Ruffs and Tuffs Issue 2

Ruffs N Tuffs 

THE KILWINNING RANGERS MAGAZINE 

THE TEAM FIXTURES CLUB NEWS THE ACADEMY ISSUE 2 

OFF TO A 

FLYER 

BENBURB FC, 17TH AUG 2019 2PM KICKOFF WEST PREMIER LEAGUE

The Latest News from The Training Ground and The Squad Overview 

The Managers Report 

Today’s match against Benburb is 

a different game to our last home 

game against the champions but 

one that will be no less difficult. 

Benburb have been promoted from 

a very difficult league and have had 

a good start surprising a few good 

teams from the off. They have an 

enthusiasm, passion and possibly 

teams are underestimating their 

ability and togetherness. In Paul 

Lovering they have a manager who 

demands big things of his players 

and when we have watched them 

they have players with real ability. 

We must be on our guard but obviously 

being the home team the onus 

will be on us to attack and try to win 

the match. 

We’ve had a good start and in our 

last home match we were pleased 

to pick up a point but I felt we could 

have done more as an attacking 

outfit in the match. Defensively 

we’ve been excellent and we defended 

a lot of crosses and set pieces 

in the match and we did it with a 

real togetherness. We can and will 

improve our quality on the ball but 

it is the behaviours of the team that 

are impressing the staff. There is 

02 

real leadership being shown and we 

will keep emphasising our ethics to 

the players. As long as the players 

take responsibility for themselves 

and their team-mates then we will 

improve as a group. 

The Meadow game was a good 

game for our fans and I can feel a 

bond forming between the fans and 

players and that is very pleasing. 

The supporters can evidently see 

how hard the players are working in 

matches and the encouragement 

they are getting from the terraces 

is driving them on. Long may that 

partnership continue. 

We were determined to get a result 

at Meadow Park and we did it in 

a more comfortable manner than 

the scoreline suggests. The goal 

scorers always get the plaudits but 

it was a real team effort and it was 

good to see the boys celebrating 

after the game. I’m usually quite 

reserved after games as you try to 

win with dignity but we are entitled 

to celebrate victories when we work 

hard and it’s something I might need 

to relax on. There is a line but I’m 

happy the boys want to celebrate 

wins (let’s hope there are more celebrations 

throughout the season). 

We have now had 2 training sessions 

in a week for the first time 

since pre season and hopefully that 

allows us to work on a few more patterns 

of play etc but we have been 

continually getting the message 

to the players that the more work 

they put in, the more likely we are to 

succeed. Everyone should be back 

fit and it’s a real headache selecting 

a team but it’s a good headache 

to have. I don’t want to lose any 

players from this group and they are 

all capable of playing but it will be 

really tough to keep everyone happy. 

The boys will have to be patient at 

times as we need EVERYONE to 

continue to contribute if we are to 

be successful. 

COYB 

Chris

The Buffs Park Latest 

Dugouts On 

Track 

A Big Buffs thanks to 

building supplies company 

MKM for providing 

the New Buffs Park with 

a set of brick Dugouts, 

Seats from the dugouts 

have been provided from 

CalMac 

MKM provided all the 

materials and all of the 

labour with a little bit of 

bricky work thrown in by 

club secretary Charlie 

Brown, they've taken a 

little longer to get completed 

as other projects 

around the club took 

priority. 

The dugs have been 

spec'd to SFA Licence 

level Gold and will server 

the club will into the future. 

 

New Match Day 

Suite on the way 

UPDATE: PLANNING HAS 

NOW BEEN DONE AND WILL 

BE SUBMITTED TO NAC 

03

Super 

Sam 

By Ben Grant 

 

KRTV’S BEN GRANT SAT DOWN WITH LEFT BACK SAM 

MCCLOSKEY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIM AND 

WHAT HIS THOUGHTS WERE WITH THE SEASON SO FAR. 

