On Tinto's Slopes

Bens Get The Hang Of Lang

2011-11-19T16:41:00.002Z

Bens bounced back from last month's Cup defeat by Cambuslang to take maximum points at Tinto Park this afternoon. The Bens' recovery was all the more marked considering their recent poor form in the League which culminated in a terrible display last week against Neilston.
For today's match, Bens followers were inspired by the teamsheet which had Dexy Wingate back in the heart of the defence. The former Bens favourite re-signed for the Tinto club this season but has been trying to shake off a back injury for the last few months and this delayed his appearance in a Bens jersey. Dexy lasted just under an hour in this first match back before retiring as a precautionary measure with a tight hamstring.
Bens also featured a trialist in the other centre back position. The time required for this new defensive formation to settle may have contributed to the opener for Cambuslang who wasted no time in grabbing the lead from a header after 12 minutes.
The home side came close after a quarter of an hour when McInnes, today at right back, forced his way into the box finding McKenna who skipped to the side of the defender, releasing a shot which the Lang keeper did well to block with his legs.
McKenna and Waddell were combining well with the former laying the ball off for Waddell to shoot from the edge of the box; the shot looked netbound until the keeper managed to turn it onto the top of the bar.
This looked like the last chance of the half until Bens won possession in the midfield and the pass released Waddell into the right side of the box. His run drew the keeper before squaring for Gary McKenna to tap into the empty net.
Bens' centre McKenna was quick out of the blocks after the break smashing a volley off the crossbar from 18 yards.
Bens took the lead on the hour mark from the penalty spot following handball: Steven Waddell netted confidently.
Cambuslang came close ten minutes later when a cross was whipped in and bobbled in front of the striker who directed it with his knee onto the top of the bar.
Bens made a further breakthrough on 80 minutes when they got numbers into the box and showed calmness in front of goal working the passes to the back post where Gary McKenna converted with ease.
Minutes later fury erupted in the Cambuslang ranks when Quinn clashed with their striker in mid-air with the Bens keeper dropping to the ground- play continued as Lang held possession, had players in the box and an open goal, then the referee blew to stop play as Quinn had not recovered. The Lang players felt the Bens' keeper had stayed down and arguments broke out all around the referee. To his credit, the official managed to restore order without booking anyone and was able to restart play with a dropped ball.
The visitors were probably further aggrieved by this denied chance when they grabbed a second goal with only minutes remaining.
But Bens held on for a good win after a much improved performance and next week face the ultimate test travelling to runaway League leaders Glasgow Perthshire.

BENBURB: Quinn, McInnes, Smith, Wingate, Gupwell (T), Wright, S.Jackson, Carroll, McKenna, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central District League Division One

2011-11-19T16:29:00.003Z

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* Benburb 3 Cambuslang Rangers 2 *
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Bens Christmas Stocking Filler

2011-11-12T18:57:00.003Z

Bens are pleased to say that they've now located a recording of the 1980 Scottish Junior Cup Final which is in DVD format. The club hopes to make copies available shortly. Details will be posted soon on the website.
The club would like to thank everyone involved so far and hope for further interest when the DVD becomes available.

Farmers Boys In Early Harvest

2011-11-12T18:18:00.002Z

After two away matches at Shettleston and Vale of Leven which only yielded a point, Bens were keen to get back to winning ways in their home match with Neilston today. The two sides faced each other in a meaningless Sectional League Cup match earlier in the season where Neilston emerged victorious.
And so it proved again today.
The visitors made short work of the job this afternoon and come half-time the points were good as gone to the red corner.
The opener came in the eleventh minute. The Neilston midfield worked their way across to the right hand side and despite their midfielder 'air kicking' his initial cross attempt, he recovered to nutmeg the first Bens defender and force a corner with a deflection off the second. The corner was played to the front post, where Lavery's attempted clearance sent it spinning backwards across goal and the Neilston striker jabbed it home from close in.
Neilston again had the ball in the net on 15 minutes but a late whistle pulled play back for offside.
The second came on the half hour mark when the Neilston centre steamed past the Bens defenders on the left side and squared to his fellow striker; he had time to turn and shot past Quinn with the home defence too slow to react.
On 40 minutes, Neilston again made it all look easy as they snatched their third with a midfield burst into the right side of the box and a dangerous sweep onto the six yard line where their centre despatched the ball firmly behind Quinn.
Bens brought on Gillan for Lavery at half time and rejigged their defence for the second period.
McKenna forced the Neilston keeper into a save from his volley just after the break and Shane Jackson had his effort saved by the keeper's legs after Waddell had expertly released him into the box but the defensive reshuffle was more about stemming the tide than producing a fightback.
A weak performance all round by Bens today with their haphazard defending, lack of bite in midfield and poor penetration upfront giving them plenty to think about before the visit of Cambuslang Rangers next week- another side who have already left Tinto this season with a cup victory.

BENBURB: Quinn, C Jackson, Lavery, McInnes, Wright, Carroll, Gibson, S Jackson, McKenna, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central District League Division One

2011-11-12T18:16:00.004Z

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* Benburb 0 Neilston 3 *
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Stevie Whitehead

2011-10-22T17:47:00.002+01:00

Bens supporters at the recent Sectional League Cup were surprised and delighted (obviously not the scoreline) by the appearance of Stevie Whitehead as a spectator. The former Bens centre-forward now lives in Australia and follows the club's fortunes through the website but had taken time out on a recent visit home to watch the present day side.
Stevie, with Eddie McKim, formed the most formidable Bens frontline pairing in modern times. A successful partnership that took the Bens to the Scottish Junior Cup Final in 1980.
Stevie has made available to the Bens, photos taken of that memorable first match at Hampden and the club is in the process of having them reproduced to display in the clubhouse.
Stevie has made a request to the club on the availability of a DVD of the match which he'd like as a memento of the part he and his teammates played in the Bens' history. As yet the club has been unable to unearth a copy of the film. The match was broadcast live on STV and may have been recorded on video by a supporter or follower of Junior football.
The club would request that if anyone in the wider Junior circle of supporters has a copy of the broadcast could they contact the Bens through the website.
Whatever format the original recording is in is not important as the club will arrange to have it transferred to DVD if required and return the original and an enhanced copy in DVD to the owner.
Thanks for any assistance anyone can provide.

Bens Draw A Veil Over Cup Defeats

2011-10-22T16:35:00.002+01:00

After last week's West of Scotland cup exit to Troon, Bens were back on league business facing Vale of Clyde at Tinto Park this afternoon.

The East End side headed for Govan having conceded an average of over 3 goals a game in their six outings to date while Bens were hoping to get their home record back on track following their loss to the Ants in the league and the two cup defeats.

The Bens opened spritely and even although their final ball wasn't perfect, exposed the shakiness in the Vale backline with each attack.

The opener came on the half hour mark after a Bens free-kick on the right hand side. The cross in was cleared towards the halfway line where a Bens defender intercepted and fed a ball low into the box on the right side. Shane Jackson was quickly onto the pass, slipping the ball past the advancing goalkeeper from a tight angle and into the net.

A well taken goal from the Bens' newcomer who displayed a lot of energy buzzing around the midfield area in the opening stages.

Into the second half, Bens knew they'd need at least another goal to settle the match and guard against any Troon style comebacks.

They'd no problem taking the game to Vale with Gibson and Mackenzie playing wide, giving the midfield outlets and stretching the visitors' defence. It was from a move on the right on 57 minutes that Bens' second came: Gibson was tight on the byeline but twisted and turned to work the opening he required to flight a perfect cross in for Max Asante to head high past the Vale keeper.

Six minutes later the match was over as a contest when Shane Jackson grabbed his second and Bens' third. The eager midfielder made another of his runs into the box getting on the end of the pass to convert from a tight angle and cap an excellent afternoon's work.

The Vale must have realised their efforts were in vain on 75 minutes when hesitation in the Bens defence allowed the unmarked centre to get on the end of a cross only to see his header beaten out by Quinn and in the closing minutes when the same player got on the end of a rifled cross only to see his six yard, point blank header blocked once again by the Bens' keeper.

A good performance from Bens moving the ball well in forward areas, particularly in the second half while there is still room for improvement defensively but today's efforts were rewarded with a clean sheet and three valuable points.

Next week is the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup but Bens travel to Shettleston for one of the few league matches scheduled.

BENBURB: Quinn, C Jackson, Lavery, McInnes, Baikie, Wright, Gibson, S Jackson, Asante, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central District League Division One

2011-10-22T16:32:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 3 Vale of Clyde 0 *
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Bens Fail To Take Off In Cup

2011-10-08T16:59:00.002+01:00

Two defensive mistakes saw Bens lose out in today's first round Scottish Cup tie to Cambuslang Rangers.
In a rainsoaked match at Tinto Park, the home side came close early in the second-half but a combination of conditions and poor finishing deprived them of an advantage.
Tinney lifted a neat free-kick into the box finding Waddell but the ball skidded away from the Bens' striker.
Minutes later, another lifted ball cleared the Lang defence and landed on McKenna's toe but he scuffed his connection wide. McKenna was on the end of another cross seconds later but only managed a fresh-air kick with Waddell sparing his blushes firing a low shot narrowly past.
At the other end a defensive flap by Bens left Quinn chasing a ball he'd never get and the Lang forward skipped by him and centred for his teammate to fire firmly into the net after 65 minutes.
Bens threw on two subs including former Tinto midfielder Lorn Gibson, who signed on loan from Glencairn last night, but their attacks were thwarted by a sturdy Lang defence.
The match was put beyond Benburb's reach in the closing minutes when a slack back pass from the halfway line allowed a speedy Lang forward to evade Quinn and slide the ball into an empty net.

BENBURB: Quinn, C. Jackson, Lavery, McInnes, Smith, Tinney, Clark, Asante, McKenna, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup Round 1

2011-10-08T16:56:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 0 Cambuslang Rangers 2 *
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Emirates Scottish Junior Cup Round 1

2011-10-01T17:23:00.002+01:00

Today's Benburb v Cambuslang Rangers match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. As the rest of Britain sweltered in an Indian summer, the West of Scotland was subjected to heavy rainfall from yesterday evening and flooding quickly followed.
The game will now take place next Saturday.

Central District League Division One

2011-09-17T16:35:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 2 St Anthonys 3 *
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Home Is Where The Heart Is

2011-09-03T18:49:00.002+01:00

After last week's mauling at Larkhall, Bens were happy to stay at home this weekend and maintained their 100% Tinto record with victory over Bellshill.
It was the visitors who opened spritely with a series of breaks down their right hand side before Bens adapted and closed up this option.
Once they did, the Tinto side became more of an attacking force with Mackenzie spurning a free header from a corner on 25 minutes.
The home side came close with a free-kick and then a quick passing move saw Mackenzie release Lovering into the area but the Bens' midfielder shot past the post.
The deadlock was finally broken on 41 minutes when Steven Waddell picked up a rebounded effort and shot into the bottom corner.
Bens came out for the second half comfortable in their lead but it would be a nervy second period if they defended just a solitary goal.
Their burden was lessened on 65 minutes when the Bellshill centre was sent off but the advantage lasted only four minutes before a rash tackle saw Bens' defender Smith dismissed with a second yellow card.
The ten man formations instantly allowed more space and McGregor, a Bens trialist, hung on the halfway line looking for breaks. He got one on 75 minutes, bursting clear before squaring to the unmarked Waddell but the Bens forward's effort was lifted high over the bar.
Waddell again came close minutes later but his finish lacked venom and a retreating defender cleared the danger.
The match was rounded off in 89 minutes when a Bellshill midfielder left the ball believing it would go into touch; the bounce deceived him and from the pass McGregor stepped into the box, evaded a defender and stroked the ball home.
So Bens maintained their home victories interspersed with away defeats. Next week they go to Yoker, last year's Division Two champions, where Bens enjoyed a last day of the season victory that saw the Tinto side promoted. A chance to measure their progress thus far in the division with fellow promotees and hopefully the chance to stem the defeats on the road.

BENBURB: Quinn, Fleming, Wright, McInnes, Smith, Tinney, Mackenzie, Lovering, McGregor (T), Waddell, Lavery.

Central District League Division One

2011-09-03T18:47:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 2 Bellshill Athletic 0 *
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Surridge Sectional League Cup

2011-08-15T20:59:00.002+01:00

Benburb 0 Neilston 2

Bens went down to their second defeat in three days as Neilston rounded off their Sectional outing with a win. The Tinto side felt they dominated Saturday's league match against Port Glasgow but two weakly conceded strikes in the second half overcame Max Asante's effort.
The Bens striker looked the most likely to add to his total tonight but a string of chances over the ninety minutes went astray.
In a closely contested first half Max came close but the chance on the stroke of half-time summed up his night as he met the cross square in front of goal only for it to hook wide.
Neilston took the lead on 50 minutes from the penalty spot after a couple of clumsy challenges left their striker downed in the box. Their right back slotted easily past Quinn.
Bens came close a couple of times after this when Davis knocked a free header high over the bar and then Carroll flicked Asante through but the luckless Max saw his lifted effort palmed away by the keeper.
Neilston rounded off the match with their second in the closing minutes to take all three points.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Wright, McInnes, Baikie, Fleming, Davis, Carroll, Asante, Waddell, Luke.

Surridge Sectional League Cup

2011-08-03T21:14:00.002+01:00

Benburb 3 St Anthonys 2

The old Govan rivals went into tonight's match looking to open their account in this year's Sectional Cup. With the Ants going down 4-0 to Arthurlie while Bens let in five at Dunterlie and a confidence sapping seven at Pollok, both sides looked to put at least a goal on their side of the balance sheet.
Steven Waddell provided that for Bens from the penalty spot before the Ants struck back with a double to take the lead. Stalemate was restored when Richard Lovering netted with a 20 yard scorcher.
Both sides went in level at half-time leaving supporters to mull over the two League encounters to come this season; the first 45 minutes providing more of an insight to their side's fortunes than the lop-sided contests of last week.
The second-half saw the Ants shooting down towards the pavilion and Blacker in the Bens' goal displayed some confident handling in the early stages.
Bens took the lead just after the hour mark when a long, looping diagonal ball was met by Waddell first time and he squared for Paul Lavery to sidefoot into the net.
This proved to be the winner and the first derby points go to the blue corner. The six available in the League will prove more precious and more hotly contested no doubt.

BENBURB: Blacker, Gillan, Wright, Carroll, McInnes, Tinney, McGrath, Lovering, McKenna, Waddell, Lavery.

