Troon F.C. v Kilbirnie Ladeside Match Programme 9.4.22

WELCOME
1970s of supporters brandishing flags with
bumblebees on them, and many supporters stick
to this title to this day - especially since the
return of the gold & black hoops in recent years.
The club’s widely acknowledged nickname is
“The Blasties” and there are a number of
suggestions as to the real origin of it: according
to local hear-say, it may relate to the blast
furnaces at the local iron works which were a
major employer in the area for a number of
years.
A very warm welcome to Kilbirnie
Ladeside!
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE
OPPOSITION?
The history of Kilbirnie Ladeside Football Club
dates back to their formation in 1901 and are a
football team from the North Ayrshire village of
Kilbirnie. Their main local rivals in the Garnock
Valley, as well as Dalry Thistle, are Beith
Juniors. Their traditional club colours are gold &
black with a white change strip. In their early
days, Ladeside were known as “The Bumble
Bees” thanks to their very gold & black banded
shirts.
The club’s first ever match was held in snowy
conditions and it was said the brightly coloured
shirts made them stand out “like bumblebees in
the snow.” There are even images from the
However, the most compelling argument has it
that the nickname derives from a Rabbie Burns
poem - “The Inventory” written in 1786.
Queen of the South may be the only football
team mentioned in the bible - but Kilbirnie were
quoted by the bard!
Kilbirnie’s home ground is Valefield Park, a
compact but atmospheric ground which boasts a
pavilion with terracing, two large enclosures on
the far side & banked terracing behind each
goal. Behind Valefield Park (and sharing a
pavilion with Ladeside) there are five smaller
parks, which are used by boys clubs & the well
known Kilbirnie Amateur side.
The adventure that began in 1901 continues…
Nickname:
Founded: 1901
Home Ground:
“The Blasties”
Valefield Park
Current League: WOSFL Premier Division
Co-Managers:
Thomas Molloy / Shaun
Dillon