04 [ Ruffs N Tuffs ] Benburb FC

SAM IS A GREAT LAD, GOOD FOR THE CLUB 

BOTH ON AND OFF THE PARK. HE’S A QUIET 

HUMBLE GUY, WORKS HARD AND IS AN IM- 

PORTANT MEMBER OF THE TEAM. SAM PROB- 

ABLY DOESN’T REALISE HOW GOOD HE IS AND 

COULD BE MORE CONFIDENT BECAUSE HE’S A 

TALENTED PLAYER. HE’S STILL YOUNG BUT A 

SENIOR MEMBER OF THE SQUAD AND HE HAS 

BECOME A POPULAR FIGURE WITH THE PLAY- 

ERS AND COACHING STAFF. 

MANAGER: CHRIS STRAIN 

Sam tell us about your career in football to date? 

I started off at Dean Thistle when I was 5 years old 

and then went into Celtics youth set up when I was 9, 

I stayed there for quite a few years then left, I went to 

Bellfield boys club to get back playing with my mates 

and then onto Bonnyton thistle for 2 years, I then 

signed with Stranraer FC and was there for 3 and a 

half years and from there I’ve been with The Buffs ever 

since 

Who would you say is your biggest influence in the 

game? 

I’ve always looked up to players like Ryan Giggs cause 

he’s left sided and I wanted to be like him when I was 

younger, but I’d say My biggest influences have always 

been my Mum and Dad, they’ve always supported me 

everywhere I play and with every decision I’ve made so 

I’d say them 

When did you sign for the club and what made you 

sign? 

I first signed 4 years ago now, I originally came here on 

loan from Stranraer for 6 months and absolutely loved 

it, and the end of the loan the gaffer said he’d really 

like me to sign here permanent so once everything 

was finished at Stranraer I phoned the gaffer the same 

day and signed and that’s been me since, loved every 

minute of it so far. The main reasons I signed was 

because I felt a part of something and felt wanted here 

to which I hadn’t felt for a long time in football, and the 

main fact that it’s a great laugh being here 

You’ve been here for 4 years now, what would you say 

is your best moment? 

My best moment here personally would probably be 

winning player of the year last year, I didn’t expect 

it and to get that recognition is something I was delighted 

with. As a team has to be winning the Ayrshire 

Cup, the full buzz of lifting silverware with the lads 

and probably the best thing of the full day/week was 

seeing Auld Winston(Brian the Kitman) parading the 

trophy about Kilwinning non stop smiling, absolute 

class! 

What's your thoughts on the great start to the season? 

I think we’ve started brilliantly, this years squad is 

probably the strongest we’ve had for a long time and 

we’ve got a great mix of boys too. The gaffer has 

worked hard with us in preseason to get us playing the 

way we have with the high tempo and creating plenty 

of scoring chances and defending as a unit, which I 

think so far we have done well. Here’s hoping we kick 

on now and do it throughout the season 

What would you say your aspirations are for the season 

are? 

My biggest influences have 

always been my Mum and 

Dad, 

I think as a team we really want silverware, and I don’t 

think that’s an over ambitious target with the team we 

have. Whether it be the league or Scottish Cup I think 

we will do will in both 

Issue 2 [ Ruff N Tuffs ] 05


Issue 2 [ Ruff N Tuffs ] 07

8 [ Ruffs N Tuffs ] Benburb FC 

The Buffs 0 

The Talbot 0 

The Buff Park

The Buffs opened their first ever 

league campaign at the all new Buffs 

with a well deserved point against the 

team they played on both the opening 

and closing fixtures at Abbey Park, 

Auchinleck Talbot. 

A pretty even first half possession 

and chances wise, both teams looking 

good in possession but the back 

lines were on point as the scoreline 

will testify. Chris McGowan had the 

best chance of the first half around 

6 minutes in. Monti whipped the 

ball in from a corner and Mcgowan 

rose high up to meet the ball in the 

air blazing the shot over the Talbot 

goal. The Buffs continued to put the 

pressure on in the first half but Chris 

Strain’s side just couldn’t find the net. 

The second half saw Talbot come out 

fighting putting a lot of pressure on 

the Kilwinning defence but defensive 

back four of Hewitt, Maitland, Syme 

and McGowan were resolute. 

