coach

GREAT turn-out for 2 sessions in some of the warmest weather we can ever recall. Also the light lunch displayed out of the sun between sessions - at the request of manager Mark MacKay - was greatly appreciated by those who attended. The difference in the surrounding areas within Fullarton Park over the past fortnight is amazing. All down to the committee, the manager, who has put in extra hours at the park, and more volunteers. Well done everyone

Two away games from three fixtures early doors in the Sectional League Cup followed by the visit of Thorniewood United, who are already making moves to strengthen their squad, on Saturday, August 4. Three automatic promotion places up-for-grabs this season. Huge incentive for every club in the division!

Good resigning made by Mr MacKay. Vale supporters will be looking forward to hearing more about the squad as the pre-season sessions gather speed. Twenty-two players went through their paces on Wednesday evening. A double stint awaits them this Saturday

Vale Secretary/Club Delegate Mr Jim Wilson has confirmed today work on the the Fullarton Park playing surface includes both goalmouths, seeding, feeding, fertilising and verti draining throughout. Jim and Mr John Morrison were greatly encouraged by the fantastic work carried out - through the efforts of many local people - prior to the recent Michael O'Donnell Fun Day. Their hard-working organisers - male and female - raised a substantial five- figure sum, which, in keeping with previous years, will greatly benefit numerous Charity Organisations. Well done the O'Donnell family and their many helpers. Vale of Clyde F.C. are honoured to be part of the annual Fun Day, and also be in a position to further help the local community.

Tremendous work by the Tin Pail President MR MORRISON in securing a sponsorship deal with MD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LTD, who will help with the purchase of players' training kit, tracksuits and polo shirts In return, MD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LTD will be afforded ground, kit and media advertising as part of the deal. New Vale Manager Mark MacKay said: "It is a terrific boost for the Tin Pail. "Hopefully, their involvement will entice other companies, groups or individuals to come forward and pledge support in any shape or form. The club has a number of packages to suit anyone's budget. "A number of willing volunteers and interested parties attended our recent committee meeting, and are transforming the ground nearly every night of the week plus weekends, by focusing on repairs around the pitch and inside the dressing rooms. I want them to know their efforts are greatly appreciated."

Don. Hard work ahead for all the squad ( including unsigned players and trialists), but that is what pre-season is all about at any level of the game. Have viewed your new gaffer's training methods, I am sure everyone will enjoy and reap the benefits of his sessions. On another theme, I was disappointed to hear that your former club, Broomhouse, has folded. I have followed their progress through Boys' Club football onto over-21 level. They had dedicated and fantastic people running the set-up. I hope those gentlemen and the players are not completely lost to football.

Having spoken with the new manager this week, I know he has been overwhelmed over various messages, texts and particularly comments expressed via this Pie and Bovril Forum. He is solely responsible for releasing news on players staying, new signings and trialists who are being invited to attend pre-season ( starts MONDAY, JUNE 25). The Tin Pail need to attract more good people like yourself through the gate on match days at Fullarton Park for the season ahead, and that will be one of his long-term targets.

GREAT to view genuine messages of goodwill from Cairn 1902 and Glensmad. Well said both gentlemen. Also over 440 views, which is amazing. The Tollcross club have a great history and tradition, and fair play to Mr MacKay he is trying to raise awareness and standards ( on and off the park) at the Tin Pail.

The Tollcross-based club have been lacking a platform to promote themselves for the past couple of years. Hopefully this new topic will reverse that trend. NEW MANAGER: The committee are delighted to confirm the appointment of MR MARK MacKAY as manager for the 2018-2019 season. Mark was a prolific goalscorer in a junior football career which spanned such clubs as Baillieston, Cumbernauld, Blantyre Vics, Lesmahagow, Rob Roy and Rutherglen Glencairn. He enjoyed championship and promotion-winning success in the game, before racking-up honours at Tynecastle AFC ,and more recently Red Star AFC (Glasgow), where he ended the 2017-2018 campaign as manager of a treble-winning team in the Glasgow and District Saturday Morning Amateur Football League. When the opportunity arose to became the Tin Pail manager he admitted: "I could not turn down their approach. They have smashing, long-serving people behind the scenes who are crying out for help, support, and success." MIDWEEK MEETING: The new boss was delighted to see several new faces turn out for Wednesday's committee/management meeting at Fullarton Park. Said Mark: "It is what the club needs - new blood and fresh ideas." PRE-SEASON TRAINING: The Tin Pail resume on Monday, June 25. The manager is eager to recruit new signings plus bring any potential trialists on board for Monday/Wednesday stints. There will be double sessions on two successive Saturdays. SPONSORSHIP: Vale of Clyde have a number of attractive packages available to suit any company budget, and officials are willing to talk with all interested parties.

Have to ask - what was Jim Chapman like at Manager's Q&A? Did John Joyce not do a lot of the training etc at Annan?

I was told that too a few weeks ago when Rossvale announced they were going back home. Another junior club had also applied for the vacant let on a Saturday.

