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The expansion of newly formed East Kilbride Youth and Men’s Club (EKYMC) continues with East Kilbride Thistle Girls this week joining its ranks.

The merger ensures a clear pathway is now in place for under-9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 girls who can develop their love of football without having to leave the club.

At EKYMC’s Executive Committee meeting on Monday,  representatives from East Kilbride Thistle Girls’ - Billy Ritchie and John Inglis - were voted onto the committee.

A spokesperson for EKYMC said: “East Kilbride Thistle Girls are without doubt the largest and most successful girls club in the town and their decision to join the new community club is a massive boost for everyone concerned.” 

An East Kilbride Thistle Girls spokesperson said: “East Kilbride Thistle Girls, who were formerly known as East Kilbride Girls Football Club, have been established for thirty years and have championed girls’ football in the town.

“The club has had a great deal of success over the years with players and former players representing Scotland, and the Club has also won many league trophies and in 2012 the Scottish Cup.

“The club have been very impressed by the progress EKYMC have made since being formed and share the ambitions of promoting football in East Kilbride for adults, boys and girls.

“Therefore the club have decided to join EKYMC in order to work with others who share our ideals and in particular working towards achieving a resource hub where all our players can train and play.”

East Kilbride Young Men’s FC, formed in 1936, and East Kilrbride Youth Club, formed in 1969, came together to create EKYMC following support from the Scottish FA who saw the potential to create a player pathway from youth into the adult game.

The club hold Quality Mark Community and Disability status.

Quality Mark is a prestigious seal of recognition for such things as the level of coaching, governance and youth development within the club. There are three levels – development, community and legacy which are all indicators of the level of quality the club has.

Next up for the club is a project to create a hub for their 500 players and coaches with a site at Showpark in East Kilbride being explored.  A meeting has been planned with South Lanarkshire Council to discuss the proposals.