View source for Glenafton Athletic F.C.

{{short description|Association football club in East Ayrshire, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Glenafton Athletic
| image = [[File:Glenafton Athletic JFC crest.png|frameless|Glenafton Athletic's crest]]
| fullname = Glenafton Athletic Football Club
| nickname = The Glens, The Afton
| founded = 1930
| ground = Loch Park, [[New Cumnock]]
| capacity = 3,400
| chairman = 
| manager = [[Paul Paton]]
| league = {{Scottish football updater|Glenafto}}
| position = {{Scottish football updater|Glenafto3}}
| season = {{Scottish football updater|Glenafto2}}
| shirtsupplier = 
| shirtsponsors = 
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| pattern_ra1 = _glenafton2223h
| pattern_sh1 = _hummelelite20r
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| leftarm1 = FF0000
| body1 = FF0000
| rightarm1 = FF0000
| shorts1 = FF0000
| socks1 = FF0000
| pattern_la2 = _montrose2122h
| pattern_b2 = _montrose2122h
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| website = http://glenaftonfc.com/
| pattern_so2 = _hummel20tb
}}

'''Glenafton Athletic Football Club''' is a Scottish [[association football|football]] club, based in [[New Cumnock]], [[Ayrshire]]. Members of the [[Scottish Junior Football Association]], they play in the [[West of Scotland Football League]]. The club has won the [[Scottish Junior Cup]] twice, in 1993 and 2017.

==History==
Glenafton Athletic were founded in 1930, as the coal mining industry which sustained the local area took an upturn after a period of severe depression. The colliery owned Connel Park ground had long been used by the village's former teams, including senior side [[Lanemark F.C.|Lanemark]] from 1877 until World War I, then by a previous Junior side, New Cumnock United, who burst brightly on to the scene in 1920 but failed to see out the decade. Glenafton got off to a flying start themselves, winning the South Ayrshire Junior League in their first season and retaining it the following year.<ref>[http://sfha.org.uk/ayrjuniorleagues.htm South Ayrshire Junior Football League 1920-1932 (Known as Ayrshire Southern League (1926-27) and Ayrshire Junior League (1928-1931)], Scottish Football Historical Archive </ref><ref>[http://sfha.org.uk/sajlbook.pdf The South Ayrshire Junior League 1920-1932], James McAuley, via Scottish Football Historical Archive </ref> By 1932, the South Ayrshire League had dwindled to six clubs, five of whom were admitted to the more North Ayrshire-centred, Western League in 1933. Glens' momentum saw them win a Western League and League Cup double in 1934–35, then lift the Ayrshire Cup in 1936. The club closed down for the duration of World War II.<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=A Brief History|url=https://glenaftonfc.com/history/1930s/|website=Glenafton Athletic|access-date=27 April 2017|date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

On resuming, the club did not immediately reach their pre-war heights but towards the end of the 1950s things were improving and Glens' second Western League championship was won in 1958–59. Interest in the club was at an all-time high and a record crowd of 8,000 crammed into Connel Park to see Glens' Scottish Junior Cup fifth round tie against [[Kilsyth Rangers F.C.|Kilsyth Rangers]] in January 1957.<ref name="danny1">{{cite web|last1=Guthrie|first1=Robert|title=1954_1958|url=http://members.tripod.com/bob_newcumnock/glenafton/glensgreat_danny/1954_1958.html|website=members.tripod.com|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref> The confines of the old ground, surrounded by old miners rows one mile from the village, led the committee to seek an alternative ground and the 1959–60 season would be the last at Connel Park. The club's new Loch Park ground in the centre of New Cumnock was formally opened in August 1960 with a league game against [[Cumnock Juniors F.C.|Cumnock Juniors]]. The match was ceremonially kicked off by then [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] and [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] star [[Ian St John]], who had been a Junior player himself only three years previously. The club also ushered in this new era with a change in kit colour, from black and white hoops to white with red.<ref name="danny2">{{cite web|last1=Guthrie|first1=Robert|title=1958_1967|url=http://members.tripod.com/bob_newcumnock/glenafton/glensgreat_danny/1958_1967.html|website=members.tripod.com|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref>

