History Of Glenrothes Strollers FC
07 May 2008

Glenrothes Strollers History

Glenrothes Strollers were founded in 1973 by two men - Danny Hendry and Jim Kane who had moved into the Town with their Families from the West of Scotland.
Strollers early development was closely linked with Glenrothes Football and Recreation Club and was assisted by Officials such as the late Allan McClure and the late Jim Flannigan who became our first Chairman, Jim Ferguson who was Secretary of the Club and the “Glens” was also deeply involved and Warout Stadium is still recognised as our “home”.
These people had a vision of Warout playing fields being a Soccer Mecca for youngsters and although this was perhaps not fully achieved “Strollers” laid down a great foundation for youth football in Glenrothes and are well known throughout Scotland.

Danny had been involved with a team called Clydebank Strollers hence our name “Strollers” ,and decided to use the same Red colours as the “Glens” so as it would be easily recognisable for supporters when playing locally - we still try to maintain these as our home colours , but due to much needed sponsorship nowadays teams play in all manner of colours but Strollers have a common Club badge on their Strips and Kit.
Danny and Jim entered their team in the Fife League at U/ 13 and won the Fife Cup in 1973/74 season and incredibly won the Scottish Cup at U/14 level in 1974/75 season, they had many promising young players one being a Glenrothes lad called Billy Mackay who went on to play for Rangers and Hearts before having to retire early with a knee injury.
“Strollers” have won the Scottish Cup at four different age groups over the years – 1974/75 at U/15, 1980/81 at U/18, 1984/85 at U/15 and 1995/96 at U/16 level - we have also been two beaten finalists in the 1980 and1981 at U/13 and U/ 14.

In the early years we were part of the Scottish Secondary Juvenile F.A and that was changed to Association of Youth Football Clubs and has changed once more to the Scottish Youth F.A. and is based at Hampden Park, Glasgow.

Over the years Strollers have had many players joining Senior Clubs or Junior Clubs –
to name but a few –Ronnie Hildersley Manchester City, Billy MacKay Rangers and at present Colin Cameron ex Raith Rovers,Hearts, Wolves and Scotland and to name one or two players in current SFL teams - Steve Tosh Ex Raith. Aberdeen,Gretna and now with Queen of the South , Chris Templeman East Fife , ex Morton, Stirling Albion,and Brechin .Kevin Byers Brechin and Keeper Clive Guppy and full back Craig Gibson who are currently with the “Glens”.

Glenrothes Strollers have a proper Club Constitution which was drawn up to try and lay down rules of conduct and discipline whilst fostering and promoting Youth Football in the Community , we also have a Central Committee of 5 Officials (ex- Officia) and hold Monthly meetings in Warout Stadium with representatives invited from each of the teams who form the General Committee and make decisions on relevant matters.
A few years ago it was decided to start organising younger age football and a decision was made to start at Under 10 as it was felt that when Strollers came up against teams in the Scottish Cup – they were up against youngsters who were much more mature football wise due to having started at an earlier age in organised football.

We have developed even further in recent years and at the present time we have approximately 10 teams playing in organised football within the Fife SYFA leagues or Fife SFA Development leagues and start at 8 years old up to 21 years old - each team is self-sufficient but our Club Central Fund is on hand to assist teams if they experience Financial difficulties .
The younger teams from 8 to 12 years old come under the control of a sub-group called “Glenrothes Young Strollers” but are still part of the “Strollers umbrella”.
We also have another junior section where young boys and girls from 5 years old attend coaching sessions once a week, provided by dedicated Strollers people, without playing competitively in leagues and are eventually fed into the “Young Strollers” teams and this is hopefully keeping continuity and preparing the youngsters to enjoy their football without being under competitive pressures.