News....

There was no game for the Shaws this Saturday with the players having a week off before next Saturday's Strathclyde Cup Final against Clydebank United. Saturday's Tommy Marshall Final saw Tradeteam beat AS Airdrie 3-1 at Guy's Meadow to become the 1st ever side from the 3rd Division to win a cup competition. Having secured promotion to the 2nd Divsion after finishing runners up it caps a memorable season for them. SCYP (1st) and Firhill Utd. (3rd) will join them in Divison 2. NC United will come up to the 1st Division after finishing champions with St. Mary's joining them in the top flight. I'm sure both teams will be a welcome addition to the league's elite band of 12. With Airdrieonians withdrawing from the league there was only one relegation place that was filled by Forest who lost out by just one point to Clydebank Thistle. Forest have been in the top flight for 13 years so it will feel strange not to have a league fixture against Richey and his team and I wish them all the best for next season. However our oldest rivals Windlaw have decided to withdraw from the league next season and focus their attention on their afternoon side. This could potentially open up another promotion place with the Shaws' semi-final opponents Riverside odds-on to take it. They showed in our game that they were a good side and I'm sure they could hold their own in the 1st Division. Finally, congratulations to Blochairn Star who secured back to back Division 1 titles (their 3rd in total) to become only the 4th team to achieve this since the league began in 1988. (Windlaw, Levern and Parkhead were the other 3). The league doesn't lie and they proved over the course of the season that they were the best team. I'm sure Skid and his team will be desperate to make it 3 in a row but in a top flight that continues to get stronger it will be no easy task. Maybe its time we took our cup form into the league over a full season and actually put our hat in the ring.............................

Shawbridge will face fellow 1st Division outfit Clydebank United in this season's Strathclyde Cup Final this Saturday at Guy's Meadow, Cumbernauld. This will be the Shaws' 6th Cup Final in our 8 year history with our record standing at won 2 lost 3. Clydebank United are the current holders and will be desperate to hold on to the trophy and become only the 4th team to do so since the league began in 1988 (Windlaw, St.Ambrose and Parkhead the other 3). This will be the teams 3rd meeting this season with the Shaws winning the first encounter 3-1 at Burnhill with goals from David Cole (2) and Ian Dumbreck securing the win. Clydebank got their revenge back in April when they scored a last minte winner to make it 3-2 at John Brown's. Goals from Marc Drew and Mark Dyer couldn't prevent the defeat. Clydebank United have some very good players and work well as a unit. They also showed at Burnhill that on a big, true surface they are capible of getting the ball down and playing a bit, something that is impossible to do at their home park ,John Brown's. Guy's Meadow is a big pitch but I believe that it will suit our style of play as much as theirs and hopefully we can impose that during the match. It has the makings of a great final with two very good teams contesting it. It might just boil down to who wants it the most............................

Shawbridge are delighted to announce the signings of Marc Drew (pictured left) and Michael Lafferty (pictured right) for the remainder of the season. Striker Marc has a good pedigree previously starring for Wishaw and Cambuslang Rangers juniors. He has brought good energy to the front line and has shown the occassional glimpse of class, like his chip in the friendly against Glenacre.............hopefully there is more to come. Full-back Mikey has turned out o be a real find after taking a break from 11-a-side for a year, previously playing for Dundee Boys Club. He has slotted nicely into the starting 11 and has himself shown some quality in front of goal. His instant control, run and dink over the keeper against Greenbank Utd. was a collector's item. Hopefully this is just the beginning of an enjoyable time for both boys in Shawbridge's colours.