Jamie Cassidy is the Manager at Shotts Thistle AFC in the West Lothian Sunday AFL.  This is his first full season as manager.









G: When did you first get involved in amateur football and what were you doing?

J: It was about 6 years ago I started to play with the Thistle.

G: What amateur teams have you been involved in and in what capacity?

J: I’m a one club man.

G: Do you feel the amateur football scene has changed since you first became involved with it?

J: Yes, the standard is getting better all the time and its no longer a pub game.

G: Do you have a favourite amateur team and why is it your favourite?

J: The Thistle are my team, so that’s why they’re my favourite.

G: What’s your most memorable moment in amateur football?

J: The other week when we won the league for the first time in our history - and it won't be the last.

G: What do you think about the quality of amateur football?

J: The standard just keeps getting better and that's good for everybody involved.

G: Which team provided the best post-match hospitality? (who served the best pies?)

J: Not sure as I’ve eaten a few good pies in ma day.

G: What was the last game you watched?

J: The Thistle beating Carmondean Rovers 8-1 to win the league. THAT’S WHY WE’RE CHAMPIONS.

G: What was the last game you played in?

J: Last season in the Scottish. Got subbed at half time. We lost 3-2 to a team called Stables.

G: If you had 3 wishes, what would you change about Scottish amateur football?

J: The Scottish final should be at OUR national stadium, its OUR’S as much as anybody’s.

G: What do you think about summer football?

J: Don’t like the idea of it as summer is a time to chill out and pile on a few pounds

G: Have you any views about the relationship of the professional game to the amateur game?

J: Don’t think there is any relationship to talk about.

G: What do you think the future holds for Scottish amateur football?

J: The future looks good and a lot of guys seem to have put up some great idea’s on the SAFA forum here.

G: Have you any views on superleagues?  Do you think they are a good idea?

J: Sounds good but you can’t forget about your own league and the weather factor is a problem.

G: Have you any comments on grounds and facilities?

J: Yes, my local council need to have a long hard look at themselves and the state of their parks/changing rooms as they are miles behind other councils.

G: Do you think there is adequate provision of development courses & funding for them?

J: I’ve not been on any courses or been contacted about them.

G: What do you think about the SAFA Select team – how do you think it could be developed?

J: I think there should be a Sunday select team and they should be given the same opportunities as the Saturday boys who like to think they are superstars.

G: Are there any other comments you would like to make?

J: Well done to all at the SAFA for the web site and all the other good work that goes on behind the scenes, there’s still lots to be done but we are all moving in the right direction.




Thanks very much for an interesting interview, Jamie, and congratulations on winning your league.