New clubs in the West of Scotland

[LongTimeLurker]

Where now defunct former junior clubs are concerned Baillieston are the most obvious one that would be good to see return:

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19074366.baillieston-community-backs-bid-new-football-pitch/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Baillieston-Juniors-Football-Team-387489711875230/

Glenboig and Duntocher Hibs are blasts from the past where the ground is still there and likely to be suitable without drastic amounts of work if some new would be entry can arrange access (Clydebank would be a cautionary tale in the latter case). Think a suitable ground would be what would be the main issue for Blantyre Celtic to overcome if they wanted to take the plunge.

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by LongTimeLurker

[Kickbaw]

Surley oban fancy it bannockburn harestanes shortlees eastfeild all would probably have a good shot as well. Giffnock and st mungos do they both not have there own park to start off with 

[AlanCamelonfan]

19 minutes ago, Kickbaw said:

Surley oban fancy it bannockburn harestanes shortlees eastfeild all would probably have a good shot as well. Giffnock and st mungos do they both not have there own park to start off with 

Bannockburn is eos territory 

[Craig fae the Vale]

24 minutes ago, Kickbaw said:

Surley oban fancy it bannockburn harestanes shortlees eastfeild all would probably have a good shot as well. Giffnock and st mungos do they both not have there own park to start off with 

Giffnock have their own park, but it would take a decent amount of work to get it enclosed

[FairWeatherFan]

4 minutes ago, Craig the Hunter said:

Giffnock have their own park, but it would take a decent amount of work to get it enclosed

While an enclosed ground is one of the mandatory criteria. The final criteria allows the Board to offer a grace period on anything listed above. It's entirely possible any club could be accepted and complete the work required later.

[theesel1994]

5 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said:

While an enclosed ground is one of the mandatory criteria. The final criteria allows the Board to offer a grace period on anything listed above. It's entirely possible any club could be accepted and complete the work required later.

How long is the "pre-defined" period?

[FairWeatherFan]

6 minutes ago, theesel1994 said:

How long is the "pre-defined" period?

I've no idea and since the IMG is about to hand off to the new board the interpretation could be different. It'll also likely vary depending on what exactly is required. 

Different league but as an example one of the questions of Thornton Hibs being able to join the EoSFL was around their lack of an enclosed ground. In the ground works thread the fence started getting put up around November.

[Dev]

13 minutes ago, theesel1994 said:

How long is the "pre-defined" period?

It's not pre-defined!

The EoS has used this flexibility already e.g. with Kirkcaldy and Dysart etc and it's a really good idea.

[Pyramidic]

More about Kilbride Thistle:

https://www.ardrossanherald.com/sport/19099859.sean-kennedy-new-team-set-join-west-scotland-league/?fbclid=IwAR03Xe6NoJ9YqQPoQ5gP_h4dxVbwiYRqra1wfgMKavddDGRz0w3LUFIudWo

[Dev]

There's some useful information for ambitious clubs on the Scottish Football Partnership Trust web site. This an extract from 29th October, 2020, to do with Greystone Rovers FC from Dumfries:

"In 2015 Parliament passed the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 giving more rights to community bodies to take over land and buildings in public ownership through asset transfer.  Since then, many grassroots community football clubs and organisations across all parts of Scotland have benefitted from these new rights and have been able to take over football pitches and pavilions via Community Asset Transfer. Essentially these football clubs have evolved into becoming community service and facility providers and in recognition of this, the SFPT and the KFCT were keen to assist safeguard the health and wellbeing of players, coaches, parents, grandparents and other members of the wider community who attend these facilities on a weekly basis."

Some clubs are already organising this sort of take-over e.g. Bailieston Thistle (??), East KIlbride United, etc.

Edited February 18, 2021 by Dev
..

[Dev]

 

The Scottish Football Partnership:

SFP Trust Award – East Kilbride United

November 25, 2020

East Kilbride United are a Quality Mark Club comprising of East Kilbride YM and East Kilbride YC. The club has been busy over the past 2 years upgrading their home base at Kirktonholme following an asset transfer of the site from South Lanarkshire Council. The first phase of the the clubs improvement plan was the renovation and reconfiguring of the clubhouse which they successfully completed in 2019. Attention then turned to the playing side of the facility with the upgrading of both natural grass 11 v 11 pitches and the associated drainage improvements seen as a priority for the the clubs long term development.

Having supported the club in previous years The Scottish Football Partnership Trust were keen to support the club again with their latest project given the level of inclusive football activity they provide in a community setting for local boys and girls as well as their full amateur side.

