Macca shock as Lok chiefs show gaffer exit door
POLLOK have sensationally axed manager Tony McInally just two months short of him celebrating his fifth year in charge of the Southside giants.
Macca, who was successor to John Richardson, has endured something of an up-and-down Lok reign, relegated at the end of his first season at the helm before winning promotion as Super First Division champions the following year and for good measure adding the Champions Cup honours.
He came desperately close to landing the game’s biggest prize of all as his revamped side lost out on penalty kicks (after a 1-1 draw) to Beith in the 2016 Scottish Junior Cup Final and a subsequent Central League Cup triumph proved to be scant consolation.
The following season saw Macca and his charges end a 17-year wait for the West of Scotland Cup following a penalty shoot-out win over Cumnock. However, he was forced to settle for comparative mediocrity last season when Pollok’s only silverware success (and his fifth in five seasons) arrived with a 3-1 Central League Cup Final victory against Cumbernauld United.
It would probably be fair to say that Macca, who previously steered Shotts Bon Accord to Scottish Cup glory, has enjoyed a decent record of success with Pollok so his dismissal and its timing (just 10 days before a potentially season defining Macron Scottish Junior Cup showdown at home to Cumnock) is all the more puzzling for the club’s supporters.
Reasons for his exit are sketchy at best but it’s believed the Lok gaffer was unaware of developments until Thursday night when he met with club officials who afterwards issued a statement saying: “Pollok Football Club has parted company with manager Tony McInally. The club would like to thank Tony for his dedication, service and numerous achievements over his tenure, and to wish Tony and his family all the very best for the future.”
The club has moved quickly to confirm McInally’s No 2 Murdo Mackinnon as their new manager.
Nobody came across as more shocked at the news than Darren Henderson , a long-time acquaintance of Macca and manager of Premiership leaders Hurlford United who are through at Newlandsfield today seeking to chalk up their 11th win from 11 league outings.
Last night Hendo said: “This has come right out of the blue and I’m more than a bit puzzled because Tony appears to have his side back on track and we have prepared for a real test of our mettle tomorrow.
“And it’s not going to be any easier now because Murdie taking over will have the Pollok players giving an extra 10 per cent to get him off to a winning start.”
In other top-flight encounters, Rob Roy might recall Willie Sawyers to face one of his former clubs Renfrew while Kilbirnie Ladeside’s hopes of ending a dismal run of five games without a win have been dealt a double blow with big stopper Mick O’Byrne and talismanic midfielder Davie Anderson both ruled out from the crunch trip to Irvine Meadow.
‘‘ This has come out of the blue and I’m more than a bit puzzled