AN EAST Renfrewshire football club has secured a place in the West of Scotland Football League for next season.

Giffnock SC took to social media to say they are “delighted” that by season 2023/24 they’ll be competing in the WOSFL.

The club will inherit the existing senior squad and staff from Govan-based Harmony Row FC.

In a video clip shared to social media, Giffnock SC vice-chairman Niall MacKay said: “I’m very happy to say that nine months after we started talking, it’s now been confirmed that Harmony Row will become GSC in the West of Scotland League from August next year.”

“Well, about a year ago, we started talking to…Harmony Row senior squad. They were homeless at the time.

"It made sense to try and strike up a relationship all because we want to get the partnership and pathway fully completed for the boys' side.”

 

 

MacKay went on to say: “The senior team will play in the West of Scotland [League], which we’re delighted to have. This also opens the doors for the under 20s development team to become a feeder into that team as well as the amateur sides.

"Now, to come down on match day, what we’re hoping is that younger kids will be excited to see the senior team wearing the same top, their wearing the same strip, and pester their parents to say, ‘can we go watch the senior team today dad, cause one day I want to play for them’.

Also featuring in the video announcement was Keith Gibson, coach of the club's senior team, who added: “Giffnock is a very forward looking club. We’re got a fantastic facility here, which is being developed. But as it stands existing facilities are amazing.”

Adding: “What we’re keen to do is to build a real club atmosphere where you’re taking your kids to play football in the morning with Giffnock, and there’s facilities here for having lunch and then to stay around to watch the game with us at the home in the afternoon.”

Last year the club struck a 'site swap' deal with Hutchesons' Grammar School which saw GSC take on a 60-year lease for the grass pitches and pavilion at Auldhouse, off Thornliebank Road, with the school in return taking control of the football club's former base at the Norwood playing fields in Dumbreck.

GSC also plans to create two new 3G pitches at the Auldhouse site.