Arthurlie (Scotland)

Arthurlie FC is a Scottish football club from the former industrial manufacturing town of Barrhead, which is located thirteen miles southeast of Glasgow in Scotland. The club were formed in 1874, starting out life as a senior club, which enabled them to compete in the Scottish Cup from their Dovecothall base.

Arguably, the club's greatest result came in the cup in 1897 as Celtic were defeated 4-2. 'The Lie', as in Lee, were members of the Scottish League between 1901 and 1915. After World War I, the club didn't immediately rejoin, but became founder members of the Third Division in 1923, two years after moving into Dunterlie Park. 

They won the title at the first attempt and then had a few decent seasons in Division Two before financial troubles forced them to quit towards the end of the 1928-29 season. The club was soon reformed with the same name, and success soon followed.

They defeated Kirkintilloch Rob Roy to lift the 1936-37 Junior Cup, as well as winning the Central League decider against Shawfield. In September 1961, Neilston were hammered 10-1 in a league encounter and a decade later, Arthurlie opened their social club. The West of Scotland Cup was also won that season.

Other cup triumphs followed before the team lost in the Junior Cup Final in 1980-81 to Pollok. A trio of Central League Premier Division titles arrived at Dunterlie in 1987-88, 1888-89 and 1993-94 before lifting the Junior Cup for a second time as Pollok were defeated 4-0 at Fir Park, Motherwell in the 1997-98 final. Goals from Mark McLaughlin, Johnny Millar, Steven Convery and Steven Nugent secured the trophy for Jim McQuade's side.

Frank Lynch took over the managership for the 2000-01 season, winning the league at his first attempt before junior league reconstruction took place, which saw Arthurlie placed in the West Super League First Division. In 2003, promotion was won courtesy of a league title, with a League Cup also being added. 

However, Lynch's side were in big trouble in 2005 after midfielder Mark Ross was found guilty in a criminal court of assaulting the referee during the match with Auchinleck Talbot. The Scottish Junior FA punished the club for its lack of co-operation by fining it £3,000 and dishing out a hefty points deduction the following season. Lynch and his backroom team resigned.

Arthurlie just survived relegation the following campaign despite all the previous seasons' players leaving, with manager Gary Faulds with a monumental job. Faulds and his assistant Stevie Moore departed in December 2007 after a poor run of results to be replaced by Mark Cameron, who was initially assisted by Roland Fabiani and then former boss McQuade.

The management team departed during the 2010-11 season owing to personal reasons before new boss Sandy McLean led the team to a couple of cup triumphs. McLean left the following season with the team in dire relegation trouble, before the previous management team of Cameron, McQuade, and Duncan returned to lead the team to safety.

The 2014-15 season saw Gavin Duncan, who had been in sole charge of the team, resign, to be replaced by Craig McEwan, who lasted only a few months before he was succeeded by Robert Downs as the team avoided a relegation playoff on goal difference. Steve Kerrigan was appointed as manager in January 2016.

Chris Mackie was the next man in the managerial hotseat from December 2016, as again Arthurlie finished towards the bottom of the table. Billy Ogilvie came in as team boss in October 2017, as the team lost in the relegation playoffs. It was the final season of the competition, meaning the Lie went into the West Region Championship in 2018-19.

A fifth place was followed by two abandoned seasons, one of which Arthurlie did not compete in, which was in the Conferences devised by the newly formed SFA West of Scotland League to sort out who should play in each level thereafter. Duncan Sinclair was replaced by Andy McFadyen, who led the team to the Conference A title in 2021-22 to ensure a place in the Premier Division.

Craig Palmer took over as manager in July 2022 before he was replaced in March 2023 by Colin Reilly. The 2023-24 campaign saw Arthurlie relegated to the First Division, while reaching the final of the Junior Cup, where they went down 2-1 to Darvel. The team regrouped and went straight back to the Premier Division as champions.

