Steven Hislop named new manager of Whitehill Welfare

Steven Hislop feels the Whitehill job has come at the 'right time' for him

Hislop, taking on first management role after spells as player/assistant manager with Bonnyrigg Rose and Arbroath, will be assisted by former Preston Athletic manager David Bingham. The duo will take over from Ian Flynn, who will take the team for Saturday’s South Challenge cup third-round tie at home to Ormiston before resuming his role as Under-20s manager with the club’s gratitude following an impressive caretaker period.

Hislop felt the time was right to make the step up.

“Whitehill, when I was growing up, was always a big club and attracted the best players” he explained. “I used to go and watch some games and knew they had big fanbase and they’re steeped in history with the amount of trophies they’ve won. The job was right for me. I’ve just left Arbroath in senior football and, with the Lowland League being the next level, I thought it was the right time for me.”

Saturday’s winners will play Glasgow University with Spartans waiting the eventual semi-finalists. Andy Martin believes Whitehill should be aiming for a meeting with their old rivals.

“A club like Whitehill are always looking to get to finals,” he said. “That’s where we should be and that’s where we want to be so hopefully Saturday will be the next step.

“It’ll be another hard game, especially when you see how the pitch has been cutting up. If we put the same commitment and effort in as we have been doing, we’ll win the game.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Edinburgh University’s trip to BSC Glasgow has been switched to East Kilbride’s K Park to ensure it goes ahead. Preston Athletic play Stirling University at the Pennypit while Spartans welcome Gala Fairydean Rovers to Ainslie Park.