Graeme Robertson from the club said; “East Kilbride United are deeply indebted to the SFP Trust as their grants, including this most recent one have been essential to us as we continue to upgrade our facilities. With their support alongside our other funders we have managed to install new grass surfaces with improved drainage on both of our football pitches which allows us to make more use of them than ever before.  The quality of the surfaces are absolutely superb and the children and adults have thoroughly enjoyed playing on them.  The whole grant process and our interactions with the SFP  Trust were straightforward from the outset and we greatly appreciate the support we received from their staff and Trustees”.

[Dev]

Again but not in the WoS area there's:

The Scottish Football Partnership:

SFP Trust Award – Duns F.C.

December 9, 2020

Over the past 5 years the committee at Duns Football Club have been working tirelessly to make ground improvements at New Hawthorn Park with a focus on ensuring the facility is something both the club and the local community can be proud of. The phased approach to these improvements has seen the upgrading of the playing surface and pitch drainage system, the installation of a covered disability viewing area and a seated stand, all within the confines of an enclosed ground. With these projects complete attention turned to improving the clubs changing and hospitality facilities with the changing element attracting funding support from the Scottish Football Partnership Trust.

Mark Dixon from the club said; “Following tireless work by our committee and local trades we have finally finished both changing rooms and our new hospitality area. We are now look forward to all of our affiliated teams, juniors and seniors using the facility and we hope when life gets back to a bit of normality the community as a whole can benefit from our new modern facilities and support the club moving forward. We would like to take this opportunity to thank The Scottish Football Partnership Trust for their  valued support and funding.

AND:

The Scottish Football Partnership:

Facilities Award – Newton Stewart F.C.

November 13, 2020

Newton Stewart F.C. from the South of Scotland League have recently completed some major upgrades of their Pavilion at Blairmount Park which attracted funding support again this year from The Scottish Football Partnership.

Iain Dick, Chairman of ‘THE CREESIDERS’ said; “It is with great pleasure I thank the Football Partnership for their financial assistance with the refurbishment of the Blairmount Park Pavilion. Along with other funders and our own efforts, the Football Partnership has been, in no small measure, a major help to us. The support provided has enabled us to re floor the entire building, completely renovate the changing rooms, repaint the building and put in new energy efficient double glazing. I would recommend the Partnership to any Club for both their assistance and, very importantly their great interest in our project. Thank you again”.

[Dev]

The there's this:

The Scottish Football Partnership:

Shared Access and SFP Trust’s £5m Investment Opportunity for Scottish Football

September 9, 2020

The Scottish Football Partnership Trust’s scheme with Shared Access set to bring investment to football clubs across Scotland

Football clubs at all levels across Scotland are set to see their facilities benefit through a new funding scheme between the Scottish Football Partnership Trust (SFPT) and Shared Access, the wireless infrastructure operator that works alongside major Mobile Networks Operators (MNOs). Following on from the success of this initiative in England, Ireland and Wales and depending on interest from (MNOs) and the speed in which 5G is rolled out, Shared Access and the Scottish Football Partnership Trust believe the total level of investment could reach £5m over the next 5 years.

Individual clubs – from grassroots to professional – will be able to upgrade on-site facilities such as floodlighting, pitches, changing rooms or equipment. In return for the investment, Shared Access would install their technology onto the club’s existing structures such as floodlights, stands or pavilions.

The new scheme with the SFPT highlights the growing involvement of Shared Access in Scotland, with connectivity infrastructure work already completed on sites based in the Shetland Islands and mainland Scotland to date.

The SFPT were keen to set up the partnership due to the track record of Shared Access with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the FA in England and the Welsh FA.

James Clydesdale, chair of SFPT, said: “We saw this as a unique and innovative funding model to support Scottish clubs at all levels through Shared Access technology. Shared Access offer a long-term relationship which can be especially attractive to clubs for their development. There’s also the bonus for a club’s neighbouring communities with enhanced mobile and broadband connectivity.”

Clubs that have benefited from new floodlights through the Shared Access scheme range from Doncaster Rovers in England to Aisling Annacotty FC in Ireland and Llangefni Town in Wales. Shared Access are also responsible for mobile infrastructure at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

James Clydesdale, chair of SFPT, added: “We are always looking at new ways to support the game, such as our recent funding with philanthropist James Anderson for Scottish Women’s Football.”

