.
It’s all here on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
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IT'S been a bombshell week Down The Divisions as football tries to make a comeback.
While the BetFred Cup and Lowland League has kicked off, the start of the new West of Scotland League is still up in the air.
With no fans allowed in some clubs have pulled out and there might be no promotion or relegation for the ones who will try to play.
Last year’s juniors champions Auchinleck have said they won’t be there – so who better to have on this week than their legendary boss Tommy Sloan.
The man known as Tucker probably thought he’d seen it all across 40 years in the game. He’s won seven Scottish Junior Cups and seven league titles.
But the impact of the coronavirus crisis is a first. We’ll hear what he thinks of the current situation and just where it leaves the Talbot and lower league football in general.
Once we’ve got through that minefield we’ll take a look back at Tommy’s long and distinguished career, first as a player then as one of the best managers around.
It’s all here on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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CALLUM GRAHAM scored 198 goals in five seasons.
After making his name at amateur side Motherwell Kings he stepped up to the juniors with Ashfield last season.
The strikes kept coming as he hit 30 by November and had 42 to his name when football when into lockdown.
He’s decided to stay with Paul Maxwell’s side for another season and joins us on the show this week.
Callum started out as a defender until two of his coaches at the Kings finally caved in and pushed him up front for the first time.
We hear about that day, when he scored a hat-trick that put him on the path to 60 goals for the season.
Callum also looks back on the afternoon he scored all 11 in an 11-1 win - yet didn’t get the match ball.
He tells us about where he wants to go with football and how it’s felt being a marked man.
There’s meeting his hero James McFadden during a celebratory pitch invasion at Fir Park – and how it didn’t quite live up to expectation.
Plus we hear about the couple of months he had playing alongside Chris Cadden as a kid.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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SCOTT McLAUGHLIN spent lockdown doing 5ks, 10ks and even a marathon.
But last month he decided his football career had ran its course.
After more than 18 years as a player he felt it was time to hang up his boots to focus on being an agent.
We hear how that’s been going – and the way his running inspired others to get their trainers on too.
Scott tells us about best mate Robert Snodgrass – and how he kept him on the straight and narrow by having him as a lodger for three months.
We’ll hear about the pranks the pair used to get up to and why he’s never met anyone mentally stronger than Snoddy.
There’s Scott’s 2004 League Cup win with Livingston, which came shortly after the club’s administration.
And why playing in the old Second Division with Morton was tougher than the Premiership.
We’ll find out why he loved Somerset Park so much and the day he nearly became a Peterhead legend despite staying at the club for just a few months.
Plus there’s the story behind the trilby hat that goes on every holiday with him.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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ROSS WILSON is only 31 but he’s already in his third role as a manager.
In December he was handed the task of trying to restore Maryhill to their former glories.
After steering Kello Rovers to an unlikely promotion on a shoestring budget he was installed as Irvine Meadow boss at the age of 28.
But he was sacked just 13 games in amid claims of a fans’ backlash and interference behind the scenes.
We’ll hear how Ross is using those contrasting fortunes in Ayrshire to help shape his stewardship at Lochburn Park.
Ross has also said he was nothing special as a player. We’ll find out what got him into the dugout so soon and how hard it is to make your way at such a young age.
Plus we’ll hear his views on the changes announced in the West of Scotland League this week.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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THERE'S no Paul this week so Airdrie director of football Stuart Millar joins Gareth as guest co-presenter to speak to Kelty Hearts midfielder Matt Flynn.
Matt could have been preparing for a new season back in the SPFL but the promotion door from the Lowland League was slammed shut during lockdown.
Sitting on a fishing chair in his front room, he gives us his thoughts on that controversy and how Barry Ferguson has got his men ready to do it all over again.
As a kid Matt came through the ranks at Dundee United, where he started a friendship with Scott Allan that's as strong today as it's ever been.
Hear more about the Hibs midfielder - and why Matt moved to Tannadice despite an offer from boyhood heroes Rangers.
Matt talks about how being let go saw him fall out of love with the game and eventually led to him losing his way on and off the pitch.
Then after getting his game back on track at Annan Matt tells us how the tragic loss of both parents and a long-term injury left him feeling disillusioned again.
But after his Clyde teammates chipped in to help pay for an operation he's not looked back.
