ShottsYMCA Football Ground, Rosehall Road Shotts North Lanarkshire

By: Ally

Why this place is important to me

This place is important to me because from 1926 till the present day it has always catered for the young children and the youth of Shotts and surrounding areas.
At the moment it caters for around 150 Children between the age of six and fourteen. Concentrating mainly on accepting children from an early age, teaching them football skills with the intent of moving them up into our teams that are run within Shotts Y.M.C.A.
At the moment I am a coach with Shotts Y.M.C.A. and I am also on the Board of Management. When I first joined the Y.M.C.A. I was part of a seven aside team then I went on to play eleven aside till I was around Sixteen and then Shotts Y.M.C.A. put me through my first coaching badge and I became a coach.
I was given lots of time, encouragement and coaching from an early age and now I feel that I want to give some of that back and that is why I give up my spare time to do this.
Shotts Y.M.C.A. have also brought quite a few others through in the same way as me.

My plan to improve this place

The project is part of a larger programme where we intend improving the conditions and facilities at our ground. Since 1937 we have operated football teams and athletic groups for many years, also various activities at other indoor venues in Shotts. Around 1970 we lost the use of the athletics track which had been overgrown with weeds and was not fully utilised. We had a small wooden pavilion built in 1937 this was replaced in 1979 with a Marley type building which consists of 2 changing rooms with showers(no longer in use), toilets a kitchen and games hall,sited away from the old pavilion and an area of the ground was donated by Mr W. Moffat to allow a proper approach road to be included.
We have carried out drainage work over the past 20 years on our pitch at various intervals and installed Peripheral drainage in the early 90`s. Also in the early 90`s and in 2 stages we tarmacadammed the entire approach and car park area. Fenced part of this and installed floodlights for easy access and also for training purposes.
In the mid 90`s we were approached by Countryside Trust to plant shrubs and young trees near building and surrounding area of our ground, this was approved as it was agreed it would be maintained each year by them. However within 3 years due to economic restrictions the maintenance was cancelled and as a result they were allowed to grow wild. Around 5 years ago we removed the bushes around the back of the building and tidied it up by putting chips over the area. 2 years ago we cleared an area which was causing problems. This involved using a chainsaw and bringing someone with an expertise in using it.
Around 5 years ago we decided to take steps to launch a project to replace our existing building and upgrade our football pitch by carrying out essential drainage works and improvements also to include a 5 aside all weather facility. After consulting with schools, youth groups, the community, councillors and M.S.P we prepared a business plan and arranged for an architect to prepare drawings. This proved very costly in particular a new building. We revised our plans for the building and instead opted for a portable cabin, again the cost for this was too great. We have since decided to upgrade our existing building by replacing the roof and redesigning internally to incorporate 4 dressing rooms with showers amongst other facilities. We have made amendments to the pitch improvements and all weather facility which has reduced costs.
Including our own members and schools we have around 150 children and youths using our facilities each week. In the summer months in particular we have problems with the growth surrounding the pitch as the bushes and young trees make it extremely difficult for the children to retrieve footballs. It is also become an eyesore. It is hoped this area could be landscaped in the future.
We would welcome assistance to remove this foliage in the surrounding area and if possible tidy up the approach along the fence from the main road.

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