The club are delighted to announce that Paul McDougall has been named as the new manager of Saint Anthony’s FC following the departure of Martin Montgomery. Paul has a mass of experience as a player at the level having played for the likes of Rutherglen Glencairn, Petershill and Rob Roy, there was even a couple of game stint at McKenna Park towards the end. Paul was part of the Beith Juniors background staff under Chris Strain that won the WoSFL Premier Division back to back in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

He brings with him assistant Joe Reid, who himself is no stranger to the club or the level, again having massive amounts of experience at clubs like Vale of Clyde and Ballieston. Joe played a few games for us as well as well as at Amateur and was most recently involved as Assistant Manager at WoSFL First Division side St Roch’s.

Speaking to the Ants website Secretary Martin McKenna was hopeful that Paul and Joe can turn around the clubs fortunes after a slow start to the season. “Paul had impressed when he interviewed for the role last year and was in the final shortlist before we decided to appoint Monty. As soon as we had parted ways with Monty we got in touch and were delighted that he agreed to come in. He brings a wealth of experience both on and off the pitch and has great contacts to help with player recruitment. I know how much he wants to make a success of this and i’m buzzing to see how we go under his leadership”

Paul was delighted to accept the post in a whirlwind last 24 hours. “When I spoke to Martin on the phone on the Sunday I was excited at the prospect of taking on the job at what is a well known and respected club in the WoSFL. I feel that although it’s my first Management role, the learning curve I’ve been on both through working as part of a successful Beith backroom team as well going through my coaching badges have prepared me for the main job and I can’t wait to get started” he continued “Having someone like Joe in to assist me is ideal with his knowledge and we’ll look to impart that on the talented young squad that we have, Obviously there has been a bit of player turnover which is a natural part of a manager leaving but hopefully we can bring in one or two players to help build the squad back up, inject a bit of confidence in the boys and see how we go but I really am relishing the challenge and can’t wait to get started”

Paul’s first match in charge is this Saturday at McKenna Park as we face Knightswood in the WoSFL Third Division with a 1:30pm Kick Off

The club are disappointed to announce that Martin Montgomery has left the club by mutual consent. The club would like to thank Martin for his service and we wish him all the best in the future. We have begun the process of identifying a manager and will make further announcements on this as soon as possible.

Secretary Martin McKenna said “We are disappointed that the appointment hasnt worked out quite the way we hoped it would. Martin has worked incredibly hard to rebuild a squad this season and shown that work ethic throughout his time at the club and we want to thank him for all his efforts”

Good luck in the future Monty, You are always welcome at McKenna Park

It’s a sad day around McKenna Park with the news that Club Captain Graeme Crawford has taken the decision to leave the club after 11 years, having joined from the University of Stirling back in 2014 and has made over 200 appearances in that time. He was handed the captaincy by Danny Taylor and it’s a role he excelled in the past 3 years. Graeme had also a couple of short stints as interim manager in the past season after the departues of both Danny and Johnny Fallon.

Club Secretary Martin McKenna paid his own tribute to the departing captain. “Graeme has been a great servant to the club and we are gutted that he is leaving. I’ve spoken to him about possible future roles at the club as not only is he a good player he’s a great guy to have around the place and someone we wouldn’t like to leave the club completely”. “He wants to spend time with his wife Claire and their young son Cam which I totally understand but hopefully he will be back at McKenna in some capacity in the future” Speaking on his length of service Martin continued “In this day and age it’s rare that a player is with a club for as long as G has been, and its only right that we recognise that. We were looking to put something in place for this season but there have been some issues so we have decided to move his testimonial year to this season coming, More details will be shared once we have them but we are putting together a sub committee with his sister Rachael involved as well”.

Speaking to Graeme he was sad to be leaving the club but feels the time is right

“I’m sad to be leaving the Ants as I’ve felt at home here for so long and there is so many great, dedicated people at the club, but it’s the right time for me and I think for the team too with a bit of turnover expected over the summer and a fresh start for everyone in a new division – and I hope we can bounce back at the first time of asking next year.

“I didn’t think when I joined that I’d be at the Ants for so long, let alone go on to captain and (briefly) manage the club, but it was a privilege to do so and I know that I always gave my all.

“When I first joined it was ‘proper junior football’ and I learned quickly what was required to survive at this level. Back then if you didn’t get booked then you weren’t trying hard enough! It’s not quite the same these days (the tackling definitely isn’t) but I’ve always tried to pass on to the younger boys that talent will only take you so far and to recognise how lucky they are to play for the Ants.

“Thanks to all my teammates, coaches and managers over the years and apologies for arguing with you, it was all for the good of the Ants!

“It’s easy to forget when you’re just turning up to train and play just how much work goes on behind the scenes to run a club, so I want to thank the committee and volunteers for giving me the opportunity to play at this level for so long.

“I’m looking forward to the break, making more time for Claire and Cam, but I’d love to come back to the Ants one day. Who knows what role that might be but whatever happens…

“Once an Ant, always an Ant 🐜”

Good luck in the future G, Whatever you do we know you’ll smash it.

