Bonnyrigg's Wayne McIntosh perplexed by league ranks snub

Prolific striker Wayne McIntosh is puzzled as to why he's never been given the chance to progress to the senior ranks.

Wayne McIntosh has enjoyed his season at Bonnyrigg and hopes to add more silverware tonight. Pic: TSPL

The Bonnyrigg Rose player has scored goals for fun the past decade across East of Scotland football. From his time with Tynecastle and Lothian Hutchison Vale to the Lowland League with Whitehill Welfare, McIntosh has continued to hit double figures everywhere he has played.

This season has been no different. McIntosh arrived last summer after his second spell at Whitehill came to an end and has gone on to score 37 goals in 37 games for Robbie Horn’s men.

Ahead of their final game of the season – tonight’s Fife and Lothians Cup final with local rivals Penicuik Athletic at Olivebank, Musselburgh – McIntosh, who is entering the twilight years of his career, is hurt at the opportunity which has never arrived.

“I find it crazy how I’ve never had the chance to go and play at a higher level, because I’ve scored goals all my days and it’s a bit disheartening that nobody has ever given me a chance,” said the 31-year-old.

“Time is running out and I’ve never had a phone call. I must be doing something wrong, but I don’t know what I’m doing wrong because I’m scoring goals. I don’t know what else managers are looking for.

“I’ve enjoyed my career, don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved every minute of it, but sometimes it’s quite annoying and frustrating thinking ‘When am I going to get a wee break?’ You see some people getting a chance and you think ‘Am I doing something wrong?’ – I can’t understand it and I would love somebody to tell me.

“It p***** me off. I would just have loved to get a chance.”

Next season could potentially be his last in semi-professional football. He has signed an extension until the end of next season with the Super League champions, but may call it a day to concentrate on work and family life. He has 
recently started his own business, Wayne Sutherland McIntosh joinery services, so the work is beginning to pile up.

McIntosh continued: “I’m not getting any younger so my time is running out. I need to weigh up the situation and I’ve been thinking I might play another season and then stop playing and concentrate on my work. I’ve got three kids too, so I’d love to spend more time with them.”

The Super League’s top goalscorer picked up the Rose supporters’ Player of the Year award at their end-of-season bash on Saturday night. He’s certainly formed a bond both home and away with the club’s fans, saluting them after every goal, and he hopes to be doing that at some point this evening.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute playing at Bonnyrigg, I’m so delighted I signed with them,” he said. “I was swithering whether to sign with them at the start of the season because I had another couple of options on the table. I ended up choosing Bonnyrigg and it’s the best thing I’ve done – I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I just love scoring goals. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly, a league game or a cup game it’s all the same to me. I don’t thing there’s any better feeling than scoring goal. I love it, I just get carried away when I score and the fans love it too.

“The fans have been turning out in their numbers this year. We appreciate that and that’s how it’s good to go and celebrate with them when I score a goal.”

Rose are without goalkeeper Michael Andrews who is on holiday, so Dylan Rooney will come into Horn’s side. Right-back Alan Horne is rated as doubtful.