After a long, hard season we are finally at the 30th & final WOSFL Premier Division match of the season when we welcome Scottish Junior Cup finalists Darvel to Portland Park on Monday night.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Darvel ⚽️
Monday 13th May 2024
PDM Huws Gray WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.30pm
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.
It’s been a tumultuous season at Darvel this year, with it’s fair share of highs and lows. Manager Mick Kennedy departed at the end of last season to join Lowland League East Kilbride, where he has won the title with a number of his former charges at Recreation Park in the line-up. Former Pollok & Cumnock Manager Tony McInally was appointed to helm the new era, and he oversaw an influx of new star signings to stamp his mark on the team, most notably the record signing of Cumnock’s top scorer Jordan Moore for a reported £20,000. But after reaching the Scottish Junior Cup Final & lifting the West of Scotland Cup he has also now departed, leaving former Dundee United forward David Winters in Caretaker charge.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Monday night’s match…
Mark Shankland misses out with a cracked rib picked up against AfroScots a couple of weeks ago, while Rabin Omar’s hip injury has seen him play his last game for Troon following a successful loan spell from Broomhill. Logan Smith missed Saturday’s home defeat to St. Cadoc’s with a sickness bug, but he is hoping to play his part on Monday night.
Ben Black made his return to the squad after a groin injury, but his focus is very much on next season at this stage.
It’s the final match of another mammoth season in the Premier Division, and I can safely say it is getting harder every year in the top flight of the WOSFL.
Saturday was disappointing for me, it very much had a feel of a meaningless end-of-season match. But that didn’t mean it meant nothing. We were poor though, and St. Cadoc’s took complete advantage. It’s up to us now to finish the season on a high, but Darvel sure won’t make it easy for us to do that.
The primary objective for this campaign was to stay in the league, and that has been realised with a few games to spare yet again. 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.
I’m proud of all our efforts over the season and let’s end on a high with our final game. 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 | Darvel Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The ‘Vale |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Ground | Recreation Park, Darvel |
| Capacity | 2,200 (60 seated) |
| Club President | John Gall |
| Caretaker Manager | David Winters |
| Captain | David Syme |
| 2022-23 | WOSFL Premier Division, 3rd from 16 |
⚽️️ LEON MURPHY ⚽️
The 25 year old was one of the pricey additions last summer as part of Tony McInally’s rebuild, arriving from Glenafton Athletic. he may have taken a little time to settle, but his scintillating displays in the second half of the season have more than justified his price tag.
Began his career with Ayr United & enjoyed loan spells at Glenafton, Stranraer & St. Cadoc’s before cementing himself at Loch Park. Has all the ability to be a match winner on 2nd June.
⚽️️ KYLE HUTTON ⚽️
The 33 year old may be approaching the veteran category, and his experience is proving vital to Darvel in a difficult period for the club during his loan spell from Pollok.
Began his career with 54 appearances for Rangers before a tour of the SPFL with Partick Thistle, Dunfermline, Queen of the South, St. Mirren, Airdrie, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, Cowdenbeath & Forfar before heading to Newlandsfield last summer.
Troon F.C.