The best chances of the second half 

fell to substitute Ryan Wilson and 

Carlo Monti which on another day 

would have seen The Buffs keep all 3 

points at Buffs Park 

As the final minutes of the game 

played out substitute Alex McWaters 

saw red for a second bookable offence, 

having been booked for his 

first challenge the ref decided he had 

no choice but to send the winger 

off. An unfortunate end to the game 

which otherwise was a great performance 

but a point against last seasons 

league champions The Buffs 

should have no complaints. 

It was a good performance 

After the match KRTV’s Ben Grant 

spoke to manager Chris Strain after 

the match “It was a good performance, 

probably didn’t create enough 

but it was a good workmanlike performance” 

Issue 2[ Ruffs N Tuffs ] 9



Irvine Meadow 1 

The Buffs 2 

Meadow Park 


We made a short trip over The 

River Garnock to face local rivals 

Irvine Meadow in the first derby 

match of the season. 

Chris Strain made 3 changes from 

the side that faced Auchinleck 

Talbot on Wednesday night. David 

Markey was handed his league 

debut, Ryan Wilson and Sam Mc- 

Closkey also came into the side 

for Darren Frye and the suspended 

Alex McWaters. 

The Buffs started the match 

strongly with Dean Agnew finding 

the net inside 5 minutes. Sam 

McCloskey picked up the ball on 

the edge of the area playing in Ben 

Lewis who unselfishly squared the 

ball to Agnew who would struggle 

to have an easier finish all season. 

Meadow had their chances forcing 

a couple of saves from David 

Markey and there were chances 

for David Syme and Ryan Wilson to 

put the Medda keeper under pressure. 

The Medda got the second half underway 

but an early chance came 

for Carlo Monti controlling the ball 

in the air and sending a volley just 

over the bar. It was Monti who put 

The Buffs 2-0 ahead after a handball 

25 yards from goal Monti lined 

up the resulting free kick before 

sending a left foot curler up and 

over the wall and leaving The Medda 

keeper rooted to the spot. Another 

goal of the season contender 

from Carlo. Our defence eventually 

did get breached as a low cross 

would get past Maitland on the 

near post and McLean managed 

to get the ball past Markey in the 

Kilwinning goal. 2-1 to The Buffs 

and which made the ending a little 

more nervous in the final minutes 

however the team would see out 

the win and keep their 100% record 

intact heading into this afternoon’s 

game against Benburb. After the 

match Chris Strain said “Great to 

win a derby game, especially pleasing 

for the supporters they turned 

up in good numbers, 3 games in a 

week so it’s tiring but the players 

Deserved the 3 Points 

and supporters drove on and we 

thoroughly deserved the 3 points” 



Last weekend saw the culmination of the Kilwinning 

Rangers Youth Football Festival with the U15s and 

U19s closing this years event. 

Now in its 8th year the festival has come from what 

was a small event with mostly Ayrshire teams to a 

truly national event attracting the 120 of the best 

youth teams from all over Scotland and this year we 

hosted our first English team, Wallsend Boys Club 

from Newcastle who’s former players include the 

likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick, 

Michael Bridges, Peter Beardsley the list goes on. 

The weather played a big part this year with heavy 

rain putting similar events off all over the country, 

for us it meant we had to find contingency plans to 

the contingency plans but thankfully the investment 

made in the facilities meant we were still able to get 

most of the games on albeit to a heavily amended 

time table. 

THIS YEARS CUP WINNERS . 

U13S CUP WINNERS, LINWOOD RANGERS 

U13S TROPHY WINNERS, FC ARGYLE 

U14S CUP WINNERS, LINWOOD RANGERS 

U14S TROPHY WINNERS, BELLFIELD ROYALS 

U15S CUP WINNERS, KILWINNING RANGERS 

U15S TROPHY WINNERS, BRIDGEND 

U19S CUP WINNERS, AC IRVINE 

U19S TROPHEY WINNERS, ST CADOCS 

Our U12s team coached by John Bradford and 

James Harnett opened the event in the 9 aside competition 

and played some brilliant football, individually 

and collectively as a team, a side to watch for 

when they go competitive next season. 

