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Wishaw manager want town’s Cup backing
Wishaw Juniors boss Kieran McGuinness has urged the town to turn out for their Junior Cup clash – after The Beltane blaze left the club on the brink.
Following the fire, which police say was started deliberately, the West League One side have been locked in talks with fire chiefs, police, and kind-hearted builders save the club house.
They were then forced to request special permission to postpone the Junior Cup clash with Culter by the juniors governing body the SJFA, which was granted.
With the game planned to take place this weekend, the gaffer hopes to see a good home support for the cashstrapped outfit.
The boss fears that his transfer budget will be slashed with “every spare penny” going into the rebuild of the hospitality and changing area.
However, they have reassured the players that they will be paid – but says the full impact may be felt at the end of the season.
He says it is now more important than ever that fans flock to the stadium this weekend.
“We are also really grateful for the SJFA for allowing us to postpone the Junior Cup game with Culter,” he said. “With everything the committee and the club have on their plate just now it just came a few days early for us.
“It’s the things like getting the park ready, getting the kits ready, the things you don’t think about that we wouldn’t have been able to get sorted in time.
“Our apologies to Culter as well, but we are really grateful that we were given the extra time.
“As far as training goes we have been able to keep that as normal at the Wishaw Sports Centre.
“As for the game we are really looking for the Wishaw public to come and support us. We really hope the community come to rally around us on the day, because every little helps us.
“Hopefully people from other junior clubs in our area think about coming to our game as well, because we will be the only Junior Cup game on in the area.”
He continued: “I’ve spoke to the players about everything and I told them the club is going through some hard times now.
“All we can do is focus on the playing side and try to get the results on the pitch.
“We need to rally round the squad and try to lift the mood about the club, and keep it as professional as possible.
“Myself and the committee have re-assured them that it won’t impact on their contracts, but it will restrain me from going to get new players in.
“It will put a strain on the playing side with the transfer budget, but we might notice it more next season.
“I’m under no illusions that it’s going to hit the club hard financially and that could impact on our playing side going forward.
“More money will need to be diverted to keeping the club alive, so it is a worrying time. I believe club should be okay, and if we win some games and bring in more fans that’s a huge bonus.”