Giffnock Soccer Centre is celebrating plans to open brand new facilities after receiving £250,000.
The vital funding from Foundation Scotland is set to enable the club to work towards the construction of two new pitches at its recently opened GSC Auldhouse facility in the Southside of Glasgow.
It comes as the club has experienced a significant increase in demand for its activities post-Covid and have been on the lookout for opportunities to expand.
The 3G synthetic turf areas will mean more classes and clubs for all generations and abilities.
The base, on Thornliebank Road in Glasgow, currently welcomes ages four to 74 each week to take part in sports.
Committee member Fergus Reid opened up about why it is so important to the community that the hub can provide something for everyone.
The 48-year-old, from Newton Mearns, told the Glasgow Times: “The mantra of the club is ‘football for all’ so it is important that players with different ages and abilities can receive the same experience here.
“With the cost-of-living crisis and Covid it has been hard for us, so this money will make a huge difference.
“Community sport is essential for the area and it helps with physical and mental health.
“I have been talking to the community and it is clear there is a lack of good facilities at the moment but now we can make the centre a good base for everyone.”
Giffnock Soccer Centre was established by a small group of parents over 27 years ago but now has more than 1300 people taking part in the organisation.
The same families remain heavily involved and are now supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and freelance coaching staff.
It has grown to become Scotland’s largest grassroots football club and was previously crowned Scottish Football Association’s Best Community Football Club.
All activities are specifically designed to support the physical and mental health needs for all local people.
This includes mini-kickers for age three upwards, a girls’ team, a boys' team, women’s football, over 35s, an additional support needs team and the recently added walking football for older adults.
Chris Holloway, head of social investment at Foundation Scotland, said: "We’ve been working closely with the team at Giffnock Soccer Centre since 2019 and we’re thrilled that they have reached this exciting stage in their development.
“There is strong and growing demand for well-managed grassroots football activities in Glasgow and surrounding areas.
“The £250,000 investment from Foundation Scotland will enable GSC to increase its reach to many more local people of all ages and all abilities, supporting the physical and mental health needs of the whole community at a time when it’s never been needed more.
"We will continue to support the team at Giffnock throughout the development of these important new facilities and can’t wait to come along to the first matches on the new pitches next year."
Jim Docherty, chairman of Giffnock Soccer Centre, added: "The contribution of Foundation Scotland and our other funders will allow us to unlock the potential of our facility at GSC Auldhouse.
“The creation of a new charity - the GSC Foundation - will be the centrepiece of the site to deliver social inclusion support alongside the local area.
“We have exciting plans to make GSC Auldhouse a ‘home for all’ and this financial support makes all the difference."
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