The Snaffle is now under new management, this site will close shortly. 

 

The now famous partnership that exists between the Snaffle Bit and Glasgow Island FC had humble beginnings.  The Paisley Park Strollers, as they were known, were an outfit of boys from the Western Isles who generally enjoyed less fortune on the pitch than their island counterparts, the Park Wanderers who were sponsered by the Park Bar.  Having previously been sponsored by what was then the Hebridean, nowadays the Clyde Valley Bar on Dumbarton Rd, The Strollers switched there alliance to The Snaffle Bit, as most of them tended to frequent there most weekends! In a twist of fate, The Strollers just avoided relegation from the GCFA division 1 in 1996-97, while the Park Wanderers went down. A decision was taken to yoke the strength of both teams and amalgimate, Glasgow Island Football Club, sponsored by the Snaffle Bit, was born.

The first season of this club saw the managment take the form of Angus 'pudding' MacBain and Ronnie MacKenzie, who would become stalwarts of the club. The Season was also successful, in that the league was recaptured. Incredibly, that May day in 1998 at Colquhoun Park was the last time that the team were to taste league glory. Of the current side only managment (Davie 'Ox' MacLeod and Murdo John Graham), Malcom 'malky' Morrison and Ally MacPhee were in that championship winning team.  when one considers some of the teams that have played since, this fact is really quite difficult to digest.

Following the league winning season, pudding and ronnie stepped down, and much of the backbone of the side went with them.  Finny and Alex O'henley, Gus Mackinnon and Donald 'bleech' Macleod were lost to the side, Chris Shields took over as manager, and, as much of the team also missed a lot of football through injury, this was a forgettable season.  It did, however, see the migration of the team to their now spiritual home of the Firhill Complex. The winning of the Jim Harvey Cup was scant consolation for the weak surrendering of the league.

When Chris returned home to Stornoway the following season Iain Twin and Davie 'Ox'  took over the hotseat as co-managment.  Such organisations are rarely successful, and this was no exception, a finish of third in the league and no silverware was the depressing statistic.  However, it did see the ascendancy to managment of the man who was to become Glasgow Island through and through, and stil remains in charge today after half a decade.

Ox's first season in charge (2000-01) saw a number of new faces come in - most importantly Andy Murray and Graeme MacKenzie, and the strenth of the squad increased.  As such a greater league was embarked upon and only a late goal in a 2-1 defeat to Jordanhill saw off the challenge in the season run in, and the title went to them.  The GCFA Cup Final became the stuff of legend - never to be forgotten by those who were involved in it, after 76 minutes opponents MSM, having played Island off the park, converted a penalty to make it 3-0. Game over or was it? An inspired substitution saw Mark 'nula' Morrison come on to inject a whole new lease of life into the team.  Having set up Ox to pull one back with a screamer into the top corner, Mark himself notched another after a mazy run. Stalwart Martin 'cherry' MacCaulay then got the equaliser in 90 minutes.  Extra time was equally thrilling, both teams taking the lead, but it ended 5-5. Penalty kicks ensued, and despite dreadful kicks from Ronnie MacKenzie and Iain 'Fadgie' MacFadyen, Murdo J Greame made three saves of the highest quality, and Ox slotted home for the winning penalty to achieve an incredible cup win.  The Snaffle Bit rocked to the sound of "Championees" for days!! After a few drinks it still gets refered to today! This season (2004-05)  also saw the team's first Midsummer Tournament entry against the selects of Lewis and Harris, Uist and Barra and Skye. A narrow defeat to the Skye team meant an exit in the first semi final.

2001-02 saw another league campaign come to a sad end late in the season. Even a 3-0 cup final win over Airdrie Royal seemed a little flat after the previous years excitment. A decent Midsummer tournament showing saw the team lose 3-1 to Lewis and Harris in the final.

The following season was one to forget, no silverwear, coupled with a 5-0 drubbing in the final of the Midsummer to Lewis and Harris made it the low point of Ox's reign.

Season 2003-04 saw Glasgow Island hit the standards they had previously set themselves. A magnificent unbeaten run saw the league go down to the final day of the season. Agonisingly, an exceptional Central team pipped Glasgow Island at the last to take the title by one point. A 5-0 mauling of St Andrews in the Cup Final restored some pride, before victory in the midsummer tournament finally delivered the grail that the managment had coveted for so long.

Today the team is still going strong, and the partnership with The Snaffle is too. Glasgow is hosting this season's midsummer tournament, and another close league battle is taking place. Glasgow Island remains as much an institution for the boys of the Islands making their way to Glasgow as The Snaffle Bit.   

Cambria AFC

Cambria A.F.C was founded in 1965 and entered the Scottish League with two Teams in season 1965/66.  Born out of Strathclyde University, who had won the Corination Cup in season 1964/65, when the Athletic Club of the University decided that students only could play for the University.  The driving force behind the new club was Alan Mochrie, a senior lecturer in architecture at the "Tech", who went on to be the President of the S.A.F.L. The chain of office worn by S.A.F.L. presidents was largely instigated by Alan. Cambria historically the ancient name for Strathclyde, played their original seasons at Morriston Park in Cambuslang.  Those with longer memories than most will remember the deep sunken communal stone bath where in wintertime it was wise to get your game finished earlier than the five other matches.  Equally welcoming was the post-game tea and pies before hospitality was essential,  to be followed by a long wait until the Black Bull or Railway Inn opened at 5pm. 

In 1971 Cambria participated in the short-lived Graduates Shield competition which involved Westerlands , Spartan and Jordanhill College F.P's.  By 1983 Stepps playing field were opened by the University and Cambria were offered access to these exellent facilities courtesy of the University.  It never failed to amaze us the manner to which teams from tight red and black ash could give us lessons on the vast green areas of Stepps.  Cambria's ambition and achievments since 1965 have been modest.  Division 4 champs in 1969 and 1984,  Division 8 champs in 1986 (2nd team) with the main ambition being able to stay in the Scottish Cup until after New Year.

Over the years, Cambria fielded beetween two and four teams each season, with the third team being generally nomads in finding pitches.  Socially the Club has managed to reach selected venues such as Galasheils, Oban, Dublin and Whitley Bay (8 years running)  We have lost a manager and a BMW in Loch Fyne on the way to Islay.  The Snaffle Bit remains our domestic howf and continuing sponsor.  Going on 40 Years the Club remains a loyal member of the Scottish Amateur Football League and The Snaffle Bit Bar. 

Hyndland FP

Hyndland FP FC were one of the first football teams to be sponsored by a pub.The reason for this being that after their match one saturday they headed to the Snaffle Bit, where they left their strips in the cellar, to be taken to the laundry on the monday unfortunately, they were usually left in a black bin bag, which yes you've guessed,  it was thrown out with the rubbish on the monday morning.....

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