Latest news with #Shotts
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts boss says 'having a go' worked well as they avoided Premier League drop
John McKeown's side were on a good run of form at the end of the season Shotts boss John McKeown reckons having a go in games worked well for them, and hopes his side continue that form into next season's West of Scotland Premier League. The Hannah Park side ended with 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six games, as they comfortably evaded the bottom three – though Clydebank winning their Lowland League play-off saved four teams from going down. Now that the dust has settled on their first season in the top flight, McKeown reckons they could have done things differently. 'We know what to expect, but you have to find your feet,' said McKeown. 'As a coaching and management team, I think we were a wee bit negative in the first half of the season. 'In the second half, we had a wee bit more of a go, and ended up doing quite well. In our last six games we won three, drew two and lost one, and that's good going in this league. 'Fair play to the boys, they deserve all the credit they're going to get, and hopefully they continue that form into next season.' Shotts watched Clydebank's play-off in sponsor's pub The Two Chimneys in Uddingston, and the Bankies' promotion to the Lowland League means McKeown can plan ahead. He said: 'I had two lists, and now I can concentrate on the Premier League one, rather than the Championship. 'That gives us a better chance to plan, going forward. 'This is our second season in the Premier League and I think that's for the first time in 30 years, or something like that. 'By hook or by crook, we've stayed there, so fair play to the boys. 'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and I think that's what has kept us up.' Having lost Airdrie neighbours Gartcairn to relegation last season, due to a 15-point deduction, one particular fixture stands out to McKeown, who said: 'Glencairn are my local team, I was born in Rutherglen, so that's another wee derby.' Last week the club announced that a number of players have signed up again for the new season Taylor Evans, Josh Gracie and Paul Byrne have joined Ally Small, Rico De Marco and Jack Gordon in committing to the 2025/26 campaign. A number of players have also departed. Leaving the club are Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Danny Burns and goalkeeper Sandy Thomson. Meanwhile, after getting a bye in the first round, Shotts were drawn against Irvine Victoria in round two of the WoSFL Cup. The date is to be arranged.
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts boss' relief as Clydebank win means top-flight safety
Shotts were one of four teams that faced the drop, had Bankies not reached the Lowland League Shotts boss John McKeown admitted relief after their West of Scotland Premier League status was secured on Sunday, as Clydebank reached the Lowland League. The Bankies' 2-0 win over Musselburgh Athletic, 3-1 on aggregate, meant that only three teams dropped down from each of the top three leagues, rather than four, had they fallen short. Shotts ended the season in 13th place, five points above Benburb, who were one of three teams dropping into the First Division. As it is, Shotts now face a derby against McKeown's local team, Rutherglen Glencairn, in their second season in the top flight. A delighted McKeown said: 'We hired Bankies TV and we're absolutely over the moon. 'We need to build on this. We're a wee bit fortunate to stay in the league due to Gartcairn's circumstances [15-point deduction] , so we're not naive enough to ignore that. 'I felt we started the league really poorly but went from strength to strength, and had we had five more games we'd have been more than safe. 'But we need to make sure that we're good to go at the end of July.' McKeown added: 'We should be nowhere near the Premier League, in terms of resources and budget, so these boys deserve all the credit. 'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and it has kept us up.'
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts boss on why he'll be a Clydebank fan for next fortnight as side face relegation sweat
John McKeown's side have finished outside the relegation zone in the West of Scotland Premier Division but could still go down Shotts boss John McKeown admits they face a nervy waiting game to avoid relegation - despite victory on the final day of the season keeping them out of the drop zone in the West of Scotland Premier Division. McKeown's men came from behind at home to Gartcairn on Saturday with Liam Craig's double cancelling out Adam McGowan's opener for the visitors. That was enough to keep Bonny out of the relegation zone in the top flight, as they finished five points clear of nearest rivals Benburb. However, Premier champions Clydebank's potential promotion to the Lowland League means Shotts can't celebrate survival just yet. The Bankies play East of Scotland Premier champions Musselburgh Athletic in a two-legged play-off over the next fortnight to determine who comes up to the Lowland League and if Clydebank fail, it will be bad news for Shotts. McKeown explained: 'It is all up in the air and a strange situation. There is this situation with Clydebank being promoted that is making it awkward. 'They have got to play Musselburgh in a play-off to go up to the Lowland League, but if they don't win it would mean they stay down. Broomhill, who finished bottom of the Lowland League, are getting relegated into our league, so if Clydebank don't go up it means that four teams would need to go down. 'It means it is a bit of a waiting game for us, which is really annoying. For me, that's not the way it should be but, unfortunately, that is the way the leagues have worked it. 'It is something the leagues need to look at, things like that need to be decided by your last game of the season, rather than sitting about waiting for a couple of weeks. 'Last season when Beith won the league, they didn't have the SFA licence to go up so there was no change, it was a lot more straightforward. 'Saturday should have been a big day of celebration after retaining our league status, so it does put a bit of a dampener on it, although we are hopeful Clydebank can do the job and go into the Lowland League. 'We will need to keep the champagne on ice and sit tight.' Clydebank travel to Musselburgh this Saturday, followed by the return leg at Holm Park on Sunday, May 25. And McKeown admits he will be cheering them on He added: 'I'm getting my Bankies top on as we speak! I'm just hoping they can go and do us a wee turn now. 'I don't want to curse it, but Clydebank will be the bookies' favourites. They are an excellent side and it is over two legs, so you would hope they have enough to get through. We'll certainly be supporting them.' Shotts have pulled off quite the turnaround to finish 13th in the 16-team division, having been rock bottom at the turn of the year. So McKeown is proud of his players, no matter what unfolds. He said: 'Our boys have done all they can do, which is massive. I am delighted for them and their form since the turn of the year has been magnificent. 'It was a bit subdued and we weren't getting carried away because they know it isn't completely 'job done' yet. 'We were dead and buried at Christmas. We had a good chat with them at that time, changed our shape and worked really hard. 'They have really stuck together. It would have been easy to chuck the towel in, but they've shown a real steely mentality and put themselves in a great position. We're really proud of them.'
