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The first EKlasico. That’s a surprising enough notion when one of the clubs, YM, was formed as long ago as 1921. But, under a sun borrowed from the Mediterranean for the day, two East Kilbride teams played their first competitive derby.
Witnessed by 303 paying fans —and an army of kids — it was blessed with six goals and was played in a spirit that’s in danger of giving fitba’ a good name.
It also spelled out what the pyramid can do for the game in this country. Last week it was tweaked to split the Lowland League and raise suspicions that only three people now understand the restructure. One has died, one has gone mad and the other has forgotten.
The changes mean that, from 2026-27, the champions of Lowland League West, Lowland League East and the Highland League will play in a round-robin tournament to qualify for a play-off with the bottom team in the SPFL for the right to promotion.
East Kilbride is the ideal spot to investigate all of this because one side — East Kilbride FC — was making its debut in the SPFL on Saturday.
One side — East Kilbride YM — was making its debut in the West of Scotland League.
And another — East Kilbride Thistle — is plugging on manfully, trying to raise a chorus from the wonder years of the eighties, particularly the Scottish Junior Cup win in 1983.
East Kilbride YM and East Kilbride Thistle fought out a 3-3 draw at Kirktonholme Park
More than 300 spectators turned up to see the first competitive derby between the sides
Joe Reilly was captain and goalscorer when Thistle won the Scottish Cup at Ibrox in 1983
Kirktonholme Park, host to EKlasico, was a physical example of what the pyramid can do. A pristine artificial pitch, a snug wee stand and a club and cafe that catered to fans has come about through hard work and the securing of grants from local authorities and the Scottish FA.
The SFA are routinely pilloried, but 1,000 people who play football at Kirktonholme have cause to thank them for their contribution to a fine facility.
‘We have 10 adult teams with about 250 players,’ says Graeme Robertson. ‘The charity trust that runs alongside the club has 16 teams with about 750 registered players.’
Robertson, 59, is YM team manager, chairman, and treasurer plus secretary of the community trust. He came to the YM more than 30 years ago to train for playing in the local police team. He was enticed to play for the YM. Now retired from the police, the club takes up most of his time.
Fortunately, it’s a family affair. His son, also Graeme, is assistant manager and his other son, Billy, works behind the scenes, mostly in fundraising activities.
In the tenth tier of Scottish football, money is a pressing issue. Robertson declares YM was ‘lucky’ to secure grants when they were available. The artificial pitch has been an extraordinary success. Footfall to the club has increased considerably.
But he points out that the budget is carefully monitored. ‘No one is paid at the club,’ he says. ‘We are all volunteers. The players are not paid either but, then again, they had to pay £40 a month to play when we were an amateur side and now pay nothing.’
He adds: ‘We didn’t know what crowds we would attract. We have been pleasantly surprised.’
Robertson’s history at the club includes a period when the YM had Graeme Junior in goal, Billy in midfield and dad up front.
It is a bigger operation now. There is already pressure on space and the club is looking at plans to install five-a-side pitches.
‘We are never standing still,’ says Robertson. ‘We want to improve the ground and use what space we have.’
He points out that Kirktonholme has become a social hub. He is down most days with other volunteers but the club is determined to be a functioning part of the community.
‘For example, at Christmas we do a high tea for care homes and pensioners. We show It’s A Wonderful Life for four days and it’s always booked out.’
For the moment, Robertson’s first feature is to thrive in the WoSFL. His side go three down before fighting back to draw. It was a time for heroes and they stepped up.
Scottish football is full of heroes. Most are quiet, humble and of the local variety. A chat with Joe Reilly makes one quickly grasp his contribution to Thistle and the YM.
Reilly was captain and goalscorer when Thistle won the Scottish at Ibrox in 1983. He also played for Cumnock when they won the Scottish. He finally played for YM as an amateur, aged 40. This information is not given in any sense of self-promotion.
‘The game has totally changed, not just in the way it is played,’ he says. ‘I hardly recognise some of the names now in the pyramid system.’
At 69, he now plays walking football and watches the odd match. Saturday was a special occasion for him as he has history with both clubs.
He recalls fondly the aftermath of the Scottish when Thistle beat Bo’ness 2-0 at Ibrox.
‘We went straight back to the park and then somebody said that a lot of pubs and clubs wanted to see the cup,’ he says. ‘We piled into taxis and went round the town. The taxis sat outside with their meters running. The drivers must have made a fortune.
‘As captain, I was entrusted to keep the cup safe but it was passed around the punters to have a drink from it. It was chaos but we didn’t lose it.’
The YM legends do not quite have that stellar history. However, George Wilson, 85, and Eric Gunning, 79, have contributed hugely to the existence and continuance of the club.
‘I have been involved since 1950,’ says Wilson. ‘The changes here have been dramatic of late. I played until I was 35 and then I went on to run the club with Eric. I was secretary and treasurer.’
Gunning says: ‘I sort of took over from George. My history goes back to playing with the under-18s in 1962. I also coached the first team for 10 years. We took over this place from the council 10 years ago and it is remarkable how so much has changed.’
Now honorary president, he welcomes the progression to the pyramid. This attitude is shared by a rival for the day,
David McGlone, historian and fan of Thistle, points out: ‘It’s an important day for the town. We have a team playing in the SPFL for the first time and we now have a derby in the West of Scotland League. YM and Thistle are not bitter rivals. We are almost on each other’s doorstep and we have guys who have played for both sides. We have even played bounce matches down the years. I wish them well, but not necessarily today.’
McGlone, 73, has been a Thistle fan since the club was revived. ‘Thistle folded in 1966 as the town awaited the arrival of Third Lanark that never came,’ he says. ‘I was at that first match against Bellshill Athletic in 1969 and I haven’t been too far away since.’
He adds: ‘I feel there has been a wee resurgence at Thistle of late and with YM joining what we used to call the seniors there is a bit of excitement in the town. The East Kilbride FC rise to prominence has been terrific and I go to watch them if Thistle are playing too far away.’
The next step, of course, is for an EKlasico in the SPFL. That, though, may be some way down the road in the town of a thousand roundabouts.