Reilly departed in March 2025 to be replaced by William Dyer. While off the pitch, the club unveiled plans with supporters to leave Dunterlie Park to move to a new venue by the Crossmill Business Park, which the members voted overwhelmingly in favour of.

Artist's impression of the club's proposed new stadium

Arthurlie will compete in the West of Scotland Premier League in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Thursday 28th January 2010

It was the third of three days watching football, visiting clubs and socialising in Glasgow, and I wanted to complete my fine visit by seeing a few more stadiums. The morning had taken me to St Mirren, Benburb and Rangers, and I had returned to Glasgow Central with what I anticipated to be enough spare time to grab a snack and jump aboard the hourly train to Barrhead. 

I had not taken the size of the station into account, and I found myself rushing to find one of the minor platforms. On overhearing a chat between the guard and a passenger mentioning Greenock, my senses kicked in.

"Is this going to Barrhead?" I asked? "No, you want the one in front", was the reply. Owing to the lack of platforms, two trains went five minutes apart on the same line. Scottish pie and soup in hand, I just made my train before the doors shut, before I relaxed for the half-hour ride.

I arrived at my destination knowing I only had twenty minutes until it returned, or I would be there for a further hour. This would not have been ideal as I was heading to a couple more grounds as well as Hampden Park for a tour that afternoon. I knew that Dunterlie Park was virtually next door to the station, and I glimpsed it as we pulled in.

I was rapidly on my way down Carlibar Road, only to find a locked gate. I managed to see inside, but I continued around as the walls weren't too high, and a path allowed me to get some decent enough photos.

The only sizeable covered area was opposite, offering shelter to a central section of open terracing. At the top end, there was an overhang from the snack bar before the natural slope with open terracing led down to the pitch. The changing rooms and clubrooms were down the open side in the corner. The rest of the ground consisted of open, standing areas.

I dashed back to the station with a few minutes to spare to catch a train to Pollokshaws West and then a walk to see the home of Pollok FC.

Ashfield (Scotland)

Ashfield FC is a Scottish football club representing the area of the same name in the Possilpark district of north Glasgow. 'The Field' was formed in 1886, with its early history being steeped in success.

Within their first twenty-four years, the club had lifted the Scottish Junior Cup on four occasions. The first win came in 1893-94 Renfrew Victoria were defeated 3-0. The trophy was retained the following season once West Calder Wanderers were beaten after a replay. 

In 1904-05, Victoria were once again seen off before the 1909-10 final saw controversy. Holders Kilwinning Rangers won the game 1-0, but the match was ordered to be replayed after Field had protested. They went on to win the rematch 3-0.

During this period, the club became champions of the Glasgow Junior League on six occasions between 1905-05 and 1920-21. Progression followed to the Scottish Intermediate League, where another league title was collected in 1928-29.

Meanwhile, more honours were challenged for in the Scottish Junior Cup 1913-14 and 1920-21, the club reached the final but lost out to Larkhall Thistle and then Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. Honours were spread out, although a decent period in the early 50s, just before future Celtic Lisbon Lion Steve Chalmers had three years at Saracen Park.

The Central Junior League was won in 1952-53 and again in 1954-55. The C Division title in the same competition was collected in 1968-69. By this point, Ashfield had won the Glasgow Junior Cup on eleven occasions. Division Two of the Central League was won in 1990-91.

Once into the new millennium, Ashfield had an upturn in form after a fire at Saracen Park led to the club losing kits, equipment and club records. The team won the Central League Division Two in 2007, before winning promotion from Division One two seasons later.

Ashfield were crowned West Super League First Division champions under manager Steve Rankin in 2010-11, leading to a place in the Premier Division. The 'Field' were relegated at the end of the 2012-13 season. The club continued under manager Paul Maxwell from July 2018 until becoming members of the SFA West of Scotland League.

Initially, sides were placed in Conferences to determine which level they should play in the following season. Ashfield were placed in the seventh tier Division Two, with Michael Oliver being appointed as manager in June 2022. At this point, the club left Saracen Park, after a series of disputes with the owners, and moved to the Stepford Football Centre in Swinton.

