Football Focus Issue 74 | Page 12

East Kilbride Thistle East Kilbride Thistle FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG 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 www.footballfocusmag.com 13