Whitletts Vics - News
WHITLETTS VICTORIA CELEBRATE 70th ANNIVERSARY
Ayr’s junior football club, Whitletts Victoria, are to celebrate their 70th year by hosting an Anniversary Dinner.
The event will be sponsored by Myles Coachworks and The Tattoo Lounge and will be held at Ayr Rugby Club on Saturday 28th March next year, with a top table of quality after dinner speakers. The MC for the evening will be entertainer Sandy Strang with the main speakers being impressionist comedian Paul Reid and former FIFA referee Kenny Clark.
Whitletts Victoria Vice Chairman Andy McKissock promises the night will be one to remember.
“This is a special occasion to celebrate the history of Whitletts Victoria and we have been able to amass an array of top quality speakers to keep everyone entertained who are all amongst the top speakers on the after dinner circuit.”
“Sandy Strang is a comedian and entertainer who with his stories and wit is the perfect person to link the events of the evening together and keep the event flowing while impressionist Paul Reid is probably the most sought after speaker currently on the after dinner circuit. And of course former referee Kenny Clark will keep everyone entertained with his tales from the world of football.”
“We are deeply indebted to Myles Coachworks and the Tattoo Lounge for their support for this event and we are all looking forward to a fantastic evening.”
And McKissock revealed that the Club are looking to get in touch with former players, particularly from the team that reached the semi final of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1957 and were crowned Western League (South) Champions the following season.
“This dinner is to celebrate the history of Whitletts Victoria. The club has had a checkered history and only a few years ago there were stories that the club were going out the game. Well not only are the Club still going, we are growing stronger with real ambitions to take the Club forward.”
“However arguably the best team we ever had was that team in the mid 1950’s that reached the semi finals of the junior cup and won the league and we would love to hear from any surviving members of that side.”
Tickets for the event are priced at £35 and are available by contacting Andrew Downie on 07834 803 735 while former players are requested to contact Andy McKissock on 07519 344 387
FRIENDLY FIXTURE
Whitletts Victoria will play host to West Superleague Premier Division cracks Petershill this Saturday at Dam Park.
The friendly has been arranged as both sides have a free weekend and is a fixture of some significance for the Dam Park side who are celebrating their 70th anniversary this season as Club Secretary Mark Porter revealed when he confirmed the fixture.
"I am delighted that Petershill have agreed to come down to Ayr to play this match. The timing of the match is perfect for both clubs' as it keeps us active when we have a free week but for Whitletts it is a fixture of some significance in our history as we celebrate our 70th year."
"The biggest match in the history of Whitletts Victoria was in 1956 when we played in the semi final of the Scottish Junior Cup at Hampden in front of over 20,000 spectators. Petershill were the opposition that day at Hampden Park and beat us 3-2 before going on to win the Scottish Cup itself with a 4-1 win over Lugar in the final."
The match at Dam Park kicks off at 2pm. Entry to the match is £4 adults and £2 concessions. Season Tickets are valid.
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 3 DALRY THISTLE 2
Managerless Whitletts Victoria fought back from two goals down early in the second half to record their first win in seven matches and keep the Dam Park side in the race for promotion to the Superleague First Division.
Skipper Graham Longair took charge of the side following the departure of Steph MacMillan the previous week and orchestrated a second half fightback to give him a winning start in the dugout.
The visitors started the match well as Vics’ took a wee bit of time to settle. Whitletts worked their way into the game but couldn’t create a clear cut chance with a Stevie Kerr drive from 25 yards the closest they came to opening their account.
Dalry were dangerous on set pieces and Martin Reynolds cleared a Paul Hyslop shot from a corner off the line but in a similar move in the 27th minute, the visitors took the lead. Again from a Liam Hood corner, Hyslops’s shot was blocked by Reynolds but the ball broke kindly for Ross Loughlin who fired past Ally McInnes from six yards.
Almost immediately Vics’ created their best chance of the half as Balfour broke clear but Thistle keeper Brian Hewitt was sharp off his line to close down the angle.
Dalry had a great chance to double their advantage when Loughlin stepped inside a challenge from Lee Holland inside the box but this time McInnes pulled off a fine save to deny the Thistle striker.
In the 38th minute Conner Simpson was denied for Vics’ when his strike from 20 yards was pushed onto the post by Hewitt before bouncing kindly back into the keeper’s hands. Then right on half time Balfour was set up by Ricky Hanvey but his strike flew past the post.