While being a distance from their traditional home, lacking spectator facilities for their meagre support, the artificial pitch was a far superior option playing-wise, as the team won promotion to the First Division in 2022-23. However, after an initial promising campaign, Ashfield were relegated in 2024-25, with Peter Hill arriving as manager towards the end of the season.

Ashfield FC will play in the West of Scotland Second Division in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Saracen Park

Wednesday 27th January 2010

Having done some research on the Scottish Junior FA and looked into some of the clubs, I was determined to visit several during a three-day break in Glasgow, which was to also include getting to a couple of games, calling in at some league clubs and of course the obligatory socialising.

Ashfeld intrigued me as Saracen Park looked to be a decent venue. I found out that it doubled up as a speedway stadium, which was shared by the Glasgow Tigers team. It certainly looked to be one to visit, so after a morning of getting to five grounds and a quick call at Petershill to make it six, I walked for twenty minutes or so past wasteland along Carlisle Street and then into Hawthorn Street to the stadium's entrance.

I wandered in through an open gate past the Ashfield Bar. Two gents were working in the stand, and after a quick explanation and request, they allowed me to take some photos, although they weren't overjoyed by it. 

I was right. Saracen Park was a quirky old ground with lots of character. The Main Stand was an old raised seating deck with a few steps of terracing, which continued on either side. The far end had a cover to keep standing punters dry. Many outbuildings were scattered around the rest of the open arena, no doubt to cater for the speedway. 

There were also a few crush barriers scattered around with an occasional patch of terracing. I went on my way on the ten-minute walk to Ashfield station and eventually back to my digs for a pre-match sleep before heading off to the Celtic against Hibernian clash.

Pollok (Scotland)

Pollok FC are a non league, or to goive them the proper mantle a Scottish Junior FA club who are based in the Newlands district in the south of Glasgow. The club were formed in 1908, as a section of the Pollokshaws Working Lads Club.

When searching for a suitable home ground, the club were offered the use of some land on Pollok Eastate called Haggs Park by Sir John Stirling Maxwell. In an acknowledgement of his generosity the club adopted the same black and white colours as the heraldic shield of Pollok House. 

However after spending hundreds of pounds on Haggs Park the club were asked to leave during the 1926-27 season as the land was required by the Glasgow Education Authority.

Matches were played at Shawfield Junior's Roseberry Park home and the Queen Mary Tea Gardens in Spiersbridge. A new piece of land was secured on a lease from Messrs. Stevenson, McKellar Ltd., who ran Newlandsfield Works. 

A loan was secured to build a fence around the arena and to construct facilities. The new venue was ready for the start of the 1928-29 season. Pollok played intermediate football for several years before returning to junior status with 'Erry' Armstrong scoring over a hundred goals in one season.

In 1945 a crowd of 15,000 packed into Newlandsfield Park for the Scottish Junior Cup quarter final tie with Fauldhouse United. Many couldn't see but purchased a platform ticket for the adjoining raised Pollokshaws East station and watched from there. 

In 1948 the club were given an ultimatum to either buy the ground or leave it. After many scares the Pollokshaws Co-Operative Company Ltd came to the rescue offering a loan at very fair rates.

Several local cup competitions were collected over the seasons with 'The Lok' ambling along as a moderate junior club, but Pollok benefitted following the demise of nearby Third Lanark in 1967, as many fans decided to adopt them as their new club. 

A new clubhouse was opened at Newlandsfield Park in 1971 leading to improved finances and a period of success from the eighties onwards.

The Scottish Junior Cup was won in 1981 after a Norrie Fulton goal beat Arthurlie in front of 13,000 fans at Hampden Park. Five years later they returned to beat Petershill after a replay. 

In 1987 Lok lost the centenary final to Auchinleck Talbot, but that couldn't take away from a great period as Chic Charnley, Fraser Wishart, Sandy Stewart, Stewart Auld and Dougie Arnott all went on to progress and have successful senior careers.

