Latest news with #BonnyriggRose
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Tranent hero Dean Brett swaps Benidorm for Broadwood as he chases Junior Cup glory
It's sod's law, but the 32-year-old former Cowdenbeath and Bonnyrigg Rose full back admits he wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world. Dean Brett should be on the final leg of a stag bender in Benidorm today. Instead the Tranent hero is hoping to kick off the mother of all booze-ups at Broadwood. Brett has had to pull out of his best mate's pre-wedding bash in Spain after his two goals in a 3-2 semi final win over Drumchapel helped his hometown club into the Junior Cup Final against Johnstone Burgh. It's sod's law. But the 32-year-old former Cowdenbeath and Bonnyrigg Rose full back admits he wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world. Not only is it the 90th anniversary of Tranent's only previous triumph in the competition, it also happens to be the East Lothian town's gala day. And it's all gearing up to be the most memorable occasion of Brett's career. He said: 'I was meant to be in Benidorm this weekend on a stag do. I just had to cancel that last week. 'My mate Mikey's getting married in September - I miss the wedding as well because I'm just flying home from my holiday that day. Maybe it's a sign. 'You can't really just say, it's only a game of football I'm not playing. 'I thought about going for the first two days then coming back for the final. 'I even scored two goals in the semi and we were out in the pub and I said to the committee: 'I've just scored two goals, surely that deserves a flight home on the Saturday?' 'But they just said, 'Dean you're on a stag do, it's not really good preparation!' 'It's hard to argue with that. They've been brilliant. The club paid for my cancellation. 'To be fair Mikey understands. His uncle has called off from Benidorm too because he's running buses through to the game. 'It's a massive day for the town. 'I'm from Tranent and everybody you pass, all the kids at the school when I'm on the school run, they're like, 'oh, we're going to watch you on Sunday' 'I do coaching as well so the kids have all asked for tickets. There's a real buzz about it now. It's a massive game. 'It's 90 years exactly since Tranent won the Junior Cup - 1935. 'Not just that but it's Tranent Gala Day too, I think all the local pubs are showing it live on telly. 'It maybe puts a dampener on the ticket's sold, but honestly it's a massive. 'If Tranent win the Junior Cup on the town's gala day then it'll be remembered for a long, long time so, aye, it is massive this week.' Brett has two league winners' medals with Cowdenbeath and was a play-off champion with Bonnyrigg three years ago. But he reckons a Junior Cup triumph with his hometown club would top the lot. He'll have a full row of Broadwood cheering him on with mum and dad Karen and Neil, partner Leanne and kids Arlo and Mia all heading to Cumbernauld. And he said: 'My mum's a nervous wreck. She's Tranent through and through. 'Dad's followed my career right from the start. Cowdenbeath games away to Peterhead and everything and every Bonnyrigg game. 'He's kind of stopped because he's getting older and loves spending time with my kids. But he'll be at Broadwood desperate for us to win. 'When I first broke through at Cowdenbeath we won League One under Colin Cameron. 'I always say that when you feel high, you feel high and it doesn't matter the occasion, you're going to feel high anyway. 'So if we win on Sunday - it's a big 'if' because Johnstone Burgh are a good team - but if there was success I think that would be my best moment. Just for coming to the end of the career, it's a massive cup, it's the 90 year anniversary of Tranent's only success in it and doing it for the town, for your mates, for your friends. 'It'd probably top it all off, to be honest with you.'
