Historic Scottish football club with 130 years of history faces being kicked out of league over stadium row
Tougher criteria brought in means there is a race to find a new home
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."
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