Reserve league boost
East Kilbride FC will again have representation in the SPFL this coming season – in the form of a Reserve side in the newly-created SPFL National Reserve League Two.
After a trophy-laden season in the U20 Lowland League in 2016/17, the 2017/18 season saw Kilby’s talented U20 team receive an invitation to the SPFL U20 Development League West. They competed admirably against teams like Morton, Queen of the South, Ayr Utd and Airdrie, finishing mid-table in a highly competitive division.
However, this summer saw the end of the SPFL U20 East and West Development Leagues and EK have secured a place in the new set-up for part-time teams, along with full-timers Raith Rovers and Livingston.
There will be no age restriction in the Reserve League, meaning first team bosses have greater scope to field young and experienced players together, in the hope of accelerating the younger players’development.
“It is really exciting being part of the forthcoming Reserve League, which is a throw-back to how senior football below first teams was traditionally played,”said East Kilbride Reserve coach, Graeme Mullin.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our season in the SPFL West U20 League, we won more games than we lost, competing brilliantly, and the likes of Liam Craig, Gavin Millar, Michael Anderson and Edin Lynch have all had significant first team involvement at K-Park as a result.
“The fact that we remain the only non-SPFL side involved in this league speaks volumes about the club’s ambition, infrastructure and performance last season.
“But this season will be even more about fast-tracking the prominent youth players into the Reserve side, which will have less of a“team”feel to it, with the scope for unlimited experienced players.”
Kilby’s home matches in the Reserve League are expected to be played at K-Park on Tuesday nights and Mullin is relishing the thought of facing some unfamiliar teams when the campaign begins.
He added:“Livingston, Berwick, Raith Rovers and Stirling Albion were not in our league last season, so it will be great to travel to their stadiums to play.
“The Reserve team now also gives our younger age groups a real pathway point to the first team and our youth department has never been healthier, with some very talented teams and players being very well coached at U19’s level and below.”