Glenafton won three Western League championships in a row from 1961–62 to 1963–64, a feat never achieved outwith wartime and drew closer to the biggest prize in the game with their first Scottish Junior Cup semi-final appearance in 1962, losing 1–0 to [[Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C.|Kirkintilloch Rob Roy]] at [[Rugby Park]]. The club went one better the following season. After thrashing Cumnock 5–0 in the quarter-final at Loch Park, then seeing off [[Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic F.C.|Bonnyrigg Rose]] in a second semi-final replay, Glens' lined up against [[Irvine Meadow XI F.C.|Irvine Meadow]] at [[Hampden Park]] in the first ever all-Ayrshire final. Despite going in front, then missing a penalty at 1–1, Athletic lost the game 2–1 in front of 21,384 spectators.<ref name="danny2" /> The club entered a period of decline in the late 1960s and early 70s. A Scottish Junior Cup run to the semi-finals in 1978–79 was ended by Cumnock at Rugby Park, but paved the way for improved fortunes. Glens' enjoyed some local cup success and won the Ayrshire League title in 1982–83.<ref name="history" />

Former [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]] and Scotland goalkeeper [[Alan Rough]] was appointed as manager in 1990 and proceeded to lead the club to their most successful period.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rough guided back to Partick home|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rough-guided-back-to-partick-home-1-576896|access-date=27 April 2017|work=www.scotsman.com|date=22 September 2001|language=en}}</ref> A signing policy of reinstating ex-senior footballers including a clutch from Thistle such as [[Dave MacFarlane]], [[Alex O'Hara]], [[Jamie Doyle (footballer, born 1961)|Jamie Doyle]] and Alex Kennedy, saw the club reach a record five Junior Cup semi-finals in a row.<ref>{{cite web|title=1992 - Junior Cup Final ex Jags|url=http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/1992+-+Junior+Cup+Final+ex+Jags|website=partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com|publisher=The Partick Thistle History Archive|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2013 David MacFarlne Obi|url=http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/photo/14652022/2013+David+MacFarlne+Obi|website=partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com|publisher=The Partick Thistle History Archive|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref> The club went on to the final in three of those years from 1992 to 1994 and finally lifted the trophy for the first time in 1993 with a 1–0 victory over [[Tayport F.C.|Tayport]] at [[Firhill Stadium]]. Striker [[Tom Brown (footballer, born 1968)|Tom Brown]] stepped up to [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] the following season and won the Senior [[Scottish Cup]] in 1997, while winning goalscorer John Millar later won the Junior Cup as a player with [[Arthurlie F.C.|Arthurlie]] in 1998 and as a manager with [[Beith Juniors F.C.|Beith Juniors]] in 2016<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Donnell|first1=Jim|title=There's only two sides to argument as boss sticks to Glens and Lie cup stars|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/13293411.There_s_only_two_sides_to_argument_as_boss_sticks_to_Glens_and_Lie_cup_stars/|access-date=11 May 2017|work=Evening Times|date=8 October 2014|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Donnell|first1=Jim|title=Beith boss Johnny Millar derides bookies odds to make it 50-50|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14522656.ETHXenergy_Scottish_Junior_Cup__Beith_boss_Johnny_Millar_derides_bookies_odds_to_make_it_50_50/|access-date=27 April 2017|work=Evening Times|date=28 May 2016|language=en}}</ref> Glens' added the Ayrshire League and Cup that season to complete a memorable treble. Rough moved on in 1995 and Glens' next trophy would be the Jackie Scarlett Cup in 1999–2000, but their win over [[Kilwinning Rangers F.C.|Kilwinning Rangers]] denied ''The Buffs'' a clean sweep of Junior trophies that season.<ref name="index">{{cite web|last1=Guthrie|first1=Robert|title=1930–2005|url=http://members.tripod.com/bob_newcumnock/glenafton/history/index.html|website=members.tripod.com|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref>