We’ll hear how he's rebuilt his life and look back on a career which has also taken in the likes of Brechin, Stenhousemuir, Caledonian Braves and East Stirling.
Plus Matt tells us about his job selling lubricants - but, no, not that kind.
It’s all here on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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WE’RE going trans-Atlantic on Down The Divisions.
For the past two years Jim Chapman has been assistant coach for the University of Kentucky’s women’s team.
But before that he had a long and distinguished career in Scotland’s lower leagues.
After turning out for Albion Rovers and Dumbarton his playing career was cut short by a cruciate injury at the age of 25.
But seeing a patient with no legs fall out of the hospital bed next to him helped put things in perspective – and ensured nothing was going to take away his love for the game.
Since then he’s thrown himself into coaching and coach education.
After turning Kilmarnock Ladies into an all conquering side he lifted Albion Rovers then led Dumbarton to a title before navigating the club through the tragic death of their captain.
We'll hear how he met the hero he pretended to be in the playground after guiding Annan to their biggest ever win – and Rangers’ biggest ever loss.
Jim also tells us about the day he bought back his Albion Rovers championship winning shirt after someone spotted it on ebay.
Plus Jim talks about how he's missing Twirls in Kentucky - and how he's reinvented himself as a coach since leaving Clyde.
All that and more on Episode 22 of Down The Divisions.
DAVID BUGLASS has travelled around Europe working in corporate business.
But in January he returned to his roots and joined the board of directors at Berwick Rangers.
Born in the town across the border in England, David has made it his mission to encourage locals to fall back in love with the club that plays in Scotland.
After falling out of the SPFL last year into the Lowland League it’s a tough ask – but David has big plans and a pedigree in self-starting and seizing on opportunities.
As well as talking about those targets, we’ll hear how Championship Manager helped him go from an average player – his words - to working with Derek McInnes on the backroom staff at St Johnstone. David also tells us about former Tottenham boss André Villas-Boas' fascination with the game during his Pro-Licence coaching course in Largs.
We’ll speak to him about how he manages to double up his directors’ role at Shielfield by heading up the football operations department at Glasgow City and the work he's done with their manager Scott Booth..
Plus we'll find out why he would back moves to appoint female coaches in the men's game.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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ADAM HOPES owns his own roofing company.
But he’s also one of the men hoping to show there’s no ceiling on what Drumchapel United can achieve.
The Drum have made the bold switch from top amateur team to the new West of Scotland League setup.
When football resumes they’ll be mixing it with the traditional former juniors’ sides in Conference C.
Adam is the Drum’s co-manager with John Black – and they’ve been busy adding plenty of players to cope with the step up.
One of those is former Hamilton skipper Darian MacKinnon, who was playing in the Premiership less than a year ago..
We’ll speak to Adam about how they’re setup for the season ahead, just how they managed to persuade MacKinnon to drop down the leagues and why he's not called Alan.
Adam gives us the lowdown on just how many teams and players there are at the club - including the 90-year-old who plays in their grandads walking football side.
Plus we’ll hear how a distant family relative, a cricket pundit nicknamed Austin Powers, nearly landed Adam a move to New Zealand early in his playing days.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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STEVIE FARRELL has signed the likes of Roy Keane, Terry Butcher, Paul Ince and Stuart Pearce.
Not as boss of Stranraer, but in his high-powered day job working for a trade union.
This summer life in charge of the Blues hasn’t been quite as much fun.
Stevie was one of the three managers who saw his side relegated without completing the season.
Stranraer were bottom of League One when we went into lockdown - and after legal wrangles and arbitration they’ll come out of it in League Two.
We’ll hear his views on that – and how a cup draw last season helped the club survive the pandemic.
A job in the dugout was something Stevie always craved, even as a teenage player at Stoke City.
Back then he played under the likes of England world cup winner Alan Ball. We hear how he was in charge of his kit - and flat cap.
Stevie tells us how his mum's tragic death forever puts football into perspective - and why he was on a bus to Forfar to play football just seven hours after her passing.
We find out who his football hero was - and the night he bottled the chance to meet him.
Plus there are the lessons passed onto him by Chris Kamara, watching Paul Lambert change as a player and his addiction to Eastenders.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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HEADING into lockdown Chris Strain had Kilwinning Rangers flying high at the top of the West Premiership.
Coming out of it they’d watched Auchinleck Talbot handed the title.
