Haddington hoping to make hay with George

O’Connor left the club by mutual consent last week and after interviewing several applicants for the position, secretary Tom Thornton is confident the Lothian League Division Two outfit have someone who can help them to fulfil their potential.

The Evening News understands that former Edinburgh United boss Jimmy McLauchlan and ex-Musselburgh manager Jackie Myles were also considered for the role.

Bowmaker was due to take charge of the team for the first time this afternoon as Haddington entertained Dalkeith Thistle in the league.

"We had a lot of interest in the job and looked at a few people but it was George who stood out from the rest and we believe we have made the correct decision," said Thornton.

"He spoke well in the interview and seemed to have a lot of ideas and we hope he is someone who can help us to move forward and help us to fulfil the undoubted potential there is here."

Bowmaker has a wealth of experience in management and in particular in the east region juniors having spent time in charge of Edinburgh United, Arniston Rangers, Dalkeith Thistle and more recently Broxburn United.

He also spent time as boss at east region seniors clubs Preston Athletic and Lothian Thistle.

And although Thornton expects big things from Bowmaker he insists that the new man must be given time to stamp his influence on the club.

"He has been with a lot of clubs and knows the game well so that experience was really the selling point. He is someone who knows the junior game inside out and that can only be a plus. Paul (O’Connor) always worked hard and we wish him well but his record of 12 wins in 48 games just didn’t live up to what we expect of this club and we are hoping George can improve on this.

"Ultimately, we want to get out of this division but first and foremost George will help to bring some stability and that is important for any club.

"He had a spell at Broxburn which didn’t work out earlier this season and I know he was disappointed by that but this is another chance for him and given time I’m sure he will do well.

"He doesn’t have anything to prove because of his record in the game and hopefully the move can prove to be the right one for both him and the club as I sense we have the same level of ambition. We don’t have a great deal of money to spend and George knows that but we will do our best to assist him in any way we can as he tried to take the club forward."

Haddington are expected to announce full details of Bowmaker’s coaching team at the start of next week.

PENICUIK ATHLETIC boss Willie McGinley conceded today that he has no idea when former Hearts winger Kevin Twaddle will be able to return to action.

Twaddle became one of the highest-profile names in the junior game when McGinley lured him to his Lothian League Division Two side over the summer but has made only a handful of appearances after being struck down with glandular fever. He has been on the sidelines for almost four months and it was hoped that he would be able to return just after the festive period although McGinley has confirmed that will now not happen.

"It’s just a case of having to wait and see with Kevin," he said. "We would have liked to have had him back after the Christmas break but it’s one of these illnesses that really knocks you for six so we have decided not to put any further pressure on him."

NEWTONGRANGE Star are holding a fund-raising "Sportsman’s Breakfast" at their New Victoria Park clubrooms on Sunday, February 13. The speakers will be Willie Lyall, Bill Copeland and John McKelvie and tickets, priced 20, can be obtained from the clubrooms in Dalhousie Road or from any committee member.