Clydebank Post | Sport | THISTLE NOT BE WELCOME

Friday, 16th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 12th March, 2008 10:30

THISTLE NOT BE WELCOME

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LYING LOW: Ex Bankies player Stevie Docherty

FORMER Bankie Stevie Docherty admits he will have to lie low if his Bathgate Thistle boys end his home town club’s cup hopes on Saturday.

Docherty, who played in the 1997/98 promotion winning senior Clydebank side, still stays in Duntocher and confesses he has been keeping a low profile ever since the Quarter Final draw was made.

The midfield ace said: “I was planning to go to the Sportsman’s dinner on Saturday but thought I best avoid it. But my brother went and said it was a

cracking night.

“I can’t wait for the game. As soon as the draw was made, it’s been one the whole team has been

looking forward to, simply because of the Clydebank

connections here and the fact we are guaranteed to get a good crowd through.

“With our home record, all we wanted was a home draw but it’s that bit more special to be playing Clydebank.”

Docherty, who now works as a Sales rep with Porcelanosa in Braehead, remembers his two years under Ian McCall’s tutelage with real affection.

“I had a great time at the club,” added Docherty. “It was at a stage when everything was up in the sky but the team we had was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever been a part of.

“Ian McCall put together an absolutely brilliant team and I will never forget clinching promotion in the last game of the season against Brechin. Looking back, I only wish I had stayed a bit longer.”

The Bathgate Thistle team includes several other ex-Bankies, and it is one of those who poses the most serious threat to Bankies cup hopes — namely Paul McGrillen.

Mowgli, as he is affectionately known, knocked two past Linlithgow Rose last week and is scoring for fun.

Docherty said: “We’ve hit a good bit of form and at home we are looking solid at the back while scoring goals as well.

“Mowgli has been the difference for us, last year we created a lot of chances but never converted enough; this year Mowgli is sticking them in the net.”

Thistle, boss William Hill is pushing for the East Region Super League title and the Scottish Cup, with the club spending lavishly to carry out this double assault.

But Docherty insists their will be no bad blood should Clydebank prevail.

He added: “I’ll have to lie low until the dust settles. No, not at all. Unfortunately only one team can go on to win the cup but if it isn’t Bathgate then I hope Clydebank can go all the way.”

• Bathgate Thistle v Clydebank, Saturday, Creamery Park, kick off 2.30pm. Buses leave the Hibby at 11.30am, priced £4 for adults, £2 concessions. To book a seat, contact Matt Bamford on 07817619286 or Bill Abraham on 07970 922136 before Thursday at 4pm to guarantee a place.

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