St Andrew's Amateur Football Club
Some famous people who lived in Milton include footballers Frank McAvennie (Celtic and West Ham) and Kenny Dalglish (Celtic and Liverpool) - whose first team was called “Milton Milan”, so football is obviously on the local agenda in a big way.
Our football ministry predominantly seeks to make contact with people, develop relationships and provide pastoral care and support, centred around playing football on Saturday mornings; midweek training to target health, fitness and develop skills; and social activities and events where we can chat about life on and off the pitch.
Being involved with the football team is just one way for the church to be active in the community in a real and relevant way, sharing in the lives of those involved, in terms of players, supporters and their families. It is real blessing to show God's love and affirm the value and potential in every person involved.
The team was originally set up in 2002 by Darren Darlow (right of picture), and was birthed in the westend of Glasgow from initially playing 5-aside football with young people from the local community. As those involved from both church and the community passed the word to friends who shared their passion for the beautiful game, new members joined and the team grew numerically as well as in strength and skill.
With consistent effort from the management team, Darren Darlow - Team Manager, Russell MacGregor - Team Coach (left of picture) and Iain MacRitchie - Hon. Captain and Sponsor (centre picture), and others committed to the vision for this work the team has flourished.
Having joined the Strathclyde Evangelical Churches League in September 2004 in the 3rd Division, the team and are now into their third season of Division 2.
This year, our end of season day away and presentations took place on a boat on Loch Lomond against the backdrop of the most amazing scenery. This was the 4th year in a row that Graham Cuthbert (formerly 'he of the flowing locks') picked up the Player of the Year Award.
Home ground is St. Augustine in Milton on a new 3g astro pitch. For further details, 2009/10 season has been a difficult one for the team with a poor start but things are coming together well and at this point of the season with 4 games to go we are sitting first 4 points ahead of the rest. Long may this continue.
check out the SECL website, contact darren@standrewsmethodist.com or check out Darren's Blog.
