Victorious Kinlochshiel Manager Johnston Gill Pays Tribute To Supporters and Backroom Team. | |
24 August 2011 Kinlochshiel first team manager Johnston Gill paid tribute to his side’s supporters and backroom team as they clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title with a 5-1 win over Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 20 August 2011. Gill’s immediate thoughts were for the large support who travelled to Portree and those who work behind the scenes at the club. “First of all, I’d like to thank our fans,” he said when speaking to the Cuillin FM Saturday Sports Show after the game. “They hired a bus and others got in their cars to come to Portree today and they have been tremendous all season. They finance the club by buying lotto tickets and paying to watch games at Kirkton. There are also those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and anyone who has been involved in running a shinty club will know how important these people are. They are all the life-blood of shinty and this is their reward.” When reflecting on his side’s season, Gill said, “Well it’s twelve wins out of twelve and I’m very pleased with that. I think that if we play like we have done at times this season, then we will do very well in the Premier Division. Our side is at a good age and we have that bit of experience and we are ready for the step-up now. More so that we were say a couple of years ago.” Gill agreed that it would be great for the area to have Premier Division shinty. “I don’t think to my knowledge that Kyles Athletic have played at Kirkton and I’m not sure if Oban Camanachd have either. Inveraray might have been there though that was about a hundred years ago when I was a player!” Shinty banter is common-place between clubs and Gill couldn’t resist giving a few of his Skye mates a mention. “I would finally like to thank my Skye fan club,” he said with more than just the hint of a grin. “There’s Malky MacLeod who reckons he plays a good guitar but he has someone round after him sweeping up all his notes. Eddie MacPherson and Charlie Devlin are also big fans of Kinlochshiel. They might deny it to the locals around here but I know they are as is Donald MacKinnon, formerly of Portnalong. I thank these lads for supporting me and if I’ve caused them any trouble with the locals then I’d like to say I’m sorry but I cannot tell a lie!” And with that Johnston Gill left to join in on his team’s celebrations and look forward to pitting his wits against the top sides in the game next season. |