The club was formed in 1877,[2] its first recorded match being in September that year, a 2–1 defeat to Blantyre.[3] An earlier club of the same name, formed in 1871, does not seem to be related.[4]
The club entered the Scottish Cup twice, losing in the first round both times. In 1878–79 it lost 4–0 at Stonelaw, without the Stonelaw goalkeeper having to make a save.[5] In 1879–80 it lost 1–0 at Airdrie.[6]
East Kilbride then stepped back from the national competition, entering the Lanarkshire Cup instead for the first time in 1881–82. The season started promisingly, with a 3–3 draw against Hamilton in a friendly,[7] but in the county cup, the club lost 5–1 at Airdrieonians in the first round.[8] There is no further record of the club afterwards.
The club originally played at Shaw Park, 5 minutes' walk from East Kilbride railway station.[10] In 1879 it moved to Kirktonholm, three minutes closer to the station.[11]
References
^"East Kilbride". Rutherglen Reformer: 2. 27 September 1879.
^Dick, William (1878). Scottish Football Annual 1878–79. Cranstonhill: Mackay & Kirkwood. p. 63.
^"Blantyre". Hamilton Advertiser: 2. 22 September 1877.
^"East Kilbride". Hamilton Advertiser: 2. 16 December 1871.
^"Stonelaw v East Kilbride". North British Daily Mail: 3. 7 October 1878.
^Scottish FA Minutes 1879–80. Glasgow: Scottish Football Association. 25 September 1879. p. 42.
^"East Kilbride". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 20 August 1881.