Forest AFC, are based in Clydebank, and play in Strathclyde Saturday Morning League (SSML), Division 1. Scott "Guesty" Guest is the Club Secretary and has kindly agreed to take part in TeamTalk... read his interview here:








Gillian: Tell me about your team history – when and how did the team get started?

Guesty: Forest AFC was formed in the summer of 1988 by Jim Monaghan, Howard Davies, Bobby Skilling and Kevin Pidgeon.  The birth of Forest AFC was planned from within the walls of the Forestry Commission Office which at that time was based in India Street in the Charing Cross area of Glasgow city centre.  The team was originally a blend of Jim Monaghan's friends from Cranhill, the Criminal Injuries Board work team, Kevin Pidgeon's brothers Liam and Gerry, the legendary Andy Wallace and Stu McRae and office workers from the Civil Service Building, also in India Street.  They decided to join a league named the Strathclyde Civil Service League which has now been re-named to the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League.  The first season for Forest AFC was in the 1988-89 season and promotion to the top division was won in 1993.  Richy Leacock was also present at the founding of the team as a player and now, after injury which ruled him out of playing, has taken over the manager’s role at the club.

Gillian: Tell me more about your team.

Guesty: We have an all navy strip for wet weather and all white for dry weather.

Gillian:  Tell me who is involved in your team.

Guesty:  Forest AFC are proud members of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League.  We are a Strathclyde-wide club with all players hailing from all areas.  Our home park is John Browns in Clydebank.  Kick off time is always 10 am.  We have a blend of youth and experience at the club and are always looking for fresh new players to improve the squad.

Gillian: Tell me about your community.

Guesty: We come from Clydebank and are a team where anyone can join to play football and enjoy some good old banter on a Saturday morning.

Gillian: Tell me who are your local supporters and sponsors – why are they behind you?

Guesty: We don’t have any supporters to be honest as it’s quite a hard task getting players up on a Saturday morning never mind supporters! Our sponsor for this season is Mailboxes Etc who come from Shawlands.  I used to work with the owner and he has also faint relations with Forest.

Gillian: Tell me about your highs.

Guesty: Being the longest serving team in the 1st Division of the SSML.

Gillian: Tell me about your lows.

Guesty: No lows as yet (touch wood) but if I was to pick one, it would be a semi-final defeat to Windlaw a couple of years ago.

Gillian: Tell me about how you fund your team.

Guesty: We organise end of season dances, football predictors and a weekly bonus ball.

Gillian: Tell me about your local ground – what are the pitches and facilities like and who owns them?

Guesty: West Dunbartonshire council own our home ground – John Browns in Clydebank and they are kept pretty well throughout the season, so thanks to them for all their help.

Gillian: Tell me your ‘team view’ – what would make amateur football better for your team?

Guesty: Nothing – we all really enjoy playing together and socialising together so nothing beats that no matter what the score on a Saturday.

Gillian: Tell me something I’ve not asked – what other thing would you like to say?

Guesty: I’ll give you my bank sort code and account number for the payment for the interview! lol [See that plain brown paper bag, Guesty... Och aye, cheers]

Gillian: Tell me briefly, what words best summarise your team?

Guesty: Enjoyment, honest, fair and commitment. [Plain brown paper bags excluded, of course]


Thanks to Guesty for an interesting interview.  No plain brown paper bags were damaged in the making of this interview.