 

 

The club are delighted to announce that Benburb Under 20’s manager Martin Montgomery has been appointed as the new Men’s First Team Manager. Martin has had great success with his young charges along the road at New Tinto, culminating in winning their conference last season and lifting the inaugural West of Scotland Football Development League overall championship. They almost made it a double but lost out in the SLDFL Combined Cup final to the University of Stirling.

The 42-year-old will begin life at McKenna Park next Monday due to a prior engagement and will be in the dugout for the first time in our next match, which is a way to Whitletts on 22nd February.

There was significant interest in the role and the club would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply for the job.

Ants Secretary Martin McKenna is delighted to have the new manager in place and is looking forward to a bright future at McKenna Park under Montgomery. “There was a great selection of candidates and it was a really tough decision for the interview panel to make but we feel that we have the right man in Martin. He blew us away at his interview and his plans for the future of the club really excited us. Being a local boy and growing up watching the club he knows how we operate and hopefully having a local boy at the helm will further strengthen our ties with the community and hopefully we’ll see some more new faces along at McKenna Park. I’d like to thank Frank and Paul Lovering at Benburb for allowing us to speak to Martin and ultimately let him leave to join us”.

The new gaffer was himself over the moon with his appointment, speaking to us after he agreed to take the job. “ I am delighted and honoured to be given the chance to manage the club and I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and getting to work. Being a local boy the two teams you always went to go see were the Ants and Bens. I’ve always had a soft spot for The Ants despite the bens literally being my back garden growing up as my house backed onto tinto. I’d like to thank Frank, Paul and the rest of the family and staff at Benburb for their professionalism in letting me take this opportunity and for giving me the platform to put myself in the position to get such a prestigious job and to Martin and the rest of the committee at the Ants for putting their trust in me to lead this fantastic club”.

Martin will be joined at the club with his Assistant manager David Breen who played at pro youth and WoS level before stepping into coaching at both under 20’s and again in the WoS. Goalkeeping coach Lewis Melvin played in the WoSFL before joining the Bens 20’s coaching staff in March 2024. Lastly is Physio Sean Anderson who is currently a physiotherapy student at college and is passionate about sports science as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Further backroom team announcements will hopefully be made in the next week or so once the gaffer takes the reigns

We can’t wait to see the new team in action!

It was a mixed bag of results for the various Ants teams over the weekend with 2 wins and 2 losses from the 4 matches we took part in.

The Under 20’s got the weekend off to a flier on the Friday night where a Daniel Gallanagh opener was added to by a Kyle Smith double, including one from the Pelanty spot and then Ben Smith, taking part in his first competitive match in over a year and a half netted a 4th in a fine 4-1 away victory over Rossvale at Huntershill.

The Men’s first team was up next as they welcomed Kilsyth Rangers to McKenna Park in the Greenversity WoSFL Second Division. Despite dominating large parts of the match we couldn’t convert any of our chances including Martin Mullaney seeing a pelanty saved by the visiting keeper and lost out 0-1 to a Mina strike after 16 minutes. A harsh scoreline for the boys given the effort they put in but a stark reminder that you don’t win games if you don’t score goals.

The Ants 2009’s have been quietly blazing their own trail this season and on Sunday they faced Airdrie CC for a place in the Scottish Cup Quarter Finals. A fine 1-3 victory away saw the Antlings book their QF spot where they will face Dundee United for a spot in the semi’s.

The Ants Ladies were facing second placed Bishopton in the SWF West with an injury list that saw no fewer than 6 players who would have been fighting for starting positions standing at the side and only 2 subs available. This proved to be our downfall. We fell 2-0 behind before goals from Amy Cattrell, Morgan McCafferty and Rachel Osborne put us 3-2 ahead. Further injuiries during the game saw us limp over the line having lost 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to lose out 5-3 but it was a great effort from the girls given the injury crisis.

With neither the Men or Women taking part in competitive action this week the focus will be on the Under 20’s and 2009s in our Weekend Preview due on Friday.

Big thanks to Rachel Osborne and Patryk Rudnicki for the men and womens photographs in the gallery

[metaslider id=22847]

It’s been a while but the Ants are finally back in competitive action. The youth section see’s our 2009’s take part in the last 16 of the Scottish Youth FA Inspire Scottish Cup away to Airdrie CC. Hopefully in the roundup we will be reporting on a win for the Antlings!.

In the men’s section the Under 20’s and First team play their first matches since the 13th of December and 8th of December respectively with the Young Team losing out 3-4 to Petershill and the first team winning 4-2 in what would turn out to be Johnny Fallon’s last match in charge with his decision to move to Bellshill.

The Under 20’s have a couple of suspensions and long term injuries don’t help what could be a much changed line up but will be hoping to pick up all 3 points in a tough match away to Rossvale at Huntershill on Friday the 17th with an 8pm Kick Off.

The men’s first team saw 4 players put pen to paper this week to join the club. Goalkeepers Stephen Mather, who had played the last 2 matches for the Ants as a trialist and Calum Dillon who’s last club was Cambuslang Rangers signed up along with Tony Hampson, who left the Ants for Kilsyth a couple of seasons ago before re-joining from Halfway St. Anthony’s and fit again Ben Smith who picked up a bad injury playing for the Under 20s but has impressed in training and re-signed.

