Our first journey north of the border in our getting to know series is Saint Anthony’s FC otherwise known as ‘The Ants”.
“The Ants” are by club constitution a non-political, non-sectarian, anti-racist club, and welcome anyone regardless of sexual orientation, colour or creed.
Based out of McKenna Park in Govan, Glasgow, The Ants are a club with a long and rich history having been founded in 1902, adopting and maintaing their ‘Junior’ status since 1905.
Saint Anthony’s currently operate in the Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region Central District Division One of the Scottish Junior Football Association.
Prior to the outbreak of World War Two, the club was descibed as “one of the foremost clubs in Scotland”, however since having their ground flattened during the war the club fell upon hard times and for a few years didn’t have a ground to call home, it wasn’t until 2003 that the club finally found a new home at McKenna Park. Which really is a testamant to everyone involved with ‘The Ants’ that they kept this club going.
Saint Anthony’s play in a strip that will be very familiar to all football fans, green and white hoops. It isnt just the strip that ‘The ants’ share with Celtic FC however, 60 players at this moment in time have represented both Saint Anthony’s and Celtic, the most notable of these probably being Bobby Evans who went on to make 535 appearences for Celtic, get 48 caps for Scotland and inducted into the Scottish Football hall of fame in 2008.
Through social media, the club currently has upwards of 8500 followers on Twitter and has received well wishes from clubs as big as Italian giants Roma FC. Through their vast Twitter audience the club has since formed a charitable partnership between themselves and American amateur club Motorik FC Alexandria, who are based in Alexandria, North Virginia in the United States of America.
Next up for ‘The Ants” is a home league fixture against Forth Wanderers and I’d just like to take a moment to say good luck and thanks for letting us write about you, oh and also #ForzaAnts #MonTheAnts