In the 11 aside tournaments we had teams from 

U13 up to U19s with mixed fortunes, the U13 were 

knocked out in the semifinal of the main Cup after a 

great group stage. 

It was a similar story in the U19s where we won all 

our group games comfortably but lost out to an AC 

Irvine in the semifinal of the main Cup. 

Our only competitive success came in the U15s 

where the Blues team put in an excellent performance 

to defeat Wallsend BC in the final of the Cup 

1-0, young Gary Brown with the only goal in a very 

tight match and the only goal the visitors conceded 

in 5 games, such was their quality. 

There were some standout performances from the 

Buffs Youths players, and I know I’m biased but 

if asked to pick a player of the tournament I’d say 

they’d be in a blue and white hooped top and if 

pushed further I’d say between Jack McMahon of 

the U15s and Jai Ewing in the U19s, both players 

stand out in their respective age groups. 

There were a few contenders in the Wallsend side as 

well a few of whom are still only 13 and playing up 

an she group.

YOUNG BUFFS 

The U16's 

BACK( L TO R) FRASER ALLISON, LEWIS BARNIE, KIERAN MCKINLAY, JACK MCALPINE, EUAN PORTER, BEN STRAIN, RUIRAIDH 

MILLIGAN , LEO COLQUHOUN 

FRONT (L TO R) SAM DUNCAN, NATHAN LEWIS, LIAM MCMASTER, MATTHEW SMITH, LEWIS MCGINN, FRASER MACKINNON 

ELLIOT O’BRIEN (MISSING/ HOLIDAY - JACK BARCLAY, DEVLIN WRAITH AND KYLE BRUCE) 

Ben Strain 

Fraser Allison 

Jack McApline 

Kieran McKinlay 

Ben is the Captain of the 

Under 16s. A striker with 

frightening pace, he scooped 

the Player of the Year and 

top Goalscorer awards last 

season. Ben recently represented 

Scotland in the BGC 

Scotland squad where he 

helped Scotland gain a creditable 

1-1 draw with Wales. 

This season Ben has already 

trained with the first team. 

Fraser is another fantastic 

prospect with the U16s. 

Fraser suffered a double blow 

recently dislocating both 

knees in the space of a few 

months. Such is his character, 

he’s already working hard 

in the gym preparing for his 

return in October. 

Jack is the U16s vice-captain 

and a tough tackling midfielder. 

Last season Jack led 

the Under 16s in assists. Jack 

is another future prospect 

who worked extremely hard 

throughout preseason. Big 

things are expected of Jack 

this season. 

Kieran is a former Queens 

Park pro-youth player. Under 

the guidance of Chris Strain, 

Kieran is now one of the best 

right backs in the league. 

Extremely strong and with 

an abundance of pace, it’s 

no surprise that Kieran has 

already been identified as a 

future Buffs right full back. 


BENBURB FC 

SQUAD LIST 

Jordan Bow 

Ross Connelly 

Chris Dooley 

Ciaran Diver 

Sean Fitzharris 

Aidan Ferris 

Ryan Livingston 

Greg Maitland 

Ryan McCrone 

Kieran McAllister 

William McLaren 

Ryan McWilliams 

Josh Meechan 

Ciaran Mulcahy 

Michael Mulcahy 

Martin Mullaney 

Kieran O’Hear 

Andrew Rankin 

Kyle Richford 

Andrew Wright 

MANAGER: 

Paul Lovering 

ASSISTANT: 

Ian Gray 

COACHES: 

Alan Thomson 

Brian Roberts 

PHYSIO: 

We welcome ‘The Bens’ 

for not only their first 

visit to Buffs Park 

but their first match 

against The Buffs in the 

Mcbookie.com West 

Region Premiership. 

The Glasgow side arrive 

off the back of promotion 

winning season 

from the Mcbookie.com 

Championship with 

Airdrie United legend 

Paul Lovering at the 

helm. Paul has played 

football at the highest 

level with spells at Hibernian 

and Ayr United 

where he was part of 

the team who made it 

to the League Cup Final 

vs Glasgow Rangers 

at Hampden. It’s been 

somewhat of a family 

affair for the Lovering 

family as Paul’s dad 

Frank was the manager 

of the club for 13 

seasons until Paul took 

over in July 2015 

Benburb FC were 

formed in 1885 initially 

in the Oatlands area of 

Glasgow for a number 

of years before moving 

to the Govan area 

of Glasgow where they 

have remained. Their 

ground New Tinto Park 

has been their home 

since 2015. 

