Background

This period of one of my favourite times of the season. Clubs in tiers 5 and below are just setting out on another long and exciting season of football. The summer feeling is still very much in the air (finally), meaning the fixture list is very busy in order to fit as many games as possible in before the early nights draw in for the winter. Pitches are in the best condition they are most likely to be in all season and supporters turn out in mass numbers in anxious anticipation for what lies ahead for their respective teams. It is perfect.

Shotts Bon Accord become only the second new team I’ll have visited this season, and the 99^th ground I’ll have been to in total. Since their birth in 1950, Shotts have been ever-present in the Scottish Junior ranks. Success and recognition were earned very quickly with the club amassing a huge number of Lanarkshire League titles and Lanarkshire Cups in the 50s and 60s. However, during this time they achieved the ultimate prize in Junior football – The Scottish Junior Cup. In 1958, Shotts travelled to Hampden to take onEast Lothian’s Pumpherston in the final. The Bonny triumphed with a 2-0 victory – cementing themselves into Junior football folklore.

Shotts yo-yoed a bit between the top two divisions in the 70s and 80s before cementing themselves as consistent topflight members, winning Division One in 1988 alongside a few regional cups. In 1995 though, Shotts found themselves in a legal battle with the Central Region governing bodies. Due to play Thorniewood in a cup competition, Shotts requested the game be postponed due to 8 of their players having the flu and unable to play – the club presenting medical certifications as proof. The governing body investigated the certificates, claimed they were fake, fined the club £500 and chucked them out of the competition. Shotts threatened to get the Scottish FA involved, increasing the tension between the club and the Central Region authorities. Eventually, Shotts were found guilty of “not acting in the interest of the game” and banned from playing in the region for a year. They were reinstated in 1996, albeit demoted to the bottom tier.

However, Shotts went into the next few years with a point to prove. Under the stewardship of manager Rab Sneddon, Shotts won 3 league titles and promotions on the trot to earn themselves a place at the top table once more. It is an achievement that is very rarely seen in world football, never mind in lower league Scottish football. Sneddon left the club shortly after though – joining home-town club Bellshill Athletic. This resulted in Shotts’ relegation the following season.

In more modern times though, Shotts have once again gone onto to win Junior football’s greatest competition. In 2012, the club reached the final of the Scottish Junior Cup – taking on serial winners Auchinleck Talbot in Livingston. Shotts took the game to The Talbotquickly, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes. Talbot had no response until 2 minutes before the 90 ended, with Shotts going on to lift the cup for the second time in their history. A wonderful achievement.

Currently, Shotts are back in the top division in the recently redeveloped West of Scotland Football League. After finishing 2^nd in the First Division, Shotts find themselves in the Premier Division amongst some truly great names in lower league Scottish football. Their opening two fixtures are a stark reminder of how difficult their task may be this season, though. They went down 3-0 to defending champions Beith Juniors, and now face Clydebank – a club who will have hopes to take the title for themselves this season. However, upsets can be common at this level. It’ll be a good contest regardless.

Facilities

Hannah Park lies in the heart of Shotts’ community. Accompanied by the superb Shotts’ Social Club, it acts as a superb hub for the town to get together, have a few pints and watch their local football team. The pints are cheap, there are screens to watch whatever sport is on and there are pool and darts facilities to enjoy with the lively crowds. A good introduction.

In terms of football facilities, Hannah Park is a beauty. It hosts one of the largest pitches in the leagues, which is incredibly well kept. Its shape is reminiscent of a greyhound track, with a oval border engulfing the football pitch itself. On the far side lies the old embankments, terraced up with battered concrete steps and grass banks. It provides an excellent view of proceedings at a good vantage.

Across the way lies the main attraction though. The grandstand at Hannah Park is a piece of iconic architecture in lower league Scottish football. Its low roof, terracing and Shotts branding looks fantastic and is a real blast from the past. Inside the terracing, there are two reminders of the two Junior Cup winning sides, line ups from the day and all. The stand is a good distance away to enjoy proceedings but also close enough to feel you are a part of the action. I love it.

