Bellshill Athletic F.C.

History

The history of the club can be traced back as far as 1897 when Bellshill Athletic were founded as a Juvenile club who played at Hawthorn Park. After two successful years as a Juvenile club, Athletic transferred to Junior level. The area had three other clubs at this time - Bellshill Thistle, Mossend Celtic and Mossend Brigade. On 6 August 1902 Bellshill merged with another local club, Clydesdale Wanderers, to form Bellshill & Clydesdale United. This new club only lasted for two seasons before folding, meanwhile a new Bellshill Athletic had been set-up in 1903 and this is the club that still exists today.

In 1975, Andrew Goodwin secured a four figure deal with The Derby Inn (a pub in Mossend), making Bellshill Athletic the first football club in Britain to wear sponsors on their shirts.

The club's early years had it based at many homes. These included Orbiston Park, Douglas Park and Brigade park. The club's previous ground, Brandon Park, was officially opened in 1903 in a friendly against Blantyre Victoria in the month of August that year. On the club's centenary year, they were then based at a new location, New Brandon Park, in the Hattonrigg area of the town. However, due to legal matters with the owner, the club were forced to abandon the ground and, after a brief stint in Blantyre, were permitted to move temporarily to the local Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex. After this agreement expired, the club entered a groundsharing arrangement with Vale of Clyde at their Fullarton Park ground in Tollcross, Glasgow for the 2011–12 season. In 2015, the club moved back to Bellshill at Rockburn Park, while planning to move to a new community facility at Bellshill Academy.

Professional footballer Hughie Gallacher also started his playing career at Bellshill Athletic, before becoming the last person to captain Newcastle United to a top division title. Billy Moffatt was another who started his playing career at Bellshill Athletic.

Bellshill have played at Junior level since 1899, with an exception of a short spell (1927–1931) during which they played in the Intermediate League. As Juniors they have played in four different leagues: the Lanarkshire League, the Scottish League, the Central League and the present West Region. The club were relegated from the Stagecoach Super League Premier Division in season 2009–10.

Bellshill Athletic achieved promotion with managers Dean Muir and Neely Rowatt from the West of Scotland Football League Division 3 in 2024. The joint management team reached back-to-back Scottish Junior Cup quarter-finals losing out at home to Glenafton and Arthurlie, before stepping down at the end of December 2024.

On the 9th of January 2025, Johnny Fallon is appointed the club's manager. On the 28th of December 2026 Kieran McGuinness is the full time manager on an 18 month contract.

Current squad

Honours

Lanarkshire League Cup

• Winners: 1916-17, 1918-19, 1950-51, 1951-52, 1961-62, 1962-63

Lanarkshire Junior Cup

• Winners: 1912-13, 1918-19, 1951-52

Lanarkshire Junior Consolation Cup

• Winners: 1904-05, 1925-26

Cambuslang & District Junior League

• Winners: 1907-08

Lanarkshire Junior League Division 1

• Winners: 1904-05

Glasgow Junior League

• Winners: 1925-26

Scottish Central Junior League Cup

• Winners: 1949-50

Central Region League Division B

• Winners: 1973-74

Central Region League Division C

• Winners: 1986-87

Central Region League Division 2

• Winners: 2000-01

Central League Cup

• Winners: 2000-01, 2001-02

Central Sectional Junior League Cup

• Winners: 2001-02

Super League Division 1

• Winners: 2003-04

References

References

1. (19 September 2016). "Mossend pub calls time | GlasgowWorld".
2. [http://local.stv.tv/bellshill/news/19306-uncertain-future-for-athletic/ Uncertain future for Athletic] {{webarchive. link. (9 October 2011 ''local.stv.tv/Bellshill'', 10 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011)
3. [http://local.stv.tv/bellshill/news/19578-new-home-for-athletic/ New home for Athletic] {{webarchive. link. (20 June 2011 ''local.stv.tv/Bellshill'', 15 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.)
4. (11 February 2015). "Athletic unveil plans to return to Bellshill". Motherwell Times.