Historic Scottish football club with 130 years of history faces being kicked out of league over stadium row
GROUNDS FOR CONCERN Historic Scottish football club with 130 years of history faces being kicked out of league over stadium row
A HISTORIC football club faces being kicked out of the Scottish football pyramid unless they find a new home.
The SFA brought in strict criteria after the introduction of the pyramid in 2013, which has since been tightened to make sure grounds are up to scratch.
1
Whitestone Park
Credit: BBC
Now a club with more than 130 years of history could be thrown out of the East of Scotland Leagues as it doesn't meet the requirements.
Peebles Rovers play at Whitestone Park but because there is no permanent fencing and changing facilities are too far away the stadium is deemed no longer acceptable.
The East of Scotland Second Division side have looked at developing the park, and playing at a new facility but so far the plans have been scuppered.
Rovers have also attempted to ground share with the local rugby club but that too has faced issues.
Peebles Rovers vice-chairman Dave Lamb told the BBC: "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."
Rovers have predominantly spent their time as a non-league side but did enjoy a fleeting spell in Scotland's Third Division in the 1920s.
They have also played in the Scottish Cup more than 20 times, with their first outing a 4-0 defeat to Celtic in 1908.
Abandoned stadium where Celtic legend got big break now unrecognisable from glory days as nature reclaims ground
Perhaps their most notable achievement was holding Hibs to a 0-0 draw at Easter Road in 1923.
Scottish Borders Council is responsible for Whitestone Park and is looking to hold further talks with both the club and league officials in the near future.
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."
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
12 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Marko Lazetic to Aberdeen fee and deal structure revealed as Milan transfer enters final stage
The striker is set to become Jimmy Thelin's latest summer recruit Aberdeen have agreed a bargain deal that will see them land Marko Lazetic on a free and for just a 20 per cent sell-on. Record Sport broke the story that the Scottish Cup winners had agreed a deal with AC Milan for their Serbian under-21 international. The Italian giants had initially wanted a 50 per cent and that had been a sticking point over the last couple of weeks. AC Milan had been holding out for the enhanced sell-on to try and recoup as much of the £3.5million they had paid Red Star back in 2022. Reports in Italy last night claimed that it was a 50 per cent sell-on but they are well wide of the mark. The Dons stood firm because it didn't fall into their player trading model. They have seen it in the past when they gave Benfica a 50 per cent sell-on for Duk. Aberdeen were helped by the fact that Lazetic made it clear that he wanted to make the move to Pittodrie. They are now in the process of finalising the move. Lazetic will sign a long-term deal subject to a medical and a visa being issued. The Dons are pushing to get everything in place for the 21-year-old to be registered ahead of their Europa League play-off, where they will face the winners of FCSB and Drita. Manager Jimmy Thelin is still looking to add another three signings, on top of Lazetic, before the close of the window. You can sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
12 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Etienne Youte breaks cover as Celtic issued Jakob Breum red flag before key transfer deadline
Brendan Rodgers is in dire need of recruits with the season well under way for the Scottish champions Le Havre defender Etienne Youte has thrown open the door to Celtic as he admitted he is awaiting the right club for his next move. Reports in France suggest the Scottish Premiership champions have joined Anderlecht and Besiktas in the race to land the 23-year-old. Youte only has a year remaining on his contract and the Ligue 1 outfit would reportedly accept a €5million (£4.3million) fee this summer. But the centre-back has yet to receive an offer with boss Brendan Rodgers conceding ahead of the clash with Aberdeen that no new arrivals were imminent. Speaking to Paris Normadie, Youte admitted: "I know now that I have to be patient before making a decision. For the moment, I'm here and I feel good within this group. I'm preparing for the season. "If there are interesting offers for me and for the club, we will find an agreement together." Celtic are also looking to add more firepower up front after Rodgers' demands - with forward Jakob Breum on the agenda after having multiple bids knocked back by the Dutch club. Go Ahead Eagles chief Jan Willem van Dop even aimed a brutal swipe at the Hoops as he told them to conduct themselves more like Rangers after a deal for Oliver Antman was concluded quickly - but a transfer could still be alive. The Dane missed his club's draw with Fortuna Sittard, but boss Melvin Boel insisted it was not to do with an imminent exit - and explained the absence was due to injury. He said: "It doesn't look bad, but the match in Sittard comes too soon. I'm hopeful he'll be back next week." And former Denmark international Kenneth Perez had a warning for the Hoops - insisting Breum may not be ready to step up a level. The former PSV and Ajax star told ESPN: "He's good for the Dutch league, where you can indeed play like that. A bit of beauty between the lines, being clever, and so on. "He's a good footballer, but when you see what a player needs to have to play at a higher level now... That's different." It comes with the first leg of the Champions League qualifier fast approaching - with Johan Mjallby insisting Celtic must find the attacking additions that Rodgers' requires before the clash on August 20. He told the Sunday Post: *Of course, supporters want to see some new signings and Brendan has made his feelings clear. "They will want business done in the coming week to have the signings eligible for the Champions League play-off game. That will be so important to win that tie. Having done so well last season in Europe, it's natural to want to kick on and grow. "I covered a few of Celtic's Champions League games last season and they really came of age. "The supporters now expect that level of performance every tie in Europe. So, it's understandable to want to add extra quality to the squad. It will never guarantee anything but it certainly gives you a better chance of being successful. "Kieran Tierney's arrival back at the club is great business. He'll add his experience at European level and will be really helpful to the team. "Callum McGregor controls the midfield area and that sort of thing takes care of itself. But Brendan feels the team needs help in the final third and you want to have as much creativity as possible in the team."
