Still up to the
Old Papa Weir task at Rovers
WHEN Mark Weir first signed for Carluke some of the lads he now calls team-mates were still in nappies.
But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to start pampering the young Rovers just yet.
Not when they can do the running to allow his experience to shine through in the middle of the park.
Twenty seasons, 500-odd games, more than 100 goals and, eh, 16 red cards later, the midfielder is still running the show for the South Lanarkshire side – when he’s not suspended that is.
The man dubbed Old Papa by his colleagues at the John Cumming Stadium is at the forefront of Carluke’s bid for promotion to the West Championship. And if they hit that target then the veteran has vowed to play on for a 21st season.
The 39-year-old readily admits he didn’t expect to see a decade, never mind two of them, with his hometown club when he joined from Stranraer in 2000.
To put it in context, the month Weir signed for Rovers Tiger Woods was about to win his first Open, Venus Williams her first Wimbledon and Eminem was top of the charts with The Real Slim Shady.
Ironic as Weir might be a tad shady on the park. But slim? Well he does put his extended run in the team down to his missus forcing him to diet.
Weiry is certainly not weary though. Last season he swept the boards at the player of the year awards after helping Rovers to promotion into West League One.
Today against Lesmahagow he’ll watch from the sidelines as he serves his latest suspension for a red card against Lanark.
“I got a bit of the ball,” Weir claimed. “But, eh, actually, aye, I suppose I took quite a lot of their guy too.”
He’s as committed in his playing style as he is in his dedication to the club. There can be no player across the juniors that can match his level of unbroken service.
But why and how is he still going? It’s all down to that aforementioned diet.
He added: “I’m wise, I can’t run the length of myself but I let the young boys do that. Last year the wife put me on a Slimming World diet, I think it was after a holiday where I couldn’t fit into three of my shirts.
“It worked wonders. I got a new lease of life on the park and won player of the year.
“I still get a buzz and enjoyment from the game. To the young lads I’m Old Papa but when I first signed here I was that youngster who looked to the experienced ones for help.
“It’s mad to think this is my 20th season. But the boots will be getting hung up next summer – unless we win promotion.”
(3.0 unless stated) Highland League – Fraserburgh v Keith, Huntly v Forres Mech, Lossiemouth v Deveronvale, Nairn v Wick.
(2.0 unless stated) West Premiership – Clydebank v Irvine Meadow, Cumnock v Glencairn, Glenafton v Rob Roy, Hurlford v Pollok, Kilwinning v Largs, Rossvale v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Troon v Beith.
Championship – Arthurlie v Neilston, Blantyre Vics v St Roch’s, Cumbernauld Utd v Craigmark Burntonians, Gartcairn v Dalry, Irvine Vics v Cambuslang, Kilsyth v Whitletts Vics, Petershill v Darvel, Shotts v Renfrew.
League One – Bellshill v Greenock, Carluke v Lesmahagow, Glasgow Perthshire v Larkhall, Kello v East Kilbride Th, Maryhill v Royal Albert, Port Glasgow v Lanark Utd, Shettleston v Girvan, Wishaw v Ardrossan.
League Two – Annbank v St Anthony’s, Forth v Yoker, Johnstone Burgh v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Thorniewood, Saltcoats v Ardeer, Vale of Clyde v Maybole, Vale of Leven v Newmains.
North Superleague – Bridge of Don v Ellon, Colony Park v Montrose Roselea, Maud v Nairn St Ninian.
First Div – Stonehaven v Aberdeen Uni, Sunnybank v Longside. Second Div – Cruden Bay v Newmachar, Islavale v Spey Valley, New Elgin v Whitehills.
Inter-regional Cup 2nd rd – Banchory v Hall Russell, Buckie Rovs v Buchanhaven, Culter v Stoneywood, Dyce v Dufftown, East End v Burghead, Forres Th v Deveronside, Hermes v Fraserburgh Utd.
(2.30 unless stated) East Premier North – Brechin Vics v East Craigie, Coupar Angus v Dundee Violet, Forfar Alb v Arbroath Vics, Lochee Harp v Blairgowrie.
East Premier North Superleague – Broughty v Forfar WE, North End v Kirrie, Scone v Carnoustie, Tayport v Downfield.
East Premier South – Lochgelly v Bo’ness Utd Jnr, Rosyth v Linlithgow Rose Community, Sauchie Jnrs Community v Stoneyburn, Syngenta v Newburgh, West Calder v Kirkcaldy & Dysart.
East Premier South Superleague – Bathgate v Armadale, Fauldhouse v Whitburn, Harthill Royal v Pumpherston, Lochore Welfare v Livingston Utd, Thornton Hibs v Kennoway.
(3.0 unless stated) South of Scotland League – Wigtown & Bladnoch v Abbey Vale (2.0), Bonnyton v Mid Annandale, Caledonian Braves v Threave, Dumfries YMCA v Heston Rovs, Lochar v Nithsdale, Lochmaben v Upper Annandale, Newton Stewart v Stranraer FC, St Cuthbert v Creetown.
(2.30 unless stated) East of Scotland Premier Div – Bo’ness v Sauchie, Camelon v Tranent, Crossgates v Whitehill Welfare, Hill of Beath v Newtongrange, Jeanfield Swifts v Blackburn Utd.
East of Scotland First Div Conf A – Burntisland v Haddington, Kinnoull v Leith Ath, Peebles Rovs v Lothian Thistle HV, St Andrews v Dunipace, Heriot-Watt Uni v Craigroyston (3.0). Conf B – Coldstream v Arniston, Glenrothes v Dalkeith, Hawick RAU v Tynecastle, Stirling Uni v Easthouses, Tweedmouth v Inverkeithing.
Alex Jack Cup semi-final – Musselburgh v Edinburgh Utd, Oakley v Dunbar.
MATCH REPORTS IN THE SUNDAY MAIL TOMORROW