Greater Glasgow Preview: A huge Scottish Cup weekend and a Q&A with the inspirational David Ampl

We have a treat for us this week in the Preview, SportCentral brings you a Q&A with the inspirational manager of Third Lanark, David Ampleford. David Ampleford has lead his men to an excellent start this season and they will continue to work hard for results. David Ampleford has a serious passion for football and for his club and it shows! Be sure to follow us on twitter @__SportCentral. I would encourage you to read the Q&A about David, a man that has helped me an unimaginable amount this season, thank you so much to David. Here is the Q&A, and the preview of this weekend’s upcoming fixtures.... 

1 7 out of 7 in the league, an excellent start to the season, has the P word been mentioned yet? Its been a great start but we won’t get carried away. We always talk about “one game at a time”. We have a lot of respect for the teams in our league and know that we’ve plenty of hard work still to do. 2 What’s the atmosphere like the Third Lanark camp? A very good one. The team are very close. The last few days have typified us..... a hardworking win on Saturday. Party on Saturday night for Halloween with some players still going on Sunday night. Training last night the boys were in good spirits but worked very hard. 

3 If you could compare yourself to any manager, who would it be and why? I try not to compare myself as i’m my own worst critic. I pay a lot of attention to many Managers in the Professional and Amateur game and I’m always learning. 4 What has been your proudest moment as the manager of Third Lanark? Winning the League last year. I set this team up from nothing and it was amazing to see the boys finally lift a trophy. 5 How does the day of the game go for you as manager, what is the routine? As many people know, I was diagnosed with proper OCD and it means i’ve got a routine all the way from the Friday night. I pick up the kits from the Launderette and I bring them all out the bag and refold them the way I want them done. They’re also put in numerical order. Haha. In the morning of a game, I go and empty my car and fill it with the match day requirements. I pick up some players and we head to the game earlier than I ask players to meet so that I can get the kits hung up the way I like. 

6 When your days of management are done, how would you want to football community to remember David Ampleford? As someone who helped take Third Lanark towards where they want to go in the future. People will definitely remember me for being pretty sarcastic on the sidelines and maybe a little animated. The main thing I want people to remember is that they loved playing for me. 7 You have played at many venues, but where is the best away day you have had with Third Lanark? Carradale (Campbeltown) is always a good one as Nonnie and the boys are always very welcoming. Its a good bit away so the bus back is always messy. So messy was our last encounter that I had booked the function room at The Oak and had pizzas waiting for our arrival and when we actually arrived, the players were in no state for public viewing. Haha. 8 If you could give any bit of advice to a young footballer, coming through the ranks, what would it be? Enjoy yourself. Find a club that lets you just get on with playing. Don’t limit yourself to one position. Play them all and see what you like. Do it because you love the game. Also, FIFA is for nighttime, when its Daytime get a ball and play. Heedie-2-touch is the game of all games. 9 Sporting Hero? David Beckham. He came in to prominence as I was starting to enjoy my football. He wasn’t the all round player but what he did he was good at because he practiced and practiced. 10 Goal for the season, and beyond? I’m not going to say my goal but we’ll take everything 1 game at a time and we’ll get out of the season what we deserve. I want the team to make a step up and be playing against even better teams again next year. 11 Which team do you support? When I was younger, I enjoyed watching Raith Rovers. A friend of my parents (Davie Kirkwood) played for them and he got me tickets every week. I was always a little nervous to admit I was a Rangers fan. Not sure why. I had a season ticket there but after the relegation, I didn’t agree with the clubs vision. I saw them loan out young players to the divisions above when this was like the old Football Manager Scenario where you start from the bottom and work your way up with all the younger players. None of these young players are at our club still which tells that story. 

