League and cup joy for Haldane

Jun 5 2009 by Marc McLean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

HALDANE United boss Michael McIlmun celebrated a league and cup double on Saturday – then thanked the masses of fans who have spurred his side on to glory.

The lads added the Scottish Amateur Football League second division trophy to the Coronation Cup they won earlier this month.

Playing their homes games at Inler Park, Haldane, the team regularly attracted large crowds of up to 200 throughout this season.

Michael said: “That was our first season in the Scottish amateur league and we finished it on a run of 25 wins in a row in the league and cup.

“We also beat Inverkip 4-0 in the Coronation Cup final on May 19 so to do the double in our first season in this league is a great achievement.

“We always get great support at Inler Park and can have crowds of anything between 50 and 200 people. It can be women with prams, younger boys – the whole community comes out.

“On the night of the Champions League final with Man United and Barcelona we still had 100 people down watching us because we had an important game that could be the turning point for us winning the league.”

The match did turn out to be a crucial turning point as the 3-2 win over rivals Aikenhead Thistle, thanks to goals from Euan Kennedy, J P Molloy and Thomas Markie, wrapped up the title.

The side were due to face Millerston Thistle at home on Saturday before being presented with the league trophy – but their opponents cancelled the match claiming 13 of their players were injured.

Michael said: “To not play – on the same day as the Scottish Cup final – was disappointing.

“J P Molloy had also scored 48 goals this season and was hoping to make it 50 against them.

“It didn’t spoil the party though as it was our day.”