Before last year Chris guided the Buffs to two successive promotions - only to be sacked then reinstated.
Still only 40 he’s already had six years in the dugout after growing up around a father who made his name as a boss.
We’ll hear his views on missing out on that silverware last season and speak to him about how he’s gone about his business since becoming a boss.
We hear about his secret weapon at Kilwinning - the kitman known as Winston - and why he'll always have regrets at not winning the Scottish Cup with Irvine Meadow.
There's the lightbulb moment when he knew he had to calm down in the dugout and his toughest ever pre-season - on holiday with Stranraer boss Stevie Farrell.
We hear how Chris predicted a striker he signed would play in the Premiership one day - and is being proved right as Ross Stewart scores in the top flight for Ross County.
Plus Chris explains just what The Naked Cup was.
It’s all on Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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Chris Ewing is the brains behind Caledonian Braves, one of the most unique and innovative clubs in Scottish football right now.
He wants to give fans the right to run their club and has even created an app to make it easier for them to call the shots.
A new documentary Brave Calling was released on the STV Player last week and charts their rise.
Initially an academy for French players to come to Scotland to learn football and English, they became the first club to get promoted into the Lowland League.
Now boasting a new home in Strathclyde Park and the Braves new name chosen by their supporters, Chris gives us a fascinating insight into the initial idea and his plans for the future.
He explains why having no fans and no benefactor can be an advantage on a football scene too often hindered by tradition.
Plus we hear how Pollok-born Chris is now a full-blown French national living in Paris after originally heading to the country 16 years ago with just £40 in his back pocket.
The documentary Brave Calling can be found on the STV Player at https://player.stv.tv/summary/calbrave-bravecalling/.
The Caledonian Braves app is available to download here for iPhone users and here for Android users.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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AS a player Stephen Swift had a reputation for liking a laugh and a joke.
But now he’s deadly serious about becoming the best manager possible.
Stephen is boss of Lowland League side BSC Glasgow.
Last year he led them to an historic clash with Hibs in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
Their achievement in getting there – and the way they played on the day – was yet more proof of his growing credentials in the duguout.
Life as a gaffer started at Kilbirnie Ladeside eight years ago. We’ll take a look at that transition including his first team talk - and learn about his ambitious in the dugout too.
We’ll also reflect on those madcap days playing for the likes of Benburb and Stranraer, when he sang karaoke to hero Paul McStay and impersonated Stranraer assistant manager Stuart Millar.
There's the day Raith star Martin Prest had him on toast - literally - and the proud moment he was capped for Scotland. Plus much, much more.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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LINLITHGOW'S eye-catching main stand is named after Brown Ferguson's grandad's brother.
The lounge at Prestonfield has his grandfather's name above the door.
Plus there's a plaque not far from the pie stall which remembers his late uncle.
Brown used to charge about the ground as a toddler - but now he's the man charged with bringing them glory.
But The Rose's manager isn't just concerned with success in the East of Scotland League.
In a fascinating chat deep-thinker Brown talks about his research into just why Scottish football has failed for so long - and why the likes of Uruguay and Iceland punch above their weight.
He also tells us about the parallels between the young footballers he saw while working at Rangers' academy and elite athletes like swimmer Duncan Scott who he deals with in his day job as a performance lifestyle adviser with SportScotland.
We hear about just what he learned during his spell as Stenhousemuir manager, why he thinks the Lowland League will soon be the most competitive league in the country and the day he gave one of his players the chance to give the teamtalk.
All that and more on Episode 15 of Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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DES ROACHE was once the ninth best Under-20s athlete in the world over 1500 metres and used to train with Paula Radcliffe.
When a knee injury ended his dreams of making it on the track he turned to refereeing.
He took charge of the 2010 Scottish Junior Cup final and spent five years as a category one whistler.
But when football gets up and running again Des will be making calls of a different kind.
In May he was appointed assistant manager to Martin Ferry at West of Scotland League side Kilbirnie Ladeside.
He tells Gareth and Paul how he hopes to keep his emotions in check now he’s the man in the dugout rather than the man in the middle.
We hear how he was desperate to get to the end of his first ever game as a ref – and why officiating in the juniors was what he loved most.
Des talks us through his thought processes after sending a player off in that junior cup final and why he once told a player on the pitch all about the Chinese meal he was having a night after a game.
