Chaplain a worried man after release from Partick

Jun 17 2009 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

SCOTT Chaplain has spoken of his frustration after contract talks with Partick Thistle fell through – and he’s now worried he will have to go part-time to find a new club.

The 25-year-old from Westwood spent two years with the Maryhill outfit but was this month told by Jags boss Ian McCall that the club no longer required his services.

Chaplain is now contemplating dropping down to part-time football after a few weeks of holding out for a full-time team failed to pay off.

And the midfielder expressed his concern that he may not be able to find a job to support a part-time football role.

He told the News this week: “A few part-time clubs have been in contact with me, but I want to hold out as long as I can for a full-time club to come in for me.

“Pre-season starts next month and I’d like to know where I stand by then. Dumbarton, Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion have all registered an interest in me but I’ve not made any kind of decision yet.

“I’ve played football all my life and I’ve not got much work experience or qualifications so if I had to go part-time that would worry me. The job scenario is the only thing concerning me because the part-time teams I’ve been speaking to are all good clubs.

“What I do during the day is the problem for me and I might have to work that out if I can’t stay full-time.

“I was part-time when I played for Albion Rovers but I was younger then.

“The next two weeks will be an important time for me and I’ll know more about my situation by next month.”

But after 58 appearances for Partick Thistle and six goals across the two years, Chaplain believes he has been the victim of a broken promise.

He added: “When the club told me they were letting me go it was a bit of a surprise because I was told I would be getting a new contract for next season.

“At the last minute I was told that I wouldn’t be staying at the club and that wasn’t great. It’s frustrating and disappointing because I really enjoyed my time at the club, but I know money is tight at the moment and they probably wanted to free up some cash.

“I wasn’t getting a fair crack at the whip anyway and even when I was playing well I found myself on the bench, which I thought was a little unjust.

“I felt I should have been playing more than I did but there was never any problems between me and Ian.

“I enjoyed working with him, he’s a good manager and I learned a lot from him.

“I would have liked to stay with the club but it’s not to be so I hope I can find a new club before the pre-season training starts.”