02-07-2025
Historic Scottish football club