Gordon Brodie says his Rhu Amateurs squad have shown “great promise” in the first half of the season – and has appealed for a big crowd to come along and show their support this weekend as his team begins 2024 with their biggest match of the campaign so far.

The manager of the club’s Caledonian League squad says his young group of local players have plenty to be pleased about so far in 2023-24 as Rhu look forward to an exciting 12 months ahead.

The new year kicks off when Brodie leads his team into a fourth round Scottish Amateur Cup tie against Easterhouse FA at Ardenconnel Park this Saturday, January 6 – the furthest Rhu have progressed in Scottish amateur football’s biggest tournament in recent memory.

It’ll be Rhu’s 18th match in all competitions this season, with the first half of the campaign yielding nine victories, six defeats and two draws.

Twelve of those games have been in the Caledonian League’s first division, in which Rhu currently lie in mid-table with 17 points.

Brodie told the Advertiser: “This season so far for the first team has been one that has shown great promise – but also some bitter disappointments – that give us all something to look to improve on as we move forward.

“This season, more than most, has seen the standard of the league increase to be one of the most competitive in amateur football.

“With some great teams coming in, it has shown the great strength of teams that this league can attract.”

“We have competed in all games apart from a couple of blips against good opponents in the shape of Dunipace AFC and a disappointing performance against Drumchapel.”

Rhu have scored 56 goals in all competitions so far this season, with 16 different players finding the net – and with the exception of the aforementioned Dunipace and Drumchapel games, which Brodie’s men lost 7-0 and 5-0 respectively, the ‘goals against’ tally is something to be pleased about too.

And as far as highlights are concerned, Rhu’s Scottish Amateur Cup campaign has provided plenty of memorable moments so far.

Brodie’s side began with a 5-1 first round win over Motherwell AFC in October, and followed that up with a 14-1 thrashing of Perthshire side Kinnoull in round two.

Rhu’s third round tie was a rather closer affair – but the result was no less impressive, with Brodie’s men coming from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Ratho Athletic, of the Lothian and Edinburgh AFA’s Premier Division, in their last match of 2023 thanks to goals from Jordan Wyllie and Ross Jeffrey.

Brodie continued: “Our squad is shaping up nicely, with an average age of 26 and made up entirely from the local area, and complemented by our our up and coming colts team, things are certainly looking promising.

“We are also looking at working alongside Ardencaple, Helensburgh FC, Hermitage Academy and the local sports development team into providing a pathway for everyone in the area to continue playing football, and hopefully this will see all teams being able to put out a highly competitive teams throughout all age groups and adult football.

“Off the field we have managed to attract a number of local companies into sponsoring both our teams aswell as working alongside local charities Enable and Gary Andrews.

“2024 could prove to be a big year for Rhu AFC both on and off the park and we’d encourage as many of you as possible to get along and show your support, follow us on our socials and get in touch if you’d like to get involved with the club.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to wish all our supporters, committee, players , friends and family all the very best for 2024.

“Thank you for your continued support so far and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year.”

This Saturday’s cup tie, against an Easterhouse side who currently lie fourth in the Championship B division of the Saturday Morning Amateur FA, kicks off at 1.30pm at Ardenconnel Park and will go to a replay if the match is level after 90 minutes.