Arthurlie stopper Hay earns club accolade
Great end to debut season as keeper named Player of theYear
Arthurlie goalkeeper Grant Hay capped off an impressive debut season by claiming the club’s Player of the Year award at the weekend.
Signed from Maryhill Juniors last summer, the former East Stirlingshire stopper easily filled the void left by Michael White’s departure for Petershill.
A string of fine performances between the Dunterlie sticks played a crucial part in the Barrhead side eventually finishing the season in seventh place. Hay managed to nail down the starting jersey despite the departure of manager Stevie Kerrigan, who signed him, in mid-season.
Meanwhile, long-serving vice captain Ryan McGregor’s efforts were recognised by his teammates as he lifted the players’ player of the year award, voted for by his peers.
The midfielder continues to be a regular in the side having signed from Petershill back in 2010, following a stint with southside rivals Pollok.
Hay doubled up his triumph as he also took home the support’s club and management player of the year, with the fans and the management team of boss Mackie and his assistant manager Jimmy Lindsay also awarding the goalkeeper with the end of year gong.
The top goalscorer award was shared by strikers Gary Smith and Gary Carroll. However, the two Garys look set to be on their way out of the Barrhead side having been stuck on the transfer list by the management team.
Smith has consistently been among the scoring charts since signing from Shettleston but his fitness woes have plagued his season. Despite that, he has still managed to top the charts once again.
Carroll’s season is another that has suffered from injury problems, with the ex-Alloa Athletic man failing to piece together a consistent run of form.
And manager, Mackie has clearly decided enough is enough as he starts laying doown plans to ship the two players out of the club.
Finally, the club’s President’s Award was given to defender Scott Gair.
The centre back, signed from Kilbirnie Ladeside a season ago, looks set to retire from junior football having suffered a devastating knee injury in training halfway through the season.
Gair had been a regular in the side up until that point.