Easthouses Lily Miners

Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare Football Club are a Scottish football club, based in the Midlothian town of Easthouses. The team currently plays in the East of Scotland League First Division, having moved from the junior leagues in 2018.[1] The club was formed in 1950, following the establishment of the Easthouses Colliery earlier in the 20th century.

Graeme Souness delivered news of the £2,000 grant to the Easthouse Lily Miners Welfare FC as he took over a training session for a football club serving one of Scotland’s most deprived communities in Midlothian. Souness said:

"This is the real deal when you come down to this level. They're doing it for the love of the game, for the love of their community. It doesn't get any better than this. Everyone's here for the right reason"

"Being part of a team, I can't tell you, it's just the best. When I finished playing, and you go into management, it can be a bit of a lonely old job. But when you're a player, you're in a dressing room like this; the banter, and you're sitting with your mates. You win together, and you lose together. Being in this environment must be fantastic.”

‍

Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare team manager David McQueenie said the money would be vital for helping with venue hire, equipment and kit. He said:
‍

“We’re a voluntary run club in a deprived area so this money will help us survive – it’s as simple as that. Especially for our older spectators who rely on us as a focus in life."

“To have Graeme Souness along to our club is just incredible. I mean, the things that Graeme’s done in the game is absolutely fantastic. The lads couldn’t believe it."

‍

Other winners

Goal Getters Walking Netball Group

Goal Getters is a walking netball group for over 55-year-olds based in Greater Manchester. The group has grown from just 6 people six years ago to 22 regular participants – many of whom live alone and were feeling isolated in retirement.

Circular Climbing Collective

Circular Climbing Collective was founded by two friends who bonded over mental health conversations while climbing. Since 2023, volunteer facilitators have run weekly peer-support sessions at climbing centres in Bristol, creating inclusive, non-judgmental spaces for people struggling with mental illness, addiction, grief, loneliness, unemployment, and other challenges.

Power of Scotland Roller Derby

Power of Scotland Roller Derby is Scotland's national team, competing at the world cup level. The sport is one of the few fully inclusive team sports for adults with no institutional discrimination based on sex, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, heritage, age, disability or religion.

Kilkenny Mystics

Kilkenny Mystics is a volleyball club with a powerful mission: to provide an outlet for isolated people in the community. The club has grown significantly, now boasting 40 active members from a broader group of 50, with a notably transitional membership – many members work on short-term contracts but maintain strong connections to the club.ll

AG Boxing

A G Boxing provides boxercise and fitness classes for women in Derbyshire's DE21 ward – ranked 2nd for multiple deprivation and 1st for health inequalities. Founded by ex-boxer Autumn Goodwin, the club creates a safe, supportive community for women who face barriers to participation: caring responsibilities, time constraints, cost, and lack of confidence.

Pontypridd Roadents Running Club

Pontypridd Roadents serves the South Wales valleys – traditional mining areas that have become deprived following industrial decline. The club provides running for all levels, with a particular focus on safety for women runners following recent high-profile attacks on women training outdoors.

From rugby to gymnastics, skating and judo, everyone can apply

Learn more about how your club and community can benefit from a grant from Cash4Clubs

Start your application