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Every SPFL team next season confirmed as top 42 decided
For Hibs, they finished third in the Premiership and are looking forward to Europa League qualifiers in the summer. Hearts will look to regroup after a bottom six finish, backed by new manager Derek McInnes with an investment proposal by Tony Bloom on the table. It's set to be a fresh looking top flight with two clubs in and out of the division following the conclusion of the play-offs. It's the same in the Championship while League One looks totally different to this campaign, three out the 10 teams changing. Then, in League Two, a new side has entered the division and replaces club 42, Bonnyrigg Rose, in the top four tiers. Here is how the SPFL looks ahead of the new campaign.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
In Case You Missed It: Kilby's dreams come true at last, Docherty pays the price for Dundee's hapless defending ... and Tuipulotu gets ready for a strange sort of homecoming with the British and Irish Lions
Dreams do come true in football, with events of the past seven days proving the case time and again. At the start of the week, Mail Sport's Hugh MacDonald went On The Road and found star quality on the sidelines watching East Kilbride reach the SPFL for the first time. In attendance to see the Lowland League champions complete the job in the League Two play-off final against Bonnyrigg Rose and hit the big time were Celtic icons John Hartson and Neil Lennon, as well as Hearts legend Gary Locke. While seeing the Rosey Posey relegated back to the Lowland League after three seasons in the SPFL would have been a tough watch for hometown hero Locke and Lennon, whose son, Gallagher, is on the books of Bonnyrigg, it was a far happier experience for Welshman Hartson. Involved with the club since their launch in 2010, the former Celtic striker told our man Hugh that he feels the sky is the limit for Kilby, who harbour serious ambitions of climbing to the Premiership and mixing it with the big boys in Scottish football. None are currently bigger than Celtic, who continue to dominate the domestic landscape, Saturday's cup final aside. It was, however, a rather different picture two decades ago. On Thursday, it was the 20th anniversary of Helicopter Sunday... when Rangers pipped the Hoops to the title on a dramatic final day of the season. John McGarry looked back on that remarkable season — a far cry from the recent title processions we've had to endure — when two late goals from then-Motherwell striker Scott McDonald, who went to play for Celtic, handed Rangers the league trophy. Fans of the Ibrox club will undoubtedly be hoping that the expected takeover by American investors, including the 49ers Enterprises investment arm, will herald the kind of sweeping changes which will usher in a new era of greater domestic competitiveness. As the domestic season draws towards a conclusion, a couple of international friendlies loom on the horizon. While a Hampden clash against Iceland and a trip to face little Liechtenstein will hardly set pulses racing, they do provide an opportunity for Steve Clarke to assess his options ahead of the World Cup qualifiers this autumn. Chief among those, insisted Mail Sport's Calum Crowe in his gripping column on Wednesday, is to find a system that ensures midfielder Lewis Ferguson's involvement. Calum powerfully argued that Ferguson, who has just captained Bologna to Coppa Italia glory, has been criminally under-used by the national team boss and MUST be part of the road map that the Tartan Army will hope leads all the way to the World Cup Finals in North America next summer. Of course, Ferguson isn't the only Scotland star walking on air this week, with Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour having played pivotal roles in helping Napoli pip Inter Milan to become Serie A champions, as they beat Cagliari on Friday night. Fittingly in what has been an exceptional season since his £25.7million move from Manchester United, McTominay set his side on their way to victory with a sensational opening goal. While both are in Clarke's squad for the upcoming friendlies, it would be no surprise to see one or both granted leave to continue their celebrations. With the Italian top-flight proving a fertile league in which Scottish talent can thrive, with Che Adams, Josh Doig and, previously, Aaron Hickey, also flourishing, it's little surprise that Clarke suggested this week that it would be the perfect platform for in-demand Lennon Miller, with the Motherwell midfielder not likely to be short of suitors this summer. Sadly, the recent rise in unsavoury incidents in Scottish football shows no sign of abating, with Ross County boss Don Cowie claiming a Livingston supporter spat in the face of his assistant Carl Tremarco in Thursday night's Premiership play-off first leg at Almondvale. In a powerful Mail Sport exclusive on Tuesday, Calum Crowe revealed research has shown rising levels of cocaine abuse are helping fuel the recent violence and disorder witnessed throughout Scottish football, with fears being raised that we are heading towards a point where someone is going to be killed inside a stadium in this country. With First Minister John Swinney condemning the violence blighting the game as 'utterly unacceptable', the Scottish government and footballing authorities must wrestle with how best to combat the growing scourge of football disorder. It was also a week of managerial upheaval, with Tony Docherty's failure to fix a hapless defence coming home to roost as ruthless Dundee demand better, while Michael Wimmer stunned Motherwell by quitting after just 12 games in charge to return to his native Germany and a job at third-tier SSV Jahn Regensburg. Switching sports to rugby union, and Sione Tuipulotu insisted this week that, despite his Australian accent, he is 'all in' on securing a Tour victory for the Lions Down Under. The Scotland captain, recently back in action with Glasgow Warriors after months of injury torment, spoke passionately about his pride at being selected to represent the Lions as they head to the land of his birth this summer. And if there's anything else you might have missed, don't forget to check out our home page for all the latest Scottish news and sport.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic legend's son released by Scottish Premiership club as he begins search for new team