Surridge Sectional League Cup

2011-07-27T21:54:00.002+01:00

Arthurlie 5 Benburb 0

After their unbeaten run of pre-season friendlies Bens crashed back to earth with a thump at Dunterlie tonight.
It was a game of two halves: Arthurlie cruised through the first half and the second didn't matter.
The home side opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Deas rolled his shot into the corner past Quinn. Stewart added a second five minutes later as Bens toiled in the heat.
Bens were on the back foot from the start and Arthurlie picked them off with some precise through balls on an immaculate surface. The Tinto team seemed particularly vulnerable on their left side and right back Blakey provided the ultimate punishment weaving through two Bens defenders before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle past Quinn.
The Bens keeper got hands to the shot but failed to delay it hitting the net. No hands were required for Arthurlie's fourth as the ball was slid through to the wing, then cut inside for Johnston to curl it effortlessly into the top corner from 20 yards.
On the stroke of half-time Deas scored Arthurlie's fifth and his own second when he fired in a strong shot through a crowded box into the net.
Bens best effort of the opening half fell for McKenna but his shot was straight at the Arthurlie keeper.
Just after half time Bens lost Lovering to a second yellow card following a late tackle.
It looked as if Max Asante had secured a consolation goal for Bens after coming on as a sub. With a lightning burst of pace, he rounded two defenders from the halfway line, then the keeper but his shot was despairingly knocked for a corner by a retreating defender. If the Bens forward would have converted, he may just have snatched the Goal of the Game from Arthurlie's fourth strike.
A hard task for Bens tonight and the prospect of a similar outing on Saturday at Pollok's Newlandsfield.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Wright, McGrath, McInnes, Lovering, Davis, Carroll, McKenna, Waddell, Lavery. (Subs- Flannery, Fleming, Asante & Dewar)

All's Fair In Love And War

2011-07-16T21:26:00.002+01:00

As Bens prepare for their Fair Monday friendly with Ashfield, there's been many times over the years when the two sides have met in more adversarial circumstances.

The Evening Times of 13th November 1954 carried one such encounter under the headline 'Tinto Cup Battle In The Glaur-Thrills From Both Sides In Test Of Stamina'.

'Alex. McAllister, the Benburb left half, who is a Lanarkshire policeman, was unable to get off duty for today's Scottish Junior Cup third round tie against Ashfield at Tinto Park, and Mitchell took his place.

Benburb .....3 Ashfield.....3

Ashfield had Dawson, wanted by Kilmarnock, Albion Rovers and Dundee United at centre forward, and MacGuire, whom Albion Rovers also want to sign, at outside left.

BENBURB: Forsyth; Westwater and Ford; Paterson, Carden and Mitchell; Rae and Logie; Bain; Tracey and Douglas (pictured above).

ASHFIELD: Robb; Ralston and Houston; Rice, Cassidy and Clinton; Graham and McCarthy; Dawson; Innes and MacGuire.

Referee- J Steppey, Bellshill.

The kick-off was delayed to allow the long queues of fans outside to get in.

The ground was well filled when Benburb kicked off on a heavy ground. Cup-tie excitement prevailed and it was not long before the crowd were roaring, especially when Dunky Rae, the Benburb outside right, headed in for Robb, the Ashfield keeper, to save in splendid style.

Ashfield were awarded a free kick for "hands" against Mitchell. Clinton took the kick, but offside against Graham stopped the move.

The moment the forwards were waiting for arrived. Billy Dawson, their big centre forward scoring star secured possession. Before he could move, however, two Benburb defenders were on his top.

Next Rae, the Benburb outside right, was downed outside the box by Houston. Westwater took the "free" and lashed in a great shot which was well held by Robb and the referee blew for offside against Bain.

Fifteen minutes from the start Carden was at fault when he misjudged the ball and DAWSON was left, with an easy chance to thump the ball into the net and put Ashfield on the lead.

Five minutes later, INNES, the Ashfield inside left, brilliantly wormed his way through on his own to send a shot raging past Forsyth to put Ashfield two up.

In a Benburb fight back Tracey fired in a hot shot which Robb saved and knocked out, and then, tearing in, came DOUGLAS to flash the ball into the net.

Benburb, fighting all the way, equalised after Douglas had put the Ashfield defence in a tangle and LOGIE had an easy chance to find the net.

The stamina of the players on this battle in the "glaur" was amazing. Bens, after a bad start, were now playing with joyous abandon, and form a well taken corner kick by Rae, PATERSON slickly headed the leading goal for Bens.

Half Time-

Benburb, 3; Ashfield, 2

Second Half

The second half started at a cracking pace considering the muddy ground. There was an early fright for Benburb when Ashfield raided in a body. Carden came to the home side rescue with a timely tackle on Dawson.

The tackling was razor-edged and no quarter was being asked or given. In one Benburb raid Bain was brought down in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Westwater struck the crossbar and the ball was cleared. A near thing for Ashfield.

From a long shy by Rice, MacGuire back-headed the ball high up towards goal and DAWSON carried on the good work by equalising for Ashfield.

It was a splendid contest with little between the teams before a crowd reckoned to be in the region of 11000.'

Sunshine On Leith

2011-07-16T20:14:00.003+01:00

In today's friendly match at Tinto Park it was the visitors from the East who had their hearts broken by a first half treble from the Bens who held on for a 3-2 victory.

A small crowd made their way to the Govan ground curious to see how the Juniors would fare against the semi-professionals from the East of Scotland League Premier Division. Leith opened smoothly with a passing game designed to test the Bens' stamina and took the lead after 12 minutes.

Bens featured a couple of trialists in their opening line-up but the squad in the main remains along last season's lines inspiring confidence for the coming year in the Central First Division. It was the experienced Richard Lovering , who got Bens back on level terms just after the 20 minute mark.

This opened up a concerted spell for Bens and the home supporters were treated to a blast from the past when Mark Davis fired the Tinto side into the lead on 28 minutes. Sixty seconds later Max Asante put Bens further ahead getting on the end of a cross.

Half Time:- Benburb 3 Leith Athletic 1

Leith opened the second half in similar vein to the first and pulled a goal back from a back post header on 53 minutes. They continued to stretch Bens with passing moves; an ideal test for the Tinto side who matched their opponents until the final whistle. There was the usual flurry of substitutions but these failed to dent the scoreline or course of the match.

BENBURB: Blacker (T), Gillan, Wright, Carroll, McInnes, Lovering, Flannery (T), Tinney, Asante, Waddell, Davis.

Down Memory Lane To Tinto Park

2011-07-10T13:56:00.003+01:00

Bens take a trip down football's memory lane with the announcement of their pre-season friendlies.

They will welcome Leith Athletic, Ashfield and Ardeer Thistle to Tinto Park starting next Saturday.

The 2011 Leith Athletic club revives the name of one of Edinburgh's historic teams. The original Leith Athletic were formed in 1887 and wound up in 1905. Reformed the same year as Leith FC, they reappeared after the First War in 1919 as Leith Athletic and continued until their demise in 1955.

The name was reinstated as a juvenile team in 1996 with players from age 5 to 21. A successful East of Scotland team at all levels they have over 100 qualified coaches. In 2008, Leith absorbed Edinburgh Athletic taking the club's place in the East of Scotland League. Their progress has culminated in promotion last season to the Premier Division as runners up to Gretna 2008.

On Monday 18th July, Bens welcome Ashfield as champions of the West Super League Division One. It's taken a long time but the Saracen side will once again be playing in the top division. Formed in 1886, their record would suggest they shouldn't be playing anywhere else. Always welcome visitors at Tinto Park they share the living legend that is Tommy Douglas.

Saturday 23rd July heralds the visit of Ardeer Thistle to Tinto Park. Another legendary fixture in the history of the Bens: in April 1960 a fleet of coaches descended on the Bens ground from Ayrshire to support the Thistle, on an unbeaten run of 40 games, as they faced the Bens in the West of Scotland Cup 4th round. Two goals from Jim Kelly brought the Stevenston side's first defeat that season. In a sparkling season, Ardeer's centre forward Tommy Duffy recorded his name in the Guinness Book of Records to this day with 97 goals that year.

An interesting mix of friendly fixtures prior to the Bens' anticipated return to the Central District Division One.

Highlights of Bens Promotion

2011-05-14T22:42:00.000+01:00

Watch highlights of the crucial match at Yoker at http://youtu.be/m8RTQT8-zbM

Division One, Here We Come

2011-05-14T18:15:00.005+01:00

Bens' matchwinners Gary McKenna (below) and Gary Carroll whose goals secured victory and promotion for Bens at Yoker's Holm Park today.

Bens On The Up

2011-05-14T17:25:00.002+01:00

Yoker Athletic 0 Benburb 3

It was more Holiday Jet Saturday than helicopters at Holm Park with planes overhead every few minutes as Bens booked their flight to Division One with a convincing victory over Yoker today.
Bens' Gary McKenna capped a terrific season with a 5 star performance scoring a brilliant double that secured victory and promotion. The Bens' centre, in his first season from the amateurs, came close after 5 minutes when the keeper did well to turn his 20 yard free kick past the post.
The resulting corner produced a good old-fashioned 'stramash' as a Bens' header was blocked on the line and the Yoker defenders were strong enough to block twice the Bens push.
With an interested delegation from St Rochs looking on, Bens had the upper hand in the match as they looked to get an early advantage.
After 20 minutes or so, Gary McKenna provided the breakthrough as he received a pass on the edge of the box with his back to goal, before rounding the defender and firing his shot into the bottom corner.
It came as a great relief to the Bens contingent who had been through this last day 'ordeal' for several seasons and they responded encouraging every Bens tackle, pass and move until the interval.
The second half began with Bens knowing a second goal would be required and they provided one in a fashion worthy of winning any match. As Yoker pushed on, a long clearance found Ally Mackenzie on the left wing; he switched to his right foot and whipped in a lethal cross to Gary McKenna who nodded into the bottom corner.
On the hour mark, a late tackle on Quinn gave Bens a free kick in their own area. As the Bens' keeper recovered, Wright struck a long ball over the Yoker backs to McKenna who unleashed a volley on the run which crashed off the crossbar. So close to a hat-trick that no-one could have denied the Bens' centre after an explosive performance.
Bens put themselves on easy street in the closing minutes when a Gary Carroll shot was deflected past the Yoker keeper giving them an unassailable 3-0 lead.
The Tinto side now look forward to Division One with an impressive young squad, who if kept together, provide optimism that the Bens may once again feature in the higher levels of the Junior game.
Well done to everyone involved.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Lavery, McInnes, Wright, Lavery, Clark, Carroll, McKenna, Waddell,
Mackenzie.

Bens On The Brink

2011-05-02T21:40:00.002+01:00

Bens fought out a tense 0-0 draw with Larkhall Thistle at Tinto Park tonight. The Tinto side dominated the match but just lacked the vital edge that would have secured three points.
It was to be expected as the side have completed their fourth match in ten days; the outcomes of which leave Bens on the brink of promotion.
They started last Easter Saturday with a 3-1 defeat at Lesmahagow and suddenly the triple wins of the week before looked like coming undone. Before they could consider that further, they were pitched against St Rochs at Tinto on Easter Monday and goals from Waddell and Clark quickly redeemed them. Two penalties for St Rochs in the second half would've brought things all square but for the gallant effort of Marc Quinn in the Bens goal who saved the first of their efforts which was enough to secure a 2-1 victory.
Bens put things fully back on track on Saturday with a 5-1 victory at Wishaw and set up tonight's encounter with second placed Larkhall.
The point gained sees Bens slip to fourth place with Stonehouse Violet edging ahead on goal difference in third, both having 35 points. The Violet have completed their 22 matches and Bens must fancy their remaining fixtures at Royal Albert and Yoker will see them regain the third promotion spot. Of more concern to the Tinto side are St Rochs in fifth place, three points behind on 32 points. They too have two matches remaining and will hope that maximum points can overcome the Tinto total.
Bens will need at least a win from their remaining matches but St Rochs could ask more,or less, of them.

A Week Of Wins

2011-04-16T19:33:00.002+01:00

Bens completed a nine point winning week with a victory over Newmains at Tinto Park today. News of two other wins made the Tinto side's winning streak all the more significant: Yoker defeated third placed Carluke Rovers 4-0 and Larkhall overcame fourth placed Stonehouse Violet 2-1. A Steven Waddell goal in 62 minutes sealed not just the Bens' victory but catapulted them from fifth place to strong promotion candidates in third place. It was a most welcome but slightly unexpected end to a week which began with a visit to the new Carluke stadium last Saturday. Bens were the first visitors to the new venue and table-topping Rovers at their new ground were firm favourites. Bens adapted quickly to the artificial pitch and Iain Clark produced a sparkling start on 35 minutes when he fired a magnificent 30 yard shot off the underside of the bar and into the net. Two minutes later Steven Waddell crashed a 25 yard free kick home past the helpless keeper. After the break, Max Asante converted one-on-one with the Carluke keeper on 49 minutes and although the home side rallied to snatch back a headed goal, Ally Mackenzie made sure of victory with a close strike from a corner ten minutes before the end. The midweek visit to St Rochs was an imposing one for Bens. The Provanmill side were only a point off the Tinto total and under former Bens' player and assistant manager Davie Greig posed an added edge to a vital game for both clubs. The match was featured in the Evening Times' Junior column as one of the most important of the night. Bens' manager Frank Lovering was giving no secrets away when he said he expected a tough match against a well organised Davie Greig side and so it transpired but Bens were strong enough with goals from Gary McKenna and Richard Lovering in the final minutes to see off the threat. With today's matches providing so many permutations it was no surprise that Bens appeared to make heavy weather of the proceedings. Newmains, provided a testing match at both ends, and Bens were relieved to see Waddell pounce on a ball at the edge of the box and sweep it firmly into the corner of the net. With other games going in their favour they shouldn't fear the run in and having a large squad of capable and fit players available may be the clinching factor as others appear to have run out of steam.

BENBURB RACE NIGHT

2011-04-03T20:05:00.002+01:00

As Bens clear the final hurdles and enter the home straight for this season, the club welcomes supporters to its annual race night. **************************************************************************************** BENBURB FC RACE NIGHT SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2011 THE GRAHAMSTON BAR WATERLOO STREET GLASGOW 7.15 TILL LATE FIRST RACE 7.45PM **************************************************************************************** Tickets are £4.00 each with a free raffle and buffet and are available from Bens committee members.

Southern League Cup Final 1945-46

2011-04-03T19:09:00.003+01:00

The Benburb Match Secretary recently came across an account of the above cup final. This cup, the precursor to the Scottish League Cup was won by Aberdeen with a 3-2 victory over Rangers at Hampden Park in front of 121000. With an array of former Junior talent on show, the eyecatching statistic was that Benburb supplied four of the players including two goalkeepers! A Junior statistic that I doubt will ever be seen again!

RANGERS

John Shaw (Benburb), David Gray (Lochee Harp), Jock Shaw (Benburb), Charlie Watkins (St Anthonys), George Young (Rob Roy), Scot Symon (Dundee Violet), Willie Waddell (Forth), Willie Thornton (Winchburgh Amat), Billy Arnison (South Africa), Jimmy Duncanson (Dunoon Milton Rovers), Jimmy Caskie (Ashfield).

ABERDEEN

George Johnstone (Benburb), William Cooper (Muggiemoss), Pat McKenna (Blantyre Celtic), Andrew Cowie (Dundee), Frank Dunlop (Benburb), George Taylor (Hall Russells), Alex Kiddie (Celtic), George Hamilton (Queen of the South), Alf Williams (South Africa), Archie Baird (Strathclyde), William McCall (Hamilton Acad.)

The Glasgow Herald of Monday May 13, 1946 carried the following match report.

'Mastering the vagaries of a light ball on the hard ground, the Aberdeen half-backs, Cowie, Dunlop and Taylor, were the rock on which Rangers foundered in as thrilling and dramatic a Cup Final as has ever been played on Hampden Park.

It was thrilling in that Aberdeen scored two goals in the first and tenth minute of the first half, and Rangers in a courageous and fighting rally scored as many in the first fourteen minutes of the second half; it was dramatic in that Taylor, almost with the last kick of the game, shot the winning goal when the 120000 spectators were convinced that extra time would be needed to settle this rousing duel.

