I was warned NOT to come here, BUT...

[@FootyAdventures]

Where else should I go this season?

[@Ukipmiddleleft]

Go to Strasbourg in France...big club on the rise will win the French league eventually

[@Ahmetyavas34]

I am sad

[@georgerae7065]

Go to girvan fc when there at home

[@Ahmetyavas34]

@@georgerae7065 i am just sad

[@marklittlewood1633]

Hello mate ..like yourself and many others I love lower league stuff ..try and visit Alfreton FC in the northern conference . .fantastic little club ..Sheffield United my team ..but every time I've watched a game at alfreton I've loved it ....all the best

[@CalicoAidan]

Aside from everything else, I just want to acknowledge the cafe door opening transition, that was too slick 😅

[@FootyAdventures]

Glad someone noticed it!

[@SuperJNG18]

Was gonna say!

[@mauricefitz3296]

SV Vogt in division 8 in Germany. You'd love the ground

[@TheLondonForever00]

​@@FootyAdventuresQuality transition, really well done

[@alanprior7650]

Very professional and stunning opening Sam!

[@DavidMcGlone-n5z]

Thanks. Sam, for coming to The Showpark. And the kind words on our ground and team. We've had this season and last some referees who don't want club linesmen and do without them. I've been watching Thistle since game 1 in August 69. So, the 55th season. Some great times but last 12/13 years, with 2/3 exceptions, have been a struggle on the park. Nearly folded in recent past but now debt free. We're just happy to have a side to follow. Thanks again.

[@scottwilson7075]

Hi Sam, the simple reason why there is no Assistant Referees in lower divisions is there is simply not enough referees. Until more people become referees will there be no chance of Assistant Referees in lower divisions. Lucky to get every game in WOSFL Premier Division to have Assistant Referees. Great video showing the hard work of the good people of EK Thistle.

[@noghd2560]

This is correct. People don’t realise that referees are doing 3 or 4 games a week and the pay is only £50 at this level for 4+ hours of work so pretty much minimum wage

[@robertfoulkes1832]

​@@noghd2560And that £50 per mstch ref's fee is paid by the home club. Employing 2 assistant refs would double that commitment - a major additional expense for clubs like EKT which are run on a shoestring.

[@bobb6342]

Why would you want to be a ref, you seen how much abuse this 1 got for not awarding a corner or a throw in! If the players and the other staff showed them abit more respect

[@Hopeoverfeardontbeaffraid]

Sam if you can cover more North Caledonian teams. Loch Ness won it last season. Some amazing grounds, Orkney,Golspie Sutherland, Invergordon,Alness United (Second best youth facilities arguably in Highlands to County/Caley, Further North near Wick. Halkirk United nice little ground,Thurso, Bonar Bridge,Fort William and Clachnachudian Reserves ⚽☺️

[@JamBar1873]

Awesome!! My major EK Thistle memory is going to The Showpark in 1986, playing Rangers in a pre season friendly, 5000+ rammed in there, it was scarily exciting. And Gordon Ramsay played left back for Rangers in that game!!

[@dazpearce2096]

he left the recipe for the pies...

[@markmurray1091]

Cracking video, Sam. Would like to echo the sentiments about the hard work by everyone involved in keeping this superb club running.

[@pauldonaldson6067]

great video. 15:13 always said it - the lower down the pyramid you go the better the pies are

[@crispycrisp3731]

This is mad. I’m a Palace ST holder. Don’t really know Scottish football (but enjoy non league in England). And I’m watching all your programmes about Scottish non league / lower league football.

[@KieranDoes]

Caledonian Locomotive! Should defo come watch a game. (not because I play there or anything...)

[@BALHAM69]

Good video 😮 No need for rangers or Celtic videos 😂 This is what the viewers want to see.

[@robcarrol]

Played there once in the EK primary school cup final. Remember when EK won the junior cup as well, the whole town was buzzing 😂

[@anthonyworgan56]

I think I've mentioned it before, I need to come to Scotland not just to take in a game or two, but to sample a proper Scotch Pie in Scotland as opposed to the Greggs ones that they sell in the Iceland supermarkets! I know exactly where you're coming from when you compare the bigger and smaller clubs. I've supported Bristol City all over the country through the years, and as I've watched us in all 4 divisions, I've been everywhere from Old Trafford & Anfield to Feethams & Spotland! But having spent 10 years living in Bath, I spent many great hours watching Bath City in the 5th & 6th tier. Go where you want in the ground. The fans would walk from one end to the other at half time to be at the end where their team was attacking. Even take a pint out onto the terraces! And a bit like some of the lower league clubs you visit, there was always someone there that did absolutely everything at the club. I'll give him a name check as he's been retired for years! Rod Pitman sold lottery tickets, made tea at half time, ran the bar of the social club in the evening, booked the entertainment for Saturday nights, organised charity matches and even helped paint the whitewashed walls during pre-season! Great days. Keep up the good work, Sam. Always fascinated to see your travels!