But he also explains why he felt he would never reach the top of the game as a whistler and why that led to him packing it in and reveals who the toughest player to referee was.
There’s the Champions League winner’s shirt his wife wears while cleaning the house and the day he came up against running great Haile Gebrselassie too.
All that and more on Episode 14 of Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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MURDO MacKINNON had his Pollok side sitting second in the West Premiership when football went into lockdown.
On episode 13 the business and computing teacher tells Gareth and Paul how he's trying to maximise the output at Newlandsfield along with his assistant, the legendary Budgie McGhie.
After Paul reveals he received his first ever Moonpig card for Father's Day, Murdo takes us back to the day in 2006 when he walked into Ashfield as No2 to Stevie Rankin - and how a pair of lucky pants played a part in hauling a club with few resources up the divisions.
Murdo tells us about the pair's spell at Irvine Meadow, when they came agonisingly close to winning the league then hit troubled times - and why he still believes they could have turned things around.
He explains why he'll forever be grateful to Blantyre Victoria for giving him a route back into the game and the opportunity to be a boss in his own right.
Plus we find out just why he hates his water bottles being half full, the day a player's tie caused fireworks - and if Murdo can help Paul level things in the Down The Division decider.
All that and more on Episode 13 of Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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WHEN Mark Docherty joined Annan in January he probably didn’t know how lucky he was.
Mark is one of the fortunate ones thanks to the 18-month deal he penned at Galabank.
But he tells Gareth and Paul how he was already counting his blessings after a trip to Gamblers' Anonymous eight years ago turned his life around.
In a frank interview Mark reveals how he was addicted to betting since his late teens and would tell his parents he was playing a reserve game for St Mirren when he was actually in the bookies.
Hear why he thinks it affected his playing career - and just how he got back on the straight and narrow. If you're in the same boat then you can do the same by going to https://gascotland.org/ for more information.
There are also some great stories including whose boots he'd clean when he was coming through the ranks at the Buddies - and why he was rated so badly with the polish.
In the week Andy Millen returned to first team football as assistant manager at Kilmarnock, Mark tells us why his mate has been away from football's frontline for so long and the night he was on the wrong end of his desire to win.
Mark lifts the lid on the Alloa Legends' group chat he's still a part of - and who else is in there. Plus he reflects on his spells at the likes of Stirling, Brechin, Stranraer, Dumbarton, East Fife and Forfar.
While lockdown has been quiet for some, Mark tells us what it was like becoming a dad for the second time in the midst of a global pandemic - and life as a key worker at St Philips residential school in Airdrie.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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STEPHEN AITKEN had the high of taking over at ambitious East Kilbride last week - only to suffer the crushing blow of losing his day job at Rolls Royce just a few days later.
With the aviation industry on its knees, Stevie’s focus is now on sparking Kilby’s take off.
The former Dumbarton manager has been handed a budget to get the club up up and away out of the Lowland League and into the SPFL.
Plus with plans for a new stadium at K-Park already given the green light, Kilby could be the place to be this season.
Hear from Stevie on:
Kilby's big plans. How even he doesn't escape a slaughtering from Ian Durrant. Self-doubt during 18 months out of the game Turning Dumbarton into the best part-time team in the country and reaching their first national cup final in 121 years.
We also talk to Stevie about his playing days at Morton and Stranraer including:
Why he'd be a better player if he had his time again. How he became a key player in helping Allan McGraw get his knee and shoulder unlocked Stuart Millar's exploding pen Why Jari Litmanen's Finland shirt if the best ever top he wore.
And much, much more.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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FOOTBALL wasn’t at the forefront of David Gormley’s mind when we all went into lockdown.
He was suffering coronavirus symptoms – and his wife was 30 weeks pregnant.
But after a spell of self-isolation and getting meals delivered to his door he’s back up and running again and joins us on the show this week.
After a successful playing career down the leagues and in the juniors David took up his first post in management last season at Rossvale.
They’ll take their place in the new West of Scotland League when the game gets going again.
We’ll hear how David used quarantine to build his Rossvale squad for real - and another on Football Manager.
As someone who never had plans to be a manager he'll tell us just how he ended up in the dugout and reveal the two bosses who have left their mark on him most of all.
We'll take a look back at his days with the boots on at the likes of Motherwell, Glenafton, Ayr United, Alloa, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Auchinleck Talbot, Clyde and Pollok. You can hear what winning the Scottish Junior Cup was like - and how it felt to play in the fearsome Auchinleck-Cumnock matches.
