I TRY, as far as I possibly can, to avoid East Kilbride; all those roundabouts, makes me dizzy. However, as a planned conurbation - I don't think it has, given it was a wee place until the decision was taken in 1948? to build the New Town there, much "community" about it.
However, it might be that in a year or three, East Kilbride will be a real hot bed of Scottish football.
Right now, junior side East Kilbride Thistle are the local king-pins. They've got a near 50-year history, have won the Scottish Junior Cup once and, even though the club is currently in the doldrums, they will surely rise again.
Except, their local leadership in football matters is facing a two-pronged threat, not least from the news this week that East Kilbride FC have been admitted to the new Lowland League, which will kick-off later this year.
I had a quick look at their web site and EK are certainly not short on ambition. I wish them well, but, would wager if EKFC were to face East Kilbride Thistle on Saturday, my money would be on the Thistle.
Then, there is the Clyde connection. Moves are afoot to see the Bully Wee re-locate from the wastelands of Westfield, Cumbernauld to EK; perhaps amalgamating with EK Thistle. The decision to admit EKFC to the Lowland League might just throw a spanner into the works of that one, because, it is patently clear there isn't room in EK for two or three clubs.
The fact must also be recognised, the two biggest clubs in East Kilbride are now and for as far ahead as we dare look, will continue to be Rangers and Celtic. When all these families were moved out of Glasgow to East Kilbride in the fifties and sixties, they were almost exclusively Old Firm fans; and today, in some cases more than 50-years on, the descendants of these overspill decants are still Old Firm fans.
There might be a few Thistle fans, a handful of Clyde followers and perhaps even one or two bowler-hatted Queen's Park supporters, but I am as certain as I can be, there will not be enough people left over to support two local clubs, far less three.
I suppose, putting EKFC and Stirling University into the new league broadens the geographic breadth of the organisation, but, in reality, it is unsustainable. A couple of trips to Dalbeattie, or Castle Douglas, Galashiels or Selkirk will test the loyalty of the players, far less the handful of fans which EKFC will initially garner.
I trust the EKFC fans realise where Vale of Leithen is, and don't head for Loch Lomondside.
Here's an idea for a pre-season tournament for July/August 2014. Bring together the winner of the Lowland League, the bottom team in the SPFL and the winners of the Junior East and West Superleagues; my money's already on Auchinleck Talbot coming out on top.
SO, Hearts are finally in administration; perhaps now the future of this great Edinburgh and Scottish Football institution can be secured.
Mind you, if I was Ian Murray MSP or anyone else involved in making sure there is still a Heart of Midlothian FC to support, I wouldn't be rushing to buy the club in administration. I'd gamble on waiting for liquidation, then get in there.
After-all, the way Rangers were treated after liquidation, the template has been set. Put Hearts, owned by a supporters' group, into SPFL4 next season and hope Gary Locke could bring a group of mainly young players through back to the top.
Show Rangers the correct way to do this.
OR, with Hearts in liquidation, perhaps a group of the great and good in Edinburgh football could put together a scheme, combining Hearts and Hibs, to produce a single Edinburgh club which could truly challenge anything Glasgow might throw at them. It would make for a more-interesting SPFL than we are going to get.
No comments:
Post a Comment