Tony is 175 not out
Glens stalwart reaches landmark
Glencairn utility man Tony Fraser may have just made his 175th appearance for the club but he admits he’s feeling as fit as ever.
The 36-year-old from Newton Farm, Cambuslang, is just 25 matches away from reaching his intended target and vowed to play on as long as his body will let him.
Tony was introduced into the junior game as a teenager when he was signed for Vale of Clyde by his current boss Willie Harvey.
He moved to Glencairn in 2006 and, during the most successful period of his career, he scored in the Central Sectional League Cup final win over Port Glasgow.
And in the following two seasons, the Glens legend won two league championships with the club as well as scoring 20 goals in the 2009/10 campaign.
The veteran full-back then moved to Beith Juniors before having a spell at Cumbernauld United where he was club captain.
But the married dad-of-two is now back at The Glens where he holds the honour of becoming the first goalscorer at their new home.
He told the Reformer: “I knew when I joined Glencairn again that I was going to try and make the 200 mark. I think that will be a great achievement but I am delighted to reach 175.
“Winning the leagues back-to-back was massive and also winning the Central League Cup too. They were really special teams who won those.
“I scored the first goal at the new stadium against Clyde as well. The old boss back then wasn’t happy I took the penalty because I would always remind him about it. Even to this day, that’s what I tell all the new players when they come to the club.”
Tony, who has scored 41 goals for the Glens, including 19 penalties, reached the milestone on a sour note when filling in at left-back in Glencairn’s 3-2 defeat at Yoker on Saturday.
But he is confident the club will make a late rally in the second half of the season.
He has made himself available for every game of the campaign and says he is happy to do a job when called upon.
“I just turned 36 a few weeks back and I’m still feeling great fitness-wise,” he said.
“I am aiming for 200 appearances but I’m also looking to get to 50 goals as well.
“I’ve really just been playing anywhere and just slotting in when someone is injured or suspended. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help the team.
“I came in as a centre forward when I first played junior football but since then I don’t think I’ve ever played there.
“They just thought, ‘he’s fit and fast, lets play him on the wing’.
“I’m playing mostly at the back now but I’ve played in pretty much every position for the club since I joined.”
He added: “This season has been kind of strange. I’ve felt we’ve been playing really well but we are missing chance after chance.
“This squad of players should be nowhere near the bottom of the league.
“I’ve got every faith in the team that if we can get a late run together, we can still get into the promotion places. But the games are ticking on and we need to start getting wins on the board.”
Glencairn gaffer Harvey has put his trust in Tony since the player arrived at Vale of Clyde’s Fullarton Park as a 19-year-old.
The Celsius Stadium boss reckons the plaudits for reaching such a spectacular run of games are well-deserved.
He said: “He had the right attitude and that’s why he has played so many games.
“He’s been outstanding for us especially when, as you get older, you expect to miss more games through injury. But Tony is a very good trainer, he keeps himself in good condition and is an all-round good athlete.
“He was part of the team who won promotion to the Super League so he will always hold a place in the fans’ hearts. And their admiration for him is well deserved.”
Tony is a very good trainer, he keeps himself in good condition and is an all-round good athlete Willie Harvey