Cup winners Auchinleck are set for Campbell testimonial

Jul 16 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ALL eyes in the junior football world will be on Murrayfield Park this Saturday when Scottish Junior Cup holders Auchinleck Talbot make an appearance for Mark Campbell’s testimonial.

Campbell served Blackburn with distinction both as a player and manager and it is a mark of the respect he has garnered in the game that Auchinleck agreed to play this game.

He is one of the nicest men in football and deserves the biggest support from what is hoped to be a good crowd.

The game has a scheduled kick off time of 2pm with admission priced at £4 and £2.

Blackburn’s next game is on Tuesday, July 21, at home to a Stenhousemuir select with a 7pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, Bathgate also start their pre-season round of games on Saturday as they open with a home fixture against a Motherwell XI with a 2pm start.

Following this match, their next fixture is on Thursday, July 23, when they host Armadale in the Kenny Carruthers Cup. Manager Graeme Love, just back from holiday, is busy trying to find time to finalise his pool of players before the pre-season matches begin.

Whitburn have no game this weekend but they play on Tuesday, July 21, when they go on the road to Kilsyth for a 6.45pm kick-off.

They then play away games at Pollok, on Saturday, July 25, and Armadale, on August 1.

Whitburn have also revealed they have placed Alec Lurinsky on the transfer list and anyone interested should contact the club.

Moving up the county, Linlithgow have unveiled a trio of new signings, while another two additions may not be far away.

Paul Parkin has arrived from Whitburn, Gary Kelly has jumped ship from the Shire, while former Scotland Juniors skipper John Ward has signed from Brechin City.

Rose’s first game is against Milton Amateurs from the Bannockburn area.

Armadale also have a raft of new faces for the forthcoming season.

David Cunningham and Craig Chilton have both signed from Broxburn, while Dino Ditta has moved from Tynecastle Seniors and Sean Buchanan and Gary Shaw have come from Camelon Under-19s. Š

Armadale’s committee have started the build-up for Dean Purdie’s testimonial against a Hearts Legends select and that’s one to pencil in to your diaries.

Broxburn, with new manager Steve Pittman in charge, have to play all their home games at Craigswood until further notice as their ground is under development.

They have signed Gary Maley from Fauldhouse and Gary McLachlan from their Under-19s.Š

Their first game is at Craigroyston this Saturday with a 2pm kick-off before they travel to the capital to face Edinburgh City on Tuesday, July 21.

Fauldhouse are involved in the Dunipace Tournament this weekend, where they will face Bo’ness, Ashfield and hosts Dunipace over two days.