St Cadoc’s are delighted to join the new West of Scotland League

And the club has thanked the new league for considering them worthy of membership and for all their hard work putting the league together.

In a statement, St Cadoc’s YC say: “We are pleased to have demonstrated to the league and those assessing the application the broad bandwidth of service offering the club now provides along with the community benefits.

“Entry to the new league provides the opportunity for us to test ourselves at a higher level than we have ever played and make many more new friends along the way.

“We have already made friends with St Anthony’s who are being kind enough to share their home with us – thank you so much!

“Such helpfulness and support of their peers is a great example of the conduct expected of those in the new league and we would like to acknowledge it.

“When we have a home of our own, we would only be too happy to support a new member in the same way that St Anthony have with us.”

The club has announced that Johnny Millar will manage the Senior team. Johnny has had tremendous success in the Junior game, notably at Beith where he won numerous trophies in two spells at the club including The Scottish Cup.

Johnny will be joined by Derek Rhoddan as his assistant, plus Steven Convery and Mark McLaughlin as first team Coaches.

The club are thrilled to secure the services of a management team with such skills and experience across football.

St Cadoc’s added it was important to acknowledge those who had contributed to their journey, particularly the leagues they are currently playing in.

The club’s statement goes on: “Graham Vance and all at ERSDA have done so much for so many, including ourselves, and any success we have is a success for the ERSDA league who do so much to support kids community clubs.

“Also, to the Paisley & District League, your support has helped shape a number of our young footballers into the players they are today.

“Thanks also to our colleagues at East Renfrewshire Council and East Ren Culture and Leisure Trust, who work tirelessly for the good of the community, the game and sport and inclusion in general.

“We take massive inspiration from their knowledge, efforts and outcomes.

“Thank you to the SYFA and SFA. These bodies have supported our club, our East Ren neighbours and clubs throughout the country in a manner that we appreciate and are grateful for.

“Our greatest thanks is directed to the entire East Renfrewshire community, and especially our heartland of Newton Mearns, Clarkston, Giffnock and Barrhead.

“We are your club. You make us proud and we aim to return the favour.

“At this exciting time for the club may we ask all associated with us to bring to mind the clubs humble beginnings. David Jones, the founder, on his first day as the janny at St Cadoc’s Primary School, started a school team in the late 70s. His teams were often very good, with the high point perhaps winning the mini World Cup three years in a row in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

“Subsequently Mark Thomson, who developed a school team into a community club with over 1000 players during his 15 year tenure (11 as chairperson) at the start of this century.

“SCYC believes the only appropriate way to show respect for the work done by Mr Jones, Mark Thomson and the countless families who helped them along the way is for us to continue where they left off.

“We ask you all to join us in thanking both families when we can eventually have a party!

“Our goals around inclusion, excellence and fun are testimony to the foundations these two men put in place over the last five decades. These goals will always continue to be fundamental to the club.

“Meantime we ask you all to join us on the journey!”