12 Dream signing, who would it be? I don’t really have one. Theres players i’d love to sign but I wouldn’t disrespect them or their teams by mentioning. I’m not really hunting players at the minute. I believe in my current players but in the summer we always freshen up. Only player i’d be allowed to mention would be big Baboucarr Musa who played for us a few years back before going to St Rochs for the massive transfer fee of 1 match ball. Haha. Baboucarr was a terrifying striker. I’ll never forget the game he asked to come off at half time as he “wasn’t feeling up to it”. I told him he couldn’t come off until he scored. He got the ball from centre, dribbled by everyone, scored, took of his top and walked back into the changing rooms. No-one who’s been at this club for any lengths will forget his last minute winner v Corkerhill. Ooft. 

13 Quickest Player in Third Lanark? I’d like to see a race between Jordan Smith, Robbie Sinclair, Gary McGuinness and Jojo Lang. I reckon they’re the fastest right now. 14 Worst Dress Sense in Third Lanark? Dress sense is ok right now. No-one will ever be worse that Scobie. Honestly don’t know what was going through his head. Wore these really tight white jeans once and a black leather tshirt and didn’t expect the team to take the mick. Haha. 15 Who tells the jokes in the club? We’ve got a few comedians. I’m more of a troll and I tell jokes wrong to try and wind people up. I have an awful sense of humour. Some bad jokes and some very offensive jokes. I’d suggest that Alan Semple probably tells the best jokes. Loves a big joke. Can certainly produce a gag or 2. 16 Who plays the music before the game? Qaasim Ali. He recently asked me to buy a speaker for the changing rooms at £199. I thought it was a joke. I laughed about it later that day but it was true. 17 Which of the three people would you want to be stuck on a desert island with? People that get marooned end up kind of naked so theres no chance Sempy is coming. I’m not having any island animals sneering at me. I’d say Qaas. Kwaz owns a phone repair company (Phoneshop Hamilton 👌👌). He’ll prob have wee gadgets with him to keep our phones going a bit longer. I reckon he’d be very gentle as well. 18 If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy? A boat to get off the desert Island? I’d buy a house for Sarah and I. I’d take care of my family and then holidays etc. I’d possibly by Qaas that speaker. 19 What series are you currently watching on Netflix? I watch Black Mirror on Netflix. I love it. 20 What is the perfect day in the life of David Ampleford? Spending time with family and friends. Easy. 21 If you could have personally witness anything or been at any event, what would it have been? (One football, one outside of football?) I’d loved to have been at Ibrox on the day of Helicopter Sunday when Scott McDonald had scored 2 v Celtic at Fir Park. Rangers had basically lost the title and suddenly they won it. I think it’d have been a brilliant ending. It certainly was in the pub. Outside football probably isn’t too imaginitive but i’d love to spend Xmas in New York. Christmas and Snow make me emotional. 

•The Preview Scottish Cup Round 3 •Calderglen vs. Singer Community (GCAFA) Scottish Cup round 3 action for Calderglen this weekend, and they are the hosts, as they welcome Singer Community of the GCAFA. They will feel rested after their game was postponed last weekend, and will be ready to get back on the park and will hope for a great performance to be put through to the next round of this excellent cup competition. •Calderglen (SSMAFL) vs. Erskine The in form Erskine, have been excellent in the top division of the Greater Glasgow League. They are on the road to Calderglen this weekend, but not the Calderglen they share a league with, it is the side from the SSMAFL. Erskine picked up an emphatic 5-0 victory last weekend, and will want to continue that winning streak this time out in the Scottish Cup. •Callander Th (Cal) vs. Dynamo East Kilbride Dynamo East Kilbride enjoyed their rest last weekend, but they will be ready to get back to business, and there is going to be a massive fixture to attend to. They are on the road to Caledonian league side, Callander Th, a side that belong to one of the top leagues in the country. Dynamo East Kilbride have managed to get a reputation as the comeback kings, as the side were unbeaten in October, and came from behind in every single one of them. Dynamo East Kilbride will be up for the challenge in the prestigious Scottish Cup. •Eastwood Parkmount A vs. Lenzie Th (SSML) A side that have proving to get better and better in every passing week, is Eastwood Parkmount A, as they have been on a roll as of late. They have picked up double figure wins, and haven’t lost a game for a while now. They had an unfulfilled fixture last weekend, so they will be very hungry to get back on the park and will up for more match against Lenzie