The second period couldn’t have started any worse for Whitletts as two minutes after the restart Dalry doubled their advantage. A low cross into the box was miscontrolled by striker Graeme Hamilton but the ball broke off the unfortunate Euan Blair and rolled agonisingly into the net.
Vics’ responded and Balfour saw his drive tipped round the post while a misdirected headed clearance from Calum Walsh fell kindly for O’Connor but Hewitt blocked his attempt from close range.
However in the 59th minute, some confusion in the Thistle defence between David Tolland and Hewitt allowed Balfour to nip in and roll the ball home from the corner of the 6 yard box to give the home side some hope of getting something from the game and within five minutes they were back on level terms. Dalry failed to clear their lines from an Alan Love free kick into the box and when Hanvey returned the ball to the danger zone, Lee Holland was on hand to stab the ball home from six yards.
Dalry could have regained the lead but Loughlin’s tame effort was straight at McInnes. Then in the 74th minute Vics’ took the lead for the first time in the match. Substitute Jim Wilson challenged a defender at the edge of the box and Balfour nipped in to pinch the ball and roll it into the empty net.
Almost immediately McInnes made a superb save at full stretch to deny Luke Crerand while for Vics’, Balfour was denied a hat trick by a goal line clearance from Jack Miller. Jim Wilson then fired wide from the edge of the box as Vics’ looked to add to their tally.
The visitors pushed forward at every opportunity but it was Vics’ who were carrying the greater goal threat on the break as they returned to their winning ways
Whitletts Victoria
1 McInnes 2. Blair (Wilson 55) 3. Simpson 4. Holland 5. Wallace 6. Reynolds 7. Kerr 8. Love 9. Balfour (Nimmo 84) 10. O’Connor 11. Hanvey (Russell 77)
Subs (not used) 12.Wilson 14. Russell 15. Nimmo 16. Longair
Dalry Thistle
1. Hewitt 2. Tolland 3. Miller (Boyle 82) 4. Freil 5. Walsh 6. Calder 7. Hood (Crerand 61) 8. Walker (Singleton 79) 9. Hamilton 10. Loughlin 11. Hyslop
Subs (not used) 12. Boyle 14. Singleton 15. Lockhart 16. Crerand
Referee: Stuart MacMillan
Ayr’s junior football club, Whitletts Victoria, are to celebrate their 70th year by hosting an Anniversary Dinner.
The event will be sponsored by Myles Coachworks and The Tattoo Lounge and will be held at Ayr Rugby Club on Saturday 28th March next year, with a top table of quality after dinner speakers. The MC for the evening will be entertainer Sandy Strang with the main speakers being impressionist comedian Paul Reid and former FIFA referee Kenny Clark.
Whitletts Victoria Vice Chairman Andy McKissock promises the night will be one to remember.
“This is a special occasion to celebrate the history of Whitletts Victoria and we have been able to amass an array of top quality speakers to keep everyone entertained who are all amongst the top speakers on the after dinner circuit.”
“Sandy Strang is a comedian and entertainer who with his stories and wit is the perfect person to link the events of the evening together and keep the event flowing while impressionist Paul Reid is probably the most sought after speaker currently on the after dinner circuit. And of course former referee Kenny Clark will keep everyone entertained with his tales from the world of football.”
“We are deeply indebted to Myles Coachworks and the Tattoo Lounge for their support for this event and we are all looking forward to a fantastic evening.”
And McKissock revealed that the Club are looking to get in touch with former players, particularly from the team that reached the semi final of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1957 and were crowned Western League (South) Champions the following season.
“This dinner is to celebrate the history of Whitletts Victoria. The club has had a checkered history and only a few years ago there were stories that the club were going out the game. Well not only are the Club still going, we are growing stronger with real ambitions to take the Club forward.”
“However arguably the best team we ever had was that team in the mid 1950’s that reached the semi finals of the junior cup and won the league and we would love to hear from any surviving members of that side.”
Tickets for the event are priced at £35 and are available by contacting Andrew Downie on 07834 803 735 while former players are requested to contact Andy McKissock on 07519 344 387
FRIENDLY FIXTURE
Whitletts Victoria will play host to West Superleague Premier Division cracks Petershill this Saturday at Dam Park.
The friendly has been arranged as both sides have a free weekend and is a fixture of some significance for the Dam Park side who are celebrating their 70th anniversary this season as Club Secretary Mark Porter revealed when he confirmed the fixture.
