Feeling 22

Taylor Swift - 22

The 22nd annual Oban Saints pre-season tournament takes place this Saturday at Mossfield Stadium and Oban Lorne Rugby Club. The enduring popularity of the event is exhibited in the top class opposition which the tournament continues to attract. All five of this years visitors are regular attenders and can boast a half century of appearances between them. The return of Premiership new boys Heart of Midlothian after an absence of three years brings the number of competitors back to the normal six with the usual format of the teams playing each other once.
Despite the competition being principally designed to aid in the building of pre-season fitness it is keenly contested and victory is greeted with as much celebration as any other trophy win. The tournament has been blessed with some excellent weather over the years but unfortunately Saturday's forecast is for rain. Whatever the weather the anticipated large crowd is sure to be entertained to a feast of quality football.
Saints are delighted that shirt sponsor D&K Lafferty Contractors have agreed to sponsor the club's flagship event for the third consecutive year. D&K Lafferty are fantastic supporters of local sport and it's great to see them getting the exposure that sponsorship of this prestigious tournament can offer.

Accies make their 12th consecutive appearance at the tournament and for the second year they do so as holders of the trophy. Accies will bring their full first team squad as they bid to become the first ever club to record three successive tournament victories. After last year's successful D&K Cup defence Accies embarked on an enthralling roller-coaster season which saw them top the SPFL Premiership table briefly following a sensational victory over eventual Champions Celtic at Parkhead. The successes enjoyed by Accies didn't go unnoticed and Manager Alex Neil was soon spirited away to lead Norwich City's charge to play-off success for a place in the Premier League. New Manager Martin Canning found it hard going to emulate his predecessor but eventually steadied the ship to finish top of the bottom six after the league split. With Accies being many pundits' tip for a swift return to the Championship their final league position must be seen as a great success and one which they will hope to build on in the coming season

Making their 9th consecutive appearance three time winners Alloa Athletic are now locked in a three-way tie with Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United to become the tournament's most successful competitors with a record breaking fourth win. The Wasps are unbeaten in three matches this pre-season recording home victories over Lowland League Champions Edinburgh City and SPFL League One side Airdrieonians 4 - 3 and 2 - 0 respectively, and a 1 - 1 draw against an Albion
Rovers side managed by former Wasp Darren Young. The Wasps finished 9th in last season's SPFL Championship, level on points with Livingston but with an inferior goal difference which thrust them into a thrilling play-off for league survival. Aggregate wins over Brechin City and Forfar Athletic ultimately secured Championship football for another season at Recreation Park. It was also thrills a-plenty in the Petrofac Training Cup where victories over local rivals Stirling Albion and tournament favourites Glasgow Rangers propelled the Wasps to a final showdown with fellow relegation contenders Livingston. Unfortunately for the Wasps Livingston also prevailed in this battle but the run to the cup final will live long in the memory of every Alloa Athletic fan.

Dundee United have an excellent record of three wins from their ten previous appearances. Carrying United's hopes for the honour of being the first club to record four victories this year are the under 20's. United's under 20's finished in 10th place with 40 points from 32 games in last season's highly competitive SPFL under 20's league and will be keen to test themselves against the senior professionals of Alloa Athletic, Hamilton Academical and Heart of Midlothian.

The only one of this years participants yet to record a tournament victory are St Johnstone. The Perth Saints are making their 11th tournament appearance and, like Dundee United, will be represented by their under 20's. St Johnstone under 20's finished 9th in last season's SPFL under 20's league two points ahead of Dundee United and will relish to prospect to succeed where their first team colleagues have previously failed in winning this prestigious event.

Returning after a three year absence are last season's SPFL Championship runaway winners Heart of Midlothian. A tremendous season's work from the Jambos where they suffered only three defeats saw them comfortably hold off the challenge of city rivals Hibernian and Glasgow giants Rangers to return to the Premier League as Champions. Hearts have been in excellent form so far this pre-season recording impressive away victories at League of Ireland clubs Bohemians and Shelbourne, who are both currently in the middle of their own league campaigns, and Raith Rovers of the SPFL Championship. The three time tournament winners are clearly taking their 11th tournament appearance very seriously as they are bringing their full first team squad of twenty four players plus ten management, coaching and backroom staff.  