A CELTIC legend's son has been left without a club after he was released at the end of his contract. Gallagher Lennon, son of Celtic hero Neil, will now begin a new chapter of his career after being shown the door by St Mirren. 2 Gallagher Lennon training for St Mirren Credit: Willie Vass 2 Neil Lennon watching his son play for Bonnyrigg Rose in the League Two play-off against East Kilbride Credit: Michael Schofield, News Group Newspapers Ltd Lennon, 19, spent just two years in Paisley after he swapped Partick Thistle for the Buddies in 2023. The Northern Ireland youth international failed to make a single first team appearance for the Saints but spent most of his time away from Paisley on loan. He was shipped out four times during his two-year stint as he got a taste of senior action down the leagues with Dumbarton, Bonnyrigg Rose, Annan Athletic and Linlithgow Rose. Lennon made his senior debut in 2023 while at Linlithgow when he was aged just 17. Most recently at Bonnyrigg, Lennon Jr made 18 appearances for the club this season but couldn't help them prevent the drop out of the SPFL. The teenager came off the bench in both of the League Two play-off games against East Kilbride as Bonnyrigg dropped down to the Lowland League again following a 3-1 defeat on aggregate. Clubs have now been put on alert as the youngster is available on a free transfer. St Mirren confirmed the midfielder's exit along with eight other players - three of whom depart following the end of their loan spells. Dennis Adeniran, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Elvis Bwomono, Owen Foster and Richard Taylor have all been released as well. Ryan Alebiosu, Zach Hemming and Roland Idowu will all return to their parent clubs. Son of Celtic legend Neil Lennon opens up on 'honour' of playing for Northern Ireland Lennon's exit could tee up a shock move to work under his father at Dunfermline. The two-time Celtic boss is still in talks with Pars chiefs over extending his deal beyond this season. Lennon joined the club on a short-term deal in March to help steer them clear of relegation. He brought in old pal Victor Wanyama to assist but it was actually Hamilton Accies that ended up doing them the biggest favour. Dunfermline were on the brink of the play-offs until the South Lanarkshire club were handed their shock 15-point deduction which left them bottom of the table and moved the Pars into safety. It's unclear whether he will stay in Fife for another season but if he does then he could be tempted to link up with his out-of-contract son. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Heartache for Bonnyrigg Rose who are relegated from SPFL
Bonnyrigg Rose will ply their trade in the Lowland League next season after being relegated from the SPFL. Sign up to our daily 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... Rose were held to a goalless draw in the second leg of their Pyramid play-off against East Kilbride, failing to overturn a two-goal deficit following last Saturday's 3-1 first-leg defeat in South Lanarkshire. Kilby will now take their place in League Two next season. Neil Martyniuk whips in a cross against East Kilbride. Picture: Joe Gilhooley LRPS. Jonny Stewart's side finished bottom of Scottish football's fourth tier on goal difference having incurred a six-point deduction in November for breaching SPFL rules over the gradient of their New Dundas Park pitch. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stewart galvanised a squad low on confidence when he took over from predecessor Calum Elliot in March, but it proved too little too late despite Rose winning their last three league games of the campaign. It's a bitter blow for a club that secured promotion to the SPFL in May 2022 via the Pyramid play-off. "I'm massively disappointed," Stewart said afterwards. "Obviously it's never nice being relegated whatever sport or level you're playing at. The boys are gutted and so am I and my staff. It's quite hard to put into words, but over the course of the season, did we deserve to finish bottom? No, with the points deduction but we can't use that as an excuse. Since I've come in we've had the opportunity to keep us in the league but unfortunately we hit form just a little bit too late with winning our last three games. "Credit to East Kilbride they're a good side and done a job on us. They were very professional and changed their style of play with the pitch and, if I'm brutally honest, we didn't do enough to win the game. Aaron (Arnott) had a chance in the first half and then Kerr (Young) hits the bar in the second and if that goes in it maybe changes the course of it. Over the piece I felt that we were just a little bit short. "We need to recover physically and mentally now and go again next season. The fans have been brilliant - the support you get here is different class. It's a real community club so hopefully they stick with us."
