We’re around the halfway point of the season, so it’s time for our mid-season review.

Following the end of last season, the following players departed the club: Kenzie Smyth, Ross McKenzie, Ryan Wallace, Dale Simeon, Kieran Brady, Hamish McKinlay, Stuart Fyfe, Dom Boland, Kieran Brophy.

Harry Broun, Ally Small and Jonny Lyon all returned to their parent clubs following their loan spells, whilst Conner McGlinchey was sent out on loan to Darvel.

The following players were brought into the club: Luke Scullion, Jonny Lyon (signed on a permanent deal after he returned to his parent club), Cammy Eadie, Jordan Moore, Danny O'Neill, Fraser Mullen, Max Kerr, Aaron Mason, Kian Gilday. We also welcome to the club new kit man Gordan Taylor and physio Haylie Todd.

PRE-SEASON:

Johnstone Burgh went unbeaten in pre-season, winning the John Grant Tournament for the first time as we beat Maryhill 6-1 in the final, having defeated Irvine Meadow XI 4-2 on penalties in the semis, following a 1-1 draw. During the tournament weekend, we raised over £2,500 for our charity partners RAMH and Renfrewshire Foodbank. We drew 3-3 at Broomhill, beat Rutherglen Glencairn 1-4, Sauchie Juniors 2-0 and Longside 0-1.

JULY:

The last few days of July saw us get our season underway, with a goalless draw at Largs Thistle, followed by a 1-1 draw in home opener against Auchinleck Talbot.

AUGUST:

Our unbeaten start continued into August with victories against Glenafton Athletic (0-4), Troon (3-0), and Gartcairn (1-3). At Pollok, we battled brilliantly to earn a 1-1 draw after having goalkeeper Luke Scullion sent off after just three minutes, which was later rescinded, and being reduced to nine men with 16 minutes remaining. We then suffered our first defeat of the season as we lost 1-3 at home to Clydebank, before bouncing back a week later beating St Cadocs 2-1.

SEPTEMBER:

In September, we turned our attention to cup football, visiting Drumchapel United in the second round of the South Challenge Cup. For the second time in three matches, we forced a draw despite being down to nine men, with Lafferty and Esplin sent off, and manager Murdo MacKinnon sent to the stands. Unfortunately, with this being cup football, the match had to be decided on the day, and we ultimately lost 1-0 after extra time.

The following week we were in second round cup action again, this time in the Scottish Junior Cup, beating Colony Park 8-0 at Keanie Park, before ending the month with a 0-2 league defeat at home to Beith.

In September, we announced the signing of goalkeeper Callum Law.

September also saw us launch our first girls team, for 10-14 year olds. Training takes place on Monday evenings between 8-9pm, so if you’re interested in joining our girls team, contact Alex on 07530 292570.

OCTOBER:

We turned our attention to the cup again, beating Vale of Leven 5-1 in the first round of the West of Scotland Cup. We then hosted Dundee North End in the Scottish Junior Cup for the second season running, and beat them 3-1. Our only league match in October saw us beat Cumnock Juniors 3-0 at home.

In October, we welcomed back Tommy Montgomery to our coaching staff.

NOVEMBER:

Again, we started the month in the cup, hosting Irvine Meadow in the West Of Scotland Cup, beating them 2-0.

We then turned our focus back to the league and had trips to Ayrshire in consecutive weeks to play Hurlford and Darvel. At Hurlford, we came from a goal down to lead 1-2, only to be pegged back before taking the lead in the 90^th minute. Luke Scullion ensured we won 2-3 when he saved a 96^thminute penalty. The match at Darvel was a little calmer, as we shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

The next week, our Scottish Junior Cup fourth round tie at Vale of Leven was postponed, and rescheduled for a week later, a match we won 0-4.

In November, we announced that Kian Gilday has signed a contract extension, keeping him at The Burgh until 2027. We also announced the signing of midfielder Ross Smith from Auchinleck Talbot.

DECEMBER:

We were drawn to play Hurlford United away in the third round of the West Of Scotland Cup on 7^th December but this was postponed due to the weather. A week later, we were back at Darvel, this time in the Scottish Junior Cup fifth round. An epic comeback saw us come from 2-0 down to win 2-3. Our postponed match against Hurlford United was rearranged for 21^st December, but this was also postponed. Having been postponed twice, the decision was made by the cup organisers to switch the match to Keanie Park, to be played on 4^th January 2025. However, this match would also postponed and the venue was switched back to Blair Park, Hurlford.

December also saw the signing of experienced defender Alan Cook.

OTHER NEWS:

Johnstone Burgh continue their work in the community Kyle Lafferty hosting his Soccer Academy in Paisley during the October school holidays. In November, Vic & Ronnie represented the club at Johnstone’s Remembrance Day service and laid a wreath on behalf of the club in Houston Square. In December the club hosted our annual Santa day at Keanie Park. And Brian, Vic and Mitch visited CrossReach Adams House hospice to donate Christmas selection boxes to the staff and residents.

In January 2025, we were awarded the Silver Quality Mark by the Scottish FA West Region.

Plenty of work of has been done behind the scenes, and the work continues. Throughout the season, we’ve painted the “cow shed”, we’ve opened a second turnstile for matchdays, we’ve dug up sections of grass around the stadium and put down tarmac, creating more paths and ramps to make the stadium more accessible for all. Despite the fact we’ve not had a home game since 2^nd November, work at Keanie Park continues and we look forward to welcoming our fans, sponsors and charity partners back on 1^st February.

As well as our first team, Johnstone Burgh continue to build for the future, with clubs at amateur level, U20s, and for 2007s then all ages from 2009s to 2021s, plus our girls team and Burgh Ballers.