[@EKcyclist]

Brilliant video, Sam. I’m from EK, so it’s great to see my home town on your channel. Thanks!

[@mickyjross]

Yep these are the videos I subscribe for. Great support for the grass roots of our game again. Must admit though, I thought you would have taken in a Scottish Cup 1st round game today. Lots of interesting match ups and new grounds for you in there. The AR issue is a bit frustrating, but as has been mentioned here by someone else, the clubs have a choice of whether they take ARs. A lot don't employ them because they can't afford to. Having said that, if they all paid for ARs, there wouldn't be enough to go round!

[@bobsteele9581]

Another great video Sam. Love seeing these wee grounds 👍

[@FootyAdventures]

Thanks Bob!

[@legandrydirk]

​@@FootyAdventuresI think you should do one on Easterhouse FA there a bigger set up than Drumchapel now and already have players playing for Rangers Celtic at different levels and abroad some played in Spain in Real Madrid tournament no bad for a side that os two years old onow there chairman personally Danny Cameron

[@jamiepike6909]

Would love some more Lower league English and Welsh teams. Know it’s easier to visit Scotland when you live there. Either way love the content.

[@Foreverceltic]

Soooo much history in the lower English leagues too! As a Scottish football fan I cannot get enough of the rich history of some/most of the clubs down south

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@Foreverceltic It feels as though this is real football, far removed from the bloated, self-satisfied doodah of the top flight.

[@jamiepike6909]

@@Hartley_Haremore relatable.

[@SuperJNG18]

Wales in particular gets NO local league coverage. The better teams play in the English league system, the rest get one provisional slot in European competition (which they're usually out of quickly), and all their gameplay coverage is in Welsh.

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@jamiepike6909 Exactly.

[@CammyK1872]

Sam that steak pie would have been made in the bakers next to the cafe you had lunch in. Thought you'd want to know for next time you're in town.

[@buisty1888]

My weeman got me watching your channel and I'm really enjoying it he made it got to watch first one and take notes so sit down and discussed good and bad points of the football grounds and look how has fans what we would like at our team ground so keep up the good work HH

[@richardpettet9996]

Great video again. I suspect lack of linesmen is down to lack of volunteers. Got to be pretty thick skinned to stand on the touchline near managers and fans at this level.

[@kylecorman7859]

Fascinating to see all you cover in the Scottish game. The comparison between European competition between Rangers and Betis and the game here was both stark, but at the same time very telling that the game shines through. Keep up the great work.

[@adrianbrown1492]

I only ran the line for my team a couple of times. It was difficult but I tried to be fair. But when I got abuse from the other team I tried to wind them up on purpose by giving biased decisions. It was fun.

[@MichaelSacoma]

Great video. The variety of clubs and levels you cover is fantastic but there's something special about this type of club and how they are run, and their backstory. Great stuff! Michael, Dunfermline fan

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Excellent. A game is a game. There’ll be moments of skill, moments of triumph and tragedy They’ll be camaraderie They’ll also be 90 minutes to put aside stresses and worries and just enjoy a contest Good work Excellent coverage

[@geoffpoole483]

Watching the videos covering the lower tiers of football, it's more about what happens away from the pitch than on it. Clubs like East Kilbride Thistle provide good entertainment for comparatively little cost.

[@feenianfeeney]

St Anthony’s in Govan, used to have a site next to ibrox, links to Celtic now play at old 50 pitches side next to shield hall road near the luma tower… I think still worth a visit but have actually seen them in over 20 years 😂

[@davehedgehog4391]

Aaron is a great lad. Good to see him getting started in management at EK Thistle.