.png%3Fwidth%3D940%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
12 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hibs transfer latest: Ex ace links up with Conor McGregor's pub team
Here are some of the latest Hibs transfer headlines ahead of their latest clash. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs have started the season brightly and fans have been buoyed by another new signing ahead of their latest clash. After signing Scotland international Grant Hanley earlier this week, Miguel Chaiwa has strengthened the midfield on a permanent basis after time at Young Boys in Switzerland. His arrival fuels the good mood around Leith after beating Dundee 2-1 in their Premiership opener, and following that up with a stunning 2-0 Conference League third round qualifier first leg win at Partizan Belgrade. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next up is Kilmarnock at Easter Road before the return leg with Serbian opposition next week. In the meantime, here are the latest Leith-themed transfer headlines, including a shock football return for an ex Hibs and Sunderland man. Why Miguel Chaiwa has signed for Hibs Head coach David Gray's new midfielder has promised a combative style that will add an extra edge to the middle of the park. Chaiwa told Hibs TV: 'From what I've experienced so far, [I expect it to be] intense, with more duels. It's going to be exciting for me. For me, I might describe myself as more of a box-to-box player. "I'm creative, able to eliminate players and full of energy - and not scared to go into duels. That's me. I'm really, really excited to play and to be with the squad. I can't wait for it. And if the coach gives me a chance, I have to prove it. 'I'm really, really happy to be here. Looking at how they welcome me, it's been more like a family welcome. So I'm really, really happy and excited to be here. I believe in every life, in football, there is always a new chapter. So I decided to carry on in a new chapter, and in a new environment for me." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anthony Stokes returns to football Former striker Anthony Stokes has returned to football - at Conor McGregor's pub team. He made 38 appearances for Sunderland at the start of his career and also featured prominently for Celtic. Over multiple spells at Hibs, Stokes scored 46 goals in 94 games, helping them win the Scottish Cup in 2016. Since last being spotted playing professionally at Livingston, off the field issues have plagued him. Already back in 2013, the ex Republic of Ireland international was handed a two-year suspended sentence for headbutting a man in Dublin. The striker has also admitted to stalking a former girlfriend and that resulted in five months in prison during 2024 for breaching court orders in relation to the offence. There was then a 15 month prison sentence in 2024 after being found with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine after a high speed chase, also over the alcohol limit. A community service order was imposed after the sentence was suspended entirely. The striker has announced on social media his move to Black Forge FC, a pub team at Conor McGregor's Black Forge Inn pub, where the fighter famed in the UFC has featured on occasion. Stokes said: "Better get the dust knocked off the boots." Marvin Ekpiteta to MK Dons reaction MK Dons sporting director Liam Sweeting believes the English League Two club have come up trumps after sealing a permanent move for Hibs defender Marvin Ekpiteta. The former Blackpool man played 17 times in his sole year at Easter Road and has returned south of the border. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: 'Our aim this summer has been clear – bring in real quality that will raise the level of the squad, and Marvin ticks every box. He's played at different levels in England and Scotland, he's a leader, and he brings something unique to our defensive unit. His games played and promotions tell you everything about his professionalism, consistency and winning mentality. 'Marvin is a defender who loves defending – he's powerful, athletic, dominant in the air, and we believe those qualities will give us greater solidity and presence at the back. We're excited to see the impact he'll make both on the pitch and in the dressing room.'
