Bellshill Athletic F.C.
| Full name | Bellshill Athletic Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Hill | ||
| Founded | 1897 | ||
| Ground | Rockburn Park Bellshill | ||
| Manager | David Lilley | ||
| League | West of Scotland League Central District First Division | ||
| 2015–16 | West of Scotland Super League First Division, 13th (relegated) | ||
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Bellshill Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. It plays in the SJFA West Super League First Division.
History
The history of the club can be traced back as far as 1897 when Bellshill Athletic were founded as a Juvenile club who played at Hawthorn Park. After two successful years as a Juvenile club, Athletic transferred to Junior level. The area had three other clubs at this time - Bellshill Thistle, Mossend Celtic and Mossend Brigade.
The club's early years had it based at many homes. These included Orbiston Park, Douglas Park and Brigade park. The club's previous ground, Brandon Park, was officially opened in 1903 in a friendly against Blantyre Victoria in the month of August that year. On the club's centenary year, they were then based at a new location, New Brandon Park, in the Hattonrigg area of the town. However, due to legal matters with the owner, the club were forced to abandon the ground and, after a brief stint in Blantyre, were permitted to move temporarily to the local Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex.[1] After this agreement expired, the club entered a groundsharing arrangement with Vale of Clyde at their Fullarton Park ground in Tollcross, Glasgow for the 2011–12 season.[2] In 2015, the club plan to return to Bellshill, firstly at Rockburn Park, before moving to a new community facility in 2017.[3]
The largest crowd seen in the clubs history was around about 10,000 people who witnessed a Scottish cup sixth round tie against St Roch's. The game ended in a victory for St Roch's.
Bellshill Athletic also have the little-known fact of being the first UK side to have a sponsor on their shirt. Original evidence points to Hibernian having this honour but it was Bellshill Athletic who had it in place in 1973–74 season. The photo of the squad with the shirt can be viewed in The Derby Inn, a local bar in Bellshill, which is also the sponsor.
Bellshill have played at Junior level since 1899, with an exception of a short spell (1927–1931) during which they played in the Intermediate League. As Juniors they have played in four different leagues: The Lanarkshire League, The Scottish League, Abercorn League and the present Rockware Super League. The club were to suffer relegation from the Stagecoach Super League Premier Division in season 2009-10.
The club also has an Amateur team as of 2016; this team although relatively new still managed to persuade Scottish football legend and style icon Richy McGuigan to be the team captain. As of June 2015 McGuigan has been recognised internationally for his attributes in the football and also wise cracking banter world. The club prides itself on having the joint heaviest management team in football with the "manager" weighing just over 32 stone and the assistant who is also a bad Robbie Williams impersonator is only 1/2 a stone lighter but 3 of those stone are hair gel.
References
- ^ Uncertain future for Athletic local.stv.tv/Bellshill, 10 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011
- ^ New home for Athletic local.stv.tv/Bellshill, 15 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Athletic unveil plans to return to Bellshill". Motherwell Times. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.