Baljaffray FC was formed in 2002 to give local children an opportunity and a structure to develop their football skills and teamwork ethic.  We have grown to a membership of 150 boys between 8 and 18 years (virtually all of whom reside in the Bearsden & Milngavie area) and it is our aim to recruit a new team of 8 year olds every season.  All our coaches are fully SFA qualified and either have, or are in the process of securing, full disclosure.  We were accredited SYFA Quality Mark in February 2011.

In our short history we are proud to have had young players sign for Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee Utd, Falkirk & Motherwell FCs and to have had one of our players captain the Scotlandunder 14 team.  Two of our players signed their first senior professional contracts in 2011.  One of our players has also played for the Scotland National Cerebral Palsy team and represented his country at the CPISRA 7-a-side Football World Championships in Holland in June 2011 where Scotland finished 6th.  However whilst the very good young players might be selected for pro youth teams it is left to voluntary organisations such as Baljaffray FC to provide a structure and an opportunity for those who are simply good or keen players.  BFC offers training, coaching, competitive and non competitive matches.  We have run successful tours to England (four times) and to Italy (twice) giving our members valuable educational experiences during which they conducted themselves impeccably.

Our club is financially sound with each age group contributing financially to the Parent Club and structured so that each age group is responsible for its own fund raising.

Our overheads include equipment, pitch hire, insurance and professional coaching. We rely on subscriptions and fund raising events, most of which are executed by the boys themselves.

Please visit www.baljaffrayfc.co.uk  for further information.

Supporting References

Chris McCart; Head of Youth Development, Celtic FC

Gordon Young, Head of Youth Development, Motherwell FC

Tommy Wilson, Head of Youth Development, Rangers FC

Councillor Amanda Stewart, East Dunbartonshire Council