The Bens had a great 

season in The Championship 

running Rutherglen 

Glencairn close 

with The Glens winning 

the league title by a +15 

goal difference. The 

Glens and The Bens 

were joined by fellow 

New Tinto Park team 

Rossvale FC. 

In their return to The 

Premiership they have 

started their league 

campaign with a 2-0 

win against Kirkintilloch 

Rob Roy, a 3-2 loss to 

Largs Thistle and 1-1 

draw with Glenafton. 





Adam Strain 

David Marky 

Sam McCloskey 

Chris McGowan 

Position: 

Goalkeeper 

Position: 

Goalkeeper 

Position: 

Defender 

Position: 

Defender 

Gary Fleming 

Ben Lewis 

Darren Fyre 

Dean Agnew 

Position: 

Midfield 

Position: 

Midfield 

Position: 

Mid/Forward 

Position: 

Mid/Forward 

Carlo Monti 

Kieran McLaughlin 

Alex McWaters 

Ryan Wilson 

Position: 

Mid/Forward 

Position: 

Mid/Forward 

Position: 

Mid/Forward 

Position: 

Forward 


David Syme 

Tommy Maitland 

Jamie Whyte 

Ricky Hanvey 

Position: 

Defender 

Position: 

Defender 

Position: 

Defender 

Position: 

Midfield 

Steven Tan 

Robbie Lynch 

Thomas Johnstone 

Mark Curragh 

Position: 

Midfield 

Position: 

Midfield 

Position: 

Forward 

Position: 

Forward 

Match Ball Sponsor 

Alastair McColm 

Position: 

Forward 


Name These G 

// TAM'S HALF TIME TEASERS 

1. Name the Manager and Opposition in the West of Scotland Cup Final 

93/94 

2. What age are the horses in the Kentucky Derby 

3. Where was the 2010 World Cup Finals Held 

4. Who won the 2019 British Gold Open 

5. Unscramble the letters to find the Boxers 

- Yeti Monks 

- Unbarred Toro 

- Croak Acrimony 

- Knotty Chair 


New 

Rules 

The rule-makers have 

decided upon a number of 

changes to the Laws of the 

Game - but what are they? 

The idea behind the change is to 

avoid time-wasting and disturbances 

between players that 

may result in physical altercations. 

rounds 

The IFAB said: "There is no 

legitimate tactical justification 

for attackers to be in the ‘wall’ 

and their presence is against 

the ‘spirit of the game’ and 

often damages the image of the 

game." 

-Free kicks: No attacking players 

in wall 

-Substitutions: Players must 

leave pitch at nearest point 

-Yellow & red cards for coaches 

-Penalty kicks: Goalkeepers 

must have at least one foot on 

line 

-Handball: Accidental offences 

deemed free kicks 

-Drop ball no longer competitive 

Can You Name All These Players 






GT Groundcare 

GT Groundcare Ltd owner George 

Taggart has been a big part of 

the success and growth of Kilwinning 

Rangers over the past 

few years. Around 3 years ago, 

George heard our now retired 

groundsman, Peter McNeillie, 

needed help with abbey park- 

George volunteered a few hours 

of his time, use of his equipment 

and his expertise. 

Little did George expect then 

what sort of commitment his few 

hours would become. He has 

shown true community spirit by 

volunteering not only his own 

time but also the time of his own 

employees and made significant 

financial contributions to the 

club along the way. 

The club have ambitions to have 

the best playing surface in the 

league and once we get there, 

we will continue to improve it 

towards top professional standards. 

None of this would be 

possible without George’s work 

and expertise. A big thanks from 

all at Kilwinning Rangers for your 

continued support. 

GT Groundcare Ltd are specialists 

in sports pitch maintenance 

and appreciate any leads to help 

with your local football parks.

Ruffs and Tuffs Issue 2

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