SIGHTS SET ON NEXT SEASON
Wishaw players look ahead after awards evening
Wishaw Juniors secretary Robert Watson hopes his club can build on last season’s successes ahead of the new campaign.
Robert was speaking after several of the club’s stars were honoured at Wishaw’s Player of the Year event.
Goalscoring goalkeeper Sandy Thomson received the Player of the Year while there were also awards for top goalscorer Vinnie McGuire, Andrew Duffy and Craig Crawford.
Thomson is moving on to pastures new for Cambuslang Rangers but Watson insists Wishaw can still compete with other clubs despite having a smaller budget.
He said: “People don’t realise how small a budget we have compared to other teams.
“In the league we can compete but when we come up against sides in the cup particularly the big teams from Ayrshire who have a budget three or four times the size of ours.
“I’ve been with the club for the last 15 or 16 years but I love it. We are definitely punching above our weight.
“Our gates are up this season thanks to the run in the Junior Cup.
“For the game against Hurlford we had over 500 people turning out at the Beltane which was incredible.
“We’ve got a good crop of local boys but I don’t think that plays a big part. People go to support a team and not just one player.
“We’ve loved having guys like Sandy around the place.
“He is a big character and has been brilliant for us.
There will be changes at the Beltane ahead of the new season as new manager Kieran McGuinness shapes his squad for the upcoming campaign.
More signings are expected to be announced over the next few weeks as Wishaw prepare for life in the newly created West Region League One.
The new league system will see a number of Ayrshire sides joining Central League clubs and Wishaw will be hoping for a good start as they bid for promotion.
Robert added: “Several players are now moving on to other clubs at both Junior and Senior grades to further their own careers and whilst we are clearly very sorry to lose them we wish them every success in this and thank them sincerely for the part they have played in our own football journey and in what has been a truly memorable and historic season for the club.
“We hope our supporters and the people of Wishaw have enjoyed our journey this season and will continue to support us in the season ahead.”
For more on Wishaw see Page 64.