The first Eclasico. That is a surprisingly enough idea when one of the clubs, YM, was already formed in 1921. But under a sun borrowed from the Mediterranean Sea for the day, two East Kilbride teams played their first competitive derby.
Witness by 303 paying fans – and an army of children – it was blessed with six goals and was played in a spirit that threatens to give Fitba a good name.
It also spoke what the pyramid can do for the game in this country. Last week it was adjusted to split the Lowland League and increase suspicions that only three people now understand the restructuring. One died, one has gone crazy and the other has forgotten it.
The changes mean that from 2026-27 the Champions of Lowland League West, Lowland League East and the Highland League play in a Round-Robin tournament to qualify for a play-off with the Bottom team in the SPFL for the right to promotion.
East Kilbride is the ideal place to investigate all this because a side – East Kilbride FC – made a debut in the SPFL on Saturday.
A side – East Kilbride YM – debuted in western Scotland League.
And another – East Kilbride Thistle – is male connects to a choir from the miracle years of the 1980s, in particular the Scottish Junior Cup victory in 1983.
Kirktonholme Park, host for Eclasico, was a physical example of what the pyramid can do. A pristine artificial pitch, a cozy small stand and a club and a cafe that caused fans was created by hard work and securing subsidies from local authorities and the Scottish FA.
The SFA is routinely bindered, but 1,000 people who play football at Kirtonholme have reason to thank them for their contribution to a fine facility.
“We have 10 adult teams with around 250 players,” says Graeme Robertson. “The Charity Trust that runs next to the club has 16 teams with around 750 registered players.”
Robertson, 59, is YM team manager, chairman and treasurer plus secretary of the Community Trust. He came to the YM more than 30 years ago to train to play in the local police team. He was tempted to play for the YM. Now the club has retired, the club takes most of its time.
Fortunately it is a family affair. His son, including Graeme, is assistant manager and his other son, Billy, works behind the scenes, usually in fundraising activities.
In the tenth level of Scottish football, money is an urgent issue. Robertson states that YM had 'happiness' to secure subsidies when they were available. The artificial pitch has been an extraordinary success. The footstep on the club has increased considerably.
But he points out that the budget is carefully checked. “Nobody is paid in the club,” he says. 'We are all volunteers. The players are also not paid, but again, they had to pay £ 40 a month to play when we were an amateur side and now pay nothing. '
He adds: 'We did not know which crowds we would attract. We are pleasantly surprised. '
The history of Robertson in the club includes a period in which the YM Graeme Junior had in goal, Billy in midfield and Dad at the front.
It is now a larger operation. There is already busy space and the club is looking at plans to install five-a-side pitches.
“We never stand still,” says Robertson. “We want to improve the ground and use what space we have.”
He points out that Kirktonholme has become a social hub. He has fallen with other volunteers for most days, but the club is determined to be a functioning part of the community.
'For Christmas, for example, we do a High Tea for care houses and pensioners. We show that it is a great life for four days and it is always booked. '
Robertson's first function is currently to thrive in the WOSFL. His side goes down three before he fights back to draw. It was a time for heroes and they got up.
The Scottish football is full of heroes. Most are quiet, modest and from the local variety. A chat with Joe Reilly quickly lets you understand his contribution to Thistle and the YM.
Reilly was a captain and goal scorer when Thistle won the Scottish in Ibrox in 1983. He also played for Cumnock when they won the Scottish one. He finally played for YM as an amateur, 40 years old. This information is not given in any sense of self -promotion.
“The game has changed completely, not just in the way it is played,” he says. “I hardly recognize some names in the pyramid system.”
At 69 he now plays walking with football and looks at the strange game. Saturday was a special occasion for him because he has history with both clubs.
He remembers with a lot of motion from the Scottish when Thistle Bo'ness beat Ibrox 2-0.
“We immediately went back to the park and then someone said that many pubs and clubs wanted to see the cup,” he says. “We stacked in taxis and went around the city. The taxis sat outside with their meters. The drivers must have earned a fortune.
'As a captain I was entrusted to keep the cup safe, but it was led around the gamblers to drink something of it. It was chaos, but we didn't lose it. '
The YM legends do not have that great history completely. However, George Wilson, 85 and Eric Gunning, 79, have contributed enormously to the existence and continuation of the club.
“I've been involved since 1950,” says Wilson. 'The changes here have been dramatic lately. I played until I was 35 and then I started running the club with Eric. I was secretary and treasurer. '
Gunning says: 'I took over from George a bit. My history goes back to playing with the Under-18s in 1962. I also coached the first team for 10 years. We took over this place from the council 10 years ago and it is remarkable how much has changed. '
Now honorary president, he welcomes the progression to the pyramid. This attitude is shared by a rival for the day,
David McGlone, historian and fan of Thistle, points out: 'It is an important day for the city. We have a team in the SPFL for the first time and we now have a derby in western Scotland League. YM and Distel are not bitter rivals. We are almost at the door and we have boys who have played for both parties. We have even played bounce matches over the years. I wish them the best, but not necessarily today. '
McGlone, 73, has been a Distelfan since the club has been revived. “Thistle folded in 1966 when the city was waiting for the arrival of the third Lanark that never came,” he says. “I was on that first match against Bellshill Athletic in 1969 and since then I have not been too far away.”
He adds: 'I feel that there has been a small revival lately and with YM what we used to call the seniors, there is a bit of excitement in the city. The Eastern Kilbride FC Rise to Prominence has been great and I will keep an eye on them when Thistle plays too far away. '
The next step is of course for an Eclasico in the SPFL. However, that can be on the road in the city of a thousand roundabouts.