Plus at a time of so much uncertainty for players David lifts the lid on how his day job with C&G Systems is helping footballers play part-time while also building a career working on the railways. For anyone interested in finding out more on that go to https://cngsystems.co.uk/
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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IN February Cammy Bell linked up with manager Ray McKinnon for a third time after he joined Queen's Park.
The Spiders had voted to end their 152 years as an amateur club and McKinnon made a move for Bell as they prepared to go full-time this summer.
Cammy joins us for a revealing feature-length Episode 9 and lifts the lid on why he was persuaded to drop down to League Two.
He tells us why he thinks his manager at Rangers Ally McCoist would have been more appreciated if he'd been a boss in a different era. He recalls the day when the squad were asked to take a paycut and why they all chose not to - and remembers away days to lower division clubs when all the Rangers players couldn't fit in the changing rooms.
Cammy looks back at his time coming through the ranks at Kilmarnock, revisits the time Mixu Paatelainen revolutionised the club's and his style of play and reflects on how lifting the League Cup meant so little after a teammate's dad passed away in the Hampden stands.
Plus we hear about his plans for the future and the recruitment work he's already doing for Manchester City.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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AFTER a glittering spell managing in the amateurs Michael Kennedy is now the man turning Darvel into a growing force.
In his first season he had attracted some star-studded names and steered the club to the top of the West Juniors Championship before lockdown halted things.
They'll take their place in the new West of Scotland Premiership next season - and after already landing Jordan Kirkpatrick and Ryan Thomson Kennedy he tells us whey he feels they have to target winning it.
Michael lifts the lid on a changing room at Recreation Park which has become the talk of football and reflects on those trophy-laden days as a boss with Colville Park AFC.
We look at the bombshell news which has hit juniors football in the west this week as an investigation into the awarding of Auchinleck Talbot the title this season begins.
Michael also reveals the background to starting up the Black Rooster chicken outlets and outlines his plans for the future of the business.
Plus, in our feature Inside The Mind, he tells us about a practical joke he had no idea about which saw a teammate sat at Celtic Park convinced he was going to sign for Brighton.
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. .
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If lockdown hadn't happened then Glenafton would have been preparing for their final league match as a juniors club this weekend. If they'd won all their games in hand they could have been vying for the title too.
Their captain Craig Menzies joins Gareth and Paul and looks at the change to the new West of Scotland League setup. He reflects on a stunning 2017 campaign, when the Glens did lift the title, as well as the Scottish Junior Cup and Evening Times League Champions Cup.
Craig lifts the lid on the squad WhatsApp group chat and reveals just who is the loudest in it. The Rangers fan tells us about life living down the road from Gazza, just who was the most talented player he's played with and the opponent he always dreads facing.
While playing football has been off his agenda, Craig has still been busy in his day job as MacMillan Cancer Support's programme manager in Glasgow. He talks about his role has changed during the coronavirus, why you should still go to your doctor if you're concerned about something and how you can help as a volunteer. For more on MacMillan click here.
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The whole of the West region juniors have moved across to the West of Scotland League. A group of clubs had already done the same in the East. Meanwhile up in the North the vast majority of clubs at that are happy to stay as they are.
So where does this leave the juniors game in Scotland? For so long the school of hard knocks and a breeding ground for some of the best players to come from the country, is it a level that's now about to become extinct?
In a Down The Divisions special we're joined by a senior member from each of the regions.
From the East, Lochee United general secretary Larry Duncan tells us why he thinks things have been administered so badly across the board.
Former West committee member and Gartcairn chairman Alex McDowall talks from both sides about the recent moves - and gives his reaction after the goalposts were moved.
Acting president in the North, David Cadenhead of Dyce Juniors, tells us why clubs there are in no hurry to feed into the Highland League.
All views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and not necessarily the opinion of Down The Divisions.
If you have any comments on what is said we'd love to hear from you. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. .
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Stenhousemuir manager and Bruce Springsteen fan Davie Irons is this week's special guest.
He's already given his wage back to the club to help them survive the coronavirus lockdown. Davie tells Gareth and Paul why he did that plus why he believes Scottish football's selfishness could backfire on clubs.