Saints 2014 - 15 campaign failed to hit the heights of the previous season's league and cup double and, despite reaching a league cup semi-final and notching up a seventh top three Scottish Amateur Football League finish in nine seasons, there was a distinct feeling of "should have done better" at the end of the campaign. The low point of the season was undoubtedly an extremely poor performance away at Alba Thistle in their penultimate fixture which gifted the relegation threatened Paisley side three valuable league points ultimately helping them secure their Premier Division status for another season. Strangely enough Saints best performances also came in defeats, firstly to top Caledonian Amateur Football League side Giffnock North who knocked Saints out of the Scottish Amateur Cup by the odd goal in thirteen after two rip-roaring cup ties, and then in the West of Scotland cup to eventual Scottish Amateur Cup and Central Scottish Amateur Football League winners Harestanes. The Hares are quite correctly considered to be the top amateur team in Scotland at present and the excellent showing put up by Saints in an extremely tight fourth round tie in Kirkintilloch demonstrated that Saints are well equipped to compete with the big guns of amateur football.

A veteran of every tournament since it's inception back in 1994 former Saints Manager Iain Jackson will attend this year's event as nothing more than an interested spectator. Iain handed over the management reins to Alex Craik at the end of last season and the Silver Fox will make for an interesting watch on the sidelines as he struggles to come to terms with life as a fan.

Past Winners

2014

Hamilton Academical

2013

Hamilton Academical

2012

Heart of Midlothian

2011

Alloa Athletic

2010

Dundee United

2009

Alloa Athletic

2008

Dundee United

2007

Alloa Athletic

2006

Heart of Midlothian

2005

Dumbarton

2004

Dundee United

2003

Nairn County

2002

Heart of Midlothian

2001

Clyde

2000

Clyde

1999

Joint Winners Clyde and Inverness Caledonian Thistle

1998

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

1997

St Mirren

1996

Maryhill Juniors

1995

St Mirren

1994

Oban Saints AFC

Under New Management

Last Saturday Oban Saints AFC announced that club stalwart Alex Craik had agreed to accept the post of Team Manager with immediate effect. After a long and illustrious career in amateur football, the majority of which was spent at the heart of the Saints defence, Alex has finally decided to hang up his boots. After a couple of weeks of deliberation from Alex, the veteran defender's decision to continue his involvement with the club and make the transition from pitch to dug-out is a major boost for Saints as they begin their preparations for the new season. Alex will be assisted by Donald Campbell who will assume the role of Player/Assistant Manager. Marc Maccallum will continue as Club Captain and will also assist Alex in team affairs. The coaching staff will also be bolstered with Peter MacCallum being joined by Jamie Graham and former club captain Keith Millar.  Keith makes a welcome return to the club after two seasons playing in the Highland League with Fort William FC and his vast experience and boundless energy will provide added depth to the squad. Jamie will also continue as a valued member of the playing staff.

Pre-season training starts at 6.30pm on Monday 29th June at Oban Lorne Rugby Club and will continue on Monday and Wednesday nights until the new season kicks off on Saturday 15th August. Saints pre-season fixtures begin with the D&K Lafferty Cup and include visits from Vale of Leven Juniors and East Kilbride. Also on the itinenary are the Rhu Amateurs tournament celebrating their 120th year and a trip to Lochgilphead for the Argyll and Bute Cup. The new Management and coaching staff are all keen students of the game and are bound to have a one or two tactical and line-up surprises in store which should keep things interesting for players and fans alike in the build-up to the season ahead.