“The Shared Access scheme is a win-win all round. Clubs can choose what sort of an investment they need such as floodlights or an astro turf pitch, Shared Access can expand their service in Scotland and, with 5G imminent, local communities can look forward to better broadband and mobile connectivity, especially in rural areas. ”

The scheme with the SFPT marks a sustained focus by Shared Access across the UK and Ireland to invest in grassroots football and adds scale to the geographical coverage of mobile and broadband.

Chris Jackman, Chief Executive Officer of Shared Access, said: “Investing in grassroots sports is critical right now. In parallel, connecting more of Scotland to better mobile and broadband is an absolute priority, as demand continues to grow ahead of supply. Shared Access has already proven how this model can work in England, Ireland and Wales. Now, Scotland can benefit from considerable grassroots investment – all with the aim of futureproofing both sporting talent and geographic connectivity.”

Clubs or organisations who are interested in this new funding scheme should visit https://thescottishfootballpartnership.com/shared-access/ to register their interest and site location.

[Dev]

Easterhouse FA looking to form an Under 20's and a Senior semi-pro side in the WoS:

scottishamateurfootballnews.com/2021/02/19/bully-wee-team-move-under-easterhouse-fa-banner/

Bully Wee Team Move Under Easterhouse FA Banner

19 FEB 2021SCOTTISH AMATEUR FOOTBALL NEWS

Danny Cameron has revealed Clyde Community Football Under-19s are set to come under the banner of Easterhouse FA, writes Tom Scott.

House Founder Danny, who is also Manager of Easthall Star FC in the Scottish Amateur Football League said today: “I am delighted to confirm this, and they will become Easterhouse FA Under-19s.”

“We have a 3-to-5-year plan to have a semi-professional side playing at Stepford, and hope they will be the first side giving all our kids a pathway from Mini Kickers to semi pro all in the Easterhouse area, which we think deserves a junior/semi pro side, and has always been spoken about for years, but could be a reality soon.”

“Easterhouse FA was only formed in January, 2020, and with Clyde coming on board we have just under 200 kids and coaches in a year , but take away Covid stoppages, is unreal. The Academy is growing every week with a waiting list for kids that we will be getting in as soon as we get more space at Stepford.”

“When the Academy was starting, we were hoping for 30- 40 kids, but to be where we are now is amazing, and with our community activation partners at Stepford- Fare Scotland – and the fantastic work they do behind the scene in the East End, plus Glasgow Life, the future of football in Easterhouse looks bright.”

Under-19 spokesman Div McKay added “As coaches of Clyde Under-19s, we were very excited going into this season 2020-2021 with the new squad of players we had managed to put together the last two years, but as everyone knows this has been a horrible time in life with Covid, and unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance to play our first competitive game as a new squad because Clyde made the decision within these very hard times to let go all performance based teams from Under- 17s and upwards.”

“This decision has had a massive impact on our players and gave them uncertainty and no future or pathway within the game, After this recent and disappointing decision Clyde FC made for our Under-19s squad of 20 players, we are very happy to announce we can now keep the squad together, and also offer them a 3-4 year strategy plan, This will mean they can play the last year of Under-19s in the Central Scotland League ,and then have a pathway through to the Under-20s Development League, onto Semi Professional Football (application pending) within the new West of Scotland League with EASTERHOUSE FA,”

“We as a group are very grateful and excited to be part of the future plans of this fantastic community Academy and therefore, would like to thank Danny Cameron and Steven McGhie for this great opportunity, and we look forward to getting the boys back playing football in the near future.”

“As many of you know, our time at Clyde Community Foundation comes to an abrupt halt at the end of the season.”

“Over the last almost six years there are too many people to thank, but I would like to thank a specific few, George McMillan and Ryan Gorman, and my wife Caroline, for all their help at the outset. The current Coaching team George Scott, Div McKay and David Brady, who have been invaluable in helping get the team to its current state. I would also like to thank the 1st team Management team at Clyde of Danny Lennon, Allan Moore and Chris Fahey for their assistance over the last three years, and giving several of the boy’s debuts in the Glasgow Cup , allowing them the chance of playing with the 1st team, plus Todd Lumsden and North Lanarkshire College for the Qualification they helped the boys achieve.”

 

“As they say, this is not the end but just the beginning, as I would like to announce our plans for the start of season 2021-2022. All the boys and Coaches have committed to joining the exciting new club Easterhouse Football Academy.”