However fortuitous Taylor's goal- the ball almost miraculously, it seemed, pierced Rangers' packed goalmouth- justice was served in the end; the honours were with Aberdeen. It was the work both in defence and attack of the Aberdeen half-backs that won the day for the Northern side, and for once Rangers had to play second fiddle in a department of the game in which they are usually supreme.

Watkins and the veteran Symon failed signally to take the ball through in a way that Cowie and Taylor did while Young was thrown out of his stride by the terrier like tactics of little Williams; Aberdeen's South African centre which was in striking contrast with the calm and confident fashion in which Dunlop controlled Arnison.

While Dunlop was perhaps the personality of the match, the crowd was completely captivated by Cowie's prodigious throwing of the ball from the touchline right into the heart of the Rangers defence. With a little run, Cowie skied the ball vast distances, high or low, and once or twice Shaw in the Rangers goal had to step lively.

Indeed the first of these spectacular throws in the first minute paved the way for Baird to head home the opening goal...

... It was strange to see Shaw, the Scotland Captain, so upset. He found young Kiddie, slyly backed by Hamilton, often more than he could manage. No doubt Shaw shared in Rangers' general consternation when that first minute goal was scored while his confidence suffered another rude blow when a little later a faulty attempt to clear on his part allowed Kiddie to go through and lay on the ball for Williams to score with as fine a hooked shot as has been seen for many a day.

... Perhaps the most spectacular goal of the match was scored by Thornton. Arnison, lying well back, made the pass. Thornton was on it like a shot and before the Aberdeen defence knew where they were he had run almost 30 yards before firing a terrific ball into the corner of the net.

... Cooper, Aberdeen's veteran right-back had the Caskie Duncanson wing subdued, although had Charlie been able to shoot first time instead of trying to bring the ball under control he might have had at least one goal to his credit.

Duncanson headed Rangers' second goal. There were several 'near things' to keep the crowd shouting. Thornton, Kiddie and Cowie all had shots saved by the woodwork.'

Bens In Third, Not Forth

2011-04-03T19:08:00.001+01:00

Benburb progressed to the 3rd round of the D&D Programmes Cup after a hard fought victory over Forth Wanderers at Tinto Park today. Bens took the opportunity of a cup tie to make a few changes in their line-up but whether it was this or the visiting Forth side's eagerness to get started, the Tinto side suffered an early reversal after a few minutes when the Forth striker's effort found its way into the top corner, much to Quinn's despair. The in-form Max Asante brought things level on 10 minutes with a powerful header from a Waddell cross. The Bens' shaky start continued after twelve minutes when Quinn mistimed a clearance and conceded a corner. From the kick Bens were punished further with Forth restoring their lead. On a fine day for football, the game didn't really quicken its pace during the first half and by the interval many were surprised that only 45 minutes had elapsed. In the Bens dressing room however, they were relieved that they still had half the match to overcome the Forth lead. It was a more purposeful Bens side who took the field for the second half and they began to create a series of chances. On 50 minutes Wright produced a pacy long throw-in from the right side that found Max Asante four yards from goal but unbelievably the striker saw his header rebound off the bar. Waddell followed this up with a 20 yard bending shot that curled just outside the post. Howe found space on the right and flighted his cross onto the bar with the Forth keeper scrambling but it just wouldn't land for the Bens strikers and an away defender knocked it clear for a corner. With Bens already creating enough scoring chances to turn the match around, you could be forgiven for thinking it just wasn't their day. But belief was back on the agenda seconds later when Dewar headed in the corner to level the match at two apiece. Bens continued to push on in search of another and it came on 55 minutes when Richard Lovering looked as if he'd scuffed his shot but the keeper parried to the side giving him a second chance and he netted from a tight angle. Bens were in front for the first time in the match and required a brilliant one-handed save from Quinn on 74 minutes, from the Forth centre's header, to remain so. Waddell, got himself sent-off on 85 minutes for a second yellow card following a mistimed tackle as Bens faced a nervy end to the match but they kept possession while the seconds ticked down to the referee's final whistle. BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Dewar, McInnes, Wright, Lovering, Clark, Howe, Asante, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central League Cup Second Round

2011-04-02T16:51:00.003+01:00

******************************************************* * Benburb 3 Forth Wanderers 2 * *******************************************************

Mary Proves Quite Contrary

2011-03-26T19:02:00.002Z

Looking at the Bens' position prior to today's match most observers reckoned a victory in each of their remaining home games is a must if they are to feature in the promotion places this season. After failing to negotiate the first hurdle of Maryhill at Tinto Park this afternoon, new calculations will have to be made if the desired outcome is to be achieved.
After the sides entertaining 2-2 draw a few weeks ago at Lochburn, today's match was a more scrappy affair. Bens fans were pleased to see Max Asante who'd snatched the late equaliser in February's game installed in the forward line from the start and he produced a lively performance.
A lack of liveliness in the Bens' defence was the bigger talking point on 30 minutes when a cross from the right was met by the Maryhill striker, who'd nipped between two defenders, and he steered his header past Quinn in the Bens' goal.
The visitors followed this up ten minutes later with a free-kick from their own half which found their forward on the edge of the area; he controlled on his chest, swivelled and volleyed off the base of Quinn's right post much to the keeper's relief.
Maryhill took their advantage into the interval but saw it wiped out 7 minutes into the second half when Max Asante headed Bens level.
The visitors had the advantage of attacking the pavilion end and didn't take long to restore their lead. Slack Bens marking allowed a pass to find the 'Hill centre on the penalty spot and he had time to slot the second past Quinn.
Bens were having a better time of it in the forward areas and looked like having the equaliser on 80 minutes. A free-kick for a late tackle on the right corner of the penalty area was flighted to Asante, who controlled and shot in one movement only for the Maryhill keeper to make a brilliant one-handed save onto his post- the rebound fell to a Bens striker but he nodded just past the post.
Two minutes later a good Bens move saw the ball laid into Carroll's path and he saw his dipping shot palmed past by the Maryhill keeper.
With time running out a long diagonal ball was played over Asante and he managed to hook it back with his left foot but his effort flashed by the post.
The final whistle concluded Bens' second home defeat on the trot and a period of stagnation in mid-table. The tightness of the league sees Maryhill's victory move them into the same area in the middle of the table. Both sides will have a part in determining the promoted sides but must feel at this stage their names won't be amongst the final three.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Wright, Smith, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, Lovering, Asante, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central District League Division Two

2011-03-26T18:59:00.003Z

***********************************************
* Benburb 1 Maryhill 2 *
***********************************************

Bens Stunned By Stonehouse

2011-03-19T19:17:00.002Z

It's been a few weeks now that have left Bens stunned following the death of Dennis Donnelly and Stonehouse meted out the same feelings today in a football context with a 4-2 win at Tinto Park.
Both sides and their fans participated in a one minute applause for the loyalty, commitment and spirit that was Dennis Donnelly before today's match commenced.
The Bens match programme was filled with remembrances of Dennis but close readers may have noted the statistics that Stonehouse had scored 29 goals in 8 away games while Bens' forwards McKenna and Waddell were averaging a goal every two games.
Waddell and McKenna weren't playing for Bens today but everything else went according to type.
Stonehouse opened their account after 2 minutes and went in at the interval 1-0 up.
Avid readers of the match programme may have noted in the last meeting of the clubs at Tinto Park in May 2007, Bens went in at half-time 1-0 before a second half cavalry charge left them 7-1 winners.
Those readers may have felt the plot was lost when Kevin McGlinchey netted for Bens in 47 minutes. Lovering's shot was blocked well by the Stonehouse keeper before a defender's attempted clearance struck McGlinchey and he bundled it over the line.
The story took a further unexpected turn on 52 minutes when Bens scored a second in a brilliant piece of counter-attacking. The ball was swept forward from the Bens' defence to Lovering on the halfway line; he stepped past the defender and homed in on goal before laying to McGlinchey on the right. A perfect cross was delivered to the inrushing Wright and he volleyed past the Stonehouse keeper. It was Wright's first goal for the Bens following his move from Glencairn.
Bens had a further chance to improve things when McGlinchey floated in a perfect free-kick only for Smith to lift his effort over the bar.
With the programme reader in two minds regarding the predictions for the game he was ultimately swayed by Stonehouse's performance in the last twenty minutes when they fired in three goals against an, at times, weak Bens defence. The home side's response was to fire high balls into their shorter forwards with the expected limited return.
Bens will require to up their performance in the remaining fixtures as Stonehouse have leap-frogged them to fourth position but with their games in hand the Tinto side will be more concerned that they haven't made further impact on the three promotion places.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Smith, McGrath, McInnes, Wright, Hepburn, Carroll, Lovering, McGlinchey, Lavery.

Central District League Division Two

2011-03-19T19:16:00.004Z

************************************************
* Benburb 2 Stonehouse Violet 4 *
************************************************

DENNIS DONNELLY

2011-03-05T16:12:00.002Z

It was with great shock and sadness that everyone at the Bens learned of the untimely death last night of Dennis Donnelly.
Reading some posts on the Pie and Bovril Junior forum, the loss is shared at many clubs throughout the Junior game.
Dennis played for many clubs: Aberdeen and Clyde in the Seniors; Glencairn, Kilbirnie and Ardrossan Winton Rovers- where he was a legend- are mentioned on the forum. But when Dennis arrived with Frank Lovering at the Bens, there was no doubting his total commitment to one club- Benburb.
Renowned for his constantly changing and interesting training sessions, he gave young players the grounding required for the Juniors and refreshed a few jaded careers along the way. In what was a difficult spell for the club on and off the park, his enthusiasm and commitment to lifting Bens back up the leagues was always in evidence whether encouraging players, questioning referees or at a midweek committee meeting.
Alongside this, he would acknowledge and chat happily with the small band of supporters the club depends upon. A natural communicator, he was only too happy to assist the Bens appeal for help following a damaging break-in a few years back, by appearing on Chick Young's World of Football on Radio Scotland.
It's a World of Football that's emptier today following the passing of Dennis Donnelly.

Bens Find Hill Hard To Top

2011-02-26T18:51:00.005Z

What a difference a decade makes. Then, Maryhill versus Bens at Lochburn would have been one of the top fixtures the Central Division had to offer. Today the two teams played out a Second Division match while the Central big shots ply their trade elsewhere.

What a difference a month makes. Then, any combination of snow, hail and rain prevented any matches going ahead but today the conditions were Spring like and perfect for football.

The lower league status didn't prevent Maryhill and the Bens serving up an exciting 90 minutes with a surprising amount of football played on a well sanded pitch.

Bens, with Lavery replacing the injured McKenzie, opened well determined to take the game to the home side with Hepburn on the right wing seeing plenty of the ball. Lovering and Carroll in the central midfield were often a yard quicker than their opponents opening the game out as Bens looked to attack.

It was Hepburn on 19 minutes who picked the ball up on the halfway line and headed down the right; bursting into the box he squared along the six yard area finding McKenna who laid the ball back to Waddell but the striker's shot was blocked by a home defender.

A minute later Bens took the lead. The ball was played from the right across to Lavery in the left corner of the box-he swept it back across goal and Gary McKenna (pictured) made space to sidefoot into the corner of the net.

Bens were moving the ball well throughout the team and minutes later Gillan tried his luck from 25 yards with his effort inches past the keeper's right hand post.

Maryhill were finding the Bens midfield and defence well organised in numbers but a stroke of luck almost drew them level on the half hour mark. A Bens midfield clearance struck the Hill player's arm and rebounded to their striker who found himself one-on-one with Quinn. With either side of the goal looking inviting he struck his shot from 12 yards the wrong side of the post much to the Bens' relief.

It was no more than Quinn deserved as he had proved himself commanding in the box mopping up all the crosses Maryhill fired in.

The fortunes were to turn against the Bens' keeper one minute into the second half when a cross from the right was met by what appeared to be the Maryhill striker's shoulder. It provided enough momentum however, from close range, and the ball shot past Quinn and beyond the clearing defender's efforts on the goal line.

Back on level terms, the home side played some excellent football on a sticky looking pitch and the law of averages looked as if it would count against Bens who were firmly on the back foot.

It duly did on 65 minutes when Lovering, who had been progressively losing his initial nimbleness, brought the Hill player down from behind about 20 yards from goal. The Maryhill left back, who had a fine game throughout, struck the freekick forcing Quinn into a diving save which fell to a home foot and it was quickly despatched.

Maryhill's lead was almost increased in spectacular fashion minutes later when a throw on the right was returned to the thrower who crossed high into the box; the ball was knocked on and a flying overhead kick shot just past the Bens' post.

In an onslaught of home pressure, the closest Bens could come was when a McKenna shot was parried into the air and collected by the Maryhill keeper.

That was until the 89th minute when a Bens foray forced a corner. The cross was headed on and bundled into the net with Max Asante, on for Waddell, appearing to get his teammates congratulations.

A draw was probably a fair result although both teams will feel they did enough when on top to win. But it was apparent throughout that a one goal lead was always going to be too slender as both sides were capable of capitalising on good spells of football.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Smith, McGrath, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, Lovering, McKenna, Waddell, Lavery.

Central District League Division Two

2011-02-26T18:44:00.002Z

****************************************************
* Maryhill 2 Benburb 2 *
****************************************************

Bens Go Forth And Multiply

2011-02-19T16:53:00.004Z

Bens came firing out of cold storage with a 4-2 victory over Forth Wanderers at Tinto Park today. After a threatening weather forecast the conditions turned out benign and Bens were eager, producing a superior performance that was only half reflected in the final score.

Having fallen behind to a 5 minute opener, their spirits weren't dampened and Gary McKenna was quick to spot a slack backpass lifted high towards the Forth goal. He pursued it and met it on the drop lobbing over the advancing keeper for the equaliser.

Paul Gillan put Bens ahead on 22 minutes from a set piece and then on 25 minutes, Steven Waddell (pictured) met a free-kick at the near post and fired Bens into a convincing lead.

Shooting down towards the pavilion end, Bens were carving open the Forth defence at will but a series of squandered chances and near misses prevented the lead increasing.

With Bens supporters thinking realistically their side could easily be going in at half-time 5 or 6 goals to the good, Forth struck back with a ball into the right side of the penalty area which was released across the six yard box for the centre to run into the net.

That's the name of the game as Barcelona will testify and Bens only stoked up pressure for the half ahead with this last minute lapse.

What should've been a cushioned start to the second half was gone and Forth pressed more into the Bens half in search of an equaliser. Quinn had to look smart both on and well off his line on occasions and the closest the visitors came to drawing level was on the hour mark when a perfect ball was played low across the Bens' goal and just beyond the far post with no takers.

With Forth looking to keep the game in the Bens' half, the counter-attack became an easier option and on 75 minutes a ball over the top on the left found Waddell who advanced into the area, stroking his shot past the keeper only for it to be turned out for a corner by a covering defender.

The kick was curled in but headed out the other side from the Forth goalline defender.This time the kick from the right was played to the front post where Stevie Waddell met it with his head and turned in a 4-2 lead for Bens.

The restoration of the two goal lead knocked the wind from Forth and Waddell was unlucky to see his scooped shot land outside the post from a McKenna cutback.

Bens' centre McKenna came even closer when on 85 minutes he fired a 30 yard freekick off the crossbar and over with the keeper scrambling.

Bens were awarded a similar freekick on 89 minutes when McGrath ran through the Forth lines only for the last man to bring him down. The defender was sent-off and although the kick game to nothing the match was over.

A lively show and excellent result for Bens to maintain their challenging position in preparation for some important matches ahead.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Smith, McGrath, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, Lovering, McKenna, Waddell, McKenzie.