The Management Team

New Manager Alex Craik

Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell

Club Captain Marc Maccallum 

The Coaching Staff

Coach Peter MacCallum

Player/Coach Jamie Graham

Player/Coach Keith Millar

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League Formation 2015-16

Situation Vacant

Due to the sudden and unexpected departure of current post holder ***** ******** (name omitted on legal advice) Saints now have a vacancy for the role of BITTER RIVAL. Saints have employed the services of the Scottish Amateur Football League to produce a short list of nine candidates for this challenging role. 

The short list:-

Alba Thistle AFC

Campbeltown Pupils AFC

East Kilbride AFC

East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC

Finnart AFC

Goldenhill AFC

Inverclyde AFC

Shawlands FP AFC

St Joseph's FP AFC

A series of 90 minute interviews will commence on Saturday 15th August and will continue until 28th May 2016. Each candidate will be expected to attend at least one interview in Oban with a further interview to be arranged at the candidate's own premises. 

If no suitable candidate can be found a further short list will be drawn up by the Scottish Amateur Football League and the whole process will begin again in August 2016.

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Pre-Season Fixtures

Saturday 11th July 2015
D&K Lafferty Cup Tournament
Mossfield & Glencruitten, Oban

Saints begin their programme of pre-season fixtures with the 22nd staging of their own highly regarded friendly tournament. Making the trip to Oban this year are cup holders Hamilton Accademical, three time winners and last year's runners-up Alloa Athletic, three time winners Dundee United, tournament regulars St Johnstone and, making a return after a three year absence three time winners Heart of Midlothian. Saints are grateful to D&K Lafferty Contractors for their sponsorship of this event and to the visiting clubs and their travelling fans for their continued support. The anticipated large crowd will have the opportunity of examining at close quarters the first team squads of Alloa Athletic, Hamilton Accademical and Heart of Midlothian as well as the rising stars of Dundee United and St Johnstone's under 20's. Not forgetting of course tournament hosts the mighty Oban Saints.






Saturday 18th July 2015
Glencruitten, Oban

Saints welcome Vale of Leven Juniors of the Scottish Junior Football Association Stagecoach West of Scotland League Central District Second Division to Oban for the very first time. Saints are no strangers to the Vale's Millburn Park where they have contested numerous Scottish Amateur Football League cup semi-finals and finals. Given Saints woeful record at Millburn Park it is perhaps a good thing that this first meeting between the clubs will take place in Oban.

Saturday 25th July 2015
Glencruitten, Oban

The last of Saints home friendlies is against Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division One Champions and McAvoy and McIntyre Cup winners East Kilbride AFC.




Saturday 1st August 2015
Rhu Amateur Football Club Tournament
Ardenconnel Park, Rhu

Saints will pit their wits against hosts Rhu Amateurs of the Caledonian League Division 1B, Dumbarton Academy FP of the Caledonian League Premier Division and old friends and last season's West of Scotland Amateur Cup winners Greenock High School FP.






Saturday 8th August 2015
Lochgilphead

Dunoon Athletic

Rothesay Brandane

Following a long absence the Argyll & Bute Cup makes a welcome return to the fixture calendar with Lochgilphead Red Star taking on the duties of hosting the event. Scottish Amateur Football League representatives Campbeltown Pupils, Dunoon Amateurs, Dunoon Athletic, Lochgilphead Red Star, Oban Saints and Tarbert are joined by Rothesay Brandane of the Caledonian League and Oban Athletic of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League. With eight teams taking part and local rivalries aplenty this should be a cracking tournament which should provide a fitting climax to the pre-season schedules of all the participants.

#monthesaints

End Of An Era

The Strumbellas - End Of An Era

The retiring Saints Manager pictured before last Saturday's game (quite some considerable time before apparently!)

