Peebles Rovers: 130-year-old football club races to find new home
A 130-year-old football club fears it could face being thrown out of the Scottish pyramid system unless it can find a new home.Peebles Rovers have been playing fixtures at the picturesque Whitestone Park since the early 20th Century - but the ground now fails to meet criteria for clubs competing in the East of Scotland leagues.They have explored developing their ground, moving to new parts of the Borders town and even ground-sharing with their rugby neighbours - all without success.Peebles now face expulsion from the league unless they can find a new home over the coming months. Chairman Allan MacDonald said: "We've been reaching out for help for many years - but we're now running out of time."
Peebles Rovers remain the only club from the Borders to have played in the Scottish leagues.Although their stay in the Third Division was short-lived - between 1923 and 1926 - they have also enjoyed some headline grabbing Scottish Cup ties over the decades, including a goalless draw with Hibs at Easter Road in 1923, and an infamous clash with Brechin in 1959 which required three separate replays.Silverware has been limited, with only a handful of cups and league titles, but Peebles have remained a mainstay of Scottish non-league football since forming in the 1890s.Mr McDonald added: "We have a fantastic history going back more than 130 years - and it would be a travesty if we were to be just kicked out of the league."We don't meet the required ground criteria at the moment and we have exhausted almost every avenue trying to find a solution for taking the club forward."
To meet criteria first introduced along with the Scottish pyramid system in 2013, Rovers created dugouts in front of their historic stand, and erected temporary fencing around the ground's perimeter.But with more stringent criteria now required - which include closer proximity of changing facilities and permanent fencing - Whitestone Park is no longer suitable.Initial inquiries have ruled out developing the park, which is partially shared with the town's cricket team, mainly on planning grounds.Several attempts have been made to create a new playing facility at other sites in the town, but all have fallen through.
The latest proposals to ground share at the neighbouring Gytes with Peebles Rugby Club have also been met with problems and resistance.Peebles Rovers vice-chairman Dave Lamb said: "We have had multiple promises over the years but we are no further forward."It's been made clear that we cannot develop Whitestone Park, and without a new ground we're facing automatic relegation at the end of this season to East of Scotland Division Three."If we are still here the season after that then the league say we will be removed altogether."We have 10 months to find a new facility or we are finished."
Recent meetings between Peebles Rovers and league officials have not resulted in any leeway being provided over criteria timescales.Scottish Borders Council, which is responsible for both Whitestone Park and the neighbouring Gytes, is looking to hold meetings with both the football club and league officials in the coming weeks.Council leader Euan Jardine: "We are fully aware of the predicament Peebles Rovers find themselves in."We have asked the East of Scotland Football Association for a meeting so that we can come up with a solution."It is in all of our interests to to give Peebles Rovers a secure future."The East of Scotland FA has been approached for comment.
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Slicker endures horror debut - but who is Scotland's seventh-choice keeper?
