Transfer round-up with Lanarkshire junior clubs

Jul 29 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

LANARK United boss Tam McDonald and Shotts counterpart Tony McInally have been busy in the transfer market as their Super League campaigns approach.

McDonald has swooped to snap up Gordon Murphy, a stylish left-sided midfielder who proved at lowly Forth that he could create goals.

Tam has also reinstated young striker Fraser McCluskey from Airdrie United and gone back to former club Bellshill to sign – for a second time – right-back Willie Souter.

Former Berwick Rangers full-back Tommy Lennox has re-signed but could miss the Sectional League Cup as he recovers from a broken arm.

Lanark and Forth traded players, with United striker John Osborne moving to Kingshill Park while experienced defender Hugh Kelly moved in the opposite direction.

Lanark look set to be involved in another big-name transfer departure as Shotts have put in a bid for former United captain Tom Hanlon.

Meanwhile McInally has signed left-back Stephen McGurgan from Blantyre Vics, but the news about his skipper John Boyack isn’t as encouraging as the ace midfielder has broken a bone in his left arm and is wearing a heavy cast, which could rule him out of the Sectional League Cup ties.

Blantyre Vics have lost a further trio of last season’s regulars as new manager Ian Rankin strives to rebuild the squad shattered by manager Willie Harvey’s move to Super Premier League side Rutherglen Glencairn.

Talented young defender Mark Batchelor and experienced striker Gary Espener have moved to Glencairn, where they will join former team-mates Alan Colquhoun and Colin Boylan.

Left-back McGurgan has signed for Shotts, but midfielder Andy Dorrans is holding fire on a move, although Harvey is interested.

Thorniewood United have completed the signing of defender/midfielder Stephen Low from Bellshill as new manager John Fallon welcomes back to Robertson Park former defender Neil Newman from Blantyre Vics and striker Chris McQueen from Cambuslang Rangers.

Larkhall Thistle manager Duncan Sinclair has signed ex-Lanark striker Tony Harrison, while Mark McKeever is on his way back to Gasworks Park.

Carluke Rovers have signed former Lesmahagow, Lanark and Shotts striker Gareth Davies, and Wishaw have signed left-back Stuart Lyttle from Thorniewood.

Forth manager John McGhee has signed his son, midfielder Stuart, from St Roch’s and hopes to land Graham Irvine, who was with Shotts last season. Former Vale of Clyde midfielder Barry Nicholls is also on the radar.

Former Accies defender David Grant is back training at Forth after taking part in pre-season with Cambuslang, while Stonehouse Violet have expressed an interest in striker John Curry.