In the week which marks the 13-year anniversary of the day he guided Gretna into the top flight, Davie reflects on that high and the lows of liquidation which followed. He also reveals how Brooks Mileson communicated with him up to the day he passed away, even after he lost the ability to speak.
Davie has joined the police force nearly 30 years after he first applied - and now gets called Used To Be by his colleagues as he works during the lockdown. Plus, in our new feature Inside The Mind he lifts the lid on the Rangers legend he idolised as a boy and the grandfather he never knew who played for Celtic.
Kilwinning Rangers defender Davie Syme is also with us - and we hear his biggest frustrations after his side saw the SJFA West title ripped away from them. Bosses instead handed it to rivals Auchinleck Talbot who were sitting third at the time the leagues were stopped.
Please do get in touch with your thoughts. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then it would be great to hear from you as well.
Contact us through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do subscribe and leave a review too.
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This week we speak to Vale of Leithen player-coach Gerard Rossi.
His side were bottom of the Lowland League when the season was brought to an end last week but they won't be going down.
He tells Gareth and Paul why they deserve that second chance and what life at The Vale is like.
Gerard talks about his early years at Hibs, when he'd have days trying to find where in Easter Road Scott Brown had hidden his clothes.
We hear about his trial with LA Galaxy and what it was like being the first Scot playing in Slovakia - as well a "unique" way of working out during his five years in the country.
Please do get in touch with your thoughts on what Gerard has to say. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then it would be great to hear from you as well.
Contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do subscribe and leave a review too.
More on Gerard's bucket challenge here.
Donations to his charity cause can be made here.
Find out about Gerard's coaching company CG Elite here.
This episode was recorded before the West SJFA declared Auchinleck Talbot as their league champions.
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Nolans-loving Airdrieonains director of football Stuart Millar has been at the heart of steering his club through the coronavirus crisis..
In Episode 3 hear him talk about:
• The current state of the game in Scotland as it faces up to the effects of the coronavirus
• Starting out as a manager in the juniors at Carluke Rovers and Cumbernauld United - and his first ever signing sweeteners.
• His role working alongside Neil Watt in Stranraer's two successive promotions and highest ever league finish
• Why he feels Airdrieonians manager Ian Murray can go to the very top
We also talk to Ruaridh Kilgour, the brains behind www.donateaticket.com, which is helping clubs raise vital cash during the lockdown.
Please do get in touch with your thoughts on what Stuart has to say. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then it would be great to hear from you as well.
Contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do leave a review too.
Down The Divisions artwork by Adam Aitken
Music BenSound
George Fraser isn't only general manager at Lowland League side BSC Glasgow. He's also chairman of the Lowland League itself and right now is the man behind the West Region Scottish Junior Football Association's ground-breaking move into a new West of Scotland League setup.
Tuesday's deadline saw all 68 teams in the existing structure sign up to the proposals, which will see them sit alongside the East of Scotland and South of Scotland Leagues in Scotland's sixth tier.
On Episode Two of Down The Divisions George outlines just how the new structure will work, the reasons behind it and why he believes it will be good for the game.
Then, with his BSC hat on, he tells Gareth and Paul about the chance moment he was invited to get involved at the club, the continued battle to find a home ground - and why he hardly slept a wink the night before their Scottish Cup fifth round game with Hibs.
As clubs in the SPFL Championship, League One and League Two prepare to vote on whether their seasons should end now, there's also a look at the latest on the coronavirus and its impact on Scottish football.
Please do get in touch with your thoughts on what George had to say and whether you think the new setup is a good idea.
If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then it would be great to hear from you as well. Contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do leave a review too.
Down The Divisions artwork by Adam Aitken
Music BenSound
To kick-off the new Down The Divisions podcast, Gareth and Paul discuss how the coronavirus shutdown is affecting clubs lower down the leagues.
Junior football is set for its biggest shakeup in its 134-year history this summer - and ahead of Tuesday's deadline for clubs from the west juniors section to apply for the new West of Scotland League, Paul takes us through what this really means for the game.
While we're all missing our football, singer songwriter Sam Speirs joins us to talk about how he's used his time in self-isolation to write a song about what it means to be a fan of Whitburn Juniors. Hear the song at the end of the show or at https://youtu.be/9vgVDMg3NAA
There’s a chance for you to get involved too. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do leave a review too.
Down The Divisions artwork by Adam Aitken
Music BenSound