American millionaire backs Jags' professional plans

Oct 29 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

AMBITIOUS plans to turn East Kilbride Thistle into a professional club took a stunning new twist this week as an American multi-millionaire threw his weight behind the project.

This week the News can exclusively reveal that 49-year-old ex-patriot and telecommunications tycoon Neil Hobbs is the latest big hitter to join the group behind the scheme to build a new home for the Jags on the outskirts of the town.

A fortnight ago, the Jags made the biggest announcement in their history when they confirmed a consortium backed by James Kean would be joining the Thistle board.

Plans were announced to have the Jags in a new all-seater stadium at a site in Langlands within three to five years, while providing top-class facilities for the club’s youth academy.

And now the dream of putting East Kilbride Thistle on the map has come another step closer with the backing of Hobbs.

Formerly a pupil at Hunter High School, Hobbs – whose father and sister still

live in East Kilbride – was given the lowdown on the Jags project when James Kean jetted to Atlanta last week in the wake of the plans becoming public.

After discussions with his good friend Kean, Hobbs pledged his support and financial backing to the project and he told the News he was delighted to be on board.

Hobbs said: "I'm close friends with James Kean and I know how hard he has been working with the rest of the consortium on this over the last six months.

"They could have gone their own way and started a new club but I think everyone with East Kilbride at heart agrees that this is the dream scenario.

"I may have left the old place but I still have EK at heart and that's why I'm delighted to throw my weight behind this.

"When James turned up with the East Kilbride Thistle shirts at our golf day in Atlanta last week, I couldn't believe it.

"I always dreamed I'd get a game for the Jags as a kid but at least I can say I wore the jersey now."

Hobbs’ support sees another big investor with his roots in the town join the consortium as the plans gather pace.

Within the next week, Paul Kean and sports journalist Iain King’s roles on the board will be confirmed as the club begin a new era in earnest.

And money-man Hobbs stressed: "The fact that the club will be run as a charitable trust when they reach the new home shows that everyone on this consortium is doing this for the right reasons.

"I'm enthused by the whole project, East Kilbride is now the fifth biggest place in Scotland in terms of population and we should have had a pro team before now.

“But I'm convinced that these are the people who can finally make it happen."

James Kean's trip to America also furthered core plans of the group to forge links for the EK Thistle academy sides with clubs in both Atlanta and Florida.

At present, Jackton Boys Club under-13s – who are backed by Kean Construction and coached by King – are on their way to Canada for next summer's Robbie tournament.

But the intention is to give every side under the Jags' umbrella access to trips like this from next season.

Twinning initiatives with clubs in both the USA and Canada are being set up to boost the kids' education and enjoyment of football.

Consortium spokesman King said: "Neil joining us is a huge boost to an already vibrant plan and we're delighted.

"I knew we'd face scepticism, and we have, but I think this proves the serious intent behind our moves to build the new stadium.

"Both Jags chairman John Drummond and the Director of Football Darren Waugh deserve credit for having the foresight to buy into this plan.

"I think the moves now being made show that they have made the right decision for the future of football in East Kilbride.”

The plans for East Kilbride Thistle’s future are developing at some pace and it will be interesting to see what other developments are around the corner over the coming months.