Following the Premier League Cup quarter-final between Glasgow Island and Corinthians, Footy Focus caught up with Mark Kennedy on the sidelines.
Mark is a familiar face around Corinthians matches. His son Jordan is a founding member and captain of the club, and Mark has followed the team closely since they joined the GCFA four seasons ago.
While disappointed with the result on the day, Mark spoke positively about the standard of football in the league and why he enjoys spending his Saturday mornings watching the competition.
The match itself, he says, was another example of the quality regularly seen across the GCFA.
On the standard of football in the GCFA
“Prior to watching the Corinthians, I watched Junior football for 10 years. What impressed me about the GCFA was the quality of players — many of them have played at Junior level.”
On the quality of the quarter-final tie
“We lost today to the better team on the day. Island looked organised and a bit sharper than us. But it’s always a pleasure to watch two top teams pushing each other to the limits.”
On watching Corinthians grow since joining the league
“I’ve known a lot of the original team for years as they went to high school with Jordan.
In our first year we went straight into the Premier and won the league on the last day. It was Roy of the Rovers stuff and a great end to a brilliant season.
Year two we were riddled with injuries, so to come back in year three and win the league again was incredible.
This year we are a bit up and down due to being an older team — you just can’t shake off the injuries.”
On documenting the league through interviews, photography and drone footage
“The interviews were an idea I came up with as nobody else was doing it in the league.
Some teams did match reports but I preferred to capture the emotion of the game with an interview, whether we won or not.
The photos were really for the lads, so they can look back on their playing days with pride over a beer or two.
The drone — the jury is still out on that one — I’m not sure if I’m adding any value with it.”
On what makes the GCFA such a strong league
“The quality of the players and teams in the league.
But also the respect the teams have for each other.
I love to see a competitive game, but I also like to see the players having a chat on the way back to the changing rooms. It’s the classy thing to do.”
Saturday morning football in the GCFA continues to show why it has such a strong reputation across the amateur game.
Quality players, competitive teams and the respect between clubs were all on display during this quarter-final tie
Another good advert for a historic league that continues to thrive. ⚽
Footy Focus season 25/26 
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