East Kilbride YM FC

Formation and early years

East Kilbride YM were formed in 1936, during World War II, with one of the earliest Team Managers being John Cadzow. The club was kept going through the war by enlisting local players and serviceman stationed nearby. In 1947 Angus McConnell became involved as Secretary and Organiser at only 16-years old. Despite never playing for ‘the YM’, McConnell was an ever present figure within the club and, as well as his secretarial duties, was at the forefront of the clubs fundraising endeavours raising money for local and national charities. At the Annual EKYM Speakers Dinner, McConnell was named Honorary President.

Despite there being no official league, East Kilbride YM kept playing throughout the war and then into the 1950s when they were accepted into the Scottish Amateur Football League. John Cadzow is widely credited with the establishment of East Kilbride YM as a club and sustaining it through its difficult early stages.

In the early-1950s, Jack Fowler became manager and won numerous trophies over his decade in charge. It was at this time 17-year-old Les Goodfellow and Eric Gunning joined The YM. Both played their way through the ranks to the first team where they stayed for many years. After retiring, the pair became actively involved in the running of the club until 2012, almost 60 years later.

The early-1960s saw the club add under-16 and under-18 squads bringing with them a steady stream of talented youth players. In 1961 the men's team reached the final of the Coronation Cup against Clyde Paper. A game in which Alistair McCartney suffered a broken leg and the team forced to continue with 10 men. Against the odds, the YM went on to win 3–2 and lift the Coronation Cup.

In 1980 Bobby Jarvie managed the East Kilbride YM under-18s to the final of the Scottish Amateur Youth Cup. They were ultimately beaten 2–1 with two late goals from Andy Walker, who would go on to play for Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, and his brother.

Caledonian League Team

The Caledonian League Team won promotion to the First Division (later renamed the Premier Division) in the 1995–96 season where they stayed until 2005, when after a poor season, were relegated down into the new First Division (formerly the Second Division). John McCole returned to manage the team after the relegation and came close to promotion on two occasions but narrowly missed out. McCole retired from management in 2011, a year after winning the East Kilbride YM Annual Tournament. Graeme Robertson and assistant Billy Hamilton, were put in charge of the Caley Team following their double winning season with the SAFL team. Since Robertson's appointment the team have had mixed results in both the league and cup competitions. Finishing sixth in the 2012–13 and seventh in 2013–14. The team reached the latter stages of the West of Scotland cup in the 2012–13 season but were knocked out convincingly by the eventual winners, Hurlford Thistle.

At the beginning of the 2014–15 season Gary Hamilton left his post as coach of the Scottish Amateur National Team to become head coach at the club and of the Caley Team.

On 3 June 2015, The Caledonian Team reached the Final of the Caledonian AFA Presidents Cup Final, beating Hamilton FP 1–0 with Connor McCann scoring the winning goal. This was the first trophy the Caledonian Team had won in 17 years.

In August 2015, Scott Chaplain was announced as the teams new head coach.

Scottish Amateur Team

In 1996, East Kilbride YM were accepted into the Caledonian League, after winning the Scottish Amateur Premier League Cup under the charges of John McClymont and Peter Allan. The YM elected to enter a new team into the SAFL and were made to start again at the bottom of the league system. The Scottish Amateur team became a feeder for the Caley team and competed in the Scottish Amateur 2nd Division until 2003 when they won the league.

Having been relegated in previous seasons, the Scottish Amateur team found themselves back in the Second Division at the start of 2010–11. This was the most successful season for the team since their inclusion in the SAFL for a second time. The team went unbeaten in the league until 2011 and progressed to the Hall Cup Final to face Aitkenhead Thistle AFC in April 2011. Within the space of two weeks, the SAFL team had secured both the league and Hall Cup marking a tremendous end to their season.

After Robertsons move to the Caley side, Gary Lawson took over as manager before work commitments forced him to hand over the reigns to Andy Dykes, previously a coach with the Caley side, for the 2013–14 Season.

Tam Barclay and Stephen McKenna took over in June 2014 with enthusiasm as the second wave of YM under-19's progress to the adult side.

Greater Glasgow Team

The Greater Glasgow PL side was created for the 2012–13 season, reflecting the growing popularity and interest in the YM. Marshalled by Colin Dailly in its inaugural season, it was a difficult season with a poor showing in the league.

With the first wave of under-19's moving to the adult side since the inception of the EKYMC Community Club, Gordon McCulloch followed his players into the management position.

The team got off to a flying start in the league and began to show themselves as real contenders for the league title despite their youth. The squad looked unstoppable in the Greater Glasgow Premier League Cup as they saw off tough opposition on their way to the final where they met Broomhouse. In the final, the YM lost 4–3 against a very good Broomhouse side who had dominated their league in the 2013–14 season.

Annual Tournament

The 'YM Invitational Cup' is a pre season invitational company hosted by East Kilbride YM. The four week competition was inaugurated in 2010 and has been held every summer since. Since 2010 the tournament has grown in popularity and 16 teams have competed in the adults competition since 2013. In 2013 an under-19's tournament was introduced to run alongside the adults cup with eight teams participating.

The competition follows a Champions League style set up with initial group stages and progressing to a knockout stage.

East Kilbride YM won their inaugural tournament in 2010, Rolls Royce in 2012, and Broomhouse won the 2013 and 2014 editions.

Club officials

Goalkeepers

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Defenders

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Midfielders

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Forwards

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Honours