Take it to the MaxasPaul returns to his Field of dreams
No.1 FOR JUNIORS
THE ‘back to the future’ signing of feted striker Paul Maxwell could turn out to be a masterstroke by Ashfield team boss Robert Docherty.
Few players in the Junior game nowadays command such instant respect as Maxi.
And fewer still can claim to possess the same insider knowledge about what is needed to help spearhead a club’s journey from the lower reaches of the Central Second Division to the West Region’s top tier.
That’s because the Milton born 33-year-old has been down this road before with the famous old Glasgow club he first joined in 2003 after impressing as a trialist – playing against Ashfield.
Things really kicked off a season further down the line with the arrival of Stevie Rankin at the helm and Maxi was to find himself an integral figure as part of an Ashfield side embarking upon a fairytale rise up through the various divisions that saw the Possil outfit re-established as a major Junior force.
But the happy ending proved to be all too brief after Irvine Meadow enticed away Rankin and No.2 Murdie McKinnon.
Those departures then sparked a mass exodus of Ashfield players bound for the same Ayrshire climes – including Maxi. He said: “It’s no secret that I was reluctant to leave, but I did walk away out of a sense of loyalty to Stevie Rankin whose management had helped develop me as a player.
“The team hit the ground running and made it all the way to the Scottish Junior Cup semifinals only to lose out to eventual winners Hurlford United.
“But the following season was the total opposite as I tore my cruciate ligament early on and had still not made a full recovery a year later when things started to turn sour behind the scenes culminating in the sackings of Stevie and Murdie.
“After that, the break-up of our team was inevitable and a lot of guys signed for other clubs.
“I turned down several approaches and decided to take some time away from the Juniors by turning out for Possil YM under my pal Kevin McDonald.
“The plan was for me to play and help out on the training ground, but unfortunately Kev’s commitments led to him taking a back seat and I ended up managing the team.”
Possil YM’s penchant for testing themselves through playing friendly matches against Junior opposition included an encounter with Ashfield where Maxi’s introduction to counterpart Docherty was the spark which led to regular phone conversations between the pair.
He added: “Robert asked if I would be prepared to take up a player-coach role at Ashfield and I didn’t hesitate in accepting his offer as the prospect of returning to Saracen Park is one that truly excites me.
“I’m not going to pretend to be the player I was at my peak, but hopefully my experience gleaned over 14 seasons can be put to to good effect in the dressing room and out on the pitch.”
Maxi’s vast array of contacts has brought him to approach over 60 potential signings over the past few months and he is delighted that a quartet of older heads have answered his call to arms – former Ashfield team-mate Gordon Passmore, John Gaynor and Rutherglen pair Paul Doyle and Paddy Cullen.
Now he has his sights trained on the upcoming New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup home tie against the Glens.
He added: “Cup runs are always welcome however our number one aim is to move up the leagues and we’ll never have a better chance than the coming season when the step up places are a part of league reconstruction plans. Ashfield finished fourth bottom last time out but it’s not beyond us to bridge the gap and be a whole heap of points better off come next May.”
The West Cup draw was kind to holders Pollok, pitted away to Royal Albert while beaten Petershill v Whitletts Vics, Blantyre Vics v Beith, Shettleston v Rossvale, Cambuslang Rangers v Muirkirk, Largs Thistle v Bellshill Athletic, Lugar Boswell v Clydebank, Neilston v Port Glasgow, Forth Wanderers v Thorniewood Utd, St Anthony’s v Annbank Utd, Renfrew v Larkhall Thistle, Dalry Thistle v Darvel, Glenafton v Girvan, Benburb v Lanark Utd, Maryhill v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Shotts Bon Accord v East Kilbride Thistle, Kello Rovers finalists Cumnock will receive a stronger test of their mettle when hosting the visit of the improving Glasgow Perthshire.
However, tie-of-the-round status undoubtedly belongs to the clash of fierce Ayrshire rivals Kilwinning Rangers and Irvine Meadow at Hannah Park. unbelievable years. I’m very proud of that but this is a new chapter in my life and my career.
“I wish Chelsea well and will be watching out but my thoughts are 100 per cent here and the ambition is to get us back to the Premier League.”
Villa are targeting promotion back to the top flight after their relegation in 2016, meaning they could be in the same division as Chelsea for the 2017-18 season.
Asked about the prospect of that scenario, a smiling Terry added: “That’s the ideal situation.
“If, in a year’s time, we’re sitting here and Aston Villa are playing in the Premier League then I’ve done my job and everyone else has done theirs.
“We can cross that bridge hopefully when we come to it. But we’ve got a big and important year ahead of us.”