THE chances of Blantyre Vics causing a Scottish Junior Cup upset against East Region cracks Bo’ness United look to have gone up in smoke following a Sunday night blaze at their Castle Park pavilion.

Initial findings reckon the overheating of an electrical device a was behind the catastrophic fire which was mainly confined to the kitchen area but is nevertheless estimated to require up to £10,000 worth of repairs to put right because of extensive smoke damage throughout the pavilion.

Long-serving Vics official Andy McDade whose discovery of the raging blaze led to the prompt call-out of the Fire Service was close to tears when speaking of the devastating consequences for the 126-year-old Lanarkshire outfit.

He insisted: “There’s absolutely no way our third round tie against Bo’ness can be played at Castle Park in the foreseeable future and we immediately contacted the SJFA to ask them about the likelihood of the game going ahead at a neutral venue.

“They promised to help but no sooner had I put the telephone down than it rang with a call from Hamilton Accies offering us the use of New Douglas Park (free of charge) and we at Blantyre Vics cannot thank them enough for this wonderfully magnanimous gesture.

“We have now decided to take them up on this offer and Bo’ness have agreed to delay the tie until Saturday, November 26.

“We simply could not face them this coming Saturday as every single item of playing kit including match-balls is covered in soot residue and at the very least a massive clean-up operation is required before we can think about putting a team on the park.

“It’s difficult to find anything positive from this mess but if the fire had run its course then Blantyre Vics would have been finished.”

This latest gut-wrenching fire blow to afflict the Vics (their ground maintenance equipment was set ablaze by vandals in 2014) came hard on the heels of their rebuilt Super First Division side serving up arguably their best display of the season to inflict a 2-1 defeat on previously unbeaten Shettleston.

The irony was not lost on team boss John Gibson who remarked I know now what is meant by saying after every high comes a low though it’s maybe more accurate to call it a couple of lows.

“Our young guys played really well against Shettleston and as you might expect are looking forward to playing Bo’ness, however it’s looking like our top scorer Stevie Higgins will be elsewhere when the game is taking place.

“He’s been superb since coming here from Pollok at the start of this season but Sauchie have waved their a cheque book at him so he is now set on a move East and the only hold up to a transfer is the clubs agreeing on a fee.

“We’ve also had a parting of the ways with fringe players Ross Fletcher and Craig Dickson whose failure to hold down regular jerseys has caused them to drop back into the amateur ranks.

“Our playing squad numbers are thin enough without losing three players in one fell swoop and we really have to be looking to bring in a few new faces. “

Gibby reckons his Vics young guns will be delighting in the prospect of running out at New Douglas Park.

He said: “They have the legs for the bigger pitch but I cannot help but think Bo’ness would not have fancied the heavy pitch and tight confines at Castle Park.”

On the transfer front comes word of Kilbirnie Ladeside transfer listing midfielder cum forward Stevie Meechan (Stevie Swift’s last act as outgoing manager), however it would be no real surprise if the former Motherwell signing hangs around to see if his fortunes improve under the new hotseat incumbent.

Also on the move is seasoned frontman Robbie Winters whose release by Lowland League outfit East Kilbride has sparked whispers that the one-time Senior ace might be on the verge of a shock return to Pollok for whom he netted in last season’s Scottish Junior Cup Final.

The recently turned 42-year-old operates in a dual player/coach capacity at the K Park outfit but his desire to have more game time is thought to be behind his request to leave.

E.K. gaffer Martin Lauchlan revealed: “Robbie has been magnificent for me in twin spells at Rossvale and East Kilbride but he has designs on making this season his last and therefore wants to play as many games as possible .

“His work commitments are also infringing on his availability for training and games so it is in everyone’s interest if he goes his own way, however whosoever gets him on board will be landing an absolute gem.

“He’s getting on in years but his astonishing first touch and great positional sense gives him a yard of a start on defenders.”

Pollok boss Tony McInally is an avowed admirer of Winters and has an ace card up his sleeve in having his younger brother David on the Newlandsfield books, however competition for the veteran’s striking services may come from Cumnock among others.