Maryhill FC and Summerston YFC: A Local Partnership
Maryhill FC are delighted to announce a new footballing partnership with crack local club Summerston YFC. Talks were held yesterday morning between Maryhill manager, Ross Wilson, President Thomas Drew, and David Wright, Chairman of Summerston.
The tie-in will see Summerston play as Maryhill FC Under-20s in the new Lowland Development League, which will start up in the new season. However, all parties reckon the main beneficiaries of the new initiative will be the communities of Maryhill and Summerston. Mr Drew said: “This is fantastic for both clubs, and also for our community. It will bring us all closer together and give kids something big to aim for. It is also something we have been looking to get involved in for a couple of years now, but the time seems perfect right now, and we can’t wait to get started.”
Maryhill gaffer Ross Wilson added: “I’m delighted with this partnership. It’s a step in the right direction for our club and a massive step for the local community. There will be benefits for both clubs, but I see our club as offering a pathway for local kids. Summerston are a really well-run outfit but this gives their players who may be in their late teens a stepping stone into senior football. We recently joined the senior West of Scotland League, something which excited me, but this tie-in with Summerston has taken that excitement to another level. We will be working closely with Summerston to develop some of their exciting young players, which will be mutually beneficial to both clubs.”
Summerston YFC, which recently dropped their boys club moniker, operate at five different age groups and have more than 100 boys playing for their various teams. Chairman David Wright has been with the club for seven years, but admitted this initiative had come along at exactly the right time for his club. He said: “When I first came on board we ran two teams, and had just over twenty players, so we’ve grown exponentially year on year. We’ve won four leagues and various cups – but that’s genuinely not the be all and end all for us. We have some great kids on our books, and it’s pleasing to watch them grow into talented players. We like to think we offer them something worthwhile to do with their time. With this partnership, we can continue to grow our club and that in turn benefits the local community. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids from Maryhill and Summerston to be a part of something really meaningful. We have many underprivileged kids at our club, who perhaps don’t have as many opportunities as others, but everyone is equal at our club, and with Maryhill having just joined the senior ranks, the possibilities are now endless for our youngsters. There was talk of our clubs forming a partnership a few years ago, but I feel now is the right time. We’re ready for it and want to make the most of it. We are happy to play under the Maryhill FC banner. It will be good for our club, for our players and hopefully for Maryhill as well.”
If you have kids who would like to start playing football, Summerston YFC run teams at Under-17, Under-16 and Under-15 level, as well as 2008s and 2011s. They have also recently joined forces with a very good amateur side, who now play under the Summerston banner. Contact David Wright on 07826 081650 for more details.