Atmosphere

A good crowd came out to support both teams in this encounter. As you’d expect, Clydebank brought a sizeable crowd through to North Lanarkshire, lining up the embankments and crowding up next to the grandstand. I always love seeing bigger crowds at lower league games. It just makes it feel as though it means more at this level. It was also great to see plenty of youngsters in attendance supporting their local clubs. Many were kitted out in Shotts gear, showcasing the link between the academy sides and the first team. Its always a great sign of the potential progression the club can make.

Quality of the Match

Clydebank went into the contest as heavy favourites, with newly promoted Shotts hoping to showcase a good performance to formally announce their return to the Premier Division.

The first 20 minutes were of a slow nature, both teams testing each other out and trying to find weaknesses. Then, Clydebank made the breakthrough. Some good work on the right by Thomas Collins saw his cross make its way dangerously into the Shotts box. Lee Gallacher read it perfectly to poke the ball into the corner of the net. 0-1.

Another cross, this time from the left almost saw the visitors go two up. Nicky Little met the cross well, but his strike was blocked a short distance from the Shotts goal line. Close, but Clydebank were taking control.

The visitors almost went into the break with their lead doubled, with Nicky Little in the middle of the action once again. With the ball making its way into the box, he had time on the ball and struck it well with his left foot. However, the Shotts last line of defence stood tall to deflect the strike over the bar.

Half Time: Shotts Bon Accord 0-1 Clydebank

Clydebank maintained the pressure after the break. They were finding joy down the wing and utilised their pace to cause Shotts problems. Another cross from the right found Ciaran Mulcahy on the penalty spot. His impressive acrobatic effort connected with the ball well, but Shotts ‘keeper Sandy Thomson held on well.

It would take until the 60^th minute for Clydebank to get the second goal they deserved. A free kick from the right found the head of Thomas Collins, who powered an effort towards goal. Sandy Thomson showed excellent reactions to get down low and save, but Collins was first to the rebound to tap the ball home. 0-2.

At this point, you’d count the game as over and done. However, Shotts began to show what they were capable of. A push of goof forward play resulted in the ball falling to midfielder Ally Martin. The Shotts veteran fired a strike into the bottom corner to bring his side back into the game.

The last 20 minutes saw the hosts with a newfound sense of belief. They managed to take control of the midfield for the first time in the match and push forward into the Clydebank final third. But, it would take till the final moments for a clear cut chance to equalise came. A cross into the box from the right was cleared, but only as far as Danny Burns. The big striker met the ball with a left foot volley, but much to the despair of the home crowd, it was fired over.

Full Time: Shotts Bon Accord 1-2 Clydebank

Despite defeat, I think the hosts will be happy enough with the performance shown on the pitch. They battled hard and despite not creating many chances in the first 65 minutes, they limited Clydebank to a small number of chances themselves. They have come away with 0 points from their first two games, but it is fair to say their season will be defined when playing teams around them instead of those looking to push for the title. I’m sure they will be fine this season.

Clydebank come away with the 3 points but perhaps may be disappointed not to have buried the game further. They allowed Shotts back into the game, but in fairness defended pretty well to deny the hosts any clearcut chances to equalise. They move to the top of the table after 2 wins from 2, but attention turns to a huge game on Saturday against Pollok. That will be tasty encounter.

Pricing

Entry for football at this level is always excellent value, and Shotts is no different. Entry cost £8, pints were cheap in the social club and food/drink in Hannah Park were also priced fairly. I cannot and never will complain about paying these prices for a game of football, given the monstrosities you see higher up the pyramid.

Final Score

Hannah Park is an absolute beauty of a football venue. It plays host to a superb club that obviously means so much to the community. Their success in the past will still live long in the memories of supporters, but there is still plenty of room for Shotts to grow as a club and achieve even more. They are back in the big time, and I’m sure they will continue that growth one way or another. In the meantime, get yourself down to Hannah Park to experience it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

– Connor