THREE times Scottish Junior Cup winners Pollok have been sensationally turfed out of this season’s competition along with Second Round opponents Irvine Vics.

This week’s SJFA investigation into the unsavoury melee which broke out at  Victoria Park last month and compelled Referee Ross Menzies to abandon the match , in the 94th minute with Pollok leading 2-1, has concluded that both clubs are equally accountable for the shameful scenes  therefore they will take no further part in the showpiece event and in addition will each be fined the not unsubstantial sum of £500.

The decision will come as a devastating blow for the Glasgow club , strongly fancied to get their hands on the 135 year old silverware, not least because Lok officials reckoned their players and backroom staff’s actions in the face of  an Irvine Vics coach running onto the pitch and raining punches on midfielder Ryan McGregor, did not warrant any punishment.

Last night the Newlandsfield outfit issued a terse statement which said: “The club can confirm that following the SJFA Management Commitee meeting at Hampden on the evening of Tuesday 5th October 2021, we have been informed of their decision earlier today that we have been expelled from this season’s Scottish Junior Cup and fined £500.
We are disappointed with this decision, and we are considering the options that might be available to us.”

Those options clearly include launching an appeal against this SJFA ruling with the aim of being reinstated  however what cannot be ruled out is the festering discontent felt within the Southside club over their punishment, resulting in Pollok resigning their SJFA membership and becoming ineligible to participate in the Holy Grail tournament ever again.