Scotland’s largest grassroots football club has signed a lucrative pitch swapping deal with a prestigious private school.

East Renfrewshire based Giffnock Soccer Centre last week agreed a 60-year lease with Hutchesons’ Grammar School (HGS) to take over their Auldhouse playing fields and pavilion in Thornliebank.

In return, Hutchesons will have control of Giffnock’s Norwood base on Dumbreck Road on the south side of Glasgow, close to their own school campus and new sports complex in Pollok Park.

Over the years, Giffnock have developed stars such as Scotland captain Andy Robertson, former Rangers player Kyle Hutton and Hamilton Accies defender Jamie Hamilton.

They have ambitious plans plan to develop the Auldhouse facility in Thornliebank Road to include two artificial grass pitches.

Giffnock will also retain their existing Eastwood Park site next to St Ninians School.

The club are also forming a new charity called the GSC Foundation - based at Auldhouse - to promote social inclusion in the East Renfrewshire area.

Their chairperson Jim Docherty said: “The deal provides us with access to four immaculate grass pitches and a large pavilion and will provide first-class playing facilities for our 1300 members.

“Our club’s ethos is ‘Football for All’ and it also allows us to bring more football to more communities.

“We are determined that community football clubs should ‘lead from the front’ in the Scottish game.”

Hutchesons’ Rector, Colin Gambles, added: “We are delighted this facility swap will have positive implications for sport at both Giffnock Soccer Centre and Hutchie.

“Having all our grass pitches a short walk away from our senior school campus is a major advantage, and the investment GSC have already put into the pitches at Norwood means we are taking on a great facility too.”