It’s the run-in to the end of the season, and we get to enjoy our final two matches at home in quick succession. Firstly, St. Cadoc’s make their first ever visit to the Ayrshire seaside and Portland Park for our 29th WOSFL Premier Division match of the season.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus St. Cadoc’s ⚽️
Saturday 11th May 2024
PDM Huws Gray WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
There is very much the feeling around Portland Park that we could have done better this season, but the primary objective has been accomplished in securing our place in the Premier Division for next season, which is a record 7th season in a row in the top flight for our club. However some may feel we could or should have done, that is a stat to be proud of in an era where it is rapidly becoming harder & harder every season to even just stand still.
St. Cadoc’s have had a hugely impressive first season in the WOSFL Premier Division, having been promoted alongside Champions Gartcairn & Benburb last summer. Following the appointment of Martin Fellowes, and a massive overhaul of the promotion-winning squad, they have had a stellar season & have been competing in the top four or five for the majority of the campaign.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Mark Shankland & Rabin Omar both sat out the Beith game last week with minor niggles, but hopefully they should return to the squad for this weekend.
Ben Black remains absent through a groin injury, and the sensible approach may be to rest him up ahead of next season.
It’s been another mammoth season, and it comes to a close with us looking forward to another season in the Premier Division in 2024-25. We have reached a milestone for the club which is that we have now achieved the clubs longest run in the top division in the club’s history since 1946. That’s something we can all be proud of and take that positive into the new season. It’s a tangible achievement that will go down in the clubs history.
These lads are a privilege to work with and I have told them many times this season that their commitment and effort in games has never been in doubt. Individual errors on and off the pitch have contributed to us tripping up at key times, but we can all learn from that. Every day is a school day, as they say!
I’m proud of all our efforts over the season and let’s end on a high with our next two games. Moving forward, the focus is on putting ourselves in the position to be bringing silverware home along with achievements and statistics. On and off the pitch we need to up our game next season and you have my word that over the coming weeks I will be working hard to make sure that happens.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | St. Cadoc’s Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | St. Cads |
| Founded | 1987 (2020 as a senior team) |
| Ground | New Tinto Park, Govan |
| Capacity | 1,000 |
| Club President | Brendan Boyle |
| Manager | Martin Fellowes |
| Captain | BJ Coll |
| 2022-23 | WOSFL First Division, 2nd from 16 |
⚽️️ LEWIS McTAGGART ⚽️
25 year old Lewis was a new signing for St. Cadoc’s last summer from Benburb, where he had been their top scorer in their promotion run with 16 league goals.
A strong front-runner, whether from out wide or through the middle, “Taggs” is a nightmare for defenders.
⚽️️ NEIL McLAUGHLIN ⚽️
A powerful winger, who is most often found coming off the left flank, 25 year old Neil has really caught the eye this season and he was crowned the Cads Player of the Year last weekend, as well as top goalscorer with 28 goals in total.
One of many players who followed Martin Fellowes from East Kilbride in the summer, he began his career in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy before a spell with Motherwell, Stirling & Caledonian Braves.
© Thanks to Colin Poultney at St. Cadoc’s for his photos
Troon F.C.