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.
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
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 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.
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. The appointment of Graeme Robertson and Billy Hamilton saw 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 two weeks, the team secured both the league title and the Hall Cup.
After Robertsons move to the Caley side, Gary Lawson took over as manager before work commitments forced him to hand over the reins 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 as a second group of under-19 players moved up to the adult side.
The Scottish Amateur Team made the decision to leave the league and merge with the Greater Glasgow Team.
Greater Glasgow Team
The Greater Glasgow Premier League side was created for the 2012–13 season. 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 made a strong start to the league season and reached the final of the Greater Glasgow Premier League Cup, where they lost 4–3 to Broomhouse, who had won their league in 2013–14. In season 2016-17 Graeme Ronbertson JNR (former league and cup winner with the SAFL team) took charge from Gordon McCulloch. An 8th-place finish in Division 2 secured their position in the league for the following season. In his second season as manager he took the team to the League Cup Final against Cambria in which two late goals saw them lose 3–2 on the night. A strong third-place finish was to follow in the league, gaining promotion to the top division for the first time in the club's history. Season 2018/19 brought a tough challenge in the top division in which they finished a respectable sixth in the table. Robertson took his team to the semi-final of all three cup competitions narrowly missing out on each occasion. In the 2021–22 season the side won the Greater Glasgow Premier Division title and two league cups under Graeme Robertson Jnr.
Saturday Morning Team
The Saturday Morning side was created for the 2022–23 season. The squad is managed by Chris McColl (previously of E.K Thistle) and assisted by Gordon Wilson and Daniel Drennan. The team is captained by Calum Campbell and currently play in Division 1B in the Saturday Morning Amateur Football Association.
2023/24 resulted in the team gaining promotion to the Championship League.
2024/25 the side won the Saturday Morning Lanarkshire Cup, beating Cambusnethen Talbot 3-2 in the final, with goals coming from Michael Carroll and Peter Carr x2.
Over 35's Team
The 'YM' over 35's team is currently managed by Andy Dykes, who led the team to victory in the Scottish Amateur Cup against Fairmilehead 35s. The 35s Scottish cup final was played at New Douglas Park, Hamilton on 18/11/22. After going down 0–2, the team battled back with two goals from Kieran Downs to take the game to penalties winning 4–2 with Alan McFadden scoring the winning penalty and bringing the Scottish cup to East Kilbride for the first time ever. The squad has included former professional players, brothers Robbie and David Winters, Alan McFadden and Ricky Waddell.
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
Caledonian League Team Players POTYManagers POTYGolden Boot2017-18Cameron McCulloch & Ryan KellyMichael CarrollCameron McCulloch2016-17Ross McDonaghJames CameronCraig Tocher2015-16Jordan Fletcher, Fraser Campbell & Craig KincaidCameron McCullochCraig Tocher2014–15Connor McCannZander McMillanConnor McCann2013–14Stewart BovillPaul McLeanGarry O'Hanlon2012–13Paul TierneyStewart BovillDavid Atha2011–12Craig DuncanPaul TierneyAlan McRae2009–10Stewart BovillAlan McRaeAlan McRae2008–09Steven ChaplainSteven ChaplainSteven Chaplain
Scottish Amateur Team
Players POTYManagers POTYGolden Boot2015–16James CameronGrant BeattieJames Cameron2014–15Iain TaylorScott CairnsIain Taylor2013–14William DawsonStephen McKennaWilliam Dawson2010–11Kevin McCarthyJohn McNamaraPaul McCaig2008–09William DawsonWilliam DawsonIain Taylor2007–08Graeme Robertson JnrGraeme Robertson SnrIain Paterson
Greater Glasgow Team
Players POTYManagers POTYGolden Boot2018–19Josh Cairns & Jack FergusonJosh CairnsDeclan Heron2017–18Paul McLeanMark O'DonnellScott Campbell2016–17Ross AndersonRoss AndersonMikey Carroll2015–16Scott AndersonChris McAlenyScott Campbell2014–15Scott CampbellScott CampbellScott Campbell2013–14Gary McCullochCraig KincaidRoss McDonagh2012–13William DawsonKenny CorbettDavid Atha
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 Vice Captain: Gary Noble
Over 35's Team Manager: Andy Dykes Captain: Ricky Waddell Vice Captain: Greg Hannah
Players
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Jordan Calder Liam Sloan
Midfielders
Forwards
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