East Kilbride Youth Club were graced by the presence of club legends as they rounded off a month of 50th anniversary celebrations in style.
Following their youth football festival at the start of the month, which saw 260 matches take place in one day, YC held their 50th annual presentation awards at the Ballerup Hall.
Led by their chairman Denny Byrne, the club were delighted and very proud to be joined on stage by past coaches, chairmen and club stalwarts like John Campbell, Arthur Murray, Bobby Mcleavy, Graham Dobbie, Ian McPake, Bobby Savage, George McCracken, Gerry Docherty, Robert McKinnon Snr and the club legend that is Mr John McSherry.
Club secretary Mark McCreadie said: “It was inspiring to see these past custodians be part of the club again and accept a specially designed commemorative medal for past services to the club.
“Their service dates back to 1974 for some of them – just five years after the club’s founding members, Ronnie Balloch, Jimmy Hunter, Jimmy Blyth and Willie Hendry began the club as Steadfast Boys Club.”
In the hall on the evening, three generations of players were also present like the McLeavy’s – Robert, Scott and Alex – and the McKinnon’s – Robert Snr, Robert and Aaron.
Mark added: “The club were honoured by these club legends’ presence and delighted for them to hand out the commemorative medals to every player and coach.
“Congratulations to all our players, our players of year winners and our long service award winners.
“The club salutes all the recipients of awards and thanks everyone associated with the EKYC for making the club what it is today.”
The prize winners on the night were as follows:
2007 – Player’s Player of the year: Luke Duffy
2007 – Coaches’ player of the year: Mike Lasley
2005 – Players’ player of the year: Keiron McLean
2005 – Coaches’ player of the year: Callum Kurlender
2004 – Players’ Player of the year: Sean Burns
2004 – Coaches’ player of the year: Matthew Alison
2003 – Players’ player of the year: Paul Joyce
2003 – Coaches’ player of the year: Joe Duffy
Long service awards for over 10 years service were awarded to players from the 2003 team, with Euan Wood, Connor Wilson, Craig Munro, Lewis Craig and Lewis Sidwell all honoured.
Special awards for services to the club were presented to Alan Foster and Colin Munro, both of whom played for the club under John McSherry and current chairman Denny Byrne.
They have since gone on to take a club team all the way through from fun fours to the under 17’s/2003 squad.
Finally, an extra-special presentation was made to current club treasurer Alex Lawrence for his 25 years of service to the club as coach and in his current role.
