Hitman left stuck between Zok and a hard place...
THERE’S no sign of an escape route emerging for seasoned Junior hitman Chris Zok as he finds himself looking for a new club following his departure from Cumbernauld United by “mutual consent”.
Zok only returned to his local club from Renfrew during the close season to be closer to his home, with family commitments behind the 31-year-old turning down the opportunity to extend his stay at New Western Park.
Speaking last night, he admitted to hoping that another Junior club will still come in for his striking services but as yet Zok has not received an offer that grabs him.
He said: “There has been no fall out with Andy Frame or anyone else at Cumbernauld United. However, I did ask to be released because I just cannot see things working out for me at Guys Meadow.
“The place is on my doorstep and ticks all the boxes in terms of location but Andy has favoured playing a system with one man up front in our Sectional Cup outings up to now and I don’t believe my game is suited to the role.
“I got my name on the scoresheet in last weekend’s 4-2 defeat by Dunipace but still felt unhappy and compelled to vent my feelings in a meeting with the gaffer afterwards rather than leave things unsaid and then be guilty of rocking the boat over the winter months.
“The upshot is I now find myself a free agent and feeling not quite ready to hang up my boots even though I can categorically state nobody has been in touch with me.
“I hope some club thinks I’ve still got something to offer but if my status remains unchanged in the longer term then I will have a serious decision to make.”
The prospect of a return to former club Renfrew might be fast receding, particularly as Zok has expressed reservations over the time spent away from his family in travelling through to the Super First Division outfit.
He added: “Last season was arguably my best ever at Junior level and I really enjoyed playing under [co-managers Colin] Clarky and Martin Ferry but I decided to quit the club because spending quality time with my children was being severely rationed most weeks.”
In other developments, Arthurlie captain Ryan McGregor negotiating his release from the Barrhead club has sparked interest in his availability, while recently ousted Cambuslang Rangers coach George Fotheringham has been co-opted onto Willie Harvey’s backroom team at arch-rivals Rutherglen Glencairn.