Central District League Division Two

2011-02-19T16:51:00.003Z

***************************************************
* Benburb 4 Forth Wanderers 2 *
***************************************************

First Foot Slips Away

2011-01-08T19:01:00.002Z

Benburb's opportunity to wish visitors to Tinto Park a Happy New Year will have to wait for another week as the first outing of 2011 was cancelled because of a snow covered pitch. Modern times means that the risk of injury to player and supporter from ice and snow is too great to allow games to proceed. The last thing a Junior treasurer wants in the cash strapped winter months is an insurance claim (or an injured player or supporter of course!).
Many with not too long memories will remember when Junior football wasn't automatically subject to cancellation from frost and snow. Up to the early 1980s, orange balls and trainers were in order to keep the game on with supporters ready to lend a hand clearing pitches and surrounds.
The Evening Times of 24 March 1980 reported such efforts at Tinto Park to get the game on- it was the Quarter-Final of the Scottish Cup mind you- under the headline: Benburb cup hopes soar.
'Hopes of Scottish Cup success soared in Govan after Benburb deservedly beat Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 in the quarter-final at Tinto Park. It is 37 years since Bens last appeared in the final and 44 years since they won the cup.
Former Pollok winger Eddie McKim was the ace with both goals, the first in 26 minutes when he outjumped the Bonnyrigg defence to head home a Livingston corner.
Then two minutes from the end he connected with a McIntosh cross to net with a low shot.
Rose wasted a great chance to equalise when John Buckley (son of Paddy of Aberdeen fame) shot past from a penalty.
Bens now meet Lochee United in the semi-final at Dens Park, Dundee, on a date still to be decided.
Bonnyrigg were disappointing as they fielded four of the players who won the cup two years ago.
Bens' Stevie Whitehead, provisionally signed by Rangers, did well against the strong Bonnyrigg defence, shooting at every opportunity.
Supporters worked all out in the morning to clear the snow from the pitch. They did a great job and the playing surface was ideal for football and much appreciated by the crowd of almost 2000.
After the game a representative from Wigan Athletic spoke to right-back Ally Marshall. He is wanted for a trial at the first suitable date.'

Bens Best In The West

2011-01-02T20:09:00.002Z

Benburb captain Jackie Heeney (centre with the shorts on!) collects the Whyte & Mackay West of Scotland Cup for 1982-83 from a company director and his glamorous assistants.

A Good New Year

2010-12-31T22:57:00.002Z

As the countdown begins to the New Year, here's a Bens team picture from the Evening Times of 3 January 1953. It was published the day after Benburb defeated Boness United at Tinto Park in the 4th Round of the Scottish Junior Cup in front of approximately 20000 fans.

The picture shows:

Back Row- Hay, Lumsden, Forsyth, McKechnie, Crossan & Ford

Front Row- Rae, Maxwell, Brown, Smith and Fitzsimmons

All but Maxwell and Brown played in the Boness game.

A happy new year indeed.

Benburb Heroes No.2- Alex Forsyth

2010-12-28T22:30:00.004Z

Or should that be No.1? For when the history of Benburb goalkeepers is written, the Number 1 will undoubtedly be Alex Forsyth.
When the Bens vice president Harry Lightfoot was asked in a small article, recalling his own 30 years service with the Bens, of 'the best players he had seen wearing the Benburb colours', he replied 'Ted Swift, Alex Forsyth (the present goalkeeper), John McFetridge and Alex Mathieson.'
This was in the Evening Times of 14 February 1953. Whether Alex had the chance to read it that Saturday evening is not known as he had a busy afternoon facing Ashfield, including one Tommy Douglas, at Saracen in the 5th Round of the Scottish Cup in front of a 20000 crowd.
This was unlikely to have fazed Alex who had seen most things in his Bens career which spanned three decades.
Born at the end of World War 1, Alex signed for the Bens in 1938. He had arrived at Tinto Park after spells with Glencairn and Camelon Juniors where performances had brought him to the attention of Rangers. Two trial games for the Ibrox club preceded his arrival at Bens but when a move to the Seniors didn't materialise he had no hesitation in committing himself to the Benburb cause.
And what a commitment it was for over 17 seasons.
He was called up in the war alongside a 'team' of Bens players, but on his return Bens began to see his enthusiasm and influence as he made the goalkeeper's jersey his own. Enthusiasm for the Bens spread through the Forsyth clan as Alex's son Alistair recalled, in e-mails to the Bens website, of his times as a youngster behind the Bens goal chatting to his dad and then being recruited to the pie stall as a safer distraction for the good of the Bens!
Chatting behind the goal was something that Alex was not averse to when it aided the Bens as Bens goalkeeper Stewart Mitchell who joined Newcastle United knew only too well. He had a nervy debut in the Tinto goal but Alex made his way round the terracing and wisely talked the youngster through the remaining minutes. Mitchell only had words of praise for his mentor on his promotion to St James' Park as did other young Tinto keepers over the years.
The early fifties was the era of massive crowds at Tinto Park and Alex Forsyth was a firm favourite with the faithful so it was a popular move when he was made Assistant Trainer of Benburb in 1955. The news in the Evening Times speculated Alex would have no problems in treating injuries as he had overcome broken wrists, cracked ribs and other ailments in his seventeen years as a Benburb record breaker.
It was with great sadness the club learned of the passing of a true Benburb great when Alex's son Alistair informed the club that his father had passed away on 16th January 2009 at the age of 90 years.

JUST SUPER, BENBURB

2010-12-27T21:14:00.002Z

This was the headline in the Evening Times 20 years ago on May 28 1990. The article goes on to explain the amazing feat of the Benburb side of 1989-90.
'First Division champs Benburb also turned on the style last night.
Their hopes of going through 26 league matches unbeaten looked gone when they went in 2-0 down against Kilsyth at half-time in their game at Tinto Park.
But the Bens stormed back with goals from Malky McDonald(2), Eddie McKim, Phil Carvill and Craig Berry to win 5-2.
The Bens' great run was made up of 20 wins and six draws. They scored 64 goals and lost only 18.
Their next game is a home quarter final in the Erskine Charity Cup against Shettleston on Monday.'

Lights In The North

2010-12-21T21:09:00.004Z

Frank Dunlop and George Johnstone who featured in the Bens 1936 Scottish Cup win over Yoker before signing for Aberdeen. Both would return to Hampden in 1937 to face Celtic in the 1937 Scottish Cup Final in front of 137000 fans.

Defender Dunlop would go on to captain Aberdeen and went into the history books when he led them to victory in the Southern League Cup in 1946 and the Scottish Cup a year later. He played 185 times for Aberdeen and left Pittodrie in 1948, emigrating to South Africa.

Goalkeeper Johnstone, who had featured in one of Junior football's most famous photographs clutching a giant Good Luck Bens horseshoe prior to the Scottish final, went on to make 220 appearances for Aberdeen. A favourite keeper of the Aberdeen support he appeared in the two Scottish Cup finals and the League Cup win. He moved on to Dunfermline in 1949 and then Raith Rovers.

The pictures and information were taken from www.afcheritage.org with thanks.

Happiness Is Afar from Hamlet

2010-12-20T19:38:00.003Z

Bens fans will readily admit that Tinto Park has seen much better days and an improved stadium would top most supporters Christmas wishlist. Well maybe joint top with successive promotions up the divisions!

But the unique timewarp of the Bens' ground is of interest to many a football fan who is not looking for the 5 star comforts match experience.

It's of particular interest to supporters of the London side Dulwich Hamlet, especially those who can remember their original Champion Hill stadium. The design of the covered enclosure along the touchline at one side is shared by both venues and the Tinto structure brings back a lot of memories for the Champion Hill regulars.

For more information on this unique club Dulwich Hamlet-'the most famous amateur side in the country'- and their link to Tinto Park you can't go wrong by having a look at http://thehamlethistorian.blogspot.com/ and http://hoppysnaps.blogspot.com/ . The latter has a feature on Tinto Park and other Scottish Junior grounds. The above photo is from the Hamlet Historian site showing a match at Champion Hill against a Chinese Navy side with the enclosure in the background.

Reid All About It

2010-12-20T14:38:00.003Z

Govan is famous for the Clyde, shipbuilding and football. I almost said the Bens there but seemingly there are another couple of football clubs who could lay claim to the same geographical home. The following is an article by the late Jimmy Reid who manages to combine all three of the claims to fame in a piece published on the morning of the opening game of the 1998 World Cup in France (10 June 1998) and the Scotland v Brazil match. In it he remembers a visit to Tinto Park. Maybe a big wummin wi' a handbag could be the answer to the refereeing crisis in Scotland. Again this was taken from the archive of The Herald at http://www.heraldscotland.com/ .

'One of my earliest recollections is of being taken to a football match by my mother. There was no admission fee. No fences to keep you out. No dressing rooms or clubhouse. Just a marked-off pitch ringed by spectators, including many women like my mum, supporting their local team. One of the players for our team was a family friend called Martin. I think he fancied one of my sisters or she fancied him. Something like that. Martin was a good looking guy, built like a tank, and when he tackled his opponents, they seemed to fall over. Why this should be was a matter of dispute between the women and the referee. At the start they were on first-name terms with the ref. As the game progressed this was dropped. ''Hey, Thomson,'' they would roar, ''that wis never a foul,'' as another opponent fell to a perfectly good tackle from Martin. Thomson would reply in kind. He gave as his considered opinion that the women might be better deployed washing the clatty stairs and closes up which he presumed they lived. Dialogue was an ongoing phenomenon. When our boys clattered into an opponent it was clearly ''a ferr shoulder charge''. If the other side did the same it was a diabolical act of aggression. Despite everything, real skills were on display. Players who could take on men, jouk past them like sprites, and create scoring chances for their mates. I remember one called Sparra Hope (sparrow if you're from Edinburgh). Sparra went on to play for Clyde. Later Dad took me to see the Juniors. Many of the players looked ancient, and still do, though I'm getting a bit ancient myself, but then I don't call myself a junior. I remember going to a game at Tinto Park, Benburb's home ground, with my pal. Standing beside us was a lady built like Hyacinth Bucket from the television sitcom. She proudly told us her son had just signed for the visitors. Despite her imposing physique she seemed a gentle, motherly sort. Halfway through the second half her son was tackled from behind. In fact he was kicked up the behind. I swear his feet left the ground before gravity got a grip of things and brought him down to earth with a resounding thud. The matronly lady was off like a cheetah in pursuit of prey. She surmounted the perimeter fence like a gazelle, ran to the culprit who could have been the model for the original drawing of Desperate Dan, swung her large handbag that must have been full of bricks, and smashed him in the moosh. He dropped as if poleaxed. The ref tried to intervene and she hit him a glancing blow that sent him birlin like a peary, before he crumpled in slow motion. Her son by this time had made a remarkable recovery and beseeched her to leave the field of play before she pruned the ranks any further. Apart from that he added: ''Hiv ye no' gied me a big enough riddy?'' The lady left the the stadium with dignity. Nobody stopped her. She still had the handbag. When the game resumed nobody tackled her son. We lived near Ibrox Park. My mother let me go to the reserve games, but not to the big games. In Rangers' 2nd XI at that time was Willie Woodburn. The best centre-half I've ever seen. He was unique at the time. A ball-playing central defender. He had a problem. He thought it was against God's expressed wishes that Rangers should ever be beaten. When they were in any danger Willie became the Almighty's avenging sword. He handed out chastisement with such zeal the refs took a dim view. He was suspended sine die, a punishment that now seems unbelievable in its severity. In the last 20 minutes of any game the gates were opened to let people out and we could get in for nothing. Afterwards, when the crowd had dispersed, my pal and I would collect empty beer bottles and humph them down to a garage in Copeland Road that paid a penny for each bottle. During those 20 minutes I saw glimpses of great players. Tommy Walker. Billy Steel. Torry Gillick. When I started work at 14 I could pay my way in. I remember players such as Bobby Mitchell and Jimmy Mason of Third Lanark. Charlie Tully of Celtic. Jummy Watson of Motherwell, whom nobody but me seems to remember. I remember starting my engineering apprenticeship for it coincided with my first glimpse of the great Hibs forward line of Smith, Johnston, Reilly, Turnbull, and Ormond. At each stage of my life there is a footballing corollary.
The day I went to do my National Service was the day Hungary trounced England at Wembley. I watched it in a pub in Bedford. When I moved to London the Spurs team of Blanchflower, McKay, Greaves, etc, was coming to fruition. I saw the young George Best. The Brazilian and Dutch masters. The artistry of Pele, Maradona, Puskas, Cruyf, Di Stefano, and a host of others. I was back in Scotland to see Jock Stein's great Celtic team; for two years the best club team in Europe and, arguably, the world. My Dad took me to Hampden to see the Victory International against the Auld Enemy shortly after the last war. I was just a kid. Scotland won 1-0. The sheer unalloyed joy as the final whistle blew was untainted by the sectarian divisions that so marred club games in Scotland. Henceforth my team was Scotland United. I went to Wembley. In so far as my budget allowed, I've supported Scotland on forays abroad. Yet this year I won't be in France with the Tartan Army. The game is now so commercially hyped that the real fans are being squeezed out. Incredible sums will be made. Fans are officially getting 8% of the tickets. Corporate entertainment 20%. God knows were the other 72% have gone. Clearly many have gone to ticket-tout organisations. Fans are thus forced to pay way over the top. The number of tickets involved in this scam is so large that it could only happen with the connivance of the organisers. Professional football had to become more business-like. Stadiums had to be developed, and not just for safety. The facilities had to be brought into line with people's modern expectations. The refinement of skills in a relatively short career and the dedication this requires, had to be rewarded with salaries that could set a young man up for life. But what has happened is a disgrace. The people's game is being taken from the people. Football is historically a social and cultural phenomenon. You can't apply the mores, appropriate to the production of margarine for profit, to the running of a football club. Punters who don't like a brand of marge will switch to another. Try telling Hibs fans that they could do the same. If that link is ever severed, football is in serious trouble. The Scottish Premier League next season will play 30-odd games on a Sunday night at 6.05pm, at the behest of Sky Television. Saturday afternoon football is an integral part of our culture. Sunday nights are for winding down for the sobering reality of Monday. If football in the US takes off in a big way, TV might want a 2am kick-off. If attendances drop, so what? They could dispense with spectators and replace them with cardboard cut-outs and canned sound-tracks. The deregulated football market is now a jungle. Some players' salaries are incredible. Punters are being unscrupulously squeezed for more money to fund these salaries. Each year more good players will be thrown on the scrap heap to help pay the salaries of a few. With such expenditure continuous success becomes a necessity. Indigenous talent is left undeveloped as our big clubs get out the cheque book and sign another transnational mercenary. Next year the need for success will be even greater. Someday the punters, increasingly marginalised, will pack it in. I'm already getting pissed off with the massive media overkill surrounding this World Cup. Much of it is cringe-inducing. Football might still be the beautiful game, but the trappings are increasingly tatty and ugly.'

First Stop Tinto Park

2010-12-20T14:16:00.003Z

John 'Eric' Smith made his way to Celtic Park earlier in the Fifties. He signed for Celtic in 1953 and played for the Parkhead club until 1960 when Don Revie tempted him south to join a struggling Leeds United side.