[@davek834]

Regarding the assistant referee shortage, its the same in the the English pyramid , below the north west counties, 10 th or 11th level in the leagues like Manchester league and Lancashire & Cheshire league , i was involved in Sunday league a few years ago running a team and there was nothing more frustrating than a referee didn't show up , and league committee wants you to agree for someone to step in , you don't get any thanks for it , you either get acuse by the other team for being biased or your own team gives you shit for not gifting a few decisions, you can't win , who'd be a referee, in the end i would postpone any games without, but occasionally the players would be split in the play or not play with the opposition manager reffing the game, we are here now might as well play... you should hear the moaning when we got beat

[@robertfoulkes1832]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video. I'm a Pollok supporter so I'm well acquainted with this level of fitba' altho I've not been to the Showpark yet. I greatly prefer going to watch lower league football than the top national divisions (TV highlights of those sre quite enough). As well as attending many local league games in Scotland, England and Wales over the last 50 years, I've also taken in a few in other countries including Germany, Spain and Japan. They all have the same things in common: great VFM, great atmosphere, friendly fans and interesting catering (mostly very good). I can highly recommend the breakfast pies at Maryhill, chicken and haggis pies at Beith, and empañadas con guisantes at Atletico Baleares in Palma, Mallorca! Small point - the Junior Cup isn't the biggest Scottish non-League competition any more (although still quite prestigious). The South Challenge Cup has the most participating clubs.

[@Bigaitch]

Great videos matey. Unfortunately there are not enough people taking up officiating for there to be neutral assistants. It is something that is mirrored in England too. The referees that go out at that level on their own gave my upmost respect , as do all officials. Good to see old school grounds in Scotland too, unlike many of the off the shelf efforts in the lower levels South of the border. Keep up the good work !

[@cuibono6872]

Absolutely brilliant, this is what football is really about, tight close knit communities, I bet they have some great post game nights in the clubhouse.

[@RHVlogs_]

Would love for you to go watch Peebles Rovers in the East of Scotland League! They’re my hometown team! 😁

[@johnnyyen3007]

I played in the 70s to early 90s for a few good teams in North Wales, and if we didn't have a game we'd either watch Wrexham or travel up to watch Rangers, but then fell out of love with football. I look forward to your videos because you show the lifeblood of communities and the matches are usually entertaining. The Secretary has a thankless job trying to attract cash to keep the club afloat. I remember that corporate sponsors and ordinary fans could sponsor individual player's kit, either in its entirity or shirts, shorts, socks or boots alone, and they'd get a mention in the match programme, maybe a free game or invite to club events to meet their favourite player. I don't know whether Thistle or other Scottish lower league clubs do that, but it might be worth a try

[@stockportlad8560]

On the topic of assistant refs, I've got a mate who lives out in Norway and he was the manager of a 7th tier side over there and I went over to see him and went to watch one of their games and they had didn't have any linos and no one else wanted to do it so they asked me, someone who has never even come close to reffing a game in my life to do it, I don't even speak the language....! I get the impression that this isn't exclusive to Scotland, England or anywhere specific, I think it's a worldwide phenomenon where the disrespect and abuse towards refs is so massive now that it just isn't a reasonable career choice anymore.

[@couttsmrboyle1]

I live in Ek, and this video has made me want to goto watch Thistle. Keep up the good work mate👍

[@WeAreWombwellMain]

Great video. Great to see a team like this get exposure

[@danielkarmy4893]

Looks pretty nice to me! Would love to see a bottom-tier English video some day, see what the standard's like in the Devon & Exeter League Division 8...

[@HyruleGamer]

Hats off to that ref, some shift he has to put in!

[@RossParker1877]

Showpark is a proper ground. Love all the new clubs but not all the cages

[@ThomasKelly669]

I used to hate that old pitch, was a slop down the left into a bog with squinty goals, and holes everywhere, hats of the guys that sorted that mess, they have got the club back on track

[@foootballtv3120]

My dads wife owns that cafe 😂 such a shock when a was watching that … great food in there

[@jonathancrabbe5135]

Great video Sam. Grew up just across the road and went to many games when I was young. Also used to sneak in and play on the pitch. Looks not bad these days

[@paulrussell1207]

I've officially seen more games in this division on this channel than I have seen of the Highland League now, a league formed in 1883 that has provided more teams to the Scottish league proper than all the Junior leagues, Lowland leagues and East, West and South of Scotland Leagues combined. A league comprised of teams in towns so unique and so distributed that some have their own accents, cultures and traditions.

