We hit jackpot with captain crackpot Kirk
HE’S the Rossvale Graeme Murty, taking on the role of caretaker manager twice when the club were most in need.
Whether Kirk Forbes could emulate the Rangers interim gaffer’s touchline gymnastics is up for debate. But I’d have a stab that he could.
That’s because in the past fortnight Kirky has bent over backwards to make sure the rockiest spell in Rossvale’s short history has been smoothed over with minimum fuss.
“Crackpot”, as he’s affectionately known, has belied that moniker by stepping up and taking responsibility following the departure of the previous management team.
Taking over a squad of team-mates after the body blow of Gordon Moffat’s exit and facing games at home to Hurlford and away to Largs was no straightforward task.
But, like Murty at Ibrox, the veteran midfield man has been here before, taking the reins after Brian McGinty left for Irvine Meadow two years ago. And while a 1-0 defeat followed by a 0-0 might hardly have set the heather on fire, the response Kirky drew from our lads at short notice for two of the toughest games on the schedule was outstanding.
Had we buried even one of the glaring chances created in both matches – something that had him scratching at his head in search of some hair to pull out – then it would have been a fairer reflection of both performances.
Which brings us to today’s meeting with Rob Roy. A monumental match on any other day but one that has taken on even more significance. For the final time Kirky will don the red and yellow before taking his bow after delivering the news he too is leaving.
The announcement of David Gormley and Sean Higgins as the new management team is a bold move by the committee. It’s also one that has opened the door for self-styled No.8 Forbes to exit and join Moff at Clydebank.
The emotional old sod will be in full flow in the dressing room afterwards – win, lose or draw. He really is that passionate.
So why “Crackpot”? Well, one pic from the end-of-season trip to Benidorm sums him up. It involved a sun lounger, mankini and stiletto heels... at stupid o’clock in the morning.
Before he goes, though, Captain Crackpot has one last debt to pay as this appearance in a national paper earns him a tenner fine towards the players’ fund. His rules, no arguments.
It’ll be one last gift to the Vale and hopefully it will be accompanied by three massive points. PIC: HELEN TEMPLETON
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