Born in 1934, when the Bens were at their peak, he was a highly rated junior with a will to win. His ability to get stuck into the fray made him a popular name on the teamsheet whether at Tinto, Parkhead or Elland Road. A player who relished the physical challenge, his career at Leeds was ended in 1962 when he suffered a double leg break in a home game to Chelsea. He moved on to Morton in 1964 spending a couple of seasons there, and later managed the Cappielow side and Hamilton Accies in the 1970s.

Eric also coached football abroad and died in Dubai in 1991.

Thanks to http://www.thecelticwiki.com/ for information and picture.

Hark The Herald ...

2010-12-18T20:11:00.004Z

The following article by Jack McLean was published in the Glasgow Herald of 24 December 1990 and records a trip he made to Tinto Park with Pollok entitled-Wrong climate all round for the Juniors. Even two fans had to turn out for the once big Bens side- in which the Bens defence appear to be a bit too generous with their gifts that year. The article was taken from the Herald archive on http://www.heraldscotland.com/ which allows you to view articles back to 1989 online.

'THE junior game was once a major force in football. It was a long time ago.
There was a time when you looked up the histories of the great players and discovered that they had started with famous junior teams. That was long ago.
Today the big clubs -- and even the wee ones -- collect their talents from boys' clubs. In many ways this system has not done the Scottish scene that much good.
The junior game used to be a sort of apprenticeship. Now it is largely a graveyard for failed players, and for some young chaps too. The junior boys have not profited from this tendency. Neither has football. That's today's sermon over.
Notwithstanding the above, there is a commitment to playing football at junior level which many a more in the senior game would challenge.
On Saturday there was a dreary, hard-grafting match at Ibrox betwixt Rangers and Aberdeen. It was a day of such bad weather you could hardly expect anything else. Not for the first time have I wondered why we play our national game in such conditions, and there have been those of us who always have believed that the Beautiful Game should be a summer sport. Certainly, the grim climactic conditions in which the fans expect Scottish football to operate cannot meet those requirements. The afficianados of junior football have few expectations, but one of them is grim weather.
Grim it was at Tinto Park, only minutes away from Ibrox where the premier-division leaders were battling it out. Benburb were as grim as the weather.
It could not ever have been easy for the Craigton side, for their season so far has not looked hopeful and they were playing against a Pollok side which has been so far unbeaten. Pollok, of course, are the big junior team and Benburb cannot match its support. Even then, it could not have helped that the Bens had to field five trialists against the club from Newlandsfield.
Suspensions and illness meant a team from Benburb which included a couple of lads who had gone to watch the match, and were commandeered on to the pitch.
And it showed. Four goals in the first half from a Pollok team which is experienced, as well as being well fuelled by the confidence and curious elegance of centre back Steff Barclay, put the Bens in their place. It was not helped by first-time trialist John Joyce having to go off after ten minutes with a broken nose, the result of an unfortunate collision for which the Pollok player can take no blame.
By half time, Pollok deserved their four-goal lead, Crichton scoring a hat trick, with O'Brien scoring the first, and I thought, rather a lucky goal.
Half-time in the social club saw the Bens' fans in good humour still. Had the other blue-shirted team just down the road found themselves four down at that point, there would have been mayhem. At Benburb, the lads took it philosophically.
Mind you they took it with a wee dram or two which is more than you can get at Ibrox. The stoicism of the supporters would put those of most senior clubs to shame. Not only that, they have a sensible attitude of ''well, it's only a game.'' And so it is.
There were few fans present, which is hardly surprising considering that the rain was teeming down, but all enjoyed the encounter. In the second half Pollok scored their fifth goal through substitute McGall, with Benburb taking a consolation score from Dailly, who had played well throughout the game, despite an appalling piece of petulance committed against Pollok keeper Cassidy: Mr Dailly will know what I mean by this recondite reference and damned lucky he was to be kept on the field.
But what makes these people, from players to officials to supporters, turn out to watch the little game in conditions in which Stalingrad would have surrendered? I spoke to the fans after the game in the rather dark public bar of the Benburb club. Some of them go to the juniors when the senior club of their choice is playing away; some have always supported their local teams; some have pals playing; but one thing is certain. It is a different class of idiot who supports junior football. Different from the Celts and Gers idiots. The junior followers are civilised idiots and it is a decent support who were pleasant to each other and to me. Or near enough.
Sadly, after talking to so many splendid chaps, and having had a good crack to go with it, I found myself trying to obtain a lift from the Pollok team bus going back to the South-side. I was drookit, tired, and suffering from the sort of uncommon cold you get at this time of year. Also, I had the certain knowledge that a taxi was impossible, and the bus a mile away. It is not like the junior game, but the bus churlishly refused to be a good Samiritan.
I spoke to the club later, and they were more than apologetic, but that doesn't help my sniffles this morning or my sense of aggrievement. If I had won a game so well, I'd have given a lift to Graeme Souness, or at least Saddam Hussein.
Ach, well, as they say in football -- happy Christmas.'

A Gift From Tinto Park

2010-12-18T19:26:00.003Z

Like all Junior clubs, the Bens are proud of the players they developed and moved on to Senior clubs. The successful sides of the 1930s saw a notable exodus of Johnstone, Dunlop and Devers to Aberdeen. Tiger Shaw and Ronnie Mackinnon ended up at Ibrox although in Ronnie's case the Bens can't claim a lot of credit, moving him on to Dunipace who provided the stepping stone.

The Bens have also furnished Celtic with some new talent over the years.

The previous Benburb club (see Early History) provided many players for Celtic in the 1890s- the beginning of that decade they were at the peak of the Junior game while Celtic were in their infancy.

Of the Benburb club of today, one of those who made the step up to Parkhead in the 1950s was Mike Jackson.

Born in 1939, he signed for Celtic in 1957 from the Bens but could've become a Busby Babe when he spent two weeks on trial at Man United. Homesick Mike was invited back to Scotland by a telegram from Celtic asking him to play in a match with Dunfermline and he jumped at the chance signing after the game.

He made his debut after Celtic's demolition of Rangers in the League Cup of 1957 and went on to play 74 times for Celtic, scoring 30 goals before moving to St Johnstone in 1963. He was frustrated at his lack of first team action in what was a barren spell for the Parkhead club in the pre-Stein era.

He went on to play for Third Lanark, Drumcondra, Athlone Town, Clyde, Morton, Queen of the South, Clydebank, Hamilton Accies and Benburb again before retiring at the age of 41.

He returned again to Tinto Park for a short spell in a coaching role in 1974.

*the image and information was taken from www.thecelticwiki.com which provides a comprehensive coverage on all things Celtic.

Happy Xmas, Snow Is Over?

2010-12-18T18:45:00.002Z

As Bens go into the Christmas week without kicking a ball in December, I thought the perfect gift would be some articles from when the sun shone metaphorically on Tinto Park.
The match programme this year has included some articles from the Govan Press of 1980 when the Bens last featured in a Scottish Junior Cup Final. The following was a pre-match visit to Hampden Park by team manager Tommy Douglas and Tommy Dearie, the matchwinner when Bens last won the Scottish Cup in 1936. The accompanying photograph shows them in the Hampden goalmouth holding aloft a Bens no. 11 shirt with the uncovered terraces behind.

'Ants reject ... Bens hero

Nostalgia goes hand in hand with Hampden Park and when Govan man Tommy Dearie stepped on to the hallowed turf recently it was an occasion for the memories to come flooding back.
For Tommy was the man who scored the goal that brought the 1936 Scottish Junior Cup to Tinto Park in the replay against Yoker Athletic.
After drawing the first game 1-1, Tommy's goal was enough to take the Cup to Govan.
However, on this return visit to Hampden, there was no crowd, no noise and there weren't even nets on the famous goals. But nevertheless it was a proud Tommy as he showed Benburb's team boss, Tommy Douglas, the very spot where he scored his winner 44 years ago.
"I remember it all very clearly" said Tommy. "There was a bit of a goalmouth scramble and I got a foot to the ball and prodded it into the net."
Tommy was wearing the number 11 jersey that day and by coincidence Bens boss Tommy Douglas wore the shirt in his playing days at Tinto Park.
The football writers of that time predicted "Dearie will be the man Yoker will have to watch." Unfortunately for the Holm Park side, they let Tommy prove his press was right.
St Anthony's unwittingly played a big part in Bens'1936 Cup win, without realising it at the time.
It was the Moore Park club which discarded Tommy and he switched his allegiance to Govan's other Junior side.
It was just a year after the Cup Final that Tommy was selected to play in a trial for the national Junior side and his instructions were: "If you want to play a trial for Scotland, bring your boots, white knickers, towel and hose."
The match was held at Council Park, Campbeltown, and Tommy had to meet the bus in the centre of Glasgow at 7.30 in the morning. Kick-off was at 3.30 and poor Tommy didn't get home until 7pm the following evening!
Forty years later, Bens will still be pinning their hopes on the no.11 jersey.
This time it's Eddie McKim, the most prolific scorer in the Junior game, who Bens will be looking for to put the ball in the net.
And no one will jump for joy like Tommy Dearie, who will be the Bens' guest at Hampden, if the number 11 jersey again helps to bring the Scottish Junior Cup back to Govan.'

BENBURB V NEWMAINS

2010-11-27T10:05:00.002Z

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MATCH IS OFF - MATCH IS OFF
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Bens Show Leaves Les Miserables

2010-11-20T18:11:00.003Z

Bens new boy Sam Hepburn , signed from Stonehouse Violet, took centre stage to score the winner against a lacklustre Lesmahagow side at Tinto Park today. The midfielder struck on the stroke of half-time when a through ball found him in the box and with the outside of his right foot he shot Bens into a vital lead.
Bens had begun the match lively and came close in seven minutes when a free kick found Mackenzie in the box but his first time volley whizzed a foot over the crossbar. The Gow rallied and must have felt they'd contributed enough in the opening period to go in at half-time level before Hepburn's intervention.
The second half opened with the Gow keeper pulling off a fierce double save to deny McKenna before the same player found himself just onside on 65 minutes. The Bens striker looked momentarily surprised at the decision and attempted to dink the ball over the keeper but he stood tall and intercepted the effort.
In the final minutes of the match it was another refereeing decision that just about sealed the victory for Bens and denied Lesmahagow a route back. A ball into the Bens' box bounced awkwardly onto a defender and the visitors as one claimed a penalty but the referee dismissed the call. Moments later he started dismissing Gow players for their furious reaction and the visitors were reduced to nine men.
Bens were able to play out the remaining minutes in relative comfort and are slowly forming a solid bid for the table's top positions. They entertain Newmains at Tinto Park next week and will be keen to add to their home tally.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Lavery, McGrath, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, McKenna, Colquhoun, Waddell, Mackenzie.

Central District League Division Two

2010-11-20T18:09:00.002Z

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* Benburb 1 Lesmahagow 0 *
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Central District League Division Two

2010-11-06T16:59:00.002Z

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* Benburb 2 Carluke Rovers 2 *
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Bens Wishes Come True At Last Minute

2010-10-30T16:31:00.005+01:00

Gary Carroll headed a 93rd minute winner to defeat Wishaw at Tinto Park this afternoon. The Bens midfielder's strike was the finale to a game of two halves.

The visiting Lanarkshire side had the best of the first half with a 14 minute goal that saw their midfielder on the right burst into the box and clip the ball past Quinn for his fellow striker to tap into an empty net.

The second half belonged to Benburb although Quinn had to set them on their way with a fine one handed save from a freekick on 50 minutes.

A minute later, Bens earned a corner on the right only for McInnes' header to power about a foot over the bar.

On 55 minutes the Wishaw keeper did well to palm a Bens freekick out from under the crossbar as the home side started to increase the pressure.

Gary McKenna will feel he should have taken his 56th minute chance when a good 1-2 released him on the right side of the box but he got his angles wrong on the shot and it disappeared high past the post. The Bens' centre again couldn't find the deft finish when he ran onto a long goalkick on the hour mark, lifting his effort over keeper and crossbar.

McKenna wasn't for giving up and a minute later he forced the Wishaw keeper to push his shot past the post for a corner. The kick was cleared but Bens regained possession and were finally dispossessed illegally on the right touchline.

John Tinney took the freekick and bent his shot into the far corner of the net to bring Bens back to level terms.

A draw looked like being the outcome of the match until a similar freekick on 93 minutes was again floated in by Tinney onto Carroll's run.

BENBURB: Quinn, Neill, Fraser, Carroll, McInnes, Tinney, Brophy, Clark, McKenna, Waddell, Mackenzie

Central District League Division Two

2010-10-30T16:26:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 2 Wishaw 1 *
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It's All Double Dutch

2010-10-25T19:38:00.002+01:00

Confusion reigns at Tinto Park as some Bens sources suggest that contact has been received from Feyenoord following their 10-0 drubbing by PSV Eindhoven.

Advice has seemingly been sought about a recovery plan from the Tinto side who conceded a similar barrowload a few years back against Carluke Rovers.

Bens supremo Frank Van Lovering was unavailable for comment but a Bens committee man who was asked what advice he might have for the boy with his finger in a dyke said:

'Tommy Sheridan was a good player for the Bens and I'd like to leave it at that when there's a court case going on!'

Central District League Division Two

2010-10-23T19:14:00.001+01:00

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* Stonehouse Violet 1 Benburb 2 *
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West of scotland Cup Round 1

2010-10-17T10:59:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 1 Largs Th. 1 (Largs 3-2 pens) *
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At Last The Times Were Changing Again

2010-10-10T19:37:00.004+01:00

Bens gave a good account of themselves against Cumnock in the top Junior Cup competition and this week face Largs Thistle in the other big one, the West of Scotland Cup.
Benburb waited a long time to get their hands on these trophies -1934,1936 Scottish and 1941, 1942 West of Scotland Cup. The winning of the West of Scotland in 1941 was momentous for the club as it meant that Benburb had won at least once every trophy they entered. The West Cup which had evaded them so long was won again the following year making Benburb the first team to retain it.
After 1942 there were Scottish Cup final appearances but no more major silverware returned to Tinto Park. Until 1982-83 as John Traynor, the Evening Times Junior columnist explains.
'Benburb, newly promoted to the Central League first division, rounded their season off in fine style last night when they won the Whyte and Mackay West of Scotland Cup at Somervell Park.
This game was the ultimate test of Bens' stamina and character for, before taking the trophy back to Govan, they had to go to a penalty shoot-out against Port Glasgow.
After a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. And at the end of the 30 minute period, the sides were still level with another goal apiece. It was from the penalty spot that Benburb took the cup- winning 4-2.
Port had beaten top teams like Cumnock, four times holders, Auchinleck and East Kilbride Thistle to get so far, but full credit to Benburb, who played most of the match with only 10 men.
After only 12 minutes, the Govan side lost midfield player Alastair Edmiston, who was ordered off for punching Port striker Boag.
Edmiston had to go and his show of temper placed his team's chances of winning the West of Scotland Cup in real jeopardy.
His winner's medal was earned by the sweat of his team mates.
It was Port Glasgow who opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, when fullback Danny Gault headed past Peacock from close in. Before Bens had time to centre the ball, referee McVicar had blown his whistle.
With their one-goal lead Port Glasgow were the more positive and threatening side in the early stages of the second half.
But 10 men Benburb levelled the scores after 69 minutes through Ian Davies. Jackie Heaney sent over a ball from the left and, surprisingly Davies was left unmarked to head past Dorian to make it 1-1.
Neither side could break the deadlock in normal time or in the first half of extra time but in the 112th minute, veteran Billy Gray must have thought he had scored the winner for Port Glasgow when he headed past Peacock to make it 2-1 after the Bens keeper had made a mess of a corner from the left.
Port's 2-1 lead stood until the dying seconds when Benburb substitute Mick Livingstone shot home from close in to make it 2-2. Once again, in a cup final, there was a penalty shoot out.
In the end Port Glasgow looked dejected. They had got to the final the hard way- to be beaten only on penalties at the last hurdle.
But the game is only about winners and Benburb overcame considerable odds with only 10 men.'

