Bond of brothers
Glens skipper reckons tight team is secret of their success
Glencairn iron man Tony Fraser reckons the club have what it takes to go the distance in the league – because they’ve bonded off the pitch too.
The captain marked a milestone on Saturday when he made his 250th appearance for the Glens, with the 38-yearold having appeared in every game for the club this season.
Although the Glens came up short in a penalty shoot out defeat to Premiership side Kilbirnie, the skipper – who has won three titles in his two spells at the club – believes there are similarities with the titlewinning 2010 team.
He said: “The 2010 team was a more physical powerful team but could also play. The current team, for me, has more flair and a skilful outlook to it.
“What both teams are blessed with, though, is a real bond in the dressing room and players who hate to lose.”
Reaching 250 games was a big achievement for the captain, who pointed to that Super 1st Division triumph in 2010 as his most memorable match.
He said: “As an all-round memorable team performance it would be the 4-0 victory at Cumnock on the way to winning the Super 1 st Division in 2010.”
The captain joined Glens in the summer of 2006 and spent four years there before moving on – only to return in 2015.
And he hasn’t ruled out making it to the 300 club, either, adding: “Obviously I’d love to, but realistically time may well run out for me.
“You just need to look at the standard of boys in and around the dressing room and realise how lucky I am to be picked on a regular basis. I love seeing young players like Harry Mitchell come into the squad and see him shine, so I’d hate to think I was holding some other young boy’s chances back.
“But I’ll be the first to hold my hands up if I don’t feel I’m doing myself or the team justice.”
Glens boss Willie Harvey praised his skipper’s achievement and said: “There’s not many players who make it (to 250 appearances) and it’s a testament to his fitness. He is still a key part of the team.”