Th of the SSML. This will be an exceptional match. •FC Baillieston vs. Rosehill Star (SAFL) Greater Glasgow League club FC Baillieston are another side that will be representing the league in the prestigious Scottish Cup. They are against Rosehill Star of the SAFL, and they will be confident in the hope cup tie. They have been in great form, picking up an away win in the league last weekend. •FC Bayside (KoFAFA) vs. Boswell Last weekend, Boswell were back to their best, as they picked up a relentless 8-0 victory in league action, and they will be up for their match with FC Bayside of the KoFAFA. They are on the road, this weekend and will be delighted to have their two superstars available this weekend. They have the brilliant Steven Odunewu and Curtis McGurn, two incredible players that have been excellent. McGurn has scored 4 in his last 2 games, and Odunewu have 12 goals and countless assists and man of the match awards. Boswell will be up for this Scottish Cup clash. I managed to speak to Boswell this weekend, and they said, “scottish cup week hope we have finally got things together and get our season on track with the 8-0 win last week. Got 30 seater coach booked and hoping to take a strong squad thru to fife only 2 injury concerns are keeper/manager who badly twisted his back muscle diving needlessly into the post in the last seconds of Saturday’s game as he thought the ball was going to sneak in and ruin his team clean sheet. Plus Tam Daly who had been carrying a injury that seems to be always there and missed last weeks game as he was told by doctors to rest for at least 3 weeks and has been walking about with a mad moonboot shoe. MTB” •Helensburgh vs. St James (MAFA) Last weekend, Helensburgh were involved in an excellent game with EKRR. They played exceptionally, and despite result, should be very proud of how they performed. The game was lost in the last 2 minutes of the game, but they have a lot of positives to take from the game, and should be proud. This weekend they are at home to St James of the MAFA, and they should be confident. They will be looking forward to the visit from the Dundee based club, and will relish a home fixture in the Scottish Cup. I managed to speak to Helensburgh this week, and they have said, “Another tough tie this Sat for us in the Scottish 3rd Rd. St James Ath come from Dundee and seem to be a well run outfit who are doing really well in their own league so we expect another difficult game. No injury worries and a full squad to pick from so hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves”. •John Street vs. Tollcross Th (LEAFA) A home cup tie in the third round of the Scottish Cup for John Street, who will welcome Tollcross Th of the LEADA. They have been in excellent form as of late, and will be up for this test. John Street will enjoy competing in the prestigious Scottish Cup, a massive game for the club, but they will have fun and be confident going into this clash. I caught up with John Street this week, and they have said, “Looking forward to a testing cup tie against a really good on form team from Edinburgh, hopefully get a result and move on to the next round boys want a good away day” Division 1 •Eaglesham vs. Newton Vale You can expect an excellent game in the top division of the Greater Glasgow League in this one, as the two clubs are coming off impressive win. Both clubs have been brilliant at the back and have played well throughout the season. Eaglesham beat Strathclyde University last weekend, 2-1, and will be looking to let that kick start their season, and begin a string of victories. Newton Vale on the other hand, sit top of the table and have remained unbeaten in all 5 of their opening league games. They have been excellent and shows no signs of slowing their momentum down. The in form Newton Vale will be hungry to get on the park and play this weekend. I spoke to Newton Vale and they said, “We travel to Eaglesham which is always a tough game. We have played them many times in the last couple of years and we always get a good battle. They are a very direct side so our defence will have to be ready for the challenge. We Played in a friendly last night and were poor all over the park so will want to put things right from that. Hoping to carry on this momentum and pick up another three points.” •Glasgow University A vs. St. Patrick’s FP In this game, there is two clubs are ready to kick start their season, they are will both be hoping to get the win that is the spark to ignite their season. Glasgow University A picked up a good result last weekend, an important point against a very good Cambria side. They will hope to go one better and pick up the win against St. Patrick’s FP. •Jordanhill vs. Westerlands A Last weekend, Jordanhill had a break, after the weather did not allow them to play, but this weekend they are at home against Westerlands A. Sixth place Westerlands A will be looking