Loyal Yardley really is the dog’s Polloks
THEY say there’s no loyalty left in football but don’t tell that to the juniors’ latest superstar whose pawsome display made headlines worldwide this week.
No I don’t mean Dwayne Hyslop although the Talbot terrier’s late winner to dump Cove in the Scottish Cup certainly left Paul Hartley feeling ruff. Nor is it Andy Leash-man whose heroics in the Auchinleck goal helped muzzle the SPFL side.
But the story of the week is big Yardley the Golden Retriever, the four-legged fan who was pictured sitting in the stand with the Pollok faithful totally engrossed in the action.
The game in question was a few weeks back but the picture went viral on Twitter within a few hours on Monday after being shared by ex-Australia international Ned Zelic.
In fact it was against Rossvale in the seated area at New Tinto Park – I can vouch for this as I was in the dugout opposite as Yardley’s heroes took our defence walkies to run out 3-0 winners.
Yardley had the puparrazzi slabbering like a hungry hound in a Pedigree Chum factory after his moment in the limelight.
Marca in Madrid published a piece on him, Bild in Germany did a story and film crews in Norway and Spain have contacted the club wanting to tell the story of Pollok’s pooch.
Yet none of this is new to those who know him best. Yardley has followed Lok home and away with his owner David for six years, has featured on the front cover of the matchday mag and on the club’s promotional video ‘Choose Pollok’.
Board member and past president Fergus McDermid said: “Yardley is one of our most loyal followers. He sits so intently and I genuinely think he follows the game and analyses every move.
“It’s one of the many endearing features of the juniors that you can bring your dog to the game and there’s a few well kent pets at different grounds.
“My favourite memory from a game goes way back to the 70s when Pollok were playing at East Kilbride and a wee dog – I think it was a terrier – slipped its lead, ran on to the park and went for the East Kilbride captain Joe Reilly.
“No word of a lie, Joe lashed out at the dog and got sent off by the ref! It was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in football.
“There’s no chance of Yardley doing that though, he’s like the chairman of the board and far too obedient… so long as he gets his pie!”
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