Whitletts Vics : News
VICS CHANGE THEIR COLOURS
Whitletts Victoria will celebrate their 75th anniversary by playing in new blue and white colours this season.
The West Region Championship Club, who currently play their home matches at Dam Park, original playing kit was one of blue shirt and white shorts with blue socks but for many years red and black has been the club colours.
Chairman John Dalton stated that the Club wanted to recognise the clubs origins in this anniversary season.
“The Club was founded in 1944. Our first ever match was played on the 12th August that year, a 2-2 draw against Ayr Newton Rovers at our original home at the Recreation Ground. Originally The Vics played in the kit of blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks. This was also the strip they wore when Whitletts played in the 1956 Scottish Junior Cup semi final against Petershill at Shawfield in front of 20,100 spectators.”
“It was still the club colours in 1958 when Whitletts won the Western League (South) title so the committee felt that it was appropriate in our 75th anniversary for the Club to recognise our origins by reverting to a blue and white strip for the coming season.”
And John confirmed that the red and black stripes will make a return as the home kit in the 2020/21 season.
“This is only for one season and then we will revert back to our now traditional red and black stripes when we hope to be moving into our new home in time for the 2020/21 campaign” said Dalton “ We’ve no idea when or why the Club stopped using a blue and white strip but red and black has been the club colours for many years now and will be for the foreseeable future.”
VICS SWOOP FOR DARVEL TRIO
Whitletts Victoria have completed a triple swoop on Championship rivals Darvel as manager Peter Leonard continues to build his squad for the new campaign.
The Dam Park club have signed defenders Martin Findlay and Callum Walsh along with midfielder Stewart Davidson who all spent last season with the Recreation Park club.
And manager Peter Leonard is delighted to get the players whom he believes will strengthen his squad.
“Last season we had a very young but very talented squad that was low in terms of numbers. We’ve re-signed the majority of that squad but this is an important season in what is going to be a very competitive division and we needed to bring in players to bolster the squad, not just in terms of numbers but also in quality” said Peter.
“That is why I am delighted to bring these three players to the Club. They are very talented players who have a wealth of experience.”
Midfielder Stewart Davidson (25) started his junior career at Hurlford United before joining Darvel.
"I watched Darvel a number of times last season and Stewart was a player who continually caught my eye" said Peter.
"He impressed every time I saw him play. He plays with his head up all the time, has great awareness around him and many other attributes that I believe will be of great benefit to the team."
Also joining up from the Recreation Park side is 28 year old central defender Callum Walsh, who has signed after a four year spell at Darvel.
“Callum is a big, talented centre half who is equally comfortable with the ball on the ground and very good in the air” added Peter.
“He reads the game well and has great timing and also knows this level of the game well having played previously with Ardrossan and Dalry before joining Darvel.”
The final addition to the trio is 23 year old defender Martin Findlay, who’s father Ross started his career at Whitletts before going on the enjoy a distinguished junior career with Auchinleck Talbot where he won 5 Scottish Junior Cup winners medals.
“Signing Martin was a no brainer” said Leonard. “He has everything you could wish for in a defender. He has a strong, physical presence but also has a great deal of pace and reads the game very well.”
“He is also a very versatile player who can play anywhere across the back or also in midfield.”
"I am looking to build a squad with players who are comfortable on the ball but who can play in a variety of roles that will allow us to address injuries and suspensions as they arise through the season. Martin fits that bill and I'm delighted that he has agreed to join Whitletts."
“Also these 3 players also know each others game very well having played together over the past couple of seasons and that can only be good for the team.”
But Leonard stated that he is still looking to add a couple of players to his squad.
“I’m happy at the moment with how the squad is developing at the moment but I’m still looking to bring in a couple of players. So far we’ve got a good mixture of youth and experience with tough competition for places in the starting eleven but I need to bring in a couple of additional players who will add to that competition and who can play in a variety of roles that will allow us to address injuries and suspensions as they arise through the season .”