Highland League Wick Academy make their entrance into The Ramsdens Cup this Saturday when Raith Rovers visit the most northerly football ground in the country in their First Round clash.
It will be a long trip for the Kirkcaldy club and their supporters however, when they get there after more than five hours of travelling, they will find a familiar face waiting to greet them.
The ‘Scorries’ are managed by a former Stark’s Park favourite, David Kirkwood, and the 44-year-old does not need to tell his former chums that they are in for a tough afternoon as he reckons that they will feel like they have had one already before kick-off.
Kirkwood’s own footballing journey to Wick began in the early 1980s when he was given the chance to sign for Rangers as a Schoolboy signing however, he decided to stay in his native Fife and joined East Fife where he was in their first team aged just 16.
He made over 100 appearances for the Methill men from 1983 to 1987 before eventually becoming a Rangers player with a performance in the Scottish League Cup helping him win the move.
Kirkwood explained: “We drew 0-0 with a Rangers side that included big stars and cracking players including Graeme Souness, Chris Woods and Terry Butcher and we almost beat them. We drew 0-0 at our place before eventually losing 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.
“I must have done alright that night as I joined Rangers shortly after that game.”
Kirkwood played in the Rangers first team alongside his former opponents before becoming a Heart of Midlothian player in 1989 and then an Airdrieonian the following year.
After over a century of games for the Broomfield club, Kirkwood became a Rover in 1994 and there was probably no better time to join the Stark’s Park side which was then managed by Jimmy Nicholl.
He said: “The most successful part of my career was spent at Raith Rovers. These were great times at Stark's Park with great players. I was part of the squad that won The Coca-Cola Cup (League Cup) against Celtic, won the First Division Championship and I played against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.”
Winning the First Division title six months after their penalty shoot-out success against Celtic at Ibrox was an incredible achievement according to Kirkwood who said: “We were chasing after clubs from early on in the season as we did not win one of our first five league games. At one stage, in December, we were 11 points behind.
“We went on a fantastic unbeaten run of 14 games run and won 14 out of 17 to transform our League season. We drew 0-0 with Hamilton Accies at Firhill (Hamilton's registered ground at that time) on the final day of the season and that was us promoted as Champions. That really was a great run.”
Kirkwood’s current side went on a fine run of their own at the end of last season to secure their place in the First Round of The Ramsdens Cup although they faced a nervous few minutes before they found out they had definitely secured it.
Four wins and three draws in their last seven games had set up the opportunity of a spot in the knock-out tournament however, finger nails were getting bitten after the final day 1-1 draw with Rothes.
Kirkwood explained: “Towards the end of the season, we knew that were chasing a prize of a Ramsdens place after we heard we could make the competition through the work we have done on Club Licensing. We defeated Lossiemouth and then Huntly and knew that we needed a win over Rothes to be sure.
“We only drew and then had to wait six or seven minutes before we heard Keith’s result. It all became a bit surreal as there was nothing we could do. Thankfully, they lost and we had secured our place.”
That seven minute period was almost as unsettling as the First Round Draw as he said: “We all wanted a home draw and we were down to the last four before Wick came out. I knew Raith were still in the hat as well so it was fantastic when they came out next.”
It will be Rovers’ Manager Grant Murray’s first competitive game in charge of the First Division side and his men will meet a Wick side that are developing under Kirkwood’s guidance.
Kirkwood said: “This is a club that is going in the right direction on and off the park. When I left Ross County after working with their youth set-up, I was given the opportunity to become the Manager here last June. I went on holiday to consider it and when I came back, my mind was made up to go for it.
“It has been a bit of an eye opener as I did not know much about the Highland League. Every game in the league is an adventure and I have enjoyed it so far.”
Evidence of the growing professionalism at the club is not hard to find with Kirkwood adding: “We have new floodlights in place and a lot of work has gone into making the pitch a good one.
“We have a young squad who are willing to learn and a dream to work with. Three of them were youngsters at Ross County and see this game as an opportunity to show what they can do. We had one senior pro in our ranks, Martin Gunn, who was at Dundee United however, he has retired now so it will be a 'David versus Goliath' encounter.”
Kirkwood is still an admirer of Raith Rovers saying: “They were very nearly a SPL side a year ago and that tells you all you need to know.
“In my time there, we had some great players in David Narey, Shaun Dennis, Colin Cameron, Stevie Crawford and Gordon Dalziel. The current Raith team does not have as many experienced players although they have guys like Eddie Malone and Laurie Ellis who have been in the game a long time.”
Wick have prepared well for their encounter and they secured a 3-3 draw with Aberdeen’s Under-20 side last week with Kirkwood saying: “We played really well in that game and could have snatched a win. The Aberdeen side had players with first team experience so we can take a lot of confidence for our performance into this game.”
Kirkwood admits that it will be strange to be sending out a side to defeat Rovers however, that is his aim as he said: “It will be a bit unusual watching and not playing for Raith and hoping that they get beat but that is my aim. I will be working on the sidelines doing the best I can to make that happen.
“Our players are hungry for the game but regardless of the result, their fans, officials and players will be looked after. It is great hospitality up here.”
Kirkwood finished by saying: “We have to ensure Raith Rovers know that they are in a game. Mind you, they will feel like that after just getting here. It is some journey!”
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