After winning three Central League titles, latterly under Jim O'Donnell a third Junior Cup was collected in 1997 with a 3-1 win over Tayport at Fir Park before rivals Arthurlie inflicted a 4-0 defeat in the final the following season. 

O'Donnell called it a day after that and was replaced for a brief spell by Andy Dailly before former keeper Ronnie Lowrie took over. Junior football had been re-organised with Pollok being placed in the West Super League Premier Division. 

Lowrie's charges lifted the title in the 2002-03 season. The experienced Rab Sneddon was appointed as manager in 2004 and he led the team to three more league championships in 2005, 2007 and 2008. 

History was made during the 2007-08 season as junior clubs were allowed to enter the Scottish Cup for the first time. Montrose defeated Lok at Newlandsfield Park after a replay, which attracted almost 2,000 fans.

Sneddon resigned owing to work commitments in March 2010. His successor Willie Irvine only lasted a few months before John Richardson took over the reigns. The 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons saw Pollok narrowly avoid relegation.

However, the 2013-14 campaign was a disaster, with just a few players being retained and several off the field controversies with four different managers having spells in charge, blighting the club. The team were relegated to the West of Scotland Super League First Division.

Pollok showed great resilience in regrouping and returning to the top flight as champions at the first attempt under manager Tony McInally. The form continued the following campaign with a run in the Junior Cup all the way to the final at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.

Yoker Athletic, Royal Albert, Kennoway Star Hearts, Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, Kilbirnie Ladeside and Hurlford United were defeated, before the Lok went down 4-3 on penalties to Beith Juniors after the match had ended 1-1, with Robbie Winters netting for Pollok.

Pollok finished the 2016-17 Premier Division season with an eight place berth.

Pollok FC will compete in the SJFA West Super League Premier Division in the 2017-18 season.

My visits

Thursday 28th January 2010

Having been generally impressed by my visits to various Scottish junior set ups over the previous few days, I was looking forward to seeing my last for the time being. It had been a wonderful time in a great city and my plans had just about gone perfectly. The train deposited me at Pollokshaws West after my ride to Barrhead to see Loks great rivals, Arthurlie. A brisk walk soon had me on Newlandsfield Road outside the ground.

It was locked, but the low and mesh fencing allowed me some good views. It was interesting to note that the clubhouse behind the goal appeared to be doing a brisk trade on a lunchtime from its entrance from the street.

Newlandsfield Park was a no nonsense old fashioned football ground and I like what I saw. The dressing room block was in the corner by the turnstiles. Three sides had a few steps of open terracing with the final far side being double in size and covered by an almost full length roof. There wasn't a seat in sight or floodlights. Just what the petty ground graders of the English FA would think and why they have their daft stipulations was open to question.

After a brief walk up and down the main road to fill in a little time I went up the steps of Pollokshaws East station and gained another excellent view of the ground as I awaited my train to Mount Florida and my tour of Hampden Park.

My only regret as such was that I may struggle to fit in watching games at so many excellent venues, but you never know what's around the next corner!

Pollok 1 Glenafton Athletic 3 (Saturday 24^th February 2018) SJFA West Super League Premier Division (att: c550)

I’d flown to Glasgow from Southend the previous evening, going on to enjoy fine ales in the Bon Accord, The Griffin and State Bar meeting up with Karl and Guy who’d travelled up earlier from Yorkshire. We were also introduced to Karl’s cousin who lived in Paisley.

A good night had been had by all, with the weather getting very cold when we left the final pub. My mates were asking if I’d made my mind up about where I was heading the following day. They had tickets for Rangers v Hearts, but I fancied something different.

We met up again in The Counting House and I still hadn’t made up my mind while breakfasting or over beers while we chatted in the Horse Shoe. I was whittling the list down owing to distance and the fact that Scotland were taking England on at Murrayfield. I figured the trains would be packed in an easterly direction.

