Running scared

In a previous life...

Take my word for it, the very mention of Junior football in the Senior game is a tabbo subject.

The reason for that is simple.. the big boys know they've met their match against their poor relations, hence the reason they've spent over 100 years avoiding them.

That's all about to change now that Pollok and Linlithgow Rose have forced their way into the sacred territory of the Scottish Cup Second Round.

Having been a player and assistant manager with Dunipace Juniors as well as having a stint with Lesmahagow I feel equipped to pass comment.

During a career playing up-stairs with seven Senior teams there have been plenty of occasions when I've turned my nose up at facing some Junior team in a friendly only to end up being turned over. The reason why is simple.

The majority of big name junior clubs get the cream of the lower league talent snapped up by offering wages which most First, Second and Third Division clubs cannot match.

Forget the snobbery of having a senior status, money talks, I've been one of those mercenary players who's gladly grabbed a buck to turn my back on the 'big time'.

One former manager famously slaughtered a player who wasn't cutting it with our Junior club.
"You keep performing as badly as that and you'll end up back playing senior!"

Forget the miners helmet brigade who form the committee's who still run some of these clubs and you'll find a new batch of forward thinking Junior people who've bought into the SFA'S Pyramid system. It could be the only one of its kind which pays a dividend now the door is well and truly open for a lower league revolution.

The Lok and the Rose are flag bearers this season and I for one believe they can make a real impact and reach the latter stages. The very thought of the Old Firm at Newlandsfield has me desperate to pull the boots back on. On second thoughts, maybe not. I'll settle for a ticket, a pie and bovril when it happens. And believe me, it will.