Saints rounded off season 2014-15 with a 2-1 Argyll Derby win over Campbeltown Pupils at Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon. The win secures a seventh Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division top three finish in nine seasons for Saints which, while not quite hitting the highs of last season's league and cup double win, represents a decent level of consistency over the period. Saints were without Dougal and Jamie Graham and Lewis Cameron so Manager Iain Jackson, taking charge of his final game, once again shuffled the pack restoring Ross Maitland and Dean Smith to the starting eleven and deploying David McArthur in an unfamiliar role on the left of the back three. Saints kicked off attacking the Mossfield end and carved out a chance straight from the kick off. Donald Campbell picked out Dean Smith in the box who fired in a left foot shot which Pupils keeper Reid Anderson could only parry, the ball then broke loose to Paul Kerr on the edge of the box whose shot under pressure sailed high over the crossbar. Despite the lightning quick start from Saints Pupils soon signalled that were not there just to make up the numbers and won a penalty kick in the third minute for a trip in the box by Ross Maitland. Pupils skipper Paul Grumoli made no mistake from the spot slotting the ball into the bottom left corner sending Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch the wrong way in the process. After this frenetic start the game settled down with the hardworking Pupils midfield holding the upper hand over their strangely pedestrian looking opponents. Saints slowly started to pick up the pace and created a hat-trick of very presentable chances for Donald Campbell. In the 15th minute Donald got on the end of a good cross from the left from Craig MacEwan with keeper Anderson pulling off a fine save to keep out Donald's fierce right foot shot. Five minutes later a tenacious run along the 18 yard line from Ross Maitland after a throw-in on the right ended with the "wee man" picking out Donald unmarked on the left of the Pupils box. Unfortunately Donald couldn't quite get a hold of his shot and his tame left foot effort was easily saved by Anderson. The third chance came in the 22nd minute when Donald made a good near post run for an Allan Mackay pass only to blaze his shot from the corner of the six yard box high over the advancing keeper and over the junction of post and bar. Saints eventually made the breakthrough just before the half hour after Pupils were penalised for handball twenty five yards from their own goal line. Top scorer Allan Mackay curled the resulting free kick around the Pupils wall and just inside the keeper's left hand post. In the 31st minute a storming run through the midfield by Paul Grumoli threatened to cut open the Saints defence until his progress was halted by a tackle from behind from Donald Campbell earning the Saints man a yellow card. With the Saints defence waiting for a shot on goal Gary Grumoli played the ball wide to Gregor McFadyen, fortunately for Saints the Pupils striker sent his shot high and wide of target. An exquisite piece of skill from Craig MacEwan in the 34th minute brought out the save of the match from Reid Anderson. Craig turned on a tanner on the 18 yard line and send a delicate chip towards the postage stamp corner which Anderson somehow managed to reach with his fingertips to deny the Saints man. Saints lost the services of Paul Kerr in the 37th minute due to an ankle knock with Scott Maitland taking Paul's place in the centre of the park. A foul on Allan Mackay wide on the right and midway inside the Pupils half gave Ross Maitland the chance to test the aerial resolve of the Pupils defence. Ross flighted an inch perfect cross to the back post where Craig MacEwan met it with a bullet header which crashed off the post before being scrambled to safety. The final chance of the half came in the 41st minute when Ross Maitland made a terrific run up the right wing beating the very impressive Pupils left back Keith Mitchell. Ross hit the byeline and cut back for Allan Mackay who sent his shot from the edge of the six yard box agonisingly wide of the keeper's left hand post.
After a final half-time team talk from Manager Jackson, and to the strains of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers wafting across from Mossfield Stadium, Saints clicked into gear in the second half producing some excellent football to keep the visitors pinned back in their own half. Despite their dominance Saints found chances hard to come by and were made to battle all the way by a determined Pupils side. Saints opened the second half as they had the first carving out a chance almost from the first whistle. A slide rule pass from Donald Campbell sent Craig MacEwan through the inside left channel however, with the Pupils defence bearing down on him, Craig couldn't make clean contact and his shot was comfortably saved by Reid Anderson. Pupils