BURGH TRIUMPH SPARKS MEMORIES

Published 9 Jun 2010 14:53 0 Comments

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AS Johnstone Burgh's current side celebrate this season's league title victory, Keanie Park players of the past have looked back at their Junior Cup glory.

Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the club reaching the Scottish Junior Cup final against Shotts Bon Accord.

And even though the side lost on spot-kicks after an exciting 2-2 draw at Firhill, the final still brings back some fond memories for manager George Walker.

He told Sport Scene: "That was a great day and we had an excellent squad that season.

"I felt we were unlucky to go to penalties.

"I wouldn't want to single anyone out because I thought the whole squad and coaching staff were terrific.

"If you look through the whole squad we had great players.

"But Colin Lindsay was terrific for us, a great leader, and Archie Halley was also a great motivator.

"I can't praise those two enough and they played a massive part."

Team captain Colin Lindsay proudly led the Burgh in the season finale at Firhill.

At the age of 38 Lindsay, who now manages amateur outfit Thorn Athletic, admitted he thought he would never reach a cup final.

He said: "It was a great day for the team and the town.

"If the team were doing well the locals would come out and support you.

"The whole town came out to support us and cup fever really gripped Johnstone.

"It was unfortunate that we lost on penalties and didn't manage to bring back the cup.

"I was 38-years-old at the time and I didn't think I would get another chance to play in a cup final."

A decade may have passed but Lindsay is still adamant the Burgh were denied the cup by a poor call from the referee.

He added: "I have a DVD of the game and I'm still not convinced it was a penalty.

"Lee Martin hit a shot from 40 yards and it came off the bar at 2-2, so we were very unlucky.

"Penalties are a lottery and I think it was a shame that we lost that way.

"We had a tremendous team but a lot of players had come from the under-21 side so we didn't have a lot of experience to start with.

"Archie Halley and I nurtured them through it all and many of the players had a great time with the Burgh and went on to have a successful time at Arthurlie."

Johnstone Burgh fanatic and former Gazette reporter Mark McGee drove a full bus to Firhill and vividly remembers the party atmosphere.

He said: "I remember I ran a bus to the final which was full and everyone was out in red and white and we had Johnstone Burgh joker hats as well.

"It was a sunny day as well which added to the atmosphere.

"There were a lot of people going to the game but it was just disappointing they didn't bring the cup back to Johnstone."

McGee hopes the Burgh can build on this season's league triumph and reach similar heights of 10 years ago.

He added: "Financial difficulties are no different to clubs at any level but it is more acute to teams like the Burgh.

"Once they went on that downward spiral it was hard to get out of it.

"But George, Raymond Fallon and Eddie McKim have done well winning the league this season and hopefully they can get bigger crowds and attract bigger players now."

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