KEEPING IT IN VALE"S FAMILY

David Christie • Published 23 Jun 2009 10:00

Juniors join up with amateurs to create community club

VALE of Leven Juniors are set to join up with a popular amateur side as the club looks to go from strength to strength.

The Vale are poised to unveil a new official partnership with Cardross Amateurs - managed by Vale legend Willie Howie - as they look to keep the footballing talent in the area and build a true community club.

It is hoped any players not ready to make the step up to the Juniors from Vale"s U21 side will get the chance to sign for Howie"s Cardross team.

And the three teams are already singing from the same hymnsheet, training together on a weekly basis at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.

Last season, Hugh Hamill"s Millburn men avoided relegation from the Central First Division by the skin of their teeth, thanks in no small part to the lethal finishing of former U21 star Mark Pawsey.

Five more young players - John MacMillan (winger), Ryan Graham (defender), Mark Brown (midfield), David McBarnes (striker) and frontman Greg Chalmers - will make the step up from Peter McLean"s West of Scotland YFL Division One team during the close season.

But McLean, a former Vale midfielder and two times Player of the Year winner, is keen to ensure no-one is lost from the 'family'.

McLean, who runs the 21s along with former Sons coach Jim Meechan and St Mirren trainer Iain Lee, said: 'The 21s have only been going for three years, but have made great strides and the move to link up with Cardross is part of our long term plans. It will mean we can keep the guys who don"t go to the Juniors within the Vale circle.

'Ideally, we"d love to keep everyone from seventeen until they retire as part of the Vale network.

'Players from Dumbarton and the Vale are the life and soul of the club, maybe they are not all the finished article, but we should not give them away.

'Apart from a brief stint with Yoker Athletic, I played with the Vale from twenty-one to thirty-six and I know what it means to be a part of this club. Every one of the guys on the coaching staff, including Willie [Howie] are Vale guys at heart.'

Cardross boss Howie hailed the plans, which will boost his side"s chances in Division One of the West of Scotland leagues.

He said: 'I"ve played at the Vale for years and I"ve been a player and now manager here at Cardross.

'We"ve been getting players here and there through my Vale contacts and this will make the link stronger. I"m really happy to forge this link and I"m sure it will help everybody. The team I have just now is quite young, but quickly gaining experience so bringing in boys from the 21s will add to this.

'We want to help bring on as many local boys as possible and now they will have three options: 21s, amateurs and Juniors.'

 Two pre-season fixtures have been confirmed for the Junior team so far, against Irvine Vics on July 20 and Ardrossan on July 22.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Jun 09

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