PRESS
RELEASE
Issued:
18th December 2008
Bathgate Thistle Junior Football Club
It is with sadness that I announce my resignation as manager at the end of the season, and my departure from
Bathgate Thistle Football Club. It is my intention to be at all of the remaining fixtures this season, however on the stands
as a spectator.
With a young son and granddaughter to add to my existing family of three grown up girls and one boy, the demands
on my time required for my family and my business mean that I can no longer commit the time required to Bathgate Thistle.
Due to my family and business commitments I have been attempting an orderly exit from the Club for some time,
after 31 years of service. Since starting with the club as a player in 1977, the last 30 years have provided me with a wealth
of memories, culminating in last season’s Junior Cup win, the fulfilment of a lifetime ambition I’ve had for the
Club.
Clearly this will be an unsettling period for the club, however I am sure that the players will honour their
contracts for the remainder of this season irrespective of my stepping down. I will be available to assist the Club and players
in this regard if necessary. The signing of players for next season will be the sole responsibility of the new management
and committee.
I would like to recognise the contribution made over the years by the numerous people –
too many to mention individually - who have given of their time and talents to serve on the Bathgate committee. I would like
to highlight the sterling efforts of Syd McAlpine, Jimmy Walker and Ian Strathearn, which go unrewarded and should be applauded by the people of Bathgate.
I had hoped that the proposed football academy, as well as allowing me to leave without any regrets, would provide an excellent
future for both Bathgate Thistle and the football community as a whole. Unfortunately however, it was not to be and I have decided to withdraw from that project and end my ties with the club. This will be my last season of unrestricted sponsorship of Bathgate, and discussions are
on-going as to my continued level of financial support for the Club.
I am acutely aware of the timing of my decision, given the current squad of the players, who are now almost all
fit and available, is the best that we’ve had at the Club. I sincerely hope that Paul and the lads have a great second
half of the season.
In giving a substantial period of notice I trust that the Club will now have the opportunity to show the world
that Bathgate Thistle is no longer “Willie Hill’s baby”, and to source new sponsorship for the Club moving
forward. An exciting opportunity now presents itself for someone to be involved
in a high profile junior team.
I would like to thank the people of Bathgate for their continued support over the years, and wish the players,
new manager and the Club every success in the future.
ENDS