Bens' Long Wait For A Cup Is Over

2010-10-10T19:31:00.002+01:00

Bens' long wait to win one of the major trophies in the Junior game was brought to an end by these men- John Campbell and Davie Jack.

In the days when it was the norm for the match secretary or match committeeto select the team, the job fell to the trainers to put a fit, functioning outfit on the park.

Campbell and Jack were masters in this regard and were pivotal in the success that brought the Scottish Cup and the West of Scotland Cup to Tinto Park in the 1930s and 40s.

Bens fans must wonder how long they will wait to see a Benburb captain lifting these trophies again.

Bens Hopes Knocked by 'Nock

2010-10-09T21:02:00.002+01:00

On a day that reminded many of the great cup days of the past at Tinto Park, Bens found their Super Premier opponents too strong and they ran out worthy winners of this first round Scottish tie.
After a goalless first half, the visitors built a second half lead with three goals in succession; the second of which came from the penalty spot.
Bens pulled a goal back from a 25 yard free kick and had the Cumnock keeper and defence scrambling a goal line clearance in the closing stages preventing a grandstand finish to the match.
Bens can be proud of their efforts over the two matches and the club hosted a very hospitable meeting today. Next week they welcome Largs Thistle in the West of Scotland Cup- a trophy which has been more favourable to Tinto sides in the past.

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup Round 1 Replay

2010-10-09T21:00:00.002+01:00

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* Benburb 1 Cumnock 3 *
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Bens Find Silver Lining In Cup

2010-10-03T19:11:00.002+01:00

Bens returned from Cumnock with a more than creditable draw on a day of dark clouds and torrential rain. Gary McKenna provided the Bens' ray of sunshine in the second half after a defensive slip up in the home defence equalising Cumnock's first half headed lead and bringing the game back to Tinto Park next week: an outcome that cheered the travelling Bens contingent and I'm sure the Benburb treasurer.

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup Round 1

2010-10-03T19:05:00.002+01:00

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* Cumnock 1 Benburb 1 *
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Crash, Bang, Wallop as Bens Are Crushed

2010-09-04T18:46:00.003+01:00

Bens and Yoker went into today's match on 4 points apiece with a similar goal difference and even the bookies gave them an equal chance of winning the division outright.
Ninety minutes of chess with two teams cancelling out each other's moves? Not on your life.
Yoker steamed into a 3-0 lead in the first quarter of an hour with a goal almost every five minutes. The first came from the penalty spot, with the second an undeniable shot from their centre into the top right hand corner. The third came from a penalty, which Quinn did well to save but the rebound was converted by another Yoker forward. Bens complained that Quinn was impeded by the penalty taker as his teammate converted but the referee was unconvinced.
You could think the match was over but in the time taken for the thought to cross your mind, Stevie Waddell nodded in a free-kick to reduce the deficit. Waddell converted a penalty five minutes later and the Bens' fightback was in full flow.
Alas, a Yoker attack saw the ball turned into the Bens' net off a home defender and the visitors were again clearly in front.
The same woe befell a Bens defender in the second half and the three goal Yoker lead was restored.
On sixty minutes, the Yoker centre put any fightback beyond reach when he rose above the Bens defence to head Yoker's sixth.
So, a mixed start from the Bens' first three matches and an indication that much more will be required for promotion, not least in the next two away matches at Forth and Larkhall.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, Fraser, McInnes, Houston, McGrath, Brophy, Ford, Campbell (Trialist), Waddell, Lavery.

Central District League Division Two

2010-09-04T18:45:00.003+01:00

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* Benburb 2 Yoker Athletic 6 *
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Newmains 1 Benburb 3

2010-08-31T19:46:00.002+01:00

Bens put their opening day blues behind them with a well earned victory over Newmains at Victoria Park on Saturday. They got a stroke of fortune on 13 minutes when the home side put through their own goal but the gloss was removed a minute later when Newmains struck the equaliser.
After some good play in the first half by the Bens it looked as if half-time would come with no further reward. But just on the whistle, Kearn McGrath fired the Bens into a 2-1 lead.
The second half started with the Bens shooting with the wind but despite the assistance they had to rely on Quinn who duly provided a couple of excellent saves. Bens struck back with a 30 yard Fraser shot which rebounded from the crossbar and then kept the pressure up with good interplay between Waddell and O'Neill which ended with the Bens centre shooting narrowly past the keeper's left hand post.
Again, the minutes ticked away with Bens not getting a return for their sustained pressure but in the last minute sub Ally Mackenzie, on for Lavery, scored and eased the Bens' nerves.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, Fraser, McInnes, Houston, McGrath, Brophy, Forde, O'Neill, Waddell, Lavery.

The Mighty Quinn Is Here But No Change

2010-08-21T18:42:00.003+01:00

Bens got off to a disappointing start to their league campaign in a goalless stalemate at Tinto Park. It could have been a bigger setback if goalkeeper Marc Quinn hadn't saved a penalty midway through the second half.
The Bens side still contained a couple of trialists as the club decides their best eleven for the new season and the lack of understanding was evident throughout the match. It didn't stop the new men contributing though and Matthews in midfield headed on a cross on 15 minutes which Gillan connected with only for his effort to be cleared off the line. Lavery was the other new boy and he almost took advantage of a defensive slip by Albert on 82 minutes but saw his volley bend by the post.
Tony O'Neill was back in the Bens frontline but had a tame game showing signs of ring rustiness. His opposite numbers in the Royal Albert attack displayed a similar lack of sharpness and two chances on 52 and 60 minutes found themselves in the arms of Quinn when the Bens' goal seemed an easier target.
The Bens' keeper had to look sharp again on 63 minutes when Mackenzie foolishly tried to find him with a back pass that was easily intercepted. Quinn did enough to push the striker wide and his shot hit the side netting.
On the 70 minute mark, Albert probed the Bens box and their forward went down easily. The referee was unimpressed but Bens failed to clear adequately and the ball was swept to their left sided forward who rounded Quinn and was nudged to the ground. This time the referee had seen enough to point to the spot.
The Albert taker looked to strike the ball high to Quinn's right but only managed shoulder height and the Bens' keeper got across firmly to turn the kick round the post.
There had been doubts pre-season as to whether the Bens' keeper would stay at Tinto Park but he has remained and influenced today's match significantly. Hopefully as the Bens side finds its feet they will be pleased if his influence diminishes through the season but today they could only be grateful.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Fraser, McInnes, Houston, Tinney, Mackenzie, D Matthews (Trialist), O'Neill, Waddell, P Lavery (Trialist).

Central District League Division Two

2010-08-21T18:21:00.001+01:00

******************************************
* Benburb 0 Royal Albert 0 *
******************************************

Bens Don't Lose Heart

2010-08-14T17:15:00.002+01:00

Bens concluded their games in the Sectional League Cup with a narrow defeat by Pollok. Although this was the fourth reversal in as many outings, Bens matched their Premier opponents for long spells in a dour match for spectators.
The lack of understanding between the new signings on both sides was evident throughout and was probably more frustrating for the visitors with their higher league status and opportunity to progress in the Sectional competition. Both sides went in goalless at half-time and the ball must have needed a rest as it was pummelled back and forwards for the opening 45 minutes.
The second-half opening promised little better in the way of entertainment but the deadlock was broken on 65 minutes when Bens' left-back Fraser had the misfortune to direct a Pollok free-kick from the right past Quinn in the Bens goal. If a goal was going to come in the match it was apt it should come in this fashion.
On 77 minutes, Quinn and Kinnaird combined twice blocking point blank shots at the back post before a curling effort was well palmed over by the Bens keeper. A minute later, Pollok again opened Bens on the right and the cross found the back post striker but he volleyed well by the post and should really have converted.
It was the same throughout for the odd chances that fell to each side: rusty finishing missed the target.
Bens will hope the levels of performance against the higher league sides proves too much for Royal Albert who visit Tinto Park in next week's League opener.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, Fraser, McInnes, C Houston (Trialist), McGrath, Gillan, R Lovering (Trialist), N Craig (Trialist), Waddell, Mackenzie.

Sectional League Cup

2010-08-14T17:13:00.002+01:00

***************************************
* Benburb 0 Pollok 1 *
***************************************

Bens Gain Plenty Of Plus Points

2010-08-07T17:16:00.003+01:00

On a fine afternoon for football, Bens went down to their second 3-1 defeat in the Sectional League Cup following Wednesday's defeat at the hands of Neilston.

Today's opponents Arthurlie have provided lessons in football in recent seasons in this tie but today the Barrhead side were fortunate to leave Tinto Park with the points secure.

The advantage that handed the points to the visitors was provided in the first ten minutes when Bens conceded two goals. From that point on though, Bens matched their opponents and for most of the second half took the game to the Premier side. In a spell just before half time the Tinto side hit the woodwork twice before Lovering shot home from just inside the box.

Only a goal behind, the Bens worked hard during the second half closing their opponents down while mounting attack after attack. Two chances in the final quarter of the match in particular found the wrong side of the crossbar but it could have easily been different.

With virtually the last kick of the ball, a free kick found the Arthurlie striker and he lobbed the advancing Bens keeper for a 3-1 victory when a share of the spoils may have been the more likely outcome.

The Bens can be pleased with their flowing football and the final two Sectional games should see them well prepared for the league opener.

The defence is still finding its feet but the return of Colin McInnes to Tinto Park should provide a steadying influence as he was such a consistent performer in his first stint with the Bens.

Sectional League Cup

2010-08-07T17:12:00.002+01:00

***************************************************
* Benburb 1 Arthurlie 3 *
***************************************************

New Light On Foggy Tyne

2010-06-24T17:29:00.002+01:00

On finding the details of Stewart Mitchell's move to Tyneside, some light was cast on the decision by the Bens in 1954 to invite Rangers and Newcastle United to play on Tinto to celebrate the opening of the covered enclosure (see post of 24 December 2007). The choice of the English club seemed peculiar on first reading but I assume now it was the rapport between the clubs, built during the signing of Mitchell, that prompted their invite.

Stewart Mitchell: Away The Lad

2010-06-19T20:56:00.002+01:00

This enquiry was regarding the Bens goalkeeper in the early 1960s: Stewart Mitchell. The enquirer had been taken to Newcastle United games in that era by his father and seeks to trace the careers of the players he remembered watching.
It wasn't always on the cards that the Bens No 1 would end up on Tyneside as other eyes were watching as a match report of Benburb v Port Glasgow in the Evening Times of Saturday 29 August 1953 mentions:-
'Rangers, Chelsea and Arbroath had representatives on the spot, one of the quarry being Stewart Mitchell, the Bens goalkeeper, in whom Stirling Albion and West Ham are keenly interested.'

Stewart Mitchell was on the move a couple of weeks later but it was to a previously unmentioned pursuer. The Evening Times of Saturday 12 September 1953 carried a match report of that day's Junior Cup ties but also a feature on the Bens' keeper:-
'FORSYTH SECONDED RIVAL'S PROMOTION
Bens' Goalkeeper Got Helping Hand To Newcastle (by George Manson)

Stewart Mitchell, the Benburb goalkeeper who played his last game for the Govan side today against Kilbirnie Ladeside in the Scottish Junior Cup before joining Newcastle United, is the first to admit that he has been extremely lucky in having Alex Forsyth in his 'corner' at Tinto Park.
Alex Forsyth of course is Benburb's long service keeper, and, instead of being piqued at losing his place to Stewart, he acted as mentor to the lad, and they have been as inseparable as twins at Tinto.
In one of Stewart's first games for the Bens he looked a bit shaky so Alex went behind the goal and started giving instructions. Stewart finished up playing a great game.
Stewart, who resides just across the road from Ibrox Stadium, once had an ambition to play for the 'Light Blues'. It did not work out that way however. Now he's off to Tyneside with splendid terms and the promise that he will go straight into United's second team. The fee Benburb are receiving for Stewart, who worked in a Co-operative branch at Shieldhall, is believed to be a record one.
Some say- Why did Benburb not hold onto Stewart as the season is so young? One answer is that Stanely Seymour, the Newcastle manager-director, would not take no for an answer from the Bens; another that the lad was keen to make the move; and last, but not least, Benburb have old faithful Alex Forsyth to fill the bill in his place.'

Bens had drawn 1-1 in that day's tie with Kilbirnie thanks to a second half equaliser from Dunky Rae. Benburb were saddened to hear last year that Alex Forsyth had passed away at the age of 90 years. I hope to feature his career in the Benburb Heroes series.
The enquirer advised that Stewart Mitchell spent 10 years at Tottenham before returning to Third Lanark in 1963.

William Harris: Spurred On By Bens

2010-06-19T20:08:00.003+01:00

This enquiry was regarding William Harris, the enquirer's great grandfather, who moved from Benburb to Tottenham Hotspur in May 1909.
The Evening Times of Monday 24 May 1909 carried the news of the player's move to the London club who that month were on a tour of South America.
'BENBURB PLAYER FOR TOTTENHAM
Tottenham Hotspur with their inclusion next season in First Division League football are making strong efforts to secure a team that will carry them through the more strenuous matches which they will now have to play.
A representative of the club has been in Glasgow on the lookout for talent these last few days, and this forenoon he was successful in signing on a promising junior back in Wm Harris of the Benburb FC.
Harris, who is only 19 years of age, is a well built fellow of 12st 7lb and 5ft 10in in height.
He played for two years in the juvenile Langside Athletic, after which he was almost a season with Largs Thistle.
For the last two years he was a tower of strength as left back in the Benburb, and is said to be able to play equally well on the right.
Harris is a Govanhill youth, and it was thought Third Lanark would have secured him.'

The newspapers of May 1909 carried the trial of Oscar Slater but there was still room for football news and a couple of reports mentioned William Harris.

On Tuesday 11 May 1909, the Evening Times carried a report of the previous night's match.
'Benburb and Maryhill replayed their Glasgow Junior Charity Cup tie last night at Govandale Park, where last Tuesday, the game was closured ten minutes from time owing to darkness with the Benburb leading by 2 to 0. As it turned out Benburb again demonstrated their superiority and won last night by 3 to 0. Maryhill forced matters at the start, which only served to bring out the saving abilities of Harris, Tait and McDougall, the latter being especially effective. Fifteen minutes had gone when Gordon scored from a corner. Benburb were now playing with an amount of dash that proved quite irresistible and Rodger scored a second goal after a faulty clearance by Neilson. On resuming Benburb kept up the aggressive work, peppering their opponents' goal to some tune. Maryhill then wakened up and forced a corner, which McDougall headed away, when a point seemed imminent. Lang, the old Maryhill player, notched the third goal for Benburb, who all over were superior to their opponents and a continuance of last night's form should see Benburb again take part in the final tie, a position they attained last season.'

