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ARE you a fan of fitba played in Scotland’s lower leagues? Then you’ve come to the right place. Join the Scottish Sun’s Gareth Law and Carluke Rovers co-manager manager Paul Davies for a weekly look at the game away from the limelight. Hear the latest news, discussion and stories along with guests including managers, players, administrators, fans and more from SPFL League One and Two, the Lowland and Highland Leagues, South and East of Scotland Leagues and the juniors. There’s a chance for you to get involved too. If you have suggestions for guests, subjects or anything else then contact us through Twitter, Facebook or email downthedivisions@gmail.com. Please do leave a review too. Down The Divisions artwork by Adam Aitken. www.instagram.com/adamaitkenart Music www.bensound.com
Episodes
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Friday Apr 30, 2021
A YEAR ago Kieran McAnespie agreed to lead Cumbernauld United into the new West of Scotland League.
But after just seven games of a season cut short by covid he stepped down last week.
In the first of a two-part interview we’ll find out why he was unable to continue in the hotseat – and whether he’s looking for a quick return to the game.
He’s got a pedigree too after leading Clydebank back into the top flight - and we’ll take a look back at his two-and-a-half years at the Bankies helm too.
Keep your eyes peeled for a special part two in the coming weeks, where Kieran speaks honestly about a playing career that never lived up its potential and what it was like travelling with Scotland's 1998 World Cup squad.
Kieran wasn’t the only manager to move on last week. Davie Irons tell us about leaving Stenhousemuir and successor Stephen Swift lifts the lid on his plans at Ochilview.
And with Paul away we have former Airdrie director of football Stuart Millar sitting in as co-host.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Apr 23, 2021
Friday Apr 23, 2021
FORGET the European Super League.
Right now all the chat is about what happens next in the West of Scotland Football League.
Last week Ardrossan Winton Rovers put forward a proposal which has sparked a huge debate.
In a covid world they reckon conferences based on geography will give the coming campaign a better chance of being completed.
On last week’s show fixture secretary Kennie Young told us he’s against the plans – and insisted he’d been misquoted too.
Rovers boss Stevie Wilson helped draw up the detailed argument for change – which even takes into account how many miles it would save teams travelling.
The proposals can be seen in full at https://www.wintonroversfc.org.uk/downloads/1124
There are still some questions though – and we’re delighted to say Stevie is with us this week to answer them.
That’s not all though.
In-demand striker Callum Graham left Ashfield for Pollok last week. He tells us just why he decided to head to Newlandsfield ahead of other options.
Plus in an action-packed show Matt Maley also joins us to explain why he’s quit Annbank.
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
IT’S mind over matter this week as we look at how players can get a psychological edge.
If you’re looking for him on instagram, John Johnstone is The Football Mindset.
He’s helped the likes of John Souttar, Chris Cadden and Greg Docherty get mentally ready for action at the top end of the game.
But John reckons his methods can be applied to ANY level of football.
As a player at Tranent Juniors he admits he wasn’t up to much – but if he’d known then what he knows now then things might have been a bit different.
John joins us on the show this week and will talk about some of the techniques you can use to get ahead of your opponent when the game returns.
And talking of when the game returns, West of Scotland League fixture secretary Kennie Young is back to tell us exactly when they plan to start their new season WITH fans – and we also hear his and Paul's views on the proposals put forward by Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
Follow John at www.instagram.com/footballmindset/ and find his book at https://amzn.to/2QpS1Ad
We'd like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Apr 09, 2021
Friday Apr 09, 2021
It's a special show this week as we broadcast our 50th episode AND celebrate our first birthday.
And for a special show we wanted a stellar guest.
It's a longer episode this week but Ross Stewart's rise from the juniors to challenging at the top of England's League One with Sunderland is a story worth listening to.
Whether you get through it in one go or do it in bursts across the course of the week, ever one of Ross' answers can act as inspiration to anyone involved in semi-professional football.
On Monday Ross made his first start for the Black Cats but just eight years ago he was having to tout himself around juniors teams and working for the land registry.
