Youngsters upforfresh challenge
East Kilbride’s development team will kick-off their league season away to Albion Rovers in the SPFL West League.
The Kilby squad, coached by Graeme Mullin, Craig Young and former pro Ally Graham, are the first non Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) side to take part in the division and will compete against eight other development teams from Scotland’s lower league clubs.
Joining them are Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Ayr United, Clyde, Morton, Queen of the South, Queen’s Park and Stranraer.
Games are played on Monday evenings and EK start the season at Cliftonhill against Rovers on August 21.
Coach Mullin said:“We are really excited to be playing in the league. It’s a big step up for the boys after excelling in the Lowland League last season.
“The club is really strong at under-17 and under-18 level as well, so this gives them a pathway to playing at SPFL level.
“The fact over-age players can play in the league means the younger ones will be playing a against more experienced players some weeks, so that will be really good for their development.
“Everyone’s really looking forward to it and I’m sure it will be a great test for us this season.”
Last season Kilby’s development team (U20s) won a domestic treble, claiming the league, league cup and knockout cup titles.
Their fixtures for this season are as follows (kick-off times are TBC):
AUGUST
21 - Albion Rovers (A)
SEPTEMBER
4 - QoS (H) 11 - Morton (A) 18 - Queen’s Park (H) 25 - Airdrie (A)
OCTOBER
2 - Stranraer (H) 9 - Ayr (A) 16 - Clyde (H) 30 - QoS (A)
NOVEMBER
6 - Morton (H) 13 - Queen’s Park 20 - Airdrie (H) 27 - Stranraer (A)
DECEMBER
4 - Albion Rovers (H) 11 - Clyde (A) 18 - Ayr (H)
JANUARY 2018
29 - QoS (H)
FEBRUARY
5 - Morton (A) 12 - Queen’s Park (H) 19 - Airdrie (A) 26 - Stranraer (H)
MARCH
5 - Albion Rovers (A) 19 - Ayr (A) 26 - Clyde (H)