to continue a good start to the season as they are on the road to Jordanhill. Jordanhill will be hungry to get back onto the park this weekend, they will hope to have a shorter injury list ahead of this game. After a tough time when it comes to injuries, Jordanhill have had a growing list, but they will hope to have a full compliment of players this weekend. I spoke to Iain Brown of Jordanhill this week, and he has said, “We welcome westerlands, who we know well and expect a tough game as ever. We have shared the spoils over the years, but it has always been a difference of one goal. They seem to be going well this year and we have been unfortunate with our pitch and the weather. Fingers crossed it’s on!” •Strathclyde University vs. Cambria This will be an excellent division 1 game, as the young and fit Strathclyde University side are at home to Cambria, and will hope to turn their season around this weekend, and will hope to do it against the excellent Cambria. Cambria have started this season brilliantly, and they currently sit third place, in a very tight top of the table. They will hope to be near the top at the business end of the season, they are just 1 point behind top club Newton Vale. They drew last weekend, meaning they remain unbeaten in the league still, and will want to continue that this weekend on the road to Strathclyde University. I spoke to Roddy McDonald, manager of Cambria, and he said, “This Saturday we play Strathclyde university away in the league at Stepps, the Alumni team will feel as if it’s a home game! it’s important that we get back to winning ways as 3 draws have cost us in the league so far this season, to do so we will have to be at our best as Strathclyde uni will be fired up and looking to ensure they get all 3 points.” Division 2 •Crookston Castle vs. North Kelvin Sports A game between two regularly high scoring teams, Crookston Castle and North Kelvin Sports, and the two clubs will be ready to go for gold. North Kelvin Sports have had a tough start to the season and they are going to try and turn it around this weekend. Crookston Castle have been excellent this season and currently sitting 4th in the league. Their first loss came last weekend in a very close encounter that could have gone either way. They will want to put that behind them and continue on their excellent start to the season. •East Kilbride YM vs. Eastwood Parkmount B After a weekend of rest, East Kilbride YM will be hungry for the win this weekend, as they await the visit of Eastwood Parkmount B. East Kilbride YM are second in the table, and need to win this weekend to keep up with the rampant Third Lanark, who are still unbeaten. Eastwood Parkmount B picked up an exceptional win last weekend against a very good Crookston Castle side, and they will want to continue that form this weekend away from home. Eastwood Parkmount B currently sit 5th in the table having won 3 out of 4 in division 2, so a win this weekend they have a chance to climb the ladder. They do have games in hand in the league, and Eastwood Parkmount B are 3 points behind East Kilbride YM and 2 games behind them. There is a lot to play for in this match between both sides, this will be a good game. I managed to speak to Graeme Robertson, manager of East Kilbride YM and he said, “Just looking forward to getting back to league business after a week off. Playing Eastwood who have had some really good results especially last week against crookston so we expect a really tough match. Almost a full squad to choose from so we're looking forward to the match.” •Glasgow University B vs. Third Lanark Two good sides will be ready to go head to head in a long awaited fixture. Glasgow University B picked up an excellent victory last weekend, winning 7-3 against North Kelvin Sports. Glasgow University B have won 2 out of 3 games in the cup, and will hope to continue an excellent run of games, but they are up against very tough opposition. They face Third Lanark, a team that have won all 7 of their opening games, and currently sit top of the table, 9 points clear, and will want to keep their head down and take every game as it comes. They played against a very good Colquhoun United side last weekend, a tough game, but Third Lanark prevailed to win 1-0 thanks to a very well taken Alan Semple goal. This will be an excellent game, and Glasgow University B are more than capable of spoiling the Third Lanark party. Third Lanark have a strong and deep squad, and they will all be hungry to keep this exceptional run going. I caught up with Third Lanark manager, David Ampleford, and he said, “This weekend’s game will be a good one. After playing on a tough, soft, small pitch in Bearsden last Saturday, it prepares us for what to expect on what will be a tough, soft, small pitch in Bearsden this Saturday. We’ve got a good squad available and we’re looking forward to facing the Uni.” •Rannoch vs. Colquhoun United