The Junior Superleague era dawned and Glens' were the last Ayrshire League champions before reconstruction in 2001–02 under manager [[John McStay]]. With [[Tommy Bryce]] installed in charge the following season, Glens' finished a creditable third in the first combined [[West of Scotland Super League Premier Division|Super League Premier Division]] and also won the West of Scotland Cup for the first time in their history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bryce to see you !|url=https://glenaftonfc.com/2013/07/12/bryce-to-see-you/|website=Glenafton Athletic|access-date=11 May 2017|date=12 July 2013}}</ref> The West Cup was won again in 2005–06 but the club were relegated after a play-off with [[Lanark United F.C.|Lanark United]] in 2008–09.<ref>{{cite news|title=Glenafton join Cumnock by being relegated|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/glenafton-join-cumnock-being-relegated-2435853|access-date=27 April 2017|work=Daily Record|date=18 June 2009}}</ref> Having lost a promotion play-off the previous season, Glens' won the [[West of Scotland Super League First Division|Super League First Division]] title in 2012–13 under [[Darren Henderson]]. Henderson left for [[Hurlford United F.C.|Hurlford United]] on the eve of the 2013–14 season leaving Tommy Bryce, who returned to the club for a second spell, to rebuild the squad. Bryce's remodelled side secured a top six finish and made it all the way to the Scottish Junior Cup final for a fifth time where they ironically lost out to Henderson's Hurlford team.<ref name="history" />

Former [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] and [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] player [[Craig McEwan (footballer)|Craig McEwan]] took charge of the team in January 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Fraser|title=Arthurlie hunt new boss as Craig McEwan quits after three months to return to Glenafton|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/arthurlie-hunt-new-boss-craig-5003593|access-date=19 January 2015|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=19 January 2015}}</ref> A player in Glens' losing 2014 Junior Cup final side, McEwan led the club to their first Super League Premier Division championship in 2016–17, before completing the double by defeating local rivals Auchinleck Talbot to win the Scottish Junior Cup for a second time in June 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Murray|first1=Keir|title=Scottish Junior Cup final: Glenafton seal double with win over Auchinleck|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40151506|access-date=5 June 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2017}}</ref>

In 2020, Glens' moved from the [[Scottish Junior Football Association|SJFA]], to join the pyramid system in Scottish football as one of the inaugural members of the [[West of Scotland Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pirie|first=Mark|date=2020-05-04|title=West of Scotland League unveil full division list ahead of non-league overhaul|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/west-scotland-league-unveil-full-21973428|access-date=2020-10-10|website=Daily Record}}</ref>

On 11 October 2020, McEwan resigned as manager.<ref>{{Cite web|title=It is with a heavy heart that after a phone call today from the club I have tendered my resignation|url=https://twitter.com/2southy/status/1315353772370079745|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> The club had released a statement earlier announcing they would not be participating in the inaugural season of the [[West of Scotland Football League|West of Scotland League]] due to concerns relating to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland|COVID-19]] pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|last=flowgently|date=2020-10-11|title=Glenafton Athetic [sic] Statement {{!}} Season 2020/21|url=https://glenaftonfc.com/2020/10/11/glenafton-athetic-statement-season-2020-21/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Glenafton Athletic|language=en}}</ref>