William Harris must have demonstrated some consistent defending for some time as his inclusion in an article two days later on Thursday 13 May 1909 (Evening Times) shows:-
'The following team and reserves were chosen for the representative game with Aberdeenshire at Central Park, Aberdeen on the 22nd inst.-
Cope (Parkhead); Frame (R Glencairn-capt), and McDonald (R Glencairn); Wilson (Maryhill), McDougall (Benburb) and McDougall (Postal Athletic); Hamilton (Petershill) and Logan (Shettleston); Lone (St Anthonys); McAulay (G Perthshire) and Brownlie (Cambuslang Rangers).
Reserves- Riddell (Benburb); Wilson (Parkhead) and Harris (Benburb); Johnstone (G Perthshire), Buchanan (Camb Rangers) and McDonald (Maryhill); Young (Parkhead) and Balfour (Camb Rangers); McSorley (Benburb); Gardiner (Parkhead) and Rodgers (Benburb).'

William Harris' great grandson advised that he moved to Tottenham for the sum of 5 guineas.

Benburb Beginnings

2010-06-19T19:55:00.002+01:00

The Bens website mailbox now and again receives requests for information about players from the club's history. Often it is family members being enquired about but sometimes queries which are part of a wider project. Unfortunately, the club has no official records available to it although the match secretary has been compiling statistics since the 1990s. Any enquiries prior to this would have to be found in newspaper records and I've attempted some initial searches via the Evening Times records at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.
So far, I've managed to get some information for two enquiries; one for a player 100 years ago and another from the 1960s. Both moved on to famous English league clubs- something which makes it slightly easier to locate in the records. I'm not sure how much more information the following provides for the enquirers but hopefully it'll be of some help.

The Blue Clydesiders?

2010-06-07T20:34:00.003+01:00

Govan police have confirmed that they had to move on an elderly Bens fan who was causing a commotion at the Govan Fair procession on Friday night.

Bystanders were amazed as he shouted 'bring on the recession' and 'lets turn the recession into a depression' to all and sundry.

When questioned by the 'local polis', he defended his actions on the basis it was only during the economic downturns of the 1930s and early 80s that the Bens had done anything in the Junior Cup!

Bens In The Middle of The Intermediates

2010-06-01T19:35:00.002+01:00

The Scottish Intermediate League got underway at the start of season 1927-28 and was made up of two divisions from Glasgow and the surrounding shires. They were actually a geographical division into Eastern and Western sections.
The Eastern division was made up of Baillieston, Bellshill Athletic, Blantyre Celtic, Blantyre Victoria, Bridgeton Waverley, Cadzow St Annes, Cambuslang Rangers, Fauldhouse United, Glencairn, Lanark United, Larkhall Thistle, Parkhead, Shettleston, Shettleston Celtic, Shieldmuir Celtic, Shotts Battlefield, Shotts United, Strathclyde, Vale of Clyde and Wishaw Juniors.
The Western side was composed of Ashfield, Benburb, Camelon, Clydebank, Dumbarton Harp, Duntocher Hibs, Helensburgh, Johnstone Rovers, Maryhill, Neilston Victoria, Perthshire, Petershill, Pollok, Port Glasgow Juniors, Renfrew Juniors, Rob Roy, St Anthonys, St Rochs, Shawfield Juniors and Yoker Athletic.
Bens began their life in the Intermediates with a game against Neilston Victoria on Saturday 30 July 1927 which was reported in that night's Evening Times.

'BENBURB- McEwen, Munro & Sutherland; Kaminski, Milne & Liddell; Malaghan and McKenzie; Wilson; Main and Harkness.

NEILSTON VICTORIA- Grieve, Fulton & Nicol; Craig, McNaught & McMillan; McGrath and Lindsay; Blair; McNab and Bennie.

Referee; D N Campbell (Rutherglen)

Heavy rain fell prior to the starting time. It cleared and the new era was ushered in, in all serene and dry. The opening movements were close and intricate due to the nippy interposition of the halves. Harkness looked dangerous on the left and beating both backs he centred to Wilson. The centre handled and thus ended a promising raid to the huge disappointment of Govan.
The Vics were however, fairly holding their own. In Blair they possess a centre of the right type ready to take an opening or make one. The sodden ground was all against the "finer points" and the opening tactics of the Ayrshire boys appeared to be the better policy. After McKenzie had shot for Grieve to bring off a smart clearance, Blair supported by the neat McNab placed a fraction too high at the other end. This indicates the even, swinging nature of the game though when McNab met McGrath's cross next minute his side should have taken the lead.
Rain had again commenced to fall heavily and the players were a trifle uncertain how to act when in possession. A prolonged scrimmage in the Neilston goalmouth brought the riveters into vocal action. Grieve however emerged the winner and in an instant the Bens were defending desperately. A corner finely placed by Bennie was scarcely scrambled clear when a counter from Blair was blocked luckily by McEwen. A first-timer by Bennie slipped through McEwen's hands and Benburb were again lucky as the ball scraped past the outside of the upright.
After forty minutes play Liddell netted Harkness's rebound in unexpected fashion. Benburb were coming more into the picture and their passing was the more accurate. Wilson's trap and shot ran down the curtain on the first half, it was a near thing.
Half time- Benburb 1 Neilston Victoria 0
Neilston opened on the offensive and Blair led out nicely to the left but the home centre-half collared the return. The sterling worth of Milne however, changed the turn of events and the visitors had to defend shots from McGrath, Bennie and Wilson. A series of corners to Benburb were successfully stalled off. However, their football had now vastly improved and following a run of triangular passing on the Benburb right, Wilson had practically the gift of an open goal; his shot however was kept over.'

Bens continued their good start and finished the league in 8th position with 41 points having played 38 matches, winning 16, drawing 9, losing 13 while scoring 82 goals for 79 conceded. Ashfield were the section winners with 63 points.
In 1928/29, Bens finished in 13th position with 32 points from 34 games- winning 13, with 15 losses and 6 drawn. They scored 68 but conceded a heavy 91. Ashfield again finished in top place on 52 points.
Bens bounced back in 1929/30 to 7th position with 39 points from 34 games. 16 matches were won , with 7 drawn and 11 losses. They scored 74 goals but conceded 73. Clydebank finished on top that season with 52 points.
Season 1930/31 produced Bens' best finish in 6th place having played 30 games for 36 points. They came out on top in 15 matches with 9 lost and 6 drawn. They scored 92 goals while conceding 63. Yoker were in 1st place on 42 points. This was the era of Sam English for the Holm Park side.

The Scottish Intermediate League champion was decided in a play-off between the Western and Eastern sections.
In 1927-28 Baillieston beat Ashfield 2-1 after a 1-1 draw.
The following year 1928-29 the two sides met again with Ashfield winning 1-0.
In 1929-30 Clydebank continued the West's winning ways beating Bridgeton Waverley 3-2 after 2 draws.
In the final competition of 1930-31, Bridgeton Waverley evened things out when they defeated Yoker by 2-0.

The above information was again extracted from the Scottish Football Historical Archive and the page on the Intermediate competitions contains the following acknowledgement:
'the accompanying league memberships were researched by the late Jackie Heaney and kindly supplied by Stewart Davidson, with additional information taken from John Aitken's West of Scotland Juniors 1885-2005. Robert Watson supplied me with the final table of the 1929-30 Eastern Division table.' Full details at http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com .

The Intermediate period was thought by many reports of the time to have improved the standard from the previous leagues which had existed for over 20 years and were probably a bit stale. Some teams returned each year to the SJFA as the reducing divisions shows but the Bens stayed with the Intermediate League until the resolution in 1931 and were certainly a much improved side for it as the decade ahead would prove.

Junior Victory Costs Seniors

2010-05-31T18:34:00.002+01:00

A few days after the Bens opened Tinto Park with a victory, Petershill had a major success off the field which would shape Junior football for the second half of the 1920s. The Evening Times of Thursday 13 August 1925 covered the landmark decision in an article, the beginning of which is posted below.
'PETERSHILL FC WIN
Sheriff Decides In City Club's Favour
BIG TEST CASE

Sheriff Orr in Edinburgh yesterday delivered judgement allowing a proof in the action by Petershill FC Glasgow, and its officials against the St Bernards FC Edinburgh, for payment of £50 damages for having induced and procured the pursuers' registered player, James Boyd, to break his agreement with the pursuers.
The pursuers said that in August 1924, Boyd, who was registered for them for season 1924-25, in an agreement issued by the Glasgow Junior Football League, received from the pursuers £5.
On October 15, 1924, the defenders through their secretary, without the pursuers consent persuaded Boyd to sign a Senior Association form, and paid him a sum of money for doing so.
Thereafter he regularly played for the defenders and thereby disqualified himself from playing for the pursuers. They averred therefore that not only had the defenders done them a legal wrong, but had caused them loss for which the defenders were liable.'

The judgement meant in law that a Junior under contract to his club cannot with impunity break his contract, and that a Senior club cannot, without making itself liable in damages, induce a player to break his contract.

The issue of compensation when Juniors went Senior had long been an issue of contention and the member clubs looked to the SJFA to come to an agreement with the SFA. Many, in particular the Glasgow clubs, felt their interests were poorly represented by the SJFA and they proposed a breakaway as the only effective way to ensure their interests were fully acknowledged and compensated by the Senior clubs.
On 19 March 1926 The Scottish Intermediate Junior Football Association was formed. The Intermediate dispute lasted from season 1927-28 to 1930-31. The Association held its own cup- The Scottish Intermediate Cup- during these seasons. At the resolution of the dispute, the 'rebel' clubs returned to the SJFA fold. As the dispute was mainly confined to the west of Scotland, the remaining Intermediate clubs were granted permission by the SFA to form the West of Scotland Association and their cup became The West of Scotland Cup.
The discontent of clubs with compensation for the loss of players has been part and parcel of football at all levels since time immemorial and the Evening Times of Saturday 13 August 1927 reported a new outbreak of rebellion:
'MORE INTERMEDIATES
From what we learn it is now almost a certainty that there will be an Intermediate Juvenile Association. Where the difference between Juvenile clubs arises, we fail to see, but the Intermediate Juniors are willing to pay £7 for an Intermediate Juvenile player if his club is agreable to let him go.'

Twenties Points To Tinto For Bens

2010-05-30T15:18:00.003+01:00

In recent times the decade change has been kind to Bens but something that seems to have lifted the club through numerous decades was the boost on the park when they moved to new surroundings.

The early 1920s saw the Bens still playing out of Gymnasium Park in Helen Street and in season 1920-21 they finished in second place in the Glasgow Junior League with 41 points, only a point behind winners Ashfield. A failure to convert draws to wins cost them the opportunity of their second title.

The following season the inconsistency that had plagued them since their title win in 1914 was clearly demonstrated when they finished bottom of the heap in 18th place on 23 points- a full 27 behind winners Glencairn.

A revival of fortune occurred the following season, finishing in the top half of the table in 8th position on 37 points. Strathclyde were the champions with 52 points.

Off the field, things weren't ideal either as they lost the use of Gymnasium Park in the following season and season 1924-25 games were played at St Anthonys' Moore Park.

Over that season, Bens secured some land beside the Tinto works on Shieldhall Road and a football ground was constructed in time for season 1925-26. Tinto Park or Old Tinto Park as it was known after 1932 was opened in August 1925. The Evening Times of Saturday 8 August 1925 recorded the event:

'Benburb v Pollok

Glasgow Junior League

At Tinto Park, Govan

Much interest was taken in the official opening of the new and well-appointed field of the Benburb FC this afternoon. Mr Neil McLean, MP for Govan declared the field open.

Teams:-

Benburb- Galbraith; Cleland and Munro; Barr, Hunter and Malloch; Scullion and McCarron; Crumb; Liddell and Brunton.

Pollok- Honeyman; Smith and Ballardie; Gurry, Leslie and Docherty; Cameron and Lambie; Wilson; Calderwood and Ingram.

Referee: D F Ryley Port Glasgow

THE GAME

Pollok won the toss and faced a strong sun in the first half. Benburb had, if anything, the better of the opening exchanges mainly through the activity of their right wing play. They were over their opponents lines twice in as many minutes without, however, being really dangerous. After a brief visit by Pollok to the other end, Benburb came again. A long shot was sent into Honeyman and with plenty of time he fumbled in gathering. Crumb was on him in a trice but all he got was a non-productive corner.
FIRST FOR POLLOK
After ten minutes play Cameron went off on Pollok's right wing and centring accurately Wilson seized the opportunity to shoot for the inside of the post. Galbraith handled but was unable to hold the ball and the visitors thus unexpectedly opened the scoring. Following this reverse, Benburb were aggressive and for a time Pollok were confined to their own quarters but lack of understanding by the home forwards in front of goal and lusty clearing by Smith and Ballardie kept Honeyman from serious anxiety. Benburb however, continued to hold the upper hand and midway through the first half they got their first reward when Crumb neatly slipped through a ball from the left and equalised the score.
BENBURB TAKE THE LEAD
Having once found the way Benburb immediately returned for more and got it too. Scullion sent over a beautiful cross which was met by the oncoming Crumb who, without hesitation, drove it home for a second time.
HEAT TELLS ON PLAYERS
Both players relaxed somewhat after this. The intense heat evidently telling on the players. The play for a period was confined to midfield. The respective backs and halves kept a close grip of their opposing forwards and anything that came for either Galbraith or Honeyman was easily dealt with. Benburb, following a neat cross by Hunter, had a golden opportunity but Crumb and Liddell got in each other's way and Smith stepping in gave them no time for second thoughts. Benburb again pressed strongly but direct shooting on their part was almost entirely absent and Honeyman although frequently called upon had always ample time to clear.
Half Time:-
Benburb 2 Pollok 1 '

The second half passed with no further score and Bens won their first match at Tinto Park on a sunny day too!

Information regarding the Glasgow Junior League placings in the early Twenties was taken from Brian McColl's comprehensive and informative website http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/ - many thanks to him for making this information available and thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in football in Scotland.

Bens' Thirty Year Run Comes To An End

2010-05-30T14:58:00.002+01:00

Bens' failure to gain promotion this year as the Noughties moved into the new decade (is it the Teenies?) brought to an end a successful run for the Tinto club in every decade change since 1979-80.
That season brought the unforgettable achievement of an appearance in the Scottish Junior Cup Final. Although Baillieston went on to win the replay, Bens gave a great account of themselves and brought the final alive with an extra special Eddie McKim strike.
Ten years later in 1989-90, Bens won the Central League First Division with an unbeaten record through the season, gaining promotion to the Premier League.
It was that same Premier Division title that Bens secured in season 1999-2000 in the club's officially recognised centenary season. They also appeared in the Junior Cup semi-final narrowly losing to eventual winners Whitburn and won the Central League Cup.
So hopes were high for season 2009-10 but alas a successful outcome just eluded them.

Bens Have Second Sitting

2010-05-15T18:15:00.002+01:00

As expected, Greenock ran out 5-0 winners over Forth Wanderers to join Shettleston and Johnstone Burgh in the promoted places.
So it's another year in the Second Division for Bens and the up going teams will be replaced by Larkhall Thistle, Lesmahagow and Maryhill.
No guarantees of points from the newcomers so next season will require a super effort to move up. Looking back on this season however, it was interesting to note that the points dropped against the 'lesser' sides were what did for the Bens' challenge in the end.
The Bens' management team are hopeful of keeping the current squad together but the next few months will tell.