had their only chance of the second half in the 52nd minute when Gregor McFadyen threatened to burst into the Saints box only to be stopped in his tracks by a perfectly timed interception by Alex Craik. Manager Iain Jackson decided on a change in the 56th minute withdrawing Dean Smith and replacing him with Martin Bonar. Ross Maitland moved forward to join Allan Mackay with Martin taking up the right wing bearth vacated by Ross. The wee man almost added his name to the score sheet in the 59th minute from a throw-in on the left. Craig MacEwan found Allan Mackay in the box with the throw, Allan shielded the ball well before rolling it back to Ross on the 18 yard line whose shot flashed inches over the crossbar with the keeper rooted to the spot. One minute later Scott Maitland made a powerful run up the left wing and swung over a terrific cross to the back post where Reid Anderson plucked the ball from the air with Allan Mackay waiting to pounce. Saints were really in the ascendancy at this point and seemed capable of opening up the Pupils defence at will. Another good passing move through the midfield involving Donald Campbell, Scott Maitland and Myles McAuley presented Myles with a great opportunity on the right hand side of the Pupils box. With the keeper advancing to narrow the angle Myles fired a low shot across the face of goal which slipped narrowly wide of the far post. In the 64th minute Donald Campbell had another opportunity to put the icing on the cake of a dominant midfield performance with a deserved goal. Donald made an excellent run through the inside left channel which was spotted by Ross Maitland. Donald's shot was saved at point blank range by keeper Anderson, Donald reacted quickly beating the keeper to the rebound only to see his second effort cleared off the line by the Pupils defence. Donald appeared to twist his right knee in the process of getting his second shot away but after a quick rub down with Davie Buchanan's magic sponge he was able to rejoin the action. With just twenty minutes remaining Saints finally got their noses in front. At the heart of things again was Donald Campbell who found Allan Mackay with another inch perfect pass, Allan picked out Scott Maitland's run into the box with a clever ball over the top of the Pupils defence but once again keeper Anderson was equal to the task tipping Scott's shot over the bar for a corner. Ross Maitland's in-swinging corner from the left picked out an intelligent run to the near post by Allan Mackay whose flicked header high into the net gave the keeper no chance. Allan was denied any chance of completing his hat-trick when Manager Iain Jackson made his final changes giving him and Alex Craik the hook replacing them with PJ Sinclair and Roy McLuckie respectively. Sadly this proved to be Roy's final appearance for Saints as he announced his retirement shortly after the final whistle. In the 81st minute Martin Bonar picked up Saints second booking of the afternoon for a robust tackle on the half way line wide on the Saints right. One minute later Donald Campbell had his final attempt of a busy but fruitless afternoon when he chipped over fractionally over the crossbar from 24 yards range. With the clock ticking down to the final whistle Saints had one last opportunity when Skipper Marc Maccallum made his obligatory once-a-game lung busting run to join the attack. PJ Sinclair swung over a delightful left foot cross to the back post which Marc met with a well timed header which cleared the junction of post and bar.
Referee Gary Logan, making his first appearance at Glencruitten since last season's league title decider against Haldane United, brought to an end an easy afternoon for him sending Iain Jackson out on the high of a Derby victory.

Paul Grumoli gives Pupils the lead from the penalty spot

Saints keeper Thomas MacCulloch

Allan Mackay wins this aerial duel with Shaun Grumoli

Iain Jackson's final half-time team talk

Lorne Robertson heads clear

Myles McAuley

Pupils keeper Reid Anderson

Ross Maitland and Keith Mitchell

Donald Campbell is crowded out by the Pupils defence

Allan Mackay picks out Scott Maitland's run into the box

Reid Anderson pulls off a fine save to deny Scott Maitland

Allan Mackay nets the winner from a Ross Maitland corner kick

PJ Sinclair

Donald Campbell shoots over in the closing stages

Also leaving the Saints at the end of this season are Roy McLuckie and Daniel Cassells. Roy has elected to hang up his boots all together to concentrate on coaching recent arrival Louis George to be a third generation McLuckie family Saint. Daniel, however, is on the lookout for a new club closer to his new home in Edinburgh and will be a valuable asset to any club. Both players have been fantastic servants to Saints over the years and the best wishes of everyone connected with the Club go with them for whatever the future holds.

Roy McLuckie

Daniel Cassells

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