IT will only be right and proper for supporters of Beith and Auchinleck Talbot to turn out in large numbers this weekend to honour long-serving club servants Kenny McLean and Steven White.

Their respective and unstinting 10-year terms in the Juniors has seen both players deservedly awarded testimonial games – Mighty striker McLean against an All Stars Select (Saturday, 2pm) comprising of former team-mates since moving to Bellsdale from Morton in 2007, while Talbot’s Whitey has a host of club legends clamouring to play against a strong Kilmarnock XI (Sunday, 2pm) to help demonstrate the affection in which he has been held down through the years.

Derek McCulloch, Gary Wilson, Andy Reid, John Craig, Zander Ryan, Chris Kerr and Martin “Mushy" Stewart are just some of the stars returning to Bellsdale to feature in a line-up managed by none other than Frank Lynch, the ex-Beith boss who signed the prolific hitman all those years ago.

It promises to be a memorable occasion and pacy front man McLean would dearly love to play 45 minutes for each side, but he recently underwent cruciate ligament surgery to put right a training ground injury and is refusing to deviate from a strict rehabilitation programme that has him targeting a return to playing action in late December.

He revealed: “Two former goalkeeping team-mates Keith Ross and Stevie O’Neil are also coming out of retirement to play tomorrow and it’s so frustrating to think I cannot take part even if I was to be listed as a substitute in the event of a penalty kick being awarded.

“Striking a ball with any force is a total no-no right now though I might just manage the token gesture of kicking things off on the day even if I run the risk of John Sheridan tackling me once I set foot on the pitch."

Kenny has played 316 games for Beith, helping himself to 195 goals in the process – "I’d have scored a lot more if Andy Reid had provided me with anywhere near the amount of assists I gave him,” he says – and the 32-year-old's magnificent net-finding contribution has helped him win every major prize in the Junior game.

He insisted in unassuming fashion: “To have played for Beith and with so many great players is my privilege however I don’t want this to come across as a farewell speech because I intend to be back playing.

“I count myself very lucky to have signed for a club that genuinely looks after their players [Beith paid for his recent knee surgery] and just knowing we are all in it together helps form a bond between all the guys that is particularly special in this day and age when so many Junior players appear to swap clubs at the drop of a hat.

“That’s never been my way and I have been on the same weekly wage for the past six or seven seasons because the people behind the scenes and of course our supporters have made me feel wanted.”

Asked about his highlights of the past decade, Kenny said: “The forward-line partnership formed with Andy had more than its fair share of sunny days as did getting on the end of the openings created by the incredibly gifted Martin McGarvey and of course our former club captain Brian 'Sniffer' McKeown who ranks as arguably the best Junior player I have ever seen.

“Beith winning the Scottish Junior Cup in the season before last has to go down as a special memory as was being part of our Super Premier title-winning side. However my favourite memory of all my time here has to be our first major trophy triumph when beating Auchinleck Talbot to win the West of Scotland Cup.

“The atmosphere at Newlandsfield that day and the celebrations afterwards really were quite unforgettable.”

Not so forthcoming in talking about himself is Auchinleck’s redoubtable midfield dynamo Whitey who has figured in six Scottish Cup Finals [four wins, two defeats] since arriving at Beechwood Park from Annbank United however there was no shortage of former team-mates willing to talk up his qualities.

His ex-engine room partner Bryan Young – recently transferred to Pollok – insisted: "I think I can speak for all his team-mates past and present in describing Whitey as one in a million.

“He’d probably be first to admit to not being the most technically gifted player but he has few peers as an out and out competitor who snuffs out opposition danger men and wins the midfield battles to enable guys like myself to play.

“Every successful team needs a Whitey and he has to be recognised as the single most important factor in the many trophy successes enjoyed by Auchinleck Talbot over the past decade .

“He’s a very quietly effective type who goes about the pitch with the minimum of fuss. But make no mistake, he could lose the plot with anyone he felt was not pulling their weight and he and I had several ding-dongs through the years but I came to understand Whitey is what he is because he’s a winner and nothing else matters.”

It was thought Whitey had been handed the impossible task of replacing erstwhile Talbot midfield enforcers Bryan Slaven and Stuart Davidson however he has more than filled their shoes according to Young.

He said: “Slavers and Arnie didn’t hang about when it came to putting in a tackle or two and Whitey is in the same mould as someone I’ve never seen him shirk a challenge even though he’s not exactly the biggest in a physical sense.

“A lot of guys are moving on from Talbot, myself included, and I’ve no doubts Tucker will bring in replacements however I cannot help but think his toughest task will be finding someone to take the place of Whitey and do what he does for the team.

"I would suggest the best person for the job to be his brother as Whitey’s off the field antics are legendary but it was a standing joke in our dressing room that whenever challenged on any issue, his stock answer was always to say 'That was my brother Kris not me.'

"The prospect of going up against Auchinleck this coming season is going to be no walk in the park for the likes of myself but I know it will have several added degrees of difficulty if Whitey is on the other side of the halfway line.

"I hope he gets a great turnout for his day and I’ll be there even if it’s only to watch on from the terracings.”

PLAYING TOMORROW: Irvine Meadow v Ashfield, Arthurlie v East Stirling, Bo’ness Utd v Hurlford Utd, Dumbarton v Clydebank, Neilston v Whitletts Vics, Largs Thistle v Gartcairn, Harestanes v St Rochs, Kilwinning Rangers v Stirling University, Kenny McLean Testimonial Game.Beith v Bellsdale XI.

ROBBIE GLEN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT (Two Days): Rutherglen Glencairn v Stranraer Under 20’s, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Larkhall Thistle. PROGREZ TROPHY(Two Days): Petershill v Fauldhouse Utd, Rob Roy v Queens Park Under-20.

SUNDAY: Steven White Testimonial Game: Auchinleck Talbot v Kilmarnock XI