East Kilbride Thistle
East Kilbride Thistle
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East Kilbride
Thistle
FOOTBALL CLUB
E
ast Kilbride Thistle FC is a club that has made fine progress in recent
years culminating in promotion last season. Football Focus Magazine
recently caught up with Club Representative Peter Kelsall to find out more
about the good work that they’ve been doing lately.
Involvement
“I’m the third generation owner of the
Montgomerie Arms which my family have
owned since 1950. The pub itself is the
oldest in East Kilbride, having been opened
in 1655. My Mum and Dad both had a
positive relationship with the club and I
went to my first game in the 1970s when I
saw them win a cup.
When the club asked if I would sponsor
them I was happy to help out and have
supported them for more than five years
now. I always follow how they are getting
along through social media and they come
to the Montgomerie Arms for food and
a pint after their matches. I’m looking
forward to another successful season and
wish the team the best of luck.”
Andrew Craig, Montgomerie Arms
He told us, “I’ve been involved with
the club for about five years now. I came
in when asked because the club was in
a poor state after difficult years under
a previous ownership. It’s been a hard
time but has been very interesting; when
we first came in we were trying to save
a club from going out of business. We
had to start from scratch basically. While
it has been enjoyable it has been really
hard work and although it has taken us
a long time we are starting to see the
rewards of that.”
Turnaround
“When we first came in we had to
bring in a lot of young players and were
getting beat every week but we didn’t
“We’d love to bring a ladies team back
into the club as well. We’ve got the facilities
in place so hopefully that will be another
way to move forward and if we can develop
more youth sides that will be brilliant.”
Images courtesy of Karen M. Scott
12 Issue 74
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