"I am delighted that Petershill have agreed to come down to Ayr to play this match. The timing of the match is perfect for both clubs' as it keeps us active when we have a free week but for Whitletts it is a fixture of some significance in our history as we celebrate our 70th year."
"The biggest match in the history of Whitletts Victoria was in 1956 when we played in the semi final of the Scottish Junior Cup at Hampden in front of over 20,000 spectators. Petershill were the opposition that day at Hampden Park and beat us 3-2 before going on to win the Scottish Cup itself with a 4-1 win over Lugar in the final."
The match at Dam Park kicks off at 2pm. Entry to the match is £4 adults and £2 concessions. Season Tickets are valid.
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 3 DALRY THISTLE 2
Managerless Whitletts Victoria fought back from two goals down early in the second half to record their first win in seven matches and keep the Dam Park side in the race for promotion to the Superleague First Division.
Skipper Graham Longair took charge of the side following the departure of Steph MacMillan the previous week and orchestrated a second half fightback to give him a winning start in the dugout.
The visitors started the match well as Vics’ took a wee bit of time to settle. Whitletts worked their way into the game but couldn’t create a clear cut chance with a Stevie Kerr drive from 25 yards the closest they came to opening their account.
Dalry were dangerous on set pieces and Martin Reynolds cleared a Paul Hyslop shot from a corner off the line but in a similar move in the 27th minute, the visitors took the lead. Again from a Liam Hood corner, Hyslops’s shot was blocked by Reynolds but the ball broke kindly for Ross Loughlin who fired past Ally McInnes from six yards.
Almost immediately Vics’ created their best chance of the half as Balfour broke clear but Thistle keeper Brian Hewitt was sharp off his line to close down the angle.
Dalry had a great chance to double their advantage when Loughlin stepped inside a challenge from Lee Holland inside the box but this time McInnes pulled off a fine save to deny the Thistle striker.
In the 38th minute Conner Simpson was denied for Vics’ when his strike from 20 yards was pushed onto the post by Hewitt before bouncing kindly back into the keeper’s hands. Then right on half time Balfour was set up by Ricky Hanvey but his strike flew past the post.
The second period couldn’t have started any worse for Whitletts as two minutes after the restart Dalry doubled their advantage. A low cross into the box was miscontrolled by striker Graeme Hamilton but the ball broke off the unfortunate Euan Blair and rolled agonisingly into the net.
Vics’ responded and Balfour saw his drive tipped round the post while a misdirected headed clearance from Calum Walsh fell kindly for O’Connor but Hewitt blocked his attempt from close range.
However in the 59th minute, some confusion in the Thistle defence between David Tolland and Hewitt allowed Balfour to nip in and roll the ball home from the corner of the 6 yard box to give the home side some hope of getting something from the game and within five minutes they were back on level terms. Dalry failed to clear their lines from an Alan Love free kick into the box and when Hanvey returned the ball to the danger zone, Lee Holland was on hand to stab the ball home from six yards.
Dalry could have regained the lead but Loughlin’s tame effort was straight at McInnes. Then in the 74th minute Vics’ took the lead for the first time in the match. Substitute Jim Wilson challenged a defender at the edge of the box and Balfour nipped in to pinch the ball and roll it into the empty net.
Almost immediately McInnes made a superb save at full stretch to deny Luke Crerand while for Vics’, Balfour was denied a hat trick by a goal line clearance from Jack Miller. Jim Wilson then fired wide from the edge of the box as Vics’ looked to add to their tally.
The visitors pushed forward at every opportunity but it was Vics’ who were carrying the greater goal threat on the break as they returned to their winning ways
Whitletts Victoria
1 McInnes 2. Blair (Wilson 55) 3. Simpson 4. Holland 5. Wallace 6. Reynolds 7. Kerr 8. Love 9. Balfour (Nimmo 84) 10. O’Connor 11. Hanvey (Russell 77)
Subs (not used) 12.Wilson 14. Russell 15. Nimmo 16. Longair
Dalry Thistle
1. Hewitt 2. Tolland 3. Miller (Boyle 82) 4. Freil 5. Walsh 6. Calder 7. Hood (Crerand 61) 8. Walker (Singleton 79) 9. Hamilton 10. Loughlin 11. Hyslop
Subs (not used) 12. Boyle 14. Singleton 15. Lockhart 16. Crerand
Referee: Stuart MacMillan