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Benburb win is a huge step towards Premier Division safety for Shotts
Benburb win is a huge step towards Premier Division safety for Shotts Boss John McKeown watched his side move three points clear of Bens Shotts bagged a last-gasp goal to secure a vital win over Benburb that gives them a great chance of staying up (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Shotts took a huge step towards safety with a dramatic late 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Benburb and boss John McKeown admitted watching his side recently has not been good for the old ticker. The Bonny have been guilty of conceding late equalisers in three of their last four games, but struck in stoppage time themselves on Saturday through Taylor Evans to get what would prove to be the winner. However, they still made their gaffer sweat on the victory, conceding in the 93rd minute to make for some nervy final seconds. The victory, which was also aided by goals from Robbie Torrance and Ally Small, put Shotts three points clear of Bens in the last relegation slot, going into the final two games this week. 'We just like to keep things interesting and give me heart problems,' said McKeown. 'But I think it was a deserved three points. In the second half we were magnificent and their goalkeeper has made some fantastic saves to keep them in it. McKeown (centre) was delighted with the win, but knows there is still a lot of work to be done (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Article continues below 'It would have been very harsh if we'd conceded again, but the boys were excellent and I am over the moon for them. Conceding late again was on my mind so there is no doubt it was on the players' minds as well. That's what happens in football, sometimes you can overthink things. Motherwell star wants solid end to the season as he eyes new contract READ MORE: 'But over the piece we were great and we'll just concentrate on the positives. Our finishing was really good at the goals and I thought we looked a threat throughout the game. 'But I still think there is work to be done. Obviously that is Gartcairn and Darvel relegated, but us and Benburb are still alive. 'We've both got two massive cup finals to come now so we can't take anything for granted.' Gartcairn hope to be celebrating as they host Auchinleck Talbot tonight (Wednesday) and Gartcairn on Saturday (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Shotts have two bites at the cherry to get the win they need and have the added advantage of a vastly superior goal difference over Benburb, sitting 23 goals better off. They host Auchinleck Talbot tonight [Wednesday] at 7.15pm, before welcoming Gartcairn to Hannah Park on Saturday, kick-off 2pm. Article continues below McKeown added: 'We just need to concentrate on ourselves and we know that one more win would be enough because of our goal difference, so we need to dig deep to get that win. 'That is six undefeated and that is very difficult in this league. We've had two wins from our last three so the form is good.'
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hurlford United draw sets up Benburb cracker for Shotts, says boss
Shotts boss John McKeown says a 1-1 draw with Hurlford United was a good point on the road, with their hosts 'kicking the door in', as they moved further away from the West of Scotland Premier Division drop-zone. Robbie Torrance's opener was cancelled out by Lewis Morrison after a lengthy halt to the game as United's Liam Miller received treatment for a concussion, and is thankfully on the mend. A shock 4-0 win over Johnstone Burgh, and a 1-1 draw with Troon last weekend, means it has been a good week for Shotts, but Benburb caught up with them on 22 points with a 3-2 win over Johnstone Burgh on Wednesday night, as Shotts prepare to host them on Saturday. However, the Hannah Park clash gives Shotts a chance to move three points clear of their rivals. McKeown said: 'Being out of the relegation zone is good, and we were fantastic the other night. To beat Johnstone Burgh 4-0 was well above most people's expectations, so that was a great result, and to go back down to Ayrshire and not get beat was good. 'That's five unbeaten, we're on a good run of form just now, at the right time, and we have three cup finals to go. 'It's a game at a time. Benburb play Johnstone Burgh on Wednesday night, so they'll be a wee bit like we were on Saturday, they'll have a tough schedule over the next week. 'It does catch up with you, at this time of the season it becomes difficult to play all those games. 'But we get a bit of a welcome rest this week and then we'll roll on to a huge one on Saturday.' Goals from Ally Martin, Robbie Torrance, Rico De Marco and an own-goal, all in the second half, gave Shotts a 4-0 win at home to third-placed Johnstone Burgh on Wednesday, and they followed that up with a draw at Blair Park on Saturday. McKeown said: 'Their [Hurlford's] goal wasn't as late as it's made out to be, the game was stopped for about 15 minutes because of a head knock [to Hurlford's Liam Miller], one of their players was unconscious, so it was probably about the 75th minute, not the 90th that it looks like. 'To be fair to Hurlford, they were absolutely kicking the door in, they were all over the top of us. 'We looked very tired, had a few players unavailable at the weekend, lost a few players to injury, and Hurlford were more than deserved of their equaliser, if I'm being honest. 'I'd probably come away saying it was a good point, if anything, and that's been five huge points for us.'
