A FORMER FINN HARPS player is on the cusp of creating football history tomorrow and in doing so breaking a record held by Johan Cryuff’s all-conquering Ajax of the early seventies.
Cruyff (pictured above) and Ajax, who also contained players of the caliber of Arie Haan and Johan Neeskens, were European Cup winners in 1971, 1972 and 1973. The Dutch side were seen as the architects of ‘Total Football’ – a loose playing style in which players were required to be as proficient in defence as they were in attack.
[adrotate group=”38″]In 1971/72, Ajax won a world record 26 matches and it’s a record that still stands today – but might not stand tomorrow.
Martin Lauchlan (pictured above) manages East Kilbride in the Ferrari Packaging Lowland League – Scotland’s fifth tier – and last Saturday overcame Vale of Leithen to win a for a 26th time in consecutive competitive matches.
Tomorrow, at their home at K-Park, Lauchlan’s team go in search of an unprecedented 27th success on the bounce when they play BSC Glasgow. East Kilbride’s average attendance – in the region of 150 – is expected to significantly rise.
Ajax tweeted their congratulations to East Kilbride last weekend:
@officialEKFC great job guys! Well done ? 2⃣6⃣ wins in a row!
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 29, 2016
“Hopefully, if we beat the record, Ajax will invite us over to Amsterdam for a wee pre-season friendly next year,” Lauchlan told the Daily Record. “I’d love it if we could meet the remaining members of that great team from the seventies as well. That would be pretty special and an incredible experience for us. You never know.”
Lauchlan, Glasgow-born, signed for Finn Harps in 2005 under Felix Healy.
[adrotate group=”85″]Following the Derry man’s sacking following a 1-0 loss to Longford Town, Lauchlan played under Anthony Gorman for the remainder of the campaign before leaving for Elgin City in 2006.
In his playing career, midfielder Lauchlan lined out for Patrick Thistle, St Johnstone, Dumbarton and Stenhousemuir.
Then, following Elgin, he played for Bellshill Athletic and Petershill until 2010 and managed Rossvale Juniors. Lauchlan’s brother Jim played for Sligo Rovers in 2010. He took over at East Kilbride in March.
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