Colquhoun United will be up for this match away from home at Rannoch in division 2. Colquhoun United were excellent last weekend despite the result, as they put in a brilliant performance against top of the table Third Lanark. It was rightly said, that you should not read into Colquhoun United’s league position, because it is not a true reflection on the talent that they have. A change in fortune is right around the corner Colquhoun United, and they will hope that it is this weekend. They are on the road to Rannoch, another side that will hope to make a good account of themselves and hope to pick up three points. This is a big weekend for the brilliant Colquhoun United, a team that should not be underestimated at any point. •Westerland GG vs. Ashvale Victoria A tough game between two very good teams that are going to be up for this match between Westerlands GG against Ashvale Victoria. Westerlands GG have had a great start to the season, they are currently 7th in the table and they are hoping to pick up three points. Last weekend, they were 2-0 down at halftime against a good John Street side, and they pulled it back to pick up a point, and drew 2-2, a great result from a great second half performance. Ashvale Victoria played brilliantly last weekend against FC Baillieston, and they were unlucky to have lost the game 1-0. Ashvale Victoria have come very close week after week, and they will hoping they can kickstart their season this weekend. Division 3 •Bellaire vs. Rannoch Colts Last weekend, Bellaire have been excellent this season, and have been quietly going about their business, and been picking up multiple wins. They are currently 3rd in a very close table this year, and were involved in a brilliant match last weekend. Bellaire beat Carradale 4-3 last weekend in a thriller. They are going to be up for this home contest against Rannoch Colts. Rannoch Colts have also had a good start to the season, and will be ready to get back on the park after last weekend’s unfulfilled fixture. This is going to be an important game for both sides, it will have a big impact on the outcome of this season. •Busby vs. South Lochaber Thistle South Lochaber Thistle are going to be up for this contest this weekend against the young Busby. SLT have been in excellent form as of late, and have been involved in some thrilling matches. Last weekend was more of the same, as they beat St Thomas 5-3. South Lochaber Thistle will be hoping superstar striker Erik Tot, the Hungarian hero will be on top of his game once again this weekend. They find themselves second in the table at this stage of the season, and will plan to continue their form. Busby have had a tough start to the season, but they are young side, and will be back and ready to go at home to SLT. Busby came up against tough opposition last weekend, but will put that to the back of their minds and focus on their home game this weekend. The super South Lochaber Thistler are going to be up for the contest and hope to continue an excellent run of games. I caught up with Peter Newman, of South Lochaber Thistle, and he said, “SLT head to Busby in a rearranged fixture looking to build on the positive progress we made during October. The main thrust will be to try and keep our free flowing attacking play but tighten up at the back and halt the flow of goals conceded!” •Carradale vs. Newshot It is time for top of the table club Newshot to make the long trek to Cambelltown this weekend. They will be up for the away day, and they have been in form this year, having won all 4 of their opening 4 games. They have been excellent throughout, and have had a few weeks to relax and recuperate, and will be hungry to get back on the park and will hope to continue their unbeaten run. Carradale on the other hand played against Bellaire last weekend and had been in a thrilling game, but came out on the wrong end of the result. Carradale will be hoping to ruin the Newshot party this weekend, to end their unbeaten run. I spoke to Newshot this week, and they have said, “this weekend we travel to cambelltown in what will be another tough game and a must win for the newshot to cement ourselves firmly at the top of the table. games like this are crucial come the end of the season and we go into it at this early stage with the league title firmly on our minds. we have a proven track record in cambelltown and hope to keep it unbeaten this week” •Westcliff vs. St Thomas This is going to be a huge game for two clubs that will have to have a change in fortune this weekend, and to kickstart their season. Westcliff struggled in cup action against Westcommon Star, and they will be looking forward to let football do the talking. St Thomas had a brilliant match last weekend against a very good side, and they will hope this match can give them a push up the table to ignite the spark to kickstart their season. This will be an important game for both clubs.