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It was his only save of the second Iceland goal was caused by dreadful work by the entire Scotland defence, culminating with Slicker failing to scramble the ball off his line after it ricocheted towards goal off Lewis should have been an opportunity to regroup and reset, but the third concession was perhaps the most egregious. Victor Palsson's header was straight at Slicker, but the ball burst through his arms and into the back of the later, the sparse Hampden crowd cheered ironically when Slicker successfully caught the ball. It summed up a torrid night for the young man. So who is Slicker? Eligible through his Scottish father, Slicker was signed by the then-League One Ipswich Town from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023 on a three-year 22-year-old was an unused substitute for City manager Pep Guardiola for several first-team games in the 2021-22 season. He also spent time on loan at Rochdale before his Ipswich move, but failed to make a league was part of the Tractor Boys squad that recorded back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, making a few appearances in domestic cup competitions along the way and filling in as the back-up keeper on occasion too. But Slicker played just 10 minutes for Ipswich last season - in the FA Cup - and is still to make his senior league has 17 caps at under-21 level for Scotland - with three clean sheets - and was first called up for the senior squad in November 2024. What did Clarke say about it? "It's difficult for Cieran, I really feel for him," the Scotland head coach told BBC Sport Scotland. "He got thrown into a situation that he wasn't quite ready for but Craig Gordon's injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark is injured."It's something I thought might come back to bite us [the lack of goalkeeping options]. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match."I'd imagine [Angus Gunn] won't play the next game."I've had young Callan McKenna in the squad so he'll travel then we'll have a look and see if we can find another goalkeeper in Scotland who's not on holiday." What happens now? Not only are Gordon, Kelly and Clark out at present, Robby McCrorie went down in the warm-up. It all likelihood, he's the one who would have come on against Gunn and McCrorie likely out of Monday's friendly against Liechtenstein, too, and Slicker's confidence through the floor, will Clarke turn to someone else?"You have to find out what's in the player's mind as well, how he's feeling about it," former Scotland defender Willie Miller said of Slicker."What you're looking for is honesty from him. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn't want to?"Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?"McKenna, 18, has more senior experience than Slicker, but not by much. He played nine matches for Queen's Park in the Scottish Championship before signing for Bournemouth in 2024. He's been in their development squad since and has been with the Scotland group as a training player for the past the lack of options, Clarke's first phone call might be to Jon two-time Scotland cap, 37, only played one FA Cup game for Swansea City last season and is now out of contract. But he was a squad regular, is experienced, and would likely be considered one of the safest options. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken was in Scotland squads during the season just gone, but was replaced between at Dens Park by Trevor Carson midway through the Scottish-based options would be Scott Bain - recently released by Celtic - or Ross Doohan - recently signed by Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray has previously been called up by Clarke, too, but would appear to be a long way down the pecking order these days. 'Frustration bordering on anger at situation' Clarke was much more candid about Slicker's night than many thought he might spoke about this was too early for him, him not being ready for it. It's clear that the lad is suffering after being thrown in to a also sounds like he was always going to be third choice - and therefore there for experience rather than game time - until McCrorie's injury in the warm-up. It's an unforgiving thing is clear though, Clarke's manner over the goalkeeping situation was frustration bordering on anger.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Pressure mounts on Scotland boss Steve Clarke after young keeper's debut turns into Hampden horror show
Steve Clarke claimed he had no choice but to select Cieran Slicker after the keeper endured a nightmare on his Scotland debut. A dismal 3-1 defeat to Iceland in their Hampden friendly led to jeers from the Tartan Army, and intensified the pressure on the manager ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in the autumn. Thrown on to replace the injured Angus Gunn after eight minutes, Slicker was at fault for each goal, but the 22-year-old wasn't solely to blame as Clarke's side turned in a lifeless and flat performance. Called into the squad despite playing just nine minutes of competitive football for Ipswich this season, his first involvement was a poor kick which led to Andri Gudjohnsen's opener, with another error amid a static Scotland defence leading to Lewis Ferguson's own goal after John Souttar had equalised. He then failed to keep out a routine header by Victor Palsson. Asked why he had turned to the young keeper, Clarke said Robby McCrorie had injured his thigh in the warm-up, and admitted the experience simply came too soon for Slicker. 'It was a difficult night,' he said. 'It didn't get off to the best of starts when we lost our No2 goalkeeper in the warm-up, then two minutes into the game our No1 gets injured as well. It was a tough night and I feel a little bit for young Cieran.' Asked how Slicker could recover from such a catastrophic debut, Clarke added: 'I'll sit with him over the next couple of days and have a little chat about it. I'll give him reassurance because he probably went in when it was too early. 