Cumnock Juniors F.C.
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| Full name | Cumnock Juniors Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Nock | |||
| Founded | 1912 | |||
| Ground | Townhead Park, Cumnock | |||
| Capacity | 3,000 | |||
| Manager | Stephen Swift | |||
| League | West of Scotland League Premier Division | |||
| 2022–23 | West of Scotland League Premier Division, 9th of 16 | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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Cumnock Juniors Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Cumnock, Ayrshire.
The Nock play their home games at Townhead Park and compete in the West of Scotland Football League.
History[edit]
Birthed in 1912, they have a history of local and national success. Their nearest neighbours and rivals are Auchinleck Talbot. Both have shared many a hard-fought battle on the field. These matches are often looked upon as Junior football's equivalent to the "Old Firm" with passionate supporters from both sides.[1] This rivalry has become less competitive over the years due to how much better Talbot are, this was proven in their most recent match-up being a 4-0 win for Talbot at Beechwood Park although Cumnock won the most important meeting of that season by beating Talbot on the way to winning the Scottish Junior cup in 2023.
In the 1970s and 1980s this game would often attract a crowd of around 6000; although it has dwindled a bit over the years, the respect and rivalry is still noticeable. A Scottish Junior Cup tie between the two sides in the mid-1970s attracted well over 8000 spectators. Cumnock won 2–1.
A "senior" team based in Cumnock also competed in the 19th century and participated in the early years of the Scottish Cup. Cumnock Juniors play in black and white. Their change strip is white and blue.
From December 2018 until late 2019, the team was managed by local boy and former Queen of the South midfielder, Paul Burns.[2]
Tony McInally has been the manager of the club since November 2019.[3]
In 2020, Cumnock moved from the SJFA, to join the pyramid system in Scottish football as one of the inaugural members of the West of Scotland Football League.[4]
On 10 October 2020, the club announced they would not be participating in the inaugural season of the West of Scotland League due to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two main factors cited were the health and wellbeing of players under the guidelines and fans not being able to attend games.[5][6][7]
Current squad[edit]
- As of 1 August 2023[8]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff[edit]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Stephen Swift |
| Assistant Manager | Craig McEwan |
| Goalkeeper coach | Stephen Bryceland |
Honours[edit]
Other honours[edit]
- Ayrshire Cup (7): 1915–16, 1917–18, 1948–49, 1980–81, 1989–90, 2007–08, 2009–2010
- Ayrshire District Cup (5): 1971–72, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1989–90, 2002–03
- Ayrshire First Division winners (11): 1935–36, 1936–37, 1952–53, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1995–96, 1997–98
- Ayrshire League Cup (15): 1936–37, 1948–49, 1952–53, 1966–67, 1970–71, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02
- Ayrshire Second Division winners: 1994–95
- Ayrshire Super Cup: 1988–89, 1995–96, 1996–97
- Cumnock & Doon Cup: 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89
- East Ayrshire Cup: 1995–96
References[edit]
- ^ Wilson, Richard (10 November 2014). "Auchinleck & Cumnock rivalry runs deep in Ayrshire". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ Paterson, Colin (10 November 2019). "Cumnock looking for new manager after Paul Burns resigns". Daily Record. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ Paterson, Colin (13 November 2019). "Cumnock appoint Tony McInally as new manager". Daily Record. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ Pirie, Mark (4 May 2020). "West of Scotland League unveil full division list ahead of non-league overhaul". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "Club Ballot Results – West of Scotland Football League". Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Pirie, Mark (10 October 2020). "BREAKING: West of Scotland League chaos as 14 clubs pull out ahead of kick off". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "Club Statement". Twitter. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "The Team". Cumnock Juniors FC. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Lindsay, Clive (2 June 2023). "Scottish Junior Cup: Cumnock lift trophy after dramatic finish against Rutherglen Glencairn". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.