Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Homeless’ Harp will still compete
LOCHEE Harp boss Mike Gormley admits it’ll be a “strange feeling” as the club kick off the new season away from Beechwood Park.
The North League outfit will play their “home” games at Downfield Park as they wait for t heir new stadium to be constructed.
And while Harp are more than grateful to the Spiders for allowing them to become temporary lodgers, Mike acknowledges it could be a tricky time for his men.
He said: “It’s going to be strange — there is no doubt about that.
“The club is in a transitional period at the moment but we’ll still be looking to compete.
“It’s not an ideal situation but we can’t complain and we are grateful to Downfield for allowing us to use their pitch.”
Mike is hoping the arrangement will only be for the next six months or so.
“I was hoping our new ground would be ready by Christmas but it may be next February before it is completed.
“But, whatever happens, we’ll be looking to compete this season and put the building bricks in place for the following campaign.”
The Harp gaffer has pulled off a bit of a coup by signing Jonathan Smart from Broughty Athletic. The former East Fife man will also take on a coaching role and brings a wealth of experience to what is predominately a young side.
“He’ll be a massive signing for us both on and off the pitch,” said Mike.
Central midfielder Lewis Fyfe and the versatile Brad Miller have also penned deals, while the manager has one or two others in the pipeline.
“The guys we are chasing are very good players and would make a big difference to our team next season,” added Mike.
“But it is early days and, like a lot of guys, they are weighing up their options.”
Meanwhile, as the club prepare for the new campaign, they have been using Charlotte Street — home of the Dundee North West Community Hub — as their pre-season base.
They’ve also fixed up a healthy list of friendlies ahead of next month’s league opener against Coupar Angus.
They meet Saturday Morning League outfit Riverside on Tuesday night and are involved in the Downfield JFC tournament next weekend before facing Lochee United on Monday, July 31 at Thomson Park.
Harp are hoping to fix up a friendly on Saturday, July 29, against a Tayside or Fife junior club. Interested parties can contact Mike on 07958 165190.
ST ANDREWS United won their Football Festival. After an 11-1 win over Newport Amateurs on Saturday, they hit seven past St Monans Amateurs without reply in yesterday afternoon’s final.
Ryan McInnes and Dayle Honeyman, who scored four the previous day against Newport, both bagged braces with Derek Wallace and Graeme Nutt the other two to find the net.