'He wasn't quite ready for it. That wasn't his fault. That's the circumstances that dictated that. We'll now try and support him as much as we can. 'Listen, he'll get over it. Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch. His character is good in and around the squad. He's comfortable. 'This was probably just an opportunity that came a little bit too early for him. 'Listen, we could talk about Cieran and what happened for him, but it's a circumstance I pointed out in March. I could see something like this possibly happening. 'The only crumb of comfort to take from it is that it happened in a friendly match. And hopefully we can be better prepared when it comes to the autumn.' Gunn and McCrorie now join Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark on the list of injured Scotland keepers. Clarke will add Bournemouth teenager Callan McKenna to the squad that travels to face Liechtenstein on Monday. 'I'll also have a little scout around and see if anybody is not on the beach and is available to come,' he said. 'Our options are not exactly jumping off the page at me. We will go away and see how he reacts, how he is overnight, how he is tomorrow and at training on Sunday. 'It is pretty unusual to have your five first-choice goalkeepers all injured. Not everyone plays regularly at their club. It is something we have to address and look at. But it is not going to change in a click of the fingers. It is more for the long term, and the next head coach and the next head coach after that. ' Clarke admitted the overall display fell well short of expectations. 'After the disruption at the start, we were quite lacklustre,' he said. 'It took us a while to get into the game. 'We made a few chances, their keeper made some good saves. We got ourselves back into it and then like the last game v Greece, we conceded a bad goal just before half time. We need to eliminate that type of concession and be more solid going into the half. That is something we can work on.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
We were poor against Iceland and I understand why Scotland fans can booed us – everyone has to take responsibility
JOHN SOUTTAR insists ALL of Scotland's players are to blame for their horror 3-1 defeat to Iceland - not just cock-up keeper Cieran Slicker. The Ipswich reserve goalie won his first cap as an early sub for crocked Angus Gunn but had a nightmare evening. 3 John Souttar reacts at full-time Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 He scored Scotland's only goal in the game Credit: PA 3 He's jumped to under-fire Cieran Slicker's defence Credit: Getty Slicker was to blame for all three of Iceland's goals, including a bizarre third which went right through him. But Souttar - who briefly levelled with a first-half header - maintains the 22-year-old shouldn't be singled out because EVERYONE was shocking. He said: 'I've not spoken to him, to be honest, but tonight was collective and everyone has to take responsibility. 'Will it be a learning experience for him? I'm sure it will be and everyone has had it in their career. 'But the result is collective, I don't think any of us could say we were great in the game so it's on all of us. 'We were poor tonight. 'I don't think we did enough on the ball, we didn't create enough chances, Iceland kept the ball better than us and moved us about. 'Games like this at Hampden, we want to dominate, press high and get the crowd going. 'But tonight we didn't do that. 'It's difficult, boys have played all season but Iceland have been the same, their players have been playing all season. Laser shone in the eyes of Scott Tominay during match but it 'didn't put him off' 'We have to go into the game on Monday against Liechtenstein and get some momentum back ahead of the internationals in September.' The Tartan Army made their feelings about the performance obvious, booing Clarke's team off at half-time and again at the end. And Souttar has no complaints about anyone venting their fury. He said: 'It's not great and you don't want to be part of that. 'But the fans are great, they pay their money so they can boo if they want. 'We were not good enough first half. 'It's not great to hear but it's part and parcel of football. 'The fans are great when we win.' Scotland have shipped six goals in their last two games and beyond the keeper crisis, Steve Clarke's defence is creaking badly. Souttar knows they have to be miles better when the World Cup qualifiers kick off against Denmark in September. And if it's not their qualification hopes will quickly go up in smoke. How they rated Angus Gunn - Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 He said: 'We went through a spell where were keeping clean sheets and defending well towards the end of the last campaign. 'Even against Greece in the first game we defended well. 'But the last two games haven't been good enough and everyone is well aware of that. 'We need to be better, this was a friendly but it's important we put it right in September because that's the big one. 'I'm sure if we do that there will be a much better atmosphere. 'You never want to go into a game wanting to lose, never. 'But if this time next year we are in a good position to go a World Cup then things will feel a lot better. 'It's always important when you play for your country, the next few months are huge because the games are coming again in September. 'We need to get some momentum going again.' Gunn hobbled off after twisting his ankle in the first minute and now faces trying to find a club while nursing an injury. The keeper will become a free agent this summer after Norwich didn't offer him a new deal so Souttar hopes he makes a speedy recovery. He said: 'It has been a long season and the last thing you want towards the end of it is losing players to injury. 'Hopefully Gunny is okay but obviously it was a blow losing our keeper.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
