Annan Athletic v Jeanfield Swifts,

Club president says Swifts are up for the cup

He cuts the pitch, serves the half- time snacks and also happens to hold the title of club president.

For John Boag, the hours of hard work and sacrifice are all worth it to watch Jeanfield Swifts continue their journey to the top.

It’s simply what you need to do. Everyone chips in, volunteers are the lifeblood of the club and that makes occasions like this weekend all the sweeter.

There will be an immense feeling of pride when the Perth side proudly stride out for tomorrow afternoon’s Scottish Cup second round tie at Annan Athletic. It is the first time in their history competing at this stage of the tournament.

“I’m the president of the club but you wear as many hats as you possibly can,” Boag told the Perthshire Advertiser with a smile.

“I’m not adverse to being in the kitchen serving, making soup or cooking. Everyone is the same on the committee.

“Whatever needs to be done, we’ll get it done. You need to be like that at a club of our size. You couldn’t live without volunteers.

“But an away game is a lot less stressful. We can just go down there on Saturday, watch the team, support them and hopefully see them do well.

“For definite, it is the biggest game in the club’s history.

“To reach the third round of the Scottish Cup would just be phenomenal. Year on year we seem to be doing a bit more, a bit more.

“Everyone, to a man, is up for this game on Saturday. They are all desperate to play.

“There are boys just coming back from injury who are saying they are 100 per cent good to go.

“From the committee’s point of view, this year has been fantastic. I hope beyond hope we can get a result on Saturday.”

Jeanfield’s rise comes from humble beginnings where the emphasis has very much been placed on searching for the best talent in the Perthshire area. That adds to the level of pride for Boag.

“We started way back in the Junior leagues,” he said. “Things were in a bit of disarray when Ross (Gunnion) came in.

“But it picked up from there and we built a new ethos of keeping everyone local, signing only Perth boys or from the immediate area.

“That is still ongoing just now. There is nobody in the team from Dundee or outlying areas.

“So to be able to do this with local boys is great for the club and a fantastic advertisement for football in Perth.

“All of the players’ families are from Perth too so it’s all local people getting