Caledonia Gladiators celebrated surpassing the 25,000 supporter milestone this season in style by setting a record attendance in Scottish women's basketball history.
The pro-basketball team - which plays out of the Playsport complex in East Kilbride - have welcomed more than 25,000 fans to matches in the arena this season across the men's and women's game.
The Gladiators surpassed the landmark figure as more than 1400 fans watched two matches in the Women's British Basketball League at the weekend.
The club achieved a record attendance in the match against Newcastle Eagles on Sunday - which they won 90-58 - with 917 supporters at the arena.
That toppled the previous record - also held by Gladiators - when almost 600 fans turned out for the team's first match at the Playsport venue against SL Benfica last year.
The encouraging supporter numbers come with the women's team top of the WBBL and the men's side third in the BBL with both team's capable of making their respective play-off finals this season.
Owner Steve Timoney commented: “We’re really proud to have now welcomed over 25,000 fans through the doors to our new home at Playsport in East Kilbride this season.
“Our women’s team is hugely important to us, so to welcome the best attendance in the history of the sport at club level in Scotland is really special.
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“The reception we’ve had from people in the local area and beyond has been tremendous, and we’ve received such positive feedback on our matchday experience.
“We’re really proud of our new fan zone and how popular that has been with supporters. Our goal now is to continue building on the support we’ve received so far, and hopefully see some more big crowds as we get ready for some exciting games to finish our season.”
Ambitious Timoney has funded the stadium renovation at Playsport alongside wife Alison with developments at the first stage of a £20m project.
Work will later begin on a new state-of-the-art purpose-built 6,000 seater arena and practice and community facility at the site for the Caledonia Gladiators.
Caledonia Gladiators women's head coach and head of basketball Miguel Angel Ortega Marco added: “It’s a real achievement to welcome a record crowd for a women’s club basketball team in Scotland and a tribute to how well our team has been doing.
“Our team loves playing at the new stadium, and we’re really thankful for our supporters for how they’ve backed the players since we moved here.”
Men’s head coach Gareth Murray said: “The support we’ve had this season has been exceptional, so I’d like to thank everyone who has attended one of our games.
“The facilities here are incredible, which I think is reflected in our level of support, and it would be great to see big crowds at some of our final games this season.”
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