It didn’t work out at Beith, admits Blakey
Arthurlie stalwart Mark Blakey insists he is looking forward to enjoying his football again after returning to his hometown club.
The full-back returned to Dunterlie Park little over a month ago having departed at the end of last season. But after his brief spell with Beith Juniors, Blakey is keen to knuckle down and get back to work with the boys in blue and white.
He links back up with new ’Lie boss Billy Ogilive, who he had previously worked with at East Kilbride during another short stint away from the club – and he admits he was delighted to receive the phone call asking him to come back following his ill-fated spell at Bellsdale.
With work commitments dictating that he wouldn’t be available every week, Blakey, 29, struggled to force his way into Johnny Millar’s side.
Injuries didn’t help matters, leaving Blakey contemplating giving up the game and just playing with his mates.
But after being put through his paces by friend and Dunfermline defender Lee Ashcroft, Blakey is just looking forward to getting back into action.
Blakey told Express Sport: “It’s been a very hard season, there is no point in kidding on. Things just never worked out.
“I had to leave Beith. It wasn’t going to turn. My work meant I couldn’t play every week. I couldn’t get in the team when I was back and then I got injured. I was very unlucky, to be honest, but there was very little I could do about it.
“I asked to leave, but it wasn’t straight forward, so I was having to keep myself fit – I know I’m still not fit right now. But I asked my mate Lee Ashcroft to help me out and we have been down the park and he’s been putting me through my paces.
“But it was that bad, it got to the point where I just considered chucking it and playing fives with my friends. I was just fed up with the whole thing and wanted to enjoy playing football again.
“Billy gave me a call and asked me about my situation. As soon as I knew there was a chance to go back to Arthurlie, I wanted to be there.
“It took a while to get everything sorted out, but at least it is all done now. I just need to get my head down, get on with it and stay focused.”
Blakey was thrown into the deep end against fierce rivals Pollok on what was another debut for the defender, who originally made his bow in 2011 before going on to become club captain.
And although they were on the receiving end of a ’Lok drubbing, he reckons there is enough quality in the side to stave off relegation having previously worked with boss Ogilvie at East Kilbride.
He admits that his return to the fold was a baptism of fire, but is excited for the remainder of the season.
Blakey added: “Billy spoke to me before the game and asked me to play right back. I am usually a left back or centre back, so that was tricky. But I just wanted to play, so I told him it was no problem.
“Billy has a lot of good ideas and I know that he has been keen to bring in a number of new players.
“He hasn’t made any secret of that. He inherited most of the squad that he has here just now.
“Since I’ve come in, there has already been a lot of turnover, but we have no doubts that we will be able to stay in the league. We just need to stay focused and keep plugging away.”
It’s been a very hard season. As soon as I knew there was a chance to get back to Arthurlie, I wanted to be there Mark Blakey