George Christie
Berwick Rangers have announced that one of their heroes from their historic 1-0 Scottish Cup over Rangers in 1967 has passed away. Striker George Christie died last Saturday at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh having suffered a stroke the previous week.
Christie joined the Borderers in 1966 from East Fife and scored 16 goals in 38 appearances over a two year spell, however he was injured in a friendly against South Shields shortly after the Rangers game and never played again.
Christie’s funeral will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 4 at Lorimer Chapel, Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh
Berwick Rangers Club Secretary Dennis McLeary said, “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to George’s family and friends. George was one of the two reasons that the 1967 team which beat Rangers never ever played together competitively in a match again. The following Saturday, player boss Jock Wallace took time off from playing duties to spy on Hibs who we met in the next round. We went down to South Shields the following midweek where George was injured and that ended the chances of the team ever playing together again.”
Tweed starts changes at Links Park
Montrose manager Steven Tweed has started trimming his squad for next season as the Gable Endies look to start afresh after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish bottom of the SFL. Tweed has released former Motherwell goalkeeper Steven Coutts and midfield playmaker Marek Tomana after just one season each at Links Park.
Tweed said, “Steven and Marek both leave here with my best wishes and I hope they can get their careers going again somewhere else.”
Martin proud despite defeat
Albion Rovers boss Paul Martin has praised his players despite them failing to over take Queen’s Park in the race for the Play-offs when they went down 2-0 to Livingston in their final game in hand on Tuesday evening. The Coatbridge side sit one point behind the Spiders, however Martin reckons his men deserve praise not criticism.
Martin explained, “The Livingston game was our seventh game in seventeen days and we went into it with a few injuries. We started off by pinning Livingston back, however we then lost two strange goals with one scored via a deflection and the other a mis-hit own goal. With 18 minutes gone and two goals down we could have folded but the lads stuck with it and had the better chances for the rest of the game.”
Rovers are at home to Stranraer on Saturday and a win or a draw will see them progress as the expense of the Spiders if they fail to beat Forfar with Martin saying, “If we play like we did on Tuesday night we will do okay and it would be a fantastic achievement for a club like Albion Rovers to be in the play-offs with the resources we have at our disposal.”
Mitchell picks up hatful of awards
Stranraer’s on loan Ayr United goalkeeper David Mitchell will have plenty to boast about when he returns to Somerset Park after his season long loan as he picked up five awards from the Stair Park club after their final home game last weekend.
Annan top Reserves for first time
Annan Athletic will end this season’s Reserve League Cup West section at the top of the table of seven clubs. They defeated East Stirling 5-1 with goals from Scott Anson, who scored twice, David Cox along with Stephen and Lewis Sloan. It is the first time the Galabank club have entered a side in the competition and it looks like they will be facing Dunfermline in the final as the East End Park side top the East region with two games to go.
Weekend whistlers
The referees for this weekend’s crucial round of final SFL fixtures have been announced.
First Division - Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dundee - Steve Conroy, Airdrie United v Dunfermline Athletic - Crawford Allan, Morton v Ayr United - Charlie Richmond, Partick Thistle v Queen of the South - Thomas Robertson, Raith Rovers v Ross County Calum Murray.
Second Division - Alloa Athletic v Cowdenbeath - Craig Charleston, Arbroath v
East Fife - Brian Winter, Brechin City v Stirling Albion - Steven Nicholls, Clyde v Dumbarton - Frank McDermott, Stenhousemuir v Peterhead - Gary Hilland.
Third Division - Albion Rovers v Stranraer - Neil Watters, Annan Athletic v Berwick Rangers - David Somers, Livingston v East Stirlingshire - Brian Colvin, Elgin City v Montrose - Kevin Clancy, Forfar Athletic v Queen's Park - Mat Northcroft.
Pars Open Day
Dunfermline are holding their Annual Club Open day at East End Park on Sunday, May 9. Jim McIntyre’s First Team squad will be in attendance with the Finals of the Pars in the Community 125th Anniversary Tournament also being played.
Brechin to the fore
Brechin City are looking to build on their successful Sportswoman’s and Sportsman’s Dinner by hosting a fund raising Golf Day at Brechin Golf Club on Friday, August 13 with an early afternoon shotgun start.
Youth Cup Semi-Final clash
Airdrie United take Partick Thistle in their SFL Youth Cup Semi-Final at Airdrie Leisure Centre this Sunday, May 2 with an 11.00am start.
No training for County
Ross County have had to abandon plans to run a ‘Football Special’ train to Glasgow for their Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United on Saturday, May 15. A club spokesperson said, “. A number of issues, primarily concerning timings, route availability and industrial action have unfortunately led to this decision being taken. Subsidised Supporters buses will run from Victoria Park and Caledonian Stadium in Inverness and tickets for these services are on sale at the club at the cost of £15 return.”
Marshall makes first start
Former Celtic youngster Ryan Marshall made his competitive debut for Stranraer at Elgin on Tuesday night, just six months after a collision in his first appearance for the Stair Park reserve side resulted in Marshall required surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.
Blues boss Keith Knox said, “Everyone at the club has been delighted with Ryan’s progress this season as a goalkeeper especially after his injury.”
.png){kind=logo}
