East Kilbride YM Football Club (also known as The YM) are the oldest club based in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. The club currently have seven adult teams competing in the Caledonian, Greater Glasgow Leagues and Central Scottish Over 35s as well as a Saturday Morning Team playing in the Saturday Morning Amateur Football Association, an under 21's side, an under 19's side and an old crocks walking team. 'The YM' is part of the EK United Community Club alongside East Kilbride YC and East Kilbride Girls. The club hosts an annual Player of the Year and speakers' night and an annual invitational tournament.
Contents
History
Formation and early years
East Kilbride YM were formed in 1921 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. Although he never played for the club, McConnell served as secretary for many years and organised fundraising 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 remained in charge for around a decade. Les Goodfellow and Eric Gunning, both aged 17, joined the club during this period and progressed to the first team, where they played 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. After Alistair McCartney suffered a broken leg, the team played the rest of the match with ten men and won 3–2.
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.
Recent Years
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 ageing team were slowly replaced with younger players from EKYC and other youth teams in the town. In the 2012–13 season the team reached the latter stages of the West of Scotland Cup before losing to the eventual winners, Hurlford Thistle.
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 team's new player/coach after retiring from Senior football due to his new job within the SFA.
During Season 2015-2016 the team were knocked out of the Scottish Cup on penalties by the eventual finalists Leven in the last 16 of the Competition.
In the 2016–17 season the team finished two points short of promotion and reached a semi-final and a quarter-final in league cup competitions.
In the 2018–19 season the team won the league title without losing a league match, gaining promotion.
The squad was strengthened with the additions of former Albion Rovers player Barry Russell and former Stranraer forward Sean Winter.
In 2024–25 the team won the Caledonian Premier League for the first time and reached the West of Scotland Cup final, losing on penalties to St Patrick's AFC.
Annual Tournament
The "YM Invitational Cup" is a pre-season invitational competition hosted by East Kilbride YM. The four-week competition was first held in 2010 and has taken place each summer since. Since 2013, 16 teams have competed in the adults' competition. 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.
The 'YM' won the most recent tournament in 2021
Facilities
EK United Community Club operates the playing fields at Kirktonholme, West Mains Road. The facilities include a grass pitch maintained with the assistance of All Grass Turf Care, home changing rooms, and a function suite and games room that are also used by local children's clubs.
Player of the Year Statistics
Club officials
East Kilbride YM
Honorary President: Angus McConnell JP
Chairman: Graeme Robertson
Club Secretary/Treasurer: Graeme Robertson
Media Guru: Bobby Jarvie
Committee Members: Les Goodfellow, Andy Dykes, Graeme Robertson JNR, Allan Cairns, Declan Harley, John Green, Ross McDonagh, Michael Mochan.
Caledonian League Team
Manager: Graeme Robertson SNR
Head Coach: Graeme Robertson JNR
Assistant Manager: Billy Hamilton
Goalkeeper Coach: David Lindsay
Captain: Gary McGarth
Greater Glasgow Premier League Team
Manager: Ian Patterson
Assistant Manager: Stephen McKenna
Captain: Sean Burke
Vice Captain: Chris McAlaney
Saturday Morning Team
Manager: Chris McColl
Assistant Manager: Gordon Wilson
Head Coach: Daniel Drennan
Captain: Calum Campbell
Players
Goalkeepers
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Defenders
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Midfielders
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Forwards
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Honours
Caledonian League Presidents Cup
2014–15, 2018–19
Queens Park Challenge Trophy
1997–98
Caledonian League Division 1A Winners
2018–19
Caledonian league 2nd Division
1995–96
Scottish Amateur Premier League Cup
1995
Scottish Amateur 2nd Division
1968, 1976, 2003, 2011
Scottish Amateur 3rd Division
1973
Scottish Amateur Coronation Cup
1961, 2015/16
Scottish Amateur Reserve Division One
1953, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980
Hall Cup
1978, 2011, 2017
Ball Trophy
1952, 1974, 1978
Scottish YMCA Cup
1967
Scottish Cup Over 35's
2022