Todholm v Maryhill Milan: A GDSFC Rivalry in the Making

Sunday’s GDSFC Premiership fixture between Todholm AFC and Maryhill Milan already has everything needed to catch the attention of Footy Focus.

First meets second at Ferguslie Park, but there is more to this one than the current league table.

When Footy Focus asked GDSFC secretary Nim to pick out his Games of the Day for Sunday, this was his Premiership choice — and the recent history between the clubs quickly became part of the conversation.

Milan knocked Todholm out in the semi-final of the West two seasons ago before going on to lift the trophy. Last season, Todholm turned the tables in the league, finishing ahead of Milan to become Premiership champions.

There have been other cup meetings too.

Nim described what has developed between the clubs as a “friendly competitive rivalry.”

That got Frank Sideline thinking.

What makes a GDSFC rivalry?

When asked about some of the Premiership rivalries that have stood out in recent seasons, Nim pointed towards two:

Maryhill Milan v Maryhill Black Star

and

Todholm AFC v Castlemilk Community.

Interestingly, that means both clubs involved on Sunday have already featured in their own recognised Premiership rivalry.

But repeated important meetings between Todholm and Maryhill Milan are beginning to build their own history.

A major cup semi-final. A league title battle. More cup encounters. And now they meet with the sides occupying the top two positions in the Premiership.

So rather than Footy Focus deciding that this is a rivalry, we’re going to ask a different question:

Are we watching a new GDSFC rivalry develop?

Between now and Sunday, we’ll be speaking to those involved.

We’ll hear from the clubs themselves about how they view the fixture and whether the recent history changes anything when Todholm and Milan meet.

We’ll also bring the referee into the conversation.

David McGuire has been appointed to Sunday’s game and, after previously featuring in our From the Middle coverage, we’ll ask what it is like preparing to referee a top-of-the-table fixture between two sides who know each other increasingly well.

Then Frank Sideline will be at Ferguslie Park on Sunday.

We’ll listen to what those involved tell us beforehand, watch what happens when the whistle goes, and come back to the question afterwards.

Todholm AFC v Maryhill Milan.

First against second.

Plenty of recent history.

A rivalry already — or one we’re watching being built?