Lie need support just to survive

Published 24 Feb 2010 16:46 0 Comments

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By Robert burns & Kristian Truelsen

ARTHURLIE had another free Saturday as Junior football in the west of Scotland was once again wiped out due to frozen pitches.

That means that the Barrhead side have only played two games this year, from the five scheduled, while just one home game has been played since December 12.

Junior clubs need regular income from home matches to sustain them so the Arthurlie committee as a whole have had to work wonders to keep the club ticking over.

Because even though no games are being played bills still have to be paid.

Race Nights and dances, along with other activities, have all been organised lately to raise funds for the club along with the ever popular easy 6s have been the order of the day.

On the pitch, the players are still staying positive and assistant Jimmy McQuade insists the club are battling on through the terrible weather.

He said: "This is the worst winter I can remember bar none.

"I can't even remember something like this happening when I was a player.

"But everyone else is in the same boat and we just need to soldier on through it.

"We were on a good run recently but then we are off for two or three weeks so there is no continuity which we need.

"Even though we are out of the Junior Cup, the players still need to stay positive. We still have a lot to play for and we are delighted with the way the season's going."

The league table itself shows that Arthurlie, currently sitting fourth, have played about an average amount of games, 12, compared to the other Super League sides.

Petershill have managed to fit in 16 games somewhat due to their synthetic surface, while reigning Scottish Cup holders Auchinleck have only played eight league matches thus far.

Arthurlie have the following sides still to play in the league, Kilbirnie, Lanark United, Vale of Clyde, and Pollok still have to visit Dunterlie while away days still ahead are Auchinleck, Bellshill, Irvine Meadow, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, and Kilbirnie, which is scheduled for this Saturday.

On top of that Shettleston will visit Dunterlie on March 6 in the West of Scotland Cup while Clydebank's visit to Barrhead in the Central League Cup has still to be arranged.

The Evening Times Cup will also have to be played before the season is over.

Last year due to postponements, the season ran for 306 days in total. And at this stage last year Arthurlie had played two games more than this and with an international weekend on the horizon meaning another blank Saturday it looks like season 2009-2010 will run into June once again.

Arthurlie try again at Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday, kick-off 2pm, with the current weather the club suggest fans check with the Arthurlie Social Club or www.Arthurlie.com before travelling to the match.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 24 Feb 10

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