048 Paul McColl: where lockdown leaves the amateurs, the start of summer football, facing Gazza as a kid & wages in his shoes

Down The Divisions

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.

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