Yoker Athletic (Scotland)

Yoker Athletic FC

Ground: Holm Park

Capacity: 1,200

Club Founded: 1886

League: West of Scotland League Second Division - 8th Tier (current level)

‘Whe Ho’, as Yoker is nicknamed, has a proud history in the Junior set-up before the club followed the trend, joining the new West of Scotland League in 2021.

Club History

Junior Cup Winners

Yoker lifted the Scottish Junior Cup in 1932-33, defeating Tranent Juniors 4-2 at Hampden Park after a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle Park in the final. Three years later, the club were competition runners-up after losing out to Benburb by the only goal in the replay, with both games being played at Hampden.

After a long period without any major honours, the Central League Division Two title was delivered to Holm Park in 1988-89. After a later relegation, the championship win was repeated under manager John Brogan. This came after Clydebank began to share Holm Park at the council-owned venue. 

Upgraded Holm Park

The following season, Yoker went up once more as runners-up. Back in the retitled second-level Championship, Yoker consolidated before narrowly avoiding relegation in 2016-17. The team went down a couple of seasons later after Peter McKenna and Tommy Montgomery had taken over as joint managers from Maurice George.

A new artificial pitch and infrastructure improvements at Holm Park were completed to turn it into a modern venue to be shared with Clydebank, which included a new pavilion and social club.

SFA Member

The club became an affiliate member of the SFA and joined the newly formed West of Scotland League. Their performance in Conference C in 2021-22 saw the side placed in the Second Division the following season when Gordon Robertson took over as manager. 

Yoker also reached the final of the Junior Cup that same season, going down 2-0 to Auckinlech Talbot at Rugby Park. 'Whe Ho' were relegated to the Third Division at the end of the 2024-25 season, leading to the appointment of Stevie McFaul as manager, who led them to promotion twelve months later.

My visit

Stadium Visit - Monday 30th September 2013

I was in Glasgow and its surrounding areas for a couple of days' relaxation and to visit as many new venues as possible. It was a bright, early autumn afternoon, and my plans were on schedule as the train arrived in Yoker after changing at Partick.

The immediate area was dominated by 1960s tower blocks containing low-cost housing. I cut across the grass between them and onto Dumbarton Road, where I crossed over and approached Holm Park.

The venue had seen better days, but was perfectly suited for the club's requirements. An ornate stand stood down the far touchline with terracing on either side. Opposite also had a few crumbling steps and open grass, as did the far goal. The entrance end contained the changing rooms and the clubhouse in the corner.

Having taken my photos, I took advantage of the portable food outlet at the end of Dock Street. It looked like trade was sparse as it was a Bank Holiday north of the border. My bacon baguette and cup of tea went down a treat and gave me renewed energy as I waited on the barren station platform, awaiting my next train towards Alexandria.