“Easterhouse FA, with the help of Fare Charity, have taken over Stepford Sports Complex. They have a clear plan and structure in place for the long term, and we are delighted to be the first senior team to commit to the project”

“Looking forward to making many memories under the Easterhouse FA banner, moving forward from George Innes.”

 

[Pyramidic]

Cheers Dev!

 

[whitburn exile]

So Whitburn committee have confirmed on Facebook that will be joining pyramid just not sure if East or West. I’ve asked why any decision to make but doubt I will get a response.

[Dev]

The Stepford Sports Complex and Glasgow Life Plans to re-open football pitches:

www.glasgowlife.org.uk/news/innovative-community-activation-pilot-to-go-live-in-pitches-across-glasgow

22nd September, 2020.

Home News

Innovative Community Activation Pilot to go live in pitches across Glasgow

22 September 2020

Glasgow Life, in partnership with four football clubs and groups across the city, has developed an innovative Community Activation Pilot which gives more young people and grassroots organisations access to outdoor pitches in Glasgow.

The pilot will see the charity and four key anchor groups work together to reopen pitches in Stepford Sports Complex, Nethercraigs Sports Complex, and Springburn Synthetic Pitch.

With over 18,000 players registered in Glasgow clubs, the plan is designed as a temporary emergency response to the current challenges faced by Glasgow’s significant football community, and with the purpose of limiting the damage to communities by current restricted access to football facilities.

Building on relationships and partnerships with the clubs and organisations, the pilot will see Glasgow Life’s football development team working with FARE and Easterhouse Football Academy at Stepford, Partick Thistle Charitable Trust at Springburn, and Pollok United at Nethercraigs.

By supporting capacity and developing programming with other clubs and users, these partnerships in three key locations will maximise the collective resources available and minimise operational costs, all while providing facility access. 

Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said:

“This Community Activation Pilot is part of Glasgow’s ongoing emergency city response to the Covid-19 global pandemic. Together with the Council, Glasgow Life has created new models of operation in order to open city venues which can support lifeline services for the local communities they serve.

“By working closely with FARE, Easterhouse Football Academy, Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, and Pollok United, we’ve developed a plan which will see social, health, and economic benefits in key areas across the city.

“Reactivating pitches in Stepford, Nethercraigs, and Springburn will allow us to alleviate the immediate challenges faced by the city’s football community, and in areas where we know it’s needed most.

“We’ll carefully monitor the progress of this pilot scheme and, if successful, we’ll look to extend it to other venues across Glasgow.”

The reopening of these three pitches will cater to the large number of teams registered in these areas. Of the football teams registered in Glasgow, 45% are in the north east of the city, and 40% are in the south.

Daniel Cameron, founder of Easterhouse Football Academy, said:

“After the uncertainty of Covid-19 and the lockdown faced by everyone across the country, we’re delighted that this partnership will allow Stepford Sports Complex to reopen, and to give our young people a chance to grow and develop their love for football again.

“We’re all looking forward to working with FARE as a trusted and respected organisation, and would like to thank Glasgow Life and local politicians for their support in developing this Community Activation Pilot to get our kids playing again.”

Jimmy Wilson, CEO of FARE, said:

“This is a very exciting development, and we’re pleased to be working alongside Easterhouse Football Academy in strengthening grassroots football in the area.

“By engaging the local community in football and physical exercise, we’ll enable community integration – and we also hope to use this partnership to tackle youth unemployment, by giving young people access to employment and modern apprenticeship opportunities”

Andy Elliott, Development Officer at Pollok United, said:

“With the recent rise in mental health issues in the south west of the city, we’ve been working closely with Glasgow Life as part of a multi-agency approach to support young people and their wellbeing. As a team, our main focus is engagement with locals, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on this and strengthen the grassroots football community at a time when it’s needed most.”

Paul Kelly, Manager of Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, said:

 “Our contribution to meeting the challenges of this pandemic are well-documented throughout our communities.

“We live in extraordinary times, but hopefully we can demonstrate, once again, that good partnership working, built on trust and respect can provide solutions for the most impossible looking situations.

“We look forward to sorting out the detail with Glasgow Life and getting Springburn open as soon as possible.”

Edited February 19, 2021 by Dev
.

