Published: Wednesday, 1st October, 2008 11:00
NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR BANKIES
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COACH: Allison
BANKIES coach Stuart Allison wishes he could reward the club’s 12th man with a place to call home.
The former Arthurlie stopper, who joined the coaching staff in the Summer, is loving being a part of such a well-supported club, and reckons the final piece in the puzzle — a park to call their own — could propel the Bankies to even greater heights.
He said: “I am really enjoying it at Clydebank and it was definitely the right decision to come here. The whole set up and the attitude of everyone, from the committee to the players and fans is first class.
“The only thing missing is not having our own ground. Not having one has been to their detriment in the last few years and if we could get something organised with the council that would be a real turning point.
“It would make such a big difference, obviously and with the support we have, to find somewhere situated in Clydebank would be brilliant.
“They are our twelfth man and are up their with the likes of the Pollok support.”
And it is not just the packed stands which have impressed Allison. On the park he has been delighted with the top talent too.
While tipping his hat to the creativity of Alan Jack and Mark Hailstones, not to mention the steel of John Jack, there are two players in particular catching his eye at this early stage in the season.
He added: “For me, I don’t think big Stefan [Gonet] in goals gets the praise he deserves. Every game he is phenomenal.
“Sometimes with goalkeepers, anything they stop as the last man is a bonus, but he has kept us in most games with some tremendous saves.
“Paul Allum also looks like he can be an excellent young player, he gives us width and good delivery.”
Bankies sit third, two points behind leaders Lanark. But despite their good start, Allison is living up to his nickname Souness by being not entirely happy.
“Promotion is well within our capabilities and we are all gutted we are not at the top with maximum points,” said Souness. “We lost sloppy late goals otherwise we would be. This division is the equivalent of the Championship in England, with seven or eight teams who could go up. It is really difficult and everyone will be cutting each other’s throats.”
Next up for Clydebank is a clash with struggling Hurlford at Holm Park on Saturday. The Ayrshire outfit are rooted at the bottom with no points and no goals to their name. But don’t suggest to Allison it will be a walk in the park.
He said: “Games like Hurlford are the proverbial banana skins unless you approach it the right way.
“We need to go into it like it’s another massive cup final and if we play to our capabilities then we can beat anybody.”
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SMITH A DOUBT FOR THISTLE