East Kilbride is the largest town in South Lanarkshire, which lies on high ground on the south side of the Cathkin Braes, about 8 miles southeast of Glasgow. East Kilbride grew from a small village with less than one thousand inhabitants to Scotland's first new town in May 1947, which now has a population of almost 75,000 amongst its subdivided residential precincts.
The town takes its name from St Bride, an Irish saint who founded a monastery for nuns and monks in Kildare, Ireland in the 6th century. Dál Riatan monks introduced her order to Scotland
East Kilbride FC formed in 2010, launched by two former Old Firm players, John Hartson and John Brown, with the aim of bringing senior football to one of Scotland's largest towns. The new club came about with the merger of Jackton Boys Club and Stewartfield FC, with local clubs EK Diamonds and EK Wanderers, later incorporated into the structure. The original East Kilbride club was founded in 1871, playing in early rounds of the Scottish Cup before folding by the end of the 19th century.
Scottish Amateur Football League 2010 - 2013
Division 2 Champions: 2011–12
Division 1 Champions: 2012–13
Lowland League (Founder members) 2013 - 2025
Champions (4): 2016–17, 2018–19, 2023–24, 2024–25
EK won promotion to the Scottish 42 by beating Highland League winners Boroa Rangers in the two-legged play-off semi-final (4-1H 3-3A) then defeating League 2 bottom placed club Bonnyrigg Rose in the final. (3-1H 0-0A)
Ross Commercial Finance Stadium
K-Park
Calderglen Country Park,
East Kilbride,
G75 0QZ
K-Park was opened in May 2011 by the East Kilbride Community Trust (EKCT), with former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist (who is from the town) officially opening the first phase of the new facility on 25 September 2011.
Only half the ground is in use. There’s a seating stand running down one side, with the changing rooms in the corner. The team benches are opposite and there’s a covered terrace behind the goal, which is allocated to away supporters.
East Kilbride 1 Spartans 3
Scottish League Two Matchday 1
3pm ko
Att.TBC
Spon:
Admission £15
Cumberland sausage subs (x2) and a can of Irn Bru £14
(What a rip-off - there wasn’t even any onions)
Mark Stowe capitalised on a slack back pass, then hit a superb strike into the top corner of the net to set Spartans up to an opening day away win. An entertaining game with both sides creating chances throughout the ninety minutes.
8’ 0-1 Cammy Russell
16’ 1-1 Keir Foster
29’ 1-2 Mark Stowe
38’ 1-3 Mark Stowe
89’ RED CARD Cammy Russell (Spartans)
#Heedhopper
152 miles door-to-door
0849 train Newcastle to Edinburgh (return on 1903)
Total Scottish football grounds visited 129
Re-completed Scottish 42
My pal James picked me up at 1.15 for the road trip via the M8 to East Kilbride. Beforehand I had a couple of pints in The Chanter and Ryrie’s Bar, avoiding the city centre which was crammed for the start of the Fringe Festival.
The traffic was kind on the return route, so I was back in Edinburgh by six, which allowed plenty of time for a drink in the Sandy Bells before the train home.
