The club played in several junior leagues over the years. It is thought that Bellshill became the first club in the UK to have shirt sponsorship, with The Derby Hotel emblazened across the players chests in the 1973-74 season.
Just before the club celebrated their centenary they moved to a new ground in the Hattonrigg area of the town. Unfortunately a dispute broke out with the ground's owner so they were enforced to depart after a few years. Athletic shared grounds with Blantyre Victoria before they sought permission to use the Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex in their home town.
Athletic have competed in many different divisions in the West Region, but have never lifted the Junior Cup as yet. The club as of 2009-10 are playing in the Premier Division until suffering relegation at the end of that season.
Robert Downs took over as team manager in December 2012 as the club moved home grounds to share Fullarton Park with Vale of Clyde in the east end of Glasgow.
Bellshill Athletic FC will play in the SJFA Central District First Division in the 2014-15 season.
My visit
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Tuesday 26 January 2010
I called into Bellshill after my visiting Motherwell on a visit up to the Glasgow area. I had my map at the ready to find the Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre as I only had thirty minutes before the next train would forward me to Cambuslang.
I was a little behind schedule as I failed to see the exit at the more convenient side of the station. However I was soon on track and going along Main Street. I could see the centre in front of me. I walked up the side and soon came across West End Park. It was extremely basic in facilities. The pitch consisted of an up to date artificial surface and was surrounded by a railing and hard standing. The grounds perimeter fencing was high green netted wire fencing.
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