DAVIE Dickson believes he is blessed to have the chance of picking up a Central League Cup winners' medal in his final game in Junior football.

The veteran midfielder – who celebrates his 42nd birthday next week – had previously intimated his intention to bring down the curtain on his illustrious playing career at the end of this season because of family and work commitments.

And now the prospect of a fitting finale is raised by him lining up for Cumbernauld United against Pollok in the long-running competition’s Final tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) and a quirk of coincidence has the game being played at Greenfield Park where it all began for Dixie some 21 years ago.

Back then he stepped up from Knightswood Juveniles to establish himself alongside older brother John in a Town side, managed by ex-Celtic hitman Tommy Coyne, that made it all the way to the Scottish Junior Cup semi-finals just two seasons later only to agonisingly lose out 1-0 against Carnoustie Panmure at Dens Park.

That was to be as close as Dixie ever came to getting his hands on the “big one”. However he did his best to make amends by lifting trophies with the four other clubs he played for down through the years – St Anthony's, Rutherglen Glencairn, Petershill and Cumbernauld United.

He said: “I have fond memories of everywhere I’ve played in the game but the highlight was probably turning out with the Glencairn team that won consecutive league titles under Willie Patterson and Scott Smith.

“Those were great times and it will forever be a regret of mine that we never got a bash at the Super Premier Division after the playing squad was dismantled when Willie and Scott moved away to take the Petershill job.

“I joined them there for a while before eventually coming to Cumbernauld and it’s a move I have never regretted even though there have been difficulties juggling work commitments with training sessions this season.

“I still feel fit and capable of making a contribution to the team but it feels this is the right time to walk away whether we win or lose the Pollok game.

“They are a top-league side and will be firm favourites in everyone’s eyes so all we can do is try our best and see what happens.”

United boss Andy Frame, who previously managed Thorniewood United to Central League Cup success against Blantyre Vics, is refusing to rule out a shock upset.

He said: “Chris Lennon was phenomenal for Thorniewood in that Final and I’d love him to have a similar display tonight and we have other potential match-winners in Paddy McCabe, Aidan Malone and of course Robbie Winters who would love to put one over on his former team.

“And then there’s Dixie who is a true professional in every sense as well as an absolute joy to manage in our time here and I cannot think of anyone more deserving to go out on a high with a winners' medal in his pocket.”

Former Pollok stopper Ross McCabe, who was transferred to Cumbernauld in January misses out against his old club after going through the disciplinary points threshold and picking up a two match suspension.

PLAYING TONIGHT(Kick Offs 7.30PM):

Central League Cup.Final.Cumbernauld Utd v Pollok (Greenfield Park).