What happened there?
Where did Season 2022/23 go to?
I can hardly believe that this is our final game of the season.

I always enjoy our games against Pollok. My Facebook account reminded me last week of a 2:0 midweek victory at Newlandsfield in 2015 and showed a picture of a few stalwarts after the game at Pollokshaws East proudly displaying my Largs Thistle flag.

My son Andy spotted it and said “Dad, everyone else is looking at the camera but you’re facing the other way bamming up the opposition supporters”.

Yup, well spotted. That’s what happens when you take a half day off, get the train to Central and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Rhoderick Dhu before heading for the hostelries in
Shawlands. I used to occasionally share the train journey to Glasgow with well known Pollok supporter Jack Docherty when he was based in Edinburgh learning to be a foot doctor, always well behaved and never bought into my ‘I’m on a train and need to have a carry out’ culture. I also used to give him a lift if I was driving to a Theesel/Pollok game. I remember driving back to Embra with Jack after a particularly contentious game when the good guys lost 2 3 at Barrfields. Their defender Tam Hanlon decided to become a goalkeeper in the last minute and very obviously handled on the line but the ref waved play on. That was definitely an awkward drive back through to Edinburgh.

Jack is back in Glasgow, all grown up and married, we still often meet for a brief chat either before or during our games. The next time I saw that referee was at Vale of Clyde, all I can say is that an elephant never forgets and he got absolute pelters when I recognised him. I mentioned Tam Hanlon. Last time he played against us was when we beat St Rochs in the Scottish, I still fondly remember him collapsing to his knees when we scored our rapid 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th .

I had a chat with Tam at the Legends 7-a-side at Benburb in 2022 when I was organising our Theesel Legends team. I also organised the Theesel Legends team pre-covid at Renfrew when our gaffer Arnie kindly turned out for us, unfortunately due to work commitments I’m not able to be involved this year. Club Secretary Alex Anderson has kindly taken over the reins for organising our Legends team but will need some help on the day. Any volunteers? Please get in touch with either Alex or myself. It’s so rewarding to be part of the Legends set-up, creating bonds and relationships with players who you’ve cheered on throughout the years.

Finally, a huge thanks to all the folks who have stepped up to help our Committee after the very sad passing of Derek Scott.

Derek did so much for the club but he’ll be looking down with that grin on his face confident in the direction we’re going. See you all next season.