==Scottish Junior Cup finals record==
[[File:Loch Park, New Cumnock.jpg|thumb|right|The club's home ground]]
Glenafton have a poor record in Scottish Junior Cup finals with two victories from their six appearances to date. The club appeared in the first all Ayrshire final in 1963 and each subsequent loss has also been to an Ayrshire opponent.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vallance|first1=Matt|title=Scottish Junior Cup: Glenafton Ath 0-3 Hurlford United|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/scottish-junior-cup-glenafton-ath-0-3-hurlford-united-1-3429729|access-date=27 April 2017|work=www.scotsman.com|date=2 June 2014|language=en}}</ref> Glenafton finally ended this run in 2017 with victory over near neighbours Auchinleck Talbot.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McGarry|first1=Graeme|title=Auchinleck Talbot 1 Glenafton 2: Cairns is toast of the town as stunner settles cup final|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/15327719.Auchinleck_Talbot_1_Glenafton_2__Cairns_is_toast_of_the_town_as_stunner_settles_cup_final/|access-date=5 June 2017|work=HeraldScotland|date=4 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! width=100|Season
! width=180|Opponent
! width=250|Result
|-
|1962–63
|[[Irvine Meadow XI F.C.|Irvine Meadow]]
|1–2
|-
|1991–92
|[[Auchinleck Talbot F.C.|Auchinleck Talbot]]
|0–4
|-
|1992–93
|[[Tayport F.C.|Tayport]]
|1–0
|-
|1993–94
|[[Largs Thistle F.C.|Largs Thistle]]
|0–1
|-
|[[2013–14 Scottish Junior Cup|2013–14]]
|[[Hurlford United F.C.|Hurlford United]]
|0–3
|-
|[[2016–17 Scottish Junior Cup|2016–17]]
|Auchinleck Talbot
|2–1
|}

==Current squad==
{{updated|1 July 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Squad|url=http://glenaftonfc.com/squad/|website=www.glenaftonfc.com|date=17 April 2021 |publisher=Glenafton Athletic FC|access-date=3 April 2023}}</ref>
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=David Markey}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Ally Semple}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Andy Strachan}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Matthew Hoffin}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Lyall Holding|other=}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Craig Pettigrew}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Ollie Rowe}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Ryan Sinnamon]]}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Hugh Kerr}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Scott McLean}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Liam Caddis]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Callum McFadyen}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Dylan O'Kane}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Harvey Gilmour}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Ryan Walker}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Alex Waters}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Sam McKee}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Cameron McKenzie}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Sean McKenzie}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Michael Moffat]]}}
{{fs player|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Ryan Nisbet}}
{{Fs end}}

==Management team==
As of 28 August 2023
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name
|-
| Manager || 
|-paul Paton
| Assistant manager || Darren Miller
|-
| Goalkeeping coach || Scott Gilmour
|-
| Physio || Laura Pagan
|}

==Honours==

'''[[Scottish Junior Cup]]'''
* Winners: 1992–93, 2016–17
* Runners-up: 1962–63, 1991–92, 1993–94, 2013–14

===Other Honours===
* [[SJFA West Region Premiership|West of Scotland Super League Premier Division]] winners: 2016–17
* [[West of Scotland Junior Cup|West of Scotland Cup]] winners: 2002–03, 2005–06, 2012–13
* [[Ayrshire Junior Football League|Ayrshire First Division]] winners: 1934–35, 1958–59, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1982–83, 1992–93, 2001–02
* [[SJFA West Region Championship|West of Scotland Super League First Division]] winners: 2011–12
* Ayrshire Cup: 1935–36, 1961–62, 1988–89, 1992–93, 2000–01
* Ayrshire League Cup: 1934–35, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1979–80, 1999–00
* Ayrshire District Cup: 1930–31, 1969–60, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1993–94, 1997–98
* East Ayrshire Cup: 1997–98
* Ayrshire Super Cup: 1997–98
* Ayrshire Sectional League Cup: 2005–06, 2014–15

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commonscat-inline}} 
* {{Official website|http://glenaftonfc.com/}}

{{coord|55.40026|-4.184160|region:GB|display=title}}

{{West of Scotland League}}
{{SJFA West Region}}

[[Category:Glenafton Athletic F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish Junior Football Association clubs]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1930]]
[[Category:Football in East Ayrshire]]
[[Category:1930 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:New Cumnock]]
[[Category:West of Scotland Football League teams]]