Lucky for some

Jun 6 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

JOHNSTONE Burgh co-manager George Walker has re-signed 13 players from last season’s squad as the rebuilding job continues at Keanie Park.

Walker is hoping the existing players he has kept on, along the addition of fresh faces, can help the team to get out of the Central District Second Division at the first time of asking.

The players who will be back at Keanie Park next season are as follows: midfielder Adam Taylor, veteran defender Raymond Donaghy, midfielder Aidan Lennon, full-back Ian Ross, full-back Graeme Brown, defender Gordon Chalmers, midfielder Ross Harvey, forward Michael Rutherford, centre half Stef McGarrigle, midfielder Ross Perrie, sweeper John Cuddihy and forwards Craig Marr and Colin Smith.

Club secretary Ricky Cantwell said: “We have 13 players on board and we’ll be speaking to other players about next season.

“The rebuilding job will continue but we are pleased with the way things are progressing.”

Meanwhile, the 2009 Johnstone Burgh Football Club AGM took place at Keanie Park, where committee members and season ticket holders heard the club is on a more stable financial footing than at this time last year.

But it was made clear there can be no room for complacency and the club will continue to run under the same financial restraints as recent seasons until such time as the debt is cleared.

After the meeting, club president Derek Devlin said: “Things look better than they did 12 months ago and the debt has been reduced by a substantial amount.

“But we must continue to cut our cloth accordingly and we will do that.

“We are also on the lookout for more help on the committee. So if anyone can lend a hand, I would urge them to get in touch.

“You don’t need to commit all of your spare time, whatever you can manage will help and the more people we have on board the better.”

Topics discussed at the AGM included the proposal by the SJFA to start the season earlier than normal on Wednesday, July 29, effectively leaving clubs just 10 days to fit in pre-season friendlies if the league rule of no friendlies until the third week in July was to remain in place.

It was stated Johnstone Burgh, as a club, will oppose this proposal at the SJFA AGM later this month

It was also noted by those present the tremendous volume of work carried out by match secretary Ricky Cantwell and the thanks of all those on the committee were extended to him for his efforts.