WHERE FOOTBALL TAKES YOU | MUIREND AFC

The Club That Came Back

Muirend AFC’s 5–2 Championship victory over Lokomotiv Glasgow caught our attention this weekend.

The GCFA newcomers had responded to their first defeat of the season by coming from behind to claim an impressive three points.

We wanted to find out a little more about the team beginning its first season in the GCFA.

What we discovered was a story stretching back more than 80 years.

A Name With History

Muirend AFC were formed in 1945 and were founding members of the Caledonian Football League.

At one stage, the club had three Saturday teams and enjoyed considerable success in amateur football.

But maintaining an amateur football club is rarely straightforward.

Around 2020, Muirend reached the point where continuing was no longer sustainable.

Tommy, who is now part of the coaching team, was involved with the club when that difficult decision was made.

“As someone who was involved with the club when it folded, I had a sense of guilt and disappointment that I was part of that decision, although it had to happen.”

The realities facing the club were stark.

“We were scraping up every week and struggling financially.”

Muirend disappeared from the Saturday football scene.

But the name hadn’t been forgotten.

Bringing Muirend Back

Years later, Tommy was approached by a group of young players interested in starting a team.

For him, there was an obvious name to give it.

“When the boys approached me to start up a team, it seemed the obvious thing to me to bring back the name and hopefully carry on the success of the club.”

Muirend AFC was back.

The roots of the new Muirend stretched back long before the team was formed.

Most of the players had grown up together from primary school and had already been friends for more than 15 years, with others joining the group along the way.

Tommy had known the majority of them since those early days and had previously coached some of the players.

And the moment which eventually brought Muirend back came in unlikely surroundings — a New Year’s party.

The group were challenged to get enough players together to form a team.

They did.

And an old football club had the beginnings of a new generation.

Many were talented young players who had drifted away from organised football.

Three years later, the revived Muirend are preparing for their fourth full season.

And the connection between the old and new versions of the club runs deeper than its name.

All three of the current coaches previously played for Muirend, while Tommy had also been part of the management team several years before the revival.

There is also a committed group working away from the pitch — something Tommy knows is essential to keeping an amateur club alive.

Football That Fits Around Life

Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the modern Muirend story is how the club approaches amateur football.

They train once a week.

That’s deliberate.

“We train one night per week in recognition that everyone has work, family and other commitments, and this I believe is important.”

Winning matters.

Muirend have already enjoyed trophy success in each of the past two seasons.

But Tommy doesn’t measure the club solely by what ends up in the trophy cabinet.

“Yes, we like others like to win, but our team is as much about a fantastic bunch of young lads getting together and enjoying time and hopefully great memories with their mates.”

It’s a simple philosophy.

Work hard. Play football. Enjoy it.

“This is our downtime and, as I say, we want to enjoy our Saturday nights.”

A New GCFA Chapter

This season has brought another change.

Muirend have joined the GCFA Saturday morning setup.

The size and structure of the league attracted them, as did the opportunity to renew some old rivalries while encountering plenty of unfamiliar opposition.

Early impressions have reinforced just how competitive their new surroundings will be.

“The overall standard seems high, but more importantly we are totally aware that we need to perform in every game to get the sort of result we are looking for.”

Saturday provided a good example.

After suffering their first defeat of the season, Muirend found themselves behind against Lokomotiv Glasgow.

They responded.

“Saturday’s result was very good, particularly after our first loss of the season, and we had to work hard and come from behind to beat Lokomotiv.”

The message from the coaches remained the same as it has throughout the club’s revival.

“Work hard, enjoy football and try to play football.”

More Than Saturday’s Score

Muirend would love more silverware.

Tommy readily admits that the celebrations which followed their previous trophy successes are something they’d like to experience again.

But their first GCFA season isn’t being defined by a league position or a specific target.

It’s about doing themselves justice every Saturday and enjoying the challenge.

And Tommy is conscious that none of it happens without the people who keep amateur football moving.

“I’m very grateful for all of the work the committee, referees, other coaches and players put in, as it truly is a great start to the weekend.”

There was also a poignant reminder of just how fragile amateur clubs can be.

Having experienced Muirend folding himself, Tommy was saddened by the recent news surrounding Busby AFC.

He wished everyone associated with Busby well and hopes to see their own name return to football in the future.

Tommy knows better than most that disappearing doesn’t necessarily have to mean disappearing forever.

Muirend AFC were formed in 1945.

Around 2000, circumstances forced the club to stop.

More than two decades later, a group of young footballers wanted a team.

A former Muirend player and manager knew exactly which name should be on the shirt.

Now another generation is making its own memories under it.

Saturday’s scoreline reads:

Lokomotiv Glasgow 2–5 Muirend AFC.

But behind those three points lies a much bigger story.

A club with more than 80 years of history has its name back in Saturday morning football — and its next chapter is only just beginning.