Season of success for Greenock

Published 31 May 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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CHAMPAGNE: Players celebrate

GREENOCK Juniors manager Stevie Mooney has been reflecting on a momentous season for his club.

The joy of winning promotion two weeks ago must have seemed an impossible dream when the season got under way late last July.

It began with a poor start in the Sectional League Cup group, where only a single point was picked up from four games, and only two goals scored.

There then followed what could best be described as an average start to the league campaign, which saw the Ravenscraig men hovering in mid-table until Christmas, seemingly unable to mount a sustained challenge for one of the three coveted promotion slots.

But when the season resumed in March after the big freeze shut it down for two months, Greenock hit a golden patch, which carried them through to the scenes of celebration just over a fortnight ago.

Mooney is vivid in his recollection of the pivotal moment which turned things round.

He said: "It was an away match against St Roch's in December. We were a goal behind and down to 10 men after I had been sent off. But we equalised and then a late goal by Michael Crawford gave us all three points.

"Roland Fabiani then said to me it was the kind of result that gets you promotion, and he was absolutely right. That evening we had our Christmas night-out, and didn't look back."

But with the sweet taste of the celebration champagne still lingering, Mooney is already planning ahead for life in the Central League First Division.

He said: "I have already signed up six of the current squad for next season, and will be meeting with another half dozen or so.

"But I am also out and about at various games looking at others in a bid to further strengthen the squad.

"We could probably be doing with another goalkeeper, one or two more defenders, and some back-up in midfield."

Meanwhile, Mooney is appealing to locals to turn out in greater numbers next season, and also to local amateur players to consider making the step up to the junior ranks.

He said: "I get the feeling some of the local youngsters playing at amateur level turn their noses up at the junior teams. But look at Largs Thistle - they made it to the Scottish Cup final, and the majority of their team came up through the ranks at either Greenock or Port Glasgow.

"As far as our support is concerned, it was good to see a decent number turning out and I hope that will continue next season."

However, there will be a change of venue when the new campaign gets under way. With Ravenscraig Stadium about to undergo a period of extensive modernisation, both of the local junior clubs have been decanted to Battery Park, probably for at least nine months.

Mooney has mixed views about that. He said: "We could get bigger crowds because it is a bit more accessible than Ravenscraig.

"But it is a very windy setting, with not a lot of cover. And the fact it is an artificial 3G surface means it may be the end of my playing career, as it is more physically taxing on the body. But on the upside there should be fewer cancellations for weather reasons."

So with next season throwing up many unfamiliar opponents, with the exception of two more local derbies against Port Glasgow, would Mooney see staying up as his main aim?

He insisted: "Absolutely not. With the players we have, and with a few additions during the close season, I don't think we should limit our ambition to just consolidating. I see no reason why we should not have ambitions to mount a challenge for another promotion."

However, the gaffer could be forgiven for relying a bit more than usual on his assistant Martin Campbell come the start of the new season. He will have much more than just football on his mind, as he gets married in August.

l Greenock Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, Kingsley Wood Solicitors and Notaries, and the Lighthouse Bar

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 31 May 10

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