Interim management team of Paul McKay and Graeme Crawford should have a full squad to pick from as we face Kilsyth Rangers at McKenna Park on Saturday 18th at 1:30pm and will be hoping the boys can show the same form they did last time out at home to Cambuslang.

The Ants Ladies have been idle even longer than their male counterparts with their last match coming away back on the 1st of December when they beat local rivals Benburb 0-5 at New Tinto and we have come back to an absolute stormer as we face Bishopton Ladies, who sit 1 position and 3 points ahead of us in second place in the SWF Table. The Queen Ants will need to be at our very best  to take anything from this one and it promises to be a cracker at Park Mains High with a 3pm Kick Off.

We’ll be back with a full round up of all things Ants on Monday.

Following the departure of the Men’s 1st team manager Johnny Fallon the club is now inviting applications for the position.

The deadline for applications will be Saturday 1st of February.

Please email any application over to info@theants.co.uk

The club is disappointed to announce the departure of Manager Johnny Fallon and his backroom team after he accepted the managers role at Bellshill Athletic FC.

Ants 1st team coach Paul McKay and player coach Graeme Crawford will make up the interim management team whilst we undergo the process of recruiting a successor to Johnny.

The club would like to thank Johnny and his team for all their hard work these past 6 months or so and wish them well for the future.

We will begin the recruitment process shortly and will be inviting applications. More information will be shared regarding that process tomorrow morning.

On the face of it a 5-1 defeat away looks like one side has run away with the tie but it was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested at Robertson Park yesterday as the Ants WoS Cup dreams were put to bed for another season.

The Ants had come into this one buoyant from their 2-1 win last week at home to Bellshill but with Thorniewood sitting in the top half of the division above it would be no small task to advance to the third round of the competition. A couple of enforced changes saw Mark McKillop move back into defence and Findlay Provan recalled to the starting line up having missed out last week.

The Ants had the first real half chance of the match when Welsh found last weeks two goal hero Chris Reilly out on the right hand side of the penalty box, the big man cut inside but his shot was held by Lane. McKillop then did really well to cut out a dangerous looking Kalala cross with Kindlan waiting to knock the ball into the net. The match was flowing from end to end with Reilly again forcing a save from Lane and a Carswell header blocked as it headed goal wards then Provan just failing to get on the end of a Kirkpatrick cutback.

Thorniewood took the lead in the 23rd minute when Dan Kindlan, who appeared to be marginally offside was put through on goal by Archer and the ‘Wood midfielder avoided a sliding tackle before slipping the ball through McInaw’s legs to make it 1-0 to the home side. Credit to the Ants though they didn’t let this setback get their heads down and Welsh again tested Lane from distance but once again the young Hamilton Accies loanee did well to smother the shot with Kirkpatrick waiting to pounce. Kirkpatrick himself then tested Lane with a powerful drive that he could only parry, Prior picked it up and his cross found Kirkpatrick again but the striker was off balance and lashed the shot past the post. They then had claims for a penalty waved away as a Thorniewood defender threw himself infront of a shot which rebounded to Welsh who then fired just over.

The Ants did get level in the 31st minute when Kyle Bunch nipped in to steal a short Lane pass and with the Keeper at the edge of his 18 yard box the Ants midfielder produced a lovely dink over his head and into the net to make it 1-1. Two minutes later and Thorniewood almost re-took the lead but Ross Forbes’ free kick was an inch or two wide. Thorniewood did retake the lead in the 35th minute when Leighton’s ball down the wing found Bobby Barr who raced towards the box from out wide, McInaw came racing out of his goal but the experienced Barr just chipped the ball over the keeper and into the empty net to make it 2-1. Reilly’s personal battle with Lane continued up the other end as the young keeper parried away his free kick and Welsh just couldn’t get on the end of the rebound and 2-1 is how we went in at the break.

The opening stages of the second half saw the some wasteful passing from both teams as the park began to cut up heavily with few chances being created until Thorniewood made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. A ball over the top saw Kindlan and Barr both go for the ball, Kindlan had looked offside as the ball was played but he left it for Barr who’s cross eventually found it’s way to Blair MacDonald, who had only just came on as a sub, at the back post to fire the ball into the roof of the net from close range. The Ants to their credit kept pushing to get back into it and could have had a pelanty when Sideserf appeared to handle a Reilly cross but the ref judged his arm to have been in a natural position despite the video showing him moving his arm towards the ball and a corner was the outcome.

Reilly then thought he had reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute when his hit on the volley looked to be flying in but it hit Mullaney on the line and bounced to safety. Thorniewood eventually got the ball cleared and they found Ally Miller who raced through on goal and gave McInaw no chance to seal the tie at 4-1 in the 85th minute. Bobby Barr added a 5th in the last minute to put a ribbon on the scoreline for the home side and see the Ants crash out of the cup for another season

Full time Thorniewood 5 v 1 Ants.