Bens Want Second Helpings

2010-05-05T21:32:00.002+01:00

Bens struggled to make the breakthrough required to stake their claim to promotion at Keanie Park. They must now rely on Greenock to lose their final match or their hosts tonight failing in their remaining two fixtures.
Bens were without the suspended Tony O'Neill and their frontline failed to find a lot of room in a Johnstone defence that covered well for each other. Bens' short passing game wasn't exacting enough for most of the game to open the home defence, only improving when the pacy Ally Mackenzie was introduced in the final stages.
The early stages saw a couple of wide headers from Elliott and Tinney but neither worried the Johnstone keeper unduly.
At the other end, Quinn produced a good stop from a 25 yard free-kick and then looked smart touching over a strong header from the Burgh centre-half.
The Bens' keeper's finest moment was yet to come on the stroke of half-time. A Bens attack lost possession and Burgh broke quickly with a ball squared to the far side. The attacker stepped by the Bens defender and went down extremely softly prompting the referee to give a penalty on the advice of his linesman. The Bens team were livid but justice was restored as Mark Quinn stood tall and blocked a weak effort from the Johnstone centre.
Quinn produced two further fine saves at either end of the second half to keep Bens in the match but in between his teammates found it difficult to find a way through the tight formation of the home side.
Bens must now wait ten days or so to hear of Greenock's efforts, a disappointing conclusion to the division as these two teams are vying for one promotion place and would have merited their final match being played alongside on a Saturday. Barring an upset, it looks as if Bens will have a further disappointment to come.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, Thomson, Carroll, Elliott, Crossey, McGlinchey, Tinney, Seenan, Imrie, Waddell.

Central District League Division Two

2010-05-05T21:30:00.001+01:00

********************************************
* Johnstone Burgh 0 Benburb 0 *
********************************************

Division Two - This Week's Fixtures

2010-04-24T17:50:00.002+01:00

Monday 26 April 2010
St Roch's v Carluke Rovers
Royal Albert v Shettleston
Johnstone B v Yoker
Greenock v BENBURB

Wednesday 28 April 2010
Shettleston v Carluke Rovers
Newmains v Royal Albert
BENBURB v Johnstone B

Saturday 01 May 2010
Yoker v Forth
Carluke Rovers v Johnstone B
Newmains v BENBURB
Greenock v Wishaw

Today's Other Results

2010-04-24T17:46:00.002+01:00

Newmains 0 Shettleston 2
Royal Albert 0 Greenock 1
Johnstone B 3 St Roch's 2
Forth 1 Wishaw 0

Don't Look Back For Answers

2010-04-24T16:56:00.002+01:00

Holm Park was its usual self with a procession of overhead traffic following the end of the flight ban. Below, Yoker and Bens fought out a dour draw and both sides left the field looking upwards wondering if this was the end of their campaign or if the sky's still the limit in this Second Division.
It was a game of two halves with the home side dominating the opening period while Bens ended strongly.
Yoker came close on 11 minutes when Bens' striker failed to hold in a long clearance and the home defender lobbed a ball over the advancing defence. The ball was seized on by a Yoker midfielder and his squared pass into the box was lifted high over the bar by a teammate when it was easier to hit the target.
Bens' best chance of the half came from tenacious work in the box by Seenan forcing a corner on 16 minutes. The kick was played short to Waddell and he flighted a cross which was glanced by O'Neill just past the post.
Although Yoker kept Bens on the back foot for most of the first half, their final ball was inadequate or on a couple of occasions unlucky in that it struck their own player deflecting it from its goalward path.
At this stage of the season it was in both sides interest to take full points and the half-time team talks would no doubt have stressed the importance. Yoker were first to heed the words when they took the lead on 54 minutes. A through ball left their striker one-on-one with Thomson and he stepped to the side and despatched his shot into the bottom corner past Quinn.
Bens endured a rocky minute or so after the goal when a free header from a free-kick forced Quinn to save at his right.
Tony O'Neill, still looking to open his 2010 account, had the ball in the net for Bens on 70 minutes but the referee was quick to cancel it for a foul on the keeper.
This was the starting point for the Bens' domination of the remaining minutes which raised a notch on 78 minutes when Steven Waddell met a corner at the front post and headed Bens level.
Bens had sent on Mackenzie for Crossey to try and exploit any space in the Yoker backline. O'Neill came close, with ten minutes remaining, when his powerful header was held well by the Yoker keeper.
Come the end of the season both sides may look back on this as two points dropped but for the moment they can only look forward to the total still available. Neither of them will want to cast a glance back at fifth place where Johnstone's games in hand could eclipse both of them. Both sides have the Keanie Park side to meet- in Bens' case twice- and these matches may yet decide their fates.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, Thomson, Kayes, Elliott, Crossey, McGlinchey, Carroll, O'Neill, Seenan, Waddell.

Central District League Division Two

2010-04-24T16:54:00.001+01:00

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* Yoker Athletic 1 Benburb 1 *
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League Now Central For Bens

2010-04-23T10:52:00.002+01:00

Bens gave a good account of themselves against Super First high fliers Glencairn but bowed out to two second-half goals. The Tinto team held their own and could claim at times to have the better of the visitors for the first hour or so but when the first goal went in for the Rutherglen side they found their form and secured the victory with a second strike.
Bens now face a hectic five days of 'cup ties' in the league against Yoker, Greenock and Johnstone respectively and by this time next week will hopefully be on course for First Division football next season.

Central League Cup Round 2

2010-04-23T10:48:00.003+01:00

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* Benburb 0 Glencairn 2 *
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Bens Experience Pressure Drop

2010-04-17T19:05:00.004+01:00

In a disappointing, but exciting, ninety minutes at Tinto Park today, Bens saw their promotion challenge take a dent as they dropped not just two points to Carluke Rovers but two places in the Central Second Division. Wins for Yoker and Greenock saw them advance on Shettleston with Bens now occupying fourth place.
Carluke, who defeated Bens 3-2 at Loch Park earlier in the season, scored with almost their first foray into the Bens goalmouth: their unmarked striker scooped over Quinn from the edge of the box after 12 minutes.
Slack defending occurred again minutes later when a Carluke corner to the back post found a free header and only Kinnaird's goalline clearance saved the day.
Quinn, who was Bens' Man of The Match against Shettleston, produced a fine save at his right hand post from a Carluke freekick.
At the other end, McGlinchey failed to test the visiting keeper when he pulled his free-kick past the post.
At the turnaround, Bens had it all to do shooting into a fierce wind for the second half. Their fears were eased on 53 minutes when Chris Seenan met a Waddell free-kick at the front post and directed it beyond the keeper.
On the hour mark, the Carluke keeper had a brilliant double save blocking a point blank header from a Bens corner and getting across to smother the rebound shot at his back post.
Bens had to wait another seven minutes before Kevin McGlinchey fired them into the lead for the first time.
Bens pressed on looking for the goal that would seal the victory and on 75 minutes a well worked move ended with O'Neill's header dropping beyond the far post. Carluke collected and staged a swift breakaway releasing their striker on the right hand side who covered the ground from his own half to slot by Quinn for the equaliser.
Bens put on Callaghan for Elliott and Mackenzie for Imrie to try and carve out the winner but they must have been mindful that the last time the sides met at Tinto, Carluke had fired a late winner to win 3-2.
The visitors from Lanarkshire looked for the same result on 89 minutes when they fired a ball over the top on the Bens' right hand side: Bens' Kinnaird got into a tangle with the striker and received a second yellow for impeding the attacker.
So Bens ended the match a man down, two points down and two places below their starting point in the league. They travel to Yoker next Saturday for what must be the most critical 90 minutes of the season so far. A positive result, with their games in hand, would place them back in the promotion places.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, McMillan, Carroll, Thomson, Elliott, McGlinchey, Imrie, O'Neill, Seenan, Waddell.

Central District League Division Two

2010-04-17T19:00:00.001+01:00

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* Benburb 2 Carluke Rovers 2 *
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Waddell Points Direction For Town

2010-04-03T18:00:00.002+01:00

Bens' striker Steven Waddell who scored twice as Bens took all three points from Division Two leaders Shettleston.

Bens Go To Town

2010-04-03T17:04:00.002+01:00

Bens entertained table toppers Shettleston at Tinto Park with an assured performance that moved them to within two points of the top.
Any neutrals must've felt goals were a guarantee as the Town enjoyed a 3-2 win at Holm Park last week and Bens haven't been too quiet on the scoring front either.
The home side didn't disappoint and looked for an early opener. Crossey tried his luck from a cleared corner but his shot was held by the keeper. Bens were awarded a freekick 20 yards out on 14 minutes following a mistimed tackle; McMillan's attempt curled harmlessly over the bar.
Chris Seenan was next to take his chances but headed wide of the post from a good position. Another nine times out of ten it would've probably had a different outcome but this one was spurned.
Effortless was what Steven Waddell made it look when a long throw from the left was knocked on and he stroked the ball into the net from eight yards to give Bens the lead on 37 minutes.
Minutes later he burst into the box and sent a looping shot just over the bar as Bens looked to press home the advantage.
Although the score remained the same as the interval whistle sounded the advantage looked to be with the home side with a goal lead and shooting down towards the pavilion in the second half.
Anyone who needed any further convincing of this must have been satisfied a minute into the second half when Steven Waddell accepted his rebounding header and shot home from ten yards to double Bens' lead.
On 48 minutes, Chris Seenan met a Kinnaird freekick and volleyed a foot over the bar from close in. On another day, nine times out of ten...
McGlinchey did well at the right corner flag, switching to his left and curling an inviting cross which Tony O'Neill slightly mistimed and allowed to drift inches by him.
Bens knew a third would be required to seal it but were reminded of the fact in a two minute spell in 55 and 56 minutes when they lost central defender Thomson to a second yellow card and then a half cleared cross was fired low into the Bens net through a cluster of defenders from the edge of the penalty area.
Maybe it was this, or the memory of the earlier two chances that prompted Chris Seenan on 56 minutes when he received a ball inside from Kinnaird; he stepped past the defender and fired his shot into the bottom corner to restore Bens' two goal lead.
The final half-hour saw Bens pose problems for the Shettleston backline depite being a man down. For this they have to thank their subs Mackenzie and Callaghan, on for O'Neill and McGlinchey respectively, who were full of running and kept the game in Shettleston's half. They'll have less thanks for Crossey who seemed to get himself dismissed in needless circumstances with the Shettleston manager on 85 minutes.
Shakarji replaced Seenan late on to keep the pressure up and Bens collected the three points to embed themselves in the 'promotion' zone with six matches left.
An excellent performance to take into their next home league game with Carluke in a fortnight's time diminished only by more self inflicted indiscipline.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, McMillan, Carroll, Thomson, Crossey, McGlinchey, Watson, O'Neill, Seenan, Waddell.

Central District League Division Two

2010-04-03T17:02:00.001+01:00

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* Benburb 3 Shettleston 1 *
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Bens Get Their Wishes

2010-03-27T19:20:00.002Z

After last week's disappointing scoreless draw at Royal Albert, Bens served up a seven goal feast to confirm their third place standing in the league.
Wishaw arrived at Tinto Park in fourth position knowing a win would bring them level with the home side but Bens got off to a flying start with three goals from the off.
Three minutes into the match John Tinney curled in a corner which found its way into the net for the opener.
Bens' keeper Quinn found himself on the scoresheet when a free kick in his own half eluded everyone including his opposite number after eight minutes.
With twelve minutes on the clock Chris Seenan continued his fine form notching Bens' third and the match points looked secure.
As the half wore on it became noticeable that the wind was playing to the Bens' advantage as they shot down the slope with the visitors finding it difficult to clear their lines.
With the half-time turnaround, Wishaw came to life and on 48 minutes a 35 yard freekick sailed through the breeze into the top corner. A partial revival that was enhanced on 57 minutes when the visitors notched the second.
The two sides had shared a 3-3 encounter just over a month ago and the odds were shortening on a repeat when Andrew Crossey relieved the pressure on the home side in 69 minutes by restoring a two goal lead.
James Callaghan, on for McGlinchey, finished off a ten-man Bens breakaway on 83 minutes to secure the victory. The depletion came about when Seenan earned a second yellow card on 77 minutes and then a further red card for his reaction to the referee's decision.
So Bens get back to their scoring and winning ways but of concern must be the mounting disciplinary record as they begin their final assault on the top positions beginning with Shettleston next at Tinto Park.

BENBURB: Quinn, Kinnaird, McMillan, Carroll, Thomson, Crossey, McGlinchey, Tinney, O'Neill, Seenan, Waddell.

Central District League Division 2

2010-03-27T19:13:00.002Z

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* Benburb 5 Wishaw 2 *
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Bens Roll On At The Rock

2010-03-13T18:56:00.002Z

Bens emerged from cold storage to keep up their promotion push today in a hard fought match at Provanmill.
They were forced into a change from the off as Joe Ghattas was injured during training midweek but Andy Heafey had no problem in filling the goalkeeping berth.
The bulky Bens veteran was called into action after ten minutes when he turned a 25 yard freekick strike round the post. This followed a quick pass to the homesters winger who shot past as Crossey upended him- the Bens midfielder earning a booking.
Bens' Waddell earned a free-kick on the right edge of the penalty box on 16 minutes when he niftily stepped between two defenders; McGlinchey's low cross cannoned off two defenders for a corner but the incoming kick was sent weakly by from McMillan.
Steven Waddell confirmed his danger when he met a floated diagonal cross from Watson and sidefooted into the net from 6 yards to give Bens the lead on the half hour mark.
The same combination nearly provided further damage five minutes later when Watson was fouled on the right touchline. Watson's free-kick skipped through the Rock defence to an unmarked Waddell at the back post but the striker's sidefooted shot was deflected past.
As the fortieth minute approached St Rochs drew level from a corner: Heafey was left to challenge the home striker but he proved more adept nodding past the Bens keeper.
Bens were quick to restore the lead on 42 minutes when another diagonal across goal found McGlinchey at the back post and although the keeper did well to parry his shot Chris Seenan was on hand to fire into the net.
Two minutes later Bens produced good interplay in the box to feet and as the home keeper screamed for his defenders to get a foot in, Chris Seenan rounded of the passing by shooting past him into the net for a 3-1 lead.
This remained intact to half-time surviving the Rock striker's looping header over Heafey which was deemed offside.
St Roch's opened the second half with a determined move which was only halted when Heafey punched clear.
Seenan posed further problems for the St Roch's backline on 48 minutes when he broke clear on the left before laying to McGlinchey but the little midfielder's effort was swept high over the bar.
Bens then lost manager Frank Lovering 'to the stand' after he protested strongly about a late challenge on a Bens player, but no further instructions from the sidelines were required by Seenan as he knew he had a hat trick in his sights and the Bens striker came close first-timing a weighted cross from the right only for a full stretch save by the keeper to deny him. O'Neill will want to forget the rebound as he sent it well wide of the mark.
St Roch's lost their centre forward to a red card with a quarter of the match remaining and as usual the ten men lifted a gear putting the visitors goal under pressure. Kinnaird headed off the line at a corner before on 80 minutes Heafey provided two great diving saves at his right post- the second clattered the upright but it's thought to be okay!
Chris Seenan had another chance to claim his prize on 81 minutes when he was straight through but his shot hit the keeper.
The home side pulled one back with something special on 85 minutes when the Rock substitute scooped up and volleyed from 25 yards just inside the post.
Bens lost Alan Thomson to a second yellow card in the dying minutes but held on for all three points which may prove vital in their promotion push. Bens' away record is beginning to match their strong home performances as they belatedly enter the second half of the season.

BENBURB: Heafey, Kinnaird, McMillan, Kayes, Thomson, Crossey, McGlinchey, Watson, O'Neill, Seenan, Waddell.