IAN GREY was surprised, but delighted, when Rossvale won the Central District Second Division title in record time.

The Bishopbriggs club had promotion wrapped up by February – in just their fourth season in the Juniors. For Grey, who is club chairman, it was extra special, as he has been with the club every step of the way – even playing in Rossvale’s first ever game when he was just eight years old.

That was way back in 1976, and he is as passionate about the club today as he was almost 40 years ago, and he told SportTimes: “To win the title in such fashion was incredible. I think our promotion was sealed in record time, and it certainly took everyone at Rossvale by surprise.

“Last season we had four teen- agers in the squad, which was a big positive for us. Our club has more than 600 players spread over a number of different age groups, so we are all about giving kids a chance.

“We are now looking forward to playing in the First Division, and already three of our Under-21 side have stepped up to Junior level.

“Robbie Winters played with us for most of last season and he was great for the club. Not only was he doing the business on the park, but he was also a great ambassador for us off it as well.

“We had a lot of young kids coming up to see him play. They obviously didn’t remember him at his peak with the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee United, but word spread quickly that we had a former Scotland player in our team.”

Rossvale – who play in Roy of the Rovers red and yellow – was the brainchild of Ian’s dad, John, and was borne out of a number of kids – including current coach, Paul O’Donnell – from Woodhill Primary School getting together and playing football in a public park.

Grey junior, who is now 47, said: “From that point my dad, who was a qualified youth leader, decided to organise something on a weekly basis for the kids in a structured, safe environment, and from that one team in 1976, it has now grown into what it is today.

“We ran with five or six teams for the first half of our existence, until I made the decision to run an academy involving five and six-year-olds, which wasn’t taken too seriously at the time – but that academy is now the main foundation of our club, and is thriving. We currently have about 600 players, 120 officials and 60 teams. Our players range in age from four up to over-35s.

“Rossvale has won the Scottish Cup four times, and we have now about a dozen players who have represented the club at international youth level.

“However, I reckon one of our greatest success stories is in the number of kids we have kept off the streets, which must run into thousands over our history.

“Many players have developed long-term relationships, with some in excess of 30 years, which should be the mainstay of every club to ensure kids enjoy themselves, build strong, wider relationships and become better people.”

During the close season, Yami Misango, became the first Rossvale player to step up Senior from the Junior side, and Grey wishes him nothing but success.

He said: “That’s a positive step both for Yami and for Rossvale. It’s a shame we’ve lost him as he is a cracking player, but someone else will now get a chance in the team.

“Martin Lauchlan took over as manager last season and delivered the title at the first time of asking, but we are now aiming for a season of consolidation in the First Division.

“We are all excited about stepping up to the next tier, but we are determined to ensure we are anything but a one-season wonder. At Rossvale, we like to think we are built on solid foundations.

“I liken us loosely to Inverness Caley Thistle, who built from the bottom up. They are now on a solid footing and have earned their place at the top of the Scottish game.

“We still ground-share with Peters- hill, but we want to have our own ground in the near future. Our spiritual home is at Huntershill in Bishopbriggs, and it’s there that we see our future.”

“For the moment, though, we will continue to press ahead and look forward to playing against some new opponents. It is definitely a case of onwards and upwards now for Rossvale.”

Meanwhile, Whitletts have fixed up a friendly for tomorrow week. The Ayr-based side will travel down to Gatehouse of Fleet to take on South of Scotland League side Fleet Star.

Vics have also lined up matches against Port Glasgow (July 22), Ayrshire Cup winners Hurlford (July 25) and Glencairn (August 1). All matches will kick off at 2pm with the exception of the midweek trip to Port Glasgow, which starts at 7.15pm.