Ross is the perfect example of just where you can go if you work hard and put your mind to it.
After playing for St Mirren and Celtic as a kid he got his break at Ardeer Thistle then moved onto Kilwinning Rangers and hasn’t looked back since.
Spells at Albion Rovers and back at St Mirren followed before his form at Ross County won him a move to the Stadium of Light in January.
We’ll hear how he fell out of football then found it again after being petrified walking into Ardeer's changing room for the first time.
We hear how his dad had to pay £500 to make his dream of leaving Kilwinning Rangers for Albion Rovers a reality - but has he paid that life changing sum back yet?
There's the spell where he left his day job working for the land registry on a Friday - and started full-time football with St Mirren three days later.
Ross also tells us about the Sunderland medical and his reaction to their manager Lee Johnson's claims he wants to mould him into a combination of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as, for the 50th time, we go, Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
NOT many West of Scotland League sides can say they have a player who scored a winner against Arsenal in the Premier League.
But Annbank can.
They brought in former Sheffield United and Hearts striker Christian Nade this season.
With his help they were flying high in Conference A when things were called null and void.
Their boss Matt Maley was the man who signed the ex-France Under-21 player after they worked together at Troon.
Matt was appointed during lockdown – and so had to hold on for weeks before he could meet his players for the first time.
We’re glad he didn’t keep us waiting though, as he joins us on the show this week.
We’ll talk about the secret behind his successes so far at New Pebble Park, how gutted he was to see the league season shut down and Nade's upcoming pre-season in the Caribbean.
Matt also tells us about the current state of their ground and why they're looking for new blood to join the committee.
We’ll look back on his previous coaching roles at Dundee United, Celtic, Stranraer Reserves, Troon, Maybole and Kilmarnock, where he worked under the likes of Mixu Paatelainen and Kenny Shiels and helped bring through Greg Taylor.
Plus we’ll go all the way back to his playing days in the juniors with the likes of Craigmark, Whitletts, Dalry and the Bankies.
All that and Roache’s Roundup with Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant boss Des Roache.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
PART-TIME, juniors and semi-professional football have all had their attempts at getting back playing.
But just where has the lockdown left the amateur game?
The definitions used by government mean teams at that level haven’t kicked a ball in anger now for over a year.
Is that right? Is that fair? And just what state will the game be in if and when it ever returns?
We’ll put those questions and more to someone who knows the amateur and juniors game.
Paul McColl is currently the vice president of the Football Central Sunday League. He tells us about plans for a two-year trial of summer football starting this year.
We'll hear why co-host Paul Davies feels there should be a pyramid system in the amateurs and look back at just what makes the game at that level so good.
Paul McColl faced Gazza while at English side Darlington in the 80s then returned to Scotland and joined Rutherglen Glencairn.
Spells at other junior sides followed before he stepped into the amateurs, first as a player then in the dugout during which time he lifted several trophies and bossed a player who stepped out in the Champions League.
We’ll look back at those days with Paul, along with his time at a team that left your wages in your shoes.
All that plus Roache’s Roundup with Kilbirnie Ladeside assistant boss Des Roache.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
JOHN GALL is the man who had people saying aye to a Killie pie.
But now the managing director of Brownings the Bakers is ploughing his dough into Darvel.
Crowned World Scotch Pie champion in 2017, John is now targeting silverware at Recreation Park in the coming seasons.
The likes of Ian MacShane, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Ross Perry have signed for the team bossed by Mick Kennedy.
Last week they turned on their brand new floodlights, built as part of the requirements they’ll need if they’re to continue rising up the leagues.
But the lights then went out on their promotion hopes just a few days ago after the West of Scotland League campaign was declared null and void.
We’ll hear John’s thoughts on being left in the dark – and whether he feels this season has now been a waste of money.
Newly confirmed West of Scotland League fixture Kennie Young also makes an appearance just hours after the announcement was made.
He reveals plans for an earlier start date next term, tells us what clubs applying to join the league next season will require - and why the 67 original members will be protected.
