One Of Aberdeen’s Oldest Teams Come Back From The Brink
Report by Andy McLaren
Great Western United veteran Willie Jack today admitted his new-look side can re-ignite their dream of achieving Amateur football glory after years of uncertainty at the club.
The Woodside outfit, who were formed over 45 years ago, suffered relegation for only the third time in the clubs history last term.
United finished 26 points from safety in last season’s Premier Division after a lack of players almost forced the club to fold.
But with the addition of 26 new signings, Great Western now aim to climb back up the Amateur ranks following their recent 4-3 win over Highland Hotel.
And Willie, who spent 12 years at Formartine before joining Great Western, is confident the club’s fresh start will bring future success.
He said: “This season is a fresh start for all the players and it’s great to see everybody with a smile on their faces again.
“The whole squad are now playing with confidence and it’s starting to show in our performances and results.
“I spent three years out of the game due to family commitments but I simply had to get back into football as I was missing it too much.
“I have no regrets about returning with Great Western United and I plan to play until my legs simply stop working.
“The club has been in decline over the past few years but we are back and we mean business this season.”
Founded in 1968, Great Western United were originally called Marley and later Carronhall.
Co-manager Graham Work was part of the Aberdeen side’s best spell in Amateur football when they won the Premier Division, North of Scotland Cup and Association Trophy in the early nineties.
Graham has been at the club for 30 years, having joined as a youngster when he was 17.
And the 47-year-old, who only stopped playing three years ago, admits folding the club would have been the lowest point in his Amateur football career.
“The nineties were the golden years for us but the team was slowly slipping down the league as we were all getting older,” said Graham.
“Colin Nicol, who was in charge of Ferryhill Amateurs last year, was appointed co-manager with me this season and he has made an unbelievable difference to the organisation at the club.
“We were relegated last season due to a lack of players and I was really concerned for our future.
“We have a great backing and our finances are now in a good place.
“We still have a nucleus of older players who will continue to give our new youngsters guidance and advice as they compete throughout the season.
“The turnaround at the club has been nothing short of fantastic and we are striving to become a top team to be reckoned with again.”