I was slightly tempted by the thought of the match at Camelon Juniors who were up against Carnoustie Panmure with a 1.30 kick off. Colin Williams, a friend from Hampstead CC had messaged me to say his brother was refereeing that clash.

After another beer in Ross’s I left my Ibrox bound pals to catch a bus north with the intention of heading to Maryhill v Cumbernauld United. I knew it was a good venue and easy to get to and from. I was also aware of reasonable nearby bars and the ground had a clubhouse.

I’m glad I checked Twitter as we reached Sauchiehall Street heading up the hill. The game was frozen off, along with my second choice; Shettleston v Troon. However, my third choice was still on, and Google Maps came to the rescue as I caught a bus back south.

We travelled down Kilmarnock Road to Shawlands for the encounter at Newlandsfield Park, or New Camp as the locals nicknamed it, between Pollok and Glenafton Athletic. The ride also gave me ideas for further drinking expeditions. There were certainly plenty of choices.

I’d been slightly reluctant to return to Newlandsfield Park as I knew that it often staged cup finals at the tail end of the season. That could have come in handy if I fancied a ride north in warmer climes, but I had no regrets as soon as I saw the size of the crowd gathering.

It really was an excellent football ground. Admission cost me £6, with the programme a further £1.50. It was a beautiful sunny day, but the temperatures were dropping all the time. I was certainly thankful for the 2pm kick off time.

My first port of call was the refreshment hut on the far side. A fine Scotch Pie set me back £1.40. Not full, I went for a steak pie and fantastic thick home made lentil soup for the combined price of £2.90. Junior football clubs certainly offered value for money.

A decent turn out of away fans had travelled up from Ayrshire, and congregated on the open side. I enjoyed most of the first half from the large cover before taking in the rest from behind the goal to enjoy the bright weather.

The match was typical juniors fare with plenty of passion involved while everyone got stuck into the referee Garry Doherty from an early stage. The nearside linesman was fighting a losing battle in asking both benches to stay clear of the touchline.

Pollok took the lead on eighteen minutes after Glenafton’s keeper Brian McGarrity spilled a low thirty yard free kick from Adam Forde with Stefan McCluskey following up to square for skipper Paul Gallacher to tap into the empty net.

‘Lok continued to have the majority of the play but couldn’t build on their lead against a resolute Athletic rear guard whose side began to have moments of their own on the offensive. I had a walk at the interval and positioned myself in the corner near the Lok Club.

The hosts were tricky enough going forward, but the break up in their play in the final third was frustrating the home fans. Glenafton were getting more and more into the match, so it was no real surprise when they gained parity on sixty five minutes.

A pin point Connor Lynas cross into the area was met by an excellent free header from substitute Michael McCann. Just three minutes later Gallacher allowed his man to get the wrong side of him as a free kick was slung into the box.

Referee Doherty had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, with Chris Dallas giving Jordan Longmuir no chance in the Lok net. The home teams tried to press for an equaliser, but they looked susceptible on the break.

The killer blow came in the closing stages as Longmuir controlled a back pass and attempted to clear. Unfortunately for him, Dallas had made ground and charged the ball down, with it ricocheting into the goal.

The locals weren’t happy as I went round the corner at full time to catch a bus back to Bath Street. My afternoon improved further as I cashed out on my fixed odds bet and won £80. Decent results for Scarborough Athletic and Hendon also helped.

I returned to the Easy Hotel to have a nod while listening to Scotland defeat England in the Calcutta Cup before meeting my happy pals in Jackson’s. Rangers had won to put the icing on the cake. The atmosphere proved to be brilliant all evening.

We went on to enjoy drinks in The Pot Still, Drum & Monkey, Horse Shoe, The Royal Scot, Imperial Bar and the Bon Accord with every pub busy and exuding a great atmosphere. It was a pleasure to be out in a great city with top company.

We didn’t bother looking for a late night establishment and just settled for supper before heading our separate ways. I was on a train at 9.37am the following day to go and watch Aberdeen v Celtic.

I love Glasgow!