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Fully agree about discipline issue. Post article mentions the boss, assistant and Gary ( I take it he is a coach) are all staying. Goalkeeper Mark Wilson, given the nod for league games towards the end of the campaign, has signed again, but they have received interest concerning Liam Campbell, who played in cup games.

A superb post if I say so. I know people who go to Well games and they have been saying the thing about Craig Samson for ages. That McGhie wouldnt drop him under any circumstances. I noted some time ago that goalkeeping coach James Hollman had left Fir Park and returned south to resume working with goalkeepers. Having watched some of his sessions i wondered if it was to be nearer his family, or something else had happened - maybe he felt there should have been a change ( Russell Griffiths in).

Scrapped indeed. Story on club website to this effect. Boys involved with be free to find another club effective as of 30th June. Many aspects in the story have highlighted the reason for this -i ncluding the "uncertainty of Project Brave" and costs. I had a lengthy chat with your Head of Youth Development in early January after it appeared as though he wanted myself in to work with 4 different teams( goalies) alongside a coach ( he would take the team) I knew with 25 years plus experience of grassroots football. We were both concerned HofY had problems convincing people higher up at Dumbarton F.C. that this was the right road to go down. We both waited around 10 weeks for the go-ahead before pulling the plug. The other gentleman in question has moved on to become Under-20 coach at another club, and while I still havent got a team, at least parents of goalkeepers decided "if you are unable to get in at the Sons, we are coming to you.", and 3 jumped at the chance of gaining better coaching at a long-running structure I founded. I posted an earlier topic a couple of weeks ago asking if Sons still had their youth set-up because I believe the writing was on the wall long before the HofY intimated he was leaving. Good luck to all the boys who were involved with the Dumbarton Youth Programme. I hope they find clubs over the summer.

A lot has been made -in certain quarters - that three of the Under-17s - were involved with the first team. As an observer, I looked upon that being only to fill a jersey or three on the bench when the first team had injuries. The fact Sons didnt have an Under-20 team - despite that age group being talked up by Tony McNally ( without success) is proof for me that Stevie Aitken wouldnt take many risks relying on the likes of Prior or Lyden. I would speculate that running youth teams at Dumbarton in 2016-2017 would cost in excess of £17,000 - wages, coaches expenses, training facilities etc - for what end product?

Given the shambles that appears to be going on with the Youth Development teams - I understand Under-15 players had to move up to Under-17 level on Sunday because boys had been told the system was being scrapped ( who can blame them? ) the Head of Youth is leaving, and Willie Torrance Under-17 coach will be at Motherwell next season, the possible loss of Alan Martin is another major setback.

Allan Hamilton was the goalie coach who came in early New Year after Tony had spoken to a couple of potential coaches, who waited around 10 weeks to be brought into the youth set-up. Eventually, they gave up. Within a couple of days the goalie coach position was filled. Mr Hamilton was previously at Clydebank Juniors as part of their backroom staff under Budgie McGhie, who has just been confirmed as the new Kilbirnie Ladeside manager. Odds on them linking up again? The youth set-up coaches names were updated some time ago on their section of the Dumbarton website. The old photograph remained. Hearing Willie Torrance, who was Under-17 coach, is going to Motherwell F.C.

Thank you for the reply. You are bang on about Project Brave. As a coach, I am in the camp of believing it wont work. Too much self preservation at the higher end of football.

Will the Sons Youth system still be in place next season? Head of Youth Tony McNally has been running the Under-17s with Willie Torrance for a couple of months at least. They don't have an Under-20 team in the fold

I know Rabs manager Stewart Maxwell very well. I have coached within clubs he has been playing for and managed. I cant see him being tempted to move into senior football with Clyde. The Rob Roy backroom staff all signed new contracts a few months ago after bringing success to the club with the Sectional League Cup final win over Shettleston. He will want to see through the long-term project of getting the club back to Kirkie and into a purpose-built facility aimed at involving the local community. I know this has been on-going for some considerable time - due to various hold-ups - but I would be surprised if he walked away from that and headed to Broadwood.

Does Bob not also know Hugh Kelly at the Shettleston Juniors Social Club? I am sure he has played at Greenfield Park in a charity match. Before anyone asks, I have no knowledge on the comparison price of drinks

Chapman and Joyce have worked hard to put a better squad together. I always feel that a new manager taking over at any club will get more out of players - particularly those who have not featured under previous management - and I have seen that for myself being involved in the Scottish Football League. I firmly believe that can happen with Clyde. Your second point is spot on. The "powers than be " at Broadwood have a lot to answer for.

Doing a decent job at Annan. Currently in the promotion play-off places. Has a really good Number Two in John Joyce, who knows his stuff working with players and taking coaching sessions. Goalkeeper Blair Currie also having a good season after spending quite a few years coming through the ranks at Rangers. His younger brother, Max, is at Stranraer.

Normally in such circumstances when the manager resigns or is sacked, the rest of the backroom staff leave, too. By no stretch of the imagination can I see Bob Malcolm being managerial material, and I base that opinion having coached at senior level.