Football tournament honours elder

East Kilbride interchurch football tournament

EAST Kilbride Old Parish Church, in conjunction with East Kilbride YM FC, held an interchurch football tournament in memory of former senior elder Angus McConnell.

Six local church teams entered, playing each other in a round-robin format, and about 70 primary school-aged boys and girls took part. International referee Bobby Madden, who is from East Kilbride, agreed to officiate.

The first-ever winners of the Angus McConnell Memorial Shield were a joint team from St Kenneth’s Primary School and St Bride’s Catholic Church, East Kilbride (pictured). The presentation was made by members of Angus’s family.

The memorial event was organised by East Kilbride Old’s children and families worker, Iain Shaw, who said it had been ‘a wonderful day of fun, football and food’.

“The weather was glorious sunshine and a large crowd of family, friends and church members turned out.

“Thanks are due to the committee of EK

YM for the use of the pitch, supplying all the children with a medal, and treating all players to a hot dog, drink, and other goodies at the end.

“Also, we wish to thank: the three match officials, Bobby Madden, David Roome and Craig Napier; the stewards; first aiders; team managers; and all those who helped in any way to make the day such a great success.

“Above all, thank you to the children who took part and had great fun. They were a great credit to themselves, their families and their church.”

The manager of the winning team, Mr McGinley, said: “It was a fantastic day, well organised and a delight to be part of. The team took their medals into school the next day to show their friends and the kids said it was the best day ever and can’t wait to defend their title next year.”

Angus McConnell, who died on February 15, two days after his 90th birthday, was involved in youth football at both national and local level for his entire life, having helped to found the Lanarkshire YMCA Youth League in 1961. He was a president of the Scottish Amateur Football Association youth committee and the Scottish Youth Football Association, chaired the East Kilbride Sports Council and had life membership of the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils.

In 2014 he was a Queen’s baton relay runner for the Commonwealth Games, and in 2016 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to sport.

A lifelong member of East Kilbride Old Parish Church, he celebrated his 60th anniversary as an elder in summer 2020. He also served as Presbytery Elder, attending many General Assemblies. A member of the Boys’ Brigade in his youth, he held the post of senior leader for 12 years. In the community, he was a Justice of the Peace and chair of the local twinning committee and a long-standing member of the Probus Club.

The pitch on which the memorial event took place was named in his honour. ¤