Ripping it up to start all over again in Glasgow’s East End could herald the disappearance, in name only, of one of the most famous clubs in Scottish footballing history.

Shettleston Juniors are mulling over the idea of changing their name to Glasgow United. The same Shettleston side that boasts a list of famous former players including ex-Celtic and Arsenal player Tommy Docherty and former Rangers and Motherwell man Bobby Russell.

Shettleston share the unwanted distinction along with St Anthony's - and now Drumchapel United - as the only Glasgow-based clubs never to have lifted the Scottish Junior Cup and now it looks ominously like their name is destined never to be etched on the 135 year old trophy.

The speed of the scope for change and development is such that a prospective deal is looking all but sealed to purchase Greenfield Park, their home ground since 1933, for housing, with the proceeds going towards a proposed £5.5million development of the nearby public park.

Long serving Town official Hugh Kelly revealed last night: “Talks have been underway with Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life and ourselves for some considerable time and as far back as 2016, a favourable feasibility study was carried out as to the possibilities of building a new Community stadium facility containing a 3G astro-grass surface.

“If the necessary funding is still in place for work to get underway then we would hope to take out a long term lease on using the facility which would be an absolute godsend for our thriving youth set up and of course Glasgow Girls whose recent addition to our Academy has doubled its size overnight.

“These are very exciting times for the people in this part of Glasgow and it’s pleasing for plans to be at a very advanced stage however  nothing is confirmed as yet so nobody at this club will be jumping the gun and making announcements until formal agreements are in place and crucially signed up.”

Kelly was at pains to point out his club's proposed name change was a commercial decision. Though he was unaware that Glasgow United was once the name of a formidable boys' team back in the 60s and 70s under scout Sam Beck. The famed talent-spotter whose discoveries included Frank and Eddie Gray (Leeds Utd), Alex McDonald (Rangers) and King Kenny Dalglish (Celtic).

He added: “The roots of Shettleston Football and Athletic Club date back to 1903 and will not be forgotten or eroded in the slightest by opting to call ourselves by something else.

“Ours is a long and famous history but there is no denying we as a club have gone slightly stale in terms of stimulating new sponsorship opportunities and our hope is for the wider appeal of a Glasgow United team maybe doing  the trick.

“People might think this a drastic move but it’s just one more change to the many taking place in and around the club and is furthermore in keeping with the raft of moves afoot in the bigger footballing arena .

He asked “Did you ever think the day would come when just about every club in the land would turn its back on the Junior scene  to join the WoSFL?

“And with new clubs such as Finnart and Easterhouse F.A. also keen to join the ranks then the game is not the same as we knew it and Shettleston’s proposed name switch is only a minor change in the grand scheme of things.

“We have to move with the times and look for opportunities to grow because doing nothing would be a mistake..”

Shettleston’s decision to withdraw from the inaugural WoSFL season has left Kelly and number two Bernie Beacom scrambling to fix up their former players. Though he does report encouraging news that last season’s top scorer Jordan McGroarty and ex-Stirling Albion full-back Steven Smith have agreed signing terms along with 10 others.

Kelly concluded: “We made the call to release every player at the start of last season so it’s surely a sign we are getting more right than wrong to have the guys flocking back in numbers.

“Ross Barclay had been turning out with Lanark United who were very keen to sign him but he has given his word to return and we are also hopeful of persuading Danny Imrie to come  back so the signs are looking good.”