Bot support network is a blast for new signing Boyle
AUCHINLECK didn’t exactly put on its best face to welcome new signing Danny Boyle in last weekend’s prestigious friendly match against a strong Kilmarnock side.
The rain never let up and a miserable Sunday afternoon was then compounded by Talbot going down to a 3-1 defeat in the game arranged to mark the remarkable 10 years playing service racked up by highly regarded trio James Latta, Bryan Young and Colin Spence.
But the result and overhead conditions were totally overshadowed by the Ayrshire club’s renowned supporting throng turning out in force to honour their three footballing greats.
And this phenomenal backing had big stopper Boyle, who only flew back to Edinburgh Airport in the early hours of that morning, thinking his efforts had all been worthwhile.
His playing bow was understandably limited to a closing 15 minutes cameo off the bench.
However, the reception from the terracing all but blew him away and left the 26-year-old champing at the bit to make his competitive debut. He said: “I flew back from holiday to a text message from Alan McLuckie asking if I was available for the Kilmarnock game.
“So despite feeling my condition could be a lot better, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to go down to Beechwood Park for the first time since agreeing to join the club and to meet up with my new team-mates.
“They are a modest bunch despite all their trophy successes of recent years and I was made to feel right at home. The playing surface too was immaculate and better than anything I’ve came across at Junior level.
“But the real eye-opener for me was the sheer turnout of fans on what was a truly horrible day for watching football.
“I’ve rarely if ever played in front of a bigger or more passionate crowd in the Juniors – and remember this was only a testimonial match. So it makes me wonder what things will be like when Talbot are playing with something at stake?
“Already I’m feeling this move down is right for me.”
Boyle is no stranger to the spotlight and first came to the fore playing in a highly successful Drumchapel Amateurs Under-21 side alongside a slew of with current established Juniors. His chance to make a suitable first impression on new gaffer Tommy Sloan – missing on Sunday – could come tonight when the West Region champions make the short hop for their latest preseason friendly contest against Annbank United.
That could see the former Rob Roy and Cumbernauld United ace line up alongside another Talbot defensive newcomer, ex-Airdrie centre-back Grant Drummond.
Danny said: “Grant and I made a decent fist of pairing up together in the latter part of the Kilmarnock game and I’m sure we could develop an understanding. But you would have to think Martin McGoldrick, who is nursing an injury, will be a shoe-in for a defensive jersey when fully fit.
“There are other key players still on holiday to come back into the reckoning so the games against Annbank and Bo’ness United on Saturday present an ideal opportunity to play myself in and get to know the other guys while cramming in some much-needed match practice.
“Injury kept me out of Rob Roy’s run-in fixtures at the tailend of last season so the prospect of making challenges and kicking a ball again is causing me sleepless nights.”
Meanwhile , this season’s Clydesdale Cup Final will see Lanark United host the visit of Forth Wanderers next Monday night after two goals from Kris Dick helped Central Second Division champions Forth chalk up a 3-0 victory over Lesmahagow in last night’s semi-final. who I have no hesitation in saying, having played at a lot of different levels in football, is one of the best keepers I have come across.
“But the bottom line is they are going to have to fight and prove their worth that they deserve to play.
“Obviously there was always going to be other clubs interested, after what he did, but we both had success together in the past and that was a big factor.
“From his side I would like to think it made sense to come to us and certainly as a free I thought it was a great bit of business for us. You always operate with more than three senior keepers. That is obvious.
“He is more than capable of stepping up, just like he showed at the Euros when he played against Germany in particular and they don’t come much harder than that.”