[@Sandwich13455]

Very well put sir👏👏👏

[@gazzamac06]

The guy clearly lives in the central belt and does this off his own back. You think he's going to travel hours each way for the HL? Behave.

[@Sandwich13455]

@@gazzamac06 why not,the channels called footy adventures, adventure usually has a bit of traveling involved,no?

[@davidtonkinson1871]

Great vid. I’m a Walsall season ticket holder but would love to see you do something at one of our local non league teams. Like Hednesford a club near Cannock that was saved from extinction by their previous owner and is currently up for sale for a £1. They have a cracking little stadium (keys park). Or Rushall Olympic, another team on the rise.

[@davidjamieson9971]

absolutely loved the highlights of the game , would loved to have seen if it was offside , great game and keep up the good work , me and my friends love the videos , you are a great ambassador for the bottom tiers of football

[@stephensurridge3199]

Great video thoroughly enjoyed it👍🏼

[@MartinFarrell1972]

Welcome to my home town. I've never been to any of the games for the two teams in East Kilbride. My uncle played for Thistle in the 60's/70's. The other East Kilbride team applied to join the top leagues but didn't get it. I can't remember why. Was it Gretna, Who on longer exist?

[@robertfoulkes1832]

The original Gretna went defunct after their sugar daddy Brookes Mileson popped his clogs. However there's a phoenix club, Gretna2008, who are currently bottom of the Lowland League but still using Raydale Park as their home ground.

[@jaggyness]

The no official Assistants is a decision taken by the clubs as they would need to pay them and a lot of clubs couldn't afford the additional cost

[@stephenm8898]

I remember taking my eldest to Elgin v Dumbarton a few years ago lol the standard was REALLY bad. Most Sunday league pub teams would outclass them without too much difficulty

[@TheStuartGibson]

The managers and players need to ise up, they make mistakes but dont get verbal abuse

[@RadioJonesy]

Watching from Tasmania Australia and i do enjoy your lower league videos cheers

[@wrutherfordx3x]

Great Job again. Promotes Scottish Football better than the funking BBC, who I need to pay a licence fee too.

[@depekthegreat359]

A fantastic video of course for a bottom league match between both of my favourite respective teams ever in this world but there must be assistant referees an linesmen in this division for sure,good friends!!!LONG LIVE SCOTTISH NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL!!!🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️

[@andymartin]

You can’t beat grass roots football. Great video Sam

[@jonrell]

I grew up in East Kilbride. Spent many Saturdays watching EK Thistle. Crowds in the hundreds. Occasionally over a thousand. It's poor more locals don't still go along.

[@alanprior7650]

Another team you could cover,if you fancy a trip to Southern England...Portsmouth's non-league team Havant and Waterlooville (the Hawks).

[@John_Valentine9312]

Possibly your best video to date, and that pie!

[@GTiR23]

That pie looked unreal!

[@jordanmacfarlane2812]

Brilliant video again. Scottish non league is the best place to go and watch football. Get down to Linton Hotspurs ground Sam. Brand new club in the East of Scotland set up of the Pyramid. New ground is amazing the work the guys had to do to get complaint to standards. Be a great video down there.

[@PaulTheCyclist.]

That pie looked class. Think you should get a game in at Whitby Town and then do a Fish & Chip review 😂

[@robertrowan8738]

great video, from start to finish

[@FootyAdventures]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@jamesetchingham594]

Awesome video! Keep them coming

[@GenialHarryGrout]

It might b good for young adults (under 20) to run the lines and learn under the guidance of the match referee, or even older people (60+) to get involved by running lines

[@hikescotland9543]

Hi Sam, you should go to Whitburn juniors who recently moved to the pyramid system and started at the bottom and won 2 league titles and are currently in the 7th tier of Scottish football and have the honour of signing rangers greatest ever player John greig without playing a game for them, this is right up your street

[@Hopeoverfeardontbeaffraid]

Hey Sam could you cover some North Caledonian league level 6 below Highland/Lowland league, Teams from Orkney all the way to Fort William. Team in between Alness United would be great to cover their youth set up is amazing with a Brand new Pitch and facilities

[@adamcran9859]

Come to Invergordon would great to see you mate

[@MadderMel]

And for sure , they very much appreciate your support and interest ! It's great stuff ! What football is all about !

