BIG DRAW FOR THE Ks.

It's a bit of a nightmare trying to get games played in the Pennines. Our U12s have not played for 7 weeks now and the coming weekend looks bleak. If it is not flooded pitches, then they are frozen! I'm hoping to catch the Hepworth United Open Age group on Saturday playing at Holmbridge FC but since the nearest river is by the pitch, I have a feeling that the game may be off.

So imagine how it must be up north...really up north....yes, I mean Scotland. I am watching the progress of thre Scottish FA Cup and was particularly excited by the prospect of East Kilbride FC hosting Celtic in the 5th round. EKFC most recently founded in 2010 are members of the Scottish Lowland Football League.

Originally founded in 1871, they were one of the oldest clubs in the Scottish FA, but they folded as many clubs did in the early years. In 2010 they relied on the Jackton Boys' Club and Stewartfield FC to merged, with the backing of John Hartson of Celtic and John Brown of Rangers. The John Hartson Foundation supports a Charity football match at the club which raises money for the testicular cancer charity.

The badge shows the oystercatcher and the red and symbols of St Bridget/St Bride with reference to the Gaelic word "cil" (Kil) or "religious cell" of St Bride.
East Kilbride FC made their way into the newly formed Lowland League and were elected to the Scottish FA in 2014, thus being allowed to enter the country's FA Cup. This year has obviously been a belter and their progress has seen them dispose of Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 2-0 at The Kilby, K Park, their modest "training ground". The "last 16 of the Cup" game against Celtic should net the club £100,000 or more.

Prior to the big game, they have played a 2nd Round tie v Forres Mechanics starting on the 24th October (1-1, then winning the replay 3-2 on the 31st), and on the 21st November they had a 3rd Round game against Stenhousemuir (2-2, then 2-1 on 5th December). Their most recent success was against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale FC 2-0 on the 20th January.

Anyone who has been to the Gothia Cup, an annual World Youth Tournament in Gothenburg, would have seen Hutchison Vale Youth FC play. A very successful footballing set up and clearly supplying excellent players for the senior club.

East Kilbride club itself, runs 30 teams from young to old with over 650 players as members.

It is a joy looking at the Scottish FA Cup draw, which I have mentioned before, as it brings out the best club names in the world. I dare you to follow Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale's or Linlithgow Rose's fortunes this season.    http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_cup_fixtures.cfm?page=1988