Grassroots football team boosted by McDonald's donation

Local McDonald's franchisee Jim McLean, who owns and operates three restaurants in Thornliebank, Silverburn Shopping Centre and in Darnley has donated £2,500 to local grassroots football club, Giffnock SC Boys, supporting the U12 team.
Giffnock Boys SC with staff and Jim Mclean

Local McDonalds franchisee.Giffnock Boys SC with staff and Jim Mclean

Local McDonalds franchisee.
Giffnock Boys SC with staff and Jim Mclean Local McDonalds franchisee.

McDonald’s is the longest standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK and this year celebrates the 15th anniversary of its community programme.

The money that has been donated has enabled Giffnock SC Boys to purchase new kits and training equipment for the teams. The donations, which local franchisee Jim McLean has been making since 2014, have also helped to fund the club’s training trip to Denmark earlier this year. Giffnock SC was founded in 1995 and has since grown into a hugely successful club, with over 1,000 members.

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They also have their Soccer Academy, which helps with the development of over 300 young players, both boys and girls. The club holds the distinction of having obtained SFA Legacy Club Status, the first club in East Renfrewshire to do so.

Jim McLean, local McDonald’s franchisee said: “Giffnock Soccer Centre is a fantastic club that is dedicated to helping young players from the local area enjoy the game and build their confidence. It is so important to show support for grassroots community sports in the area and I look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”

George Boyle, head Coach of the 2006s Age Group at Giffnock SC, said: “Giffnock Soccer Centre was originally founded in 1995 by a group of local dads and has continued to grow each year – it is now one of the biggest clubs in the country with over 1,000 boys and girls, run entirely by over 200 volunteers and coaches to serve our local community.

“Many of the teams that are part of the Club’s setup depend upon the support of local businesses such as McDonald’s, and local people like Jim McLean.

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“The money Jim has donated to our 2006s age group since 2014 has allowed us to subsidise the acquisition of training hoodies and rain jackets (over and above the match day and training kit provided by the Club) and purchase additional coaching equipment for the benefit of our six 2006s age group teams – this is a great help as it allows coaches to plan for and focus on players’ development needs. Being able to acquire appropriate kit and equipment has created fantastic unity and team spirit and has given the kids extra motivation to train and have a great season.”

Aside from this, McDonald’s also has their Accredited Club Kit Scheme, as part of their ongoing community partnership with the four Home Nation Football Associations. As a long-standing partner of the FA’s, this year McDonald’s is celebrating its 15th anniversary of championing those who enable children and young adults of all genders, ages and abilities and enjoy football.

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