[@travsrfc07]

I played a couple of Sunday matches in Middlesbrough. We had linesman, but they were only there for throw in decisions. I said to the ref. If your calling offside surely you can decide who's throw it is ffs lol

[@connorsmith3404]

Sam Great video as always, however both teams are in tier 10 not 7 as claimed 😜 The west is the only league at tier 10, with the east going down as far as tier 9!

[@LefthandedTom]

I see that door transition with the feather effect bruh 😎 I respect it

[@YNWA188..]

That pie 🥧 looked 👌 the beez neez bruv 😋 🇮🇪🍻☘️🍻

[@harrison6143]

Is it not the tenth tier, Sam? Lowland - fifth WoSPrem - sixth WoSFirst - seventh WoSSecond - eighth WoSThird - ninth WoSFourth - tenth

[@ModenaRoofing]

The pitch is lovely

[@aidanceltic6769]

Should come to Easterhouse FA newly formed in 2020 west of Scotland league

[@andrewwehmeyer4705]

That decision between a corner and throw in was very hard even with your footage. In my opinion the ref got it right to call a throw in, but that is about as close as you can get

[@andrewward7168]

Glad subtitles were available! 😂

[@bobank-hs8ml]

Get up to lochee united, brilliant club with great history and an even greater welcome. While here can check out the other 7 non league clubs in the city

[@samrabey89]

Referees (of which I used to be) are told the assistants could be based and the ref can over rule ....I have done before

[@MrDuffers20]

Speaking of the lino's from each club, i witnessed a Petershill official at the Petershill Vs Ashfield game (2nd game of the season) being told off by the referee and then the referee took the Lino flag off him and threw it off to the side and basically told the guy to stand behind the barrier at the side of the pitch because he had been giving the referee some earache shall we say, never thought i would witness anything like that in my life lol

[@gazzamac06]

The refs are in a no win situation. The club assistants either cheat if it benefits their team or get accused of cheating. The refs have to take their word for it even though they know there's a good chance the linos could have "selective blindness".

[@craigy8559]

As a throw in ... I have said for years all up and coming young people who want to be referees should learn the game at amature etc level running the lines

[@sannakji]

A throw for sure. And it’s unacceptable that the ref doesn’t have at least one assistant. it’s a lonely job already and we need help!

[@DoliverTour]

good video. liked the grass terraces

[@FootyAdventures]

Thanks mate. Agreed about the grass terraces. They’re class!

[@hannahlil-i5f]

This is ma home ground lol love this

[@rodneyboulton6410]

I'd take going to grounds like this than these stadiums that all look the same.

[@ThomasKelly669]

The 😢goings on, Behind the refs back at that level can be additional entertainment

[@jmrogersful]

EK thistle isn’t too bad a place to go, strange reaction from the guy in the gym. Can get a beer too, just watch out for Big Kris, he’s a wrongun 👽

[@AlfredUckham]

You should do some northern league games the northern league is the second oldest league in England

[@BromleyPar]

Excellent vid👍

[@charliemac5154]

I couldn’t understand what the East Kilbride manager was saying…and I’m Scottish!

[@guyjiminjapan9824]

Another great video!

[@gamerggmason8964]

hello can you come to muirkirk juniors we are in the second division of west of Scotland league we got a hold new young squad this season and we have the youngest squad in the league

[@stuartgribben4154]

Go see Workington Reds in West Cumbria!

[@themacraecase4323]

The subtitles renamed the club He's Killed Brian Thistle - think that could go on a t-shirt with the club's logo!

[@mrtiabrown]

Must admit that Pie looked so Good

[@harriergr7728]

With the obscene amounts of money being paid for players, there should be a grassroots tax imposed on these transfer fees that go into a fund to help these lower divisions survive/improve, without grassroots there might not be any football in the future.

[@TheSugarDaddy1]

Would love to see you sponsor a non league team or even buy their kit or something like that that would send your you tube channel viral

[@josiekaposie5783]

Scorrish league must be the only pyramid system with stronger leagues below , half the 5th tier ,Highland and Lowland are made up of dead wood with far stronger teams in the leagues below and only one team relegated .

[@MultiZombiekiller96]

Can you go and see newly formed Windsor and Eton Fc as they are my local football club.

[@RossIngram-z1w]

Big centre half for st peter’s brogan is absolutely shocking. disgrace to the game

[@becca1927]

The downside to have assistant referees in non league is the clubs have to find extra money to cover the assistant referees match fees and travel costs