[Dev]

"In 2015 Parliament passed the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 giving more rights to community bodies to take over land and buildings in public ownership through asset transfer.  Since then, many grassroots community football clubs and organisations across all parts of Scotland have benefitted from these new rights and have been able to take over football pitches and pavilions via Community Asset Transfer. Essentially these football clubs have evolved into becoming community service and facility providers"

Clubs and their local communities are getting together to use this and getting funding from the Scottish Football Partnership Trust to create clubs which go from the very earliest age groups through to Walking Football. Notably aiming to give local kids the chance of progressing to the Under 20's Development Divisions and, because they need to be Pyramid clubs to be eligible for that, they include targeting the local Pyramid League e.g. WoS etc. Clubs in the west which are headed down this route seem to include Easterhouse Football Academy, Pollok United, East Kilbride United, Baillieston Thistle, etc. This is bound to happen elsewhere so more clubs/community groups may be able to make the improvements needed at their local playing fields and cages to bring them up to WoS standard, at least.

I also wonder if some youth and amateur clubs will be having conversations with nearby Rugby and Athletics clubs to up-grade to Pyramid League standard. Tynecastle, in the East, have done this and Kilbride Thistle are hoping to do this in the west. There are some really good Rugby grounds around and some of the Athletics stadiums are close to being suitable already too. I wonder if Milngavie could move to the West of Scotland Rugby ground and Dalziel FP to the FP's Rugby ground?

There need not be a problem for Pyramid Leagues to work with clubs based at stadiums used primarily for Athletics. The EoS already does it with a Rugby ground i.e. Tynecastle at Meggetland. We've already seen the Lowland League request the clubs which didn't have floodlights to nominate an alternative flood-lit ground so fixtures can go ahead without disruption. Given that Athletics clubs Training Evenings and Athletics Meetings are planned ahead there is no reason why e.g. Kilbride Thistle  couldn't play at the North Ayrshire Athletics Stadium. Any fixture clashes could be avoided (assuming Athletics has preference) by switching matches from Saturday to Friday night of a Sunday and, if the visiting club was not willing to accept this, then the match could be played at another approved venue e.g. the ground of another WoS club.

In five years time many Council playing fields and cages may be significantly up-graded to Pyramid Leagues standard. This could greatly expand the numbers of "Senior" clubs too. Interesting times ahead.

[sdr71]

1 hour ago, Dev said:

"In 2015 Parliament passed the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 giving more rights to community bodies to take over land and buildings in public ownership through asset transfer.  Since then, many grassroots community football clubs and organisations across all parts of Scotland have benefitted from these new rights and have been able to take over football pitches and pavilions via Community Asset Transfer. Essentially these football clubs have evolved into becoming community service and facility providers"

Clubs and their local communities are getting together to use this and getting funding from the Scottish Football Partnership Trust to create clubs which go from the very earliest age groups through to Walking Football. Notably aiming to give local kids the chance of progressing to the Under 20's Development Divisions and, because they need to be Pyramid clubs to be eligible for that, they include targeting the local Pyramid League e.g. WoS etc. Clubs in the west which are headed down this route seem to include Easterhouse Football Academy, Pollok United, East Kilbride United, Baillieston Thistle, etc. This is bound to happen elsewhere so more clubs/community groups may be able to make the improvements needed at their local playing fields and cages to bring them up to WoS standard, at least.

I also wonder if some youth and amateur clubs will be having conversations with nearby Rugby and Athletics clubs to up-grade to Pyramid League standard. Tynecastle, in the East, have done this and Kilbride Thistle are hoping to do this in the west. There are some really good Rugby grounds around and some of the Athletics stadiums are close to being suitable already too. I wonder if Milngavie could move to the West of Scotland Rugby ground and Dalziel FP to the FP's Rugby ground?

There need not be a problem for Pyramid Leagues to work with clubs based at stadiums used primarily for Athletics. The EoS already does it with a Rugby ground i.e. Tynecastle at Meggetland. We've already seen the Lowland League request the clubs which didn't have floodlights to nominate an alternative flood-lit ground so fixtures can go ahead without disruption. Given that Athletics clubs Training Evenings and Athletics Meetings are planned ahead there is no reason why e.g. Kilbride Thistle  couldn't play at the North Ayrshire Athletics Stadium. Any fixture clashes could be avoided (assuming Athletics has preference) by switching matches from Saturday to Friday night of a Sunday and, if the visiting club was not willing to accept this, then the match could be played at another approved venue e.g. the ground of another WoS club.

In five years time many Council playing fields and cages may be significantly up-graded to Pyramid Leagues standard. This could greatly expand the numbers of "Senior" clubs too. Interesting times ahead.

It helps too that the SFA provides a standard to aim for, as part of their licensing process.

[GNU_Linux]

In case you wanted an insight as to why one ERJFA clubs might be looking west. This is someone on the Whitburn committee.