After that we’ll ask John about claims he’s buying success – and find out about the secret American-based boyhood Darvel fan who's also invested in the club.
John tells us about plans for Friday night football and his grandad's mystery £100 donation to Hurlford in 1965.
We’ll also look back at his previous involvement in football at Kilmarnock - and try to find out just what the secret is to that baking success, which dates back to 1945.
That, plus Des Roach’s roundup.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
If it’s bread and butter football you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place, as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
LEAGUE ONE and Two clubs are set to restart their campaigns a week on Saturday.
But what about the sides below that? As the days and weeks go on, just how are seasons going to be finished in time.
We’ll discuss that – and hear some inside information from Paul.
One of the League Two sides who’ll be back in action is Stranraer – and later we’ll hear the second part of our interview with club legend Allan Jenkins.
First we’ll hear about his move to ambitious Gretna.
He’ll tell us what it was like being cup-tied for the Scottish Cup final –why James Grady’s dramatic injury-time goal was the worst thing to happen – and what it was like playing in the top flight after being told he wasn’t wanted.
But Allan is idolised in Ireland too. He went on to play even more games for Ballymena than he did for Stranraer.
He’ll look back on six years at the Showgrounds under the best manager he’s played under – and the only one who’d kiss him before kick-off.
There’s scoring the goal that helped lift the League Cup after discovering his mum had been diagnosed with cancer.
And there’s his move into the juniors, first with Hurlford - when Auchinleck Talbot snatched away the Scottish Cup – and then with Darvel.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Friday Mar 05, 2021
PAUL FRIZE had his pick of Premier clubs when he left his uncle's Glasgow Perthshire side in 2013.
Some were surprised when he chose relegated Beith – but it’s been a match made in heaven ever since.
After promotion back to the top flight, he summoned up the energy on a scorching day to score one of the shootout penalties that helped them win the Scottish Junior Cup.
Then he played a massive part as they lifted the league title on a dramatic final day of the season now known as Ford Transit Saturday.
Popular with the fans, last summer Paul was handed the captaincy by boss Bryan Young.
Never a stranger to a yellow card, we’re glad to have the attacking midfielder booked for the show this week.
We’ll look back on those glory years at Bellsdale Park as well as the day he was offered a trial by Clyde.
Beith have managed just five games this season.
And as plans are explored for some lower league football to return we’ll hear why Paul thinks their current campaign should be scrapped.
We'll hear about the Manchester United kits sent by Alex Ferguson that Paul used to wear at Harmony Row.
Plus we take a look at the first ever West of Scotland League committee, which was voted in earlier this week.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
CHRIS JARDINE promised Annan he would play with them for life if they could get him a ticket to see Rangers in the UEFA Cup final.
And after they produced the goods, so did he.
The midfielder came through the ranks at Ibrox alongside the likes of Barry Ferguson and Barry Robson.
We’ll look back on those days when he would get training gear ready for Gazza and Brian Laudrup.
But it was at Galabank where he made his name across 17 years.
After starting out in the East of Scotland League, he captained them as they moved into the senior divisions and is now a legend at the club.
But after hanging up his boots he’s been learning the ropes in the dugout.
In July he was appointed assistant boss at Lowland League side Dalbeattie Star. We’ll find out just how he’s adapting to life in the new role at the Islecroft Stadium.
Plus there's chat on Oasis, two pairs of socks, staying in digs with Davie Moyes' parents, dealing with rejection and the day his family walked out at half-time as he helped Annan win at Ibrox.
We'd also like to give a quick mention to our sponsors FortyFour Creative. They have a team of highly skilled and passionate photographers, graphic designers, videographers and video editors to help promote your content, brand, organisation or event. They make creation personal. Find out more at www.fortyfourcreativehq.com
If you have any comments we'd love to hear from you. Likewise if you're at a club who would like your post-match audio featured on the show then do get in touch. You can email downthedivisions@gmail.com or contact us through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
It’s all here as we go Down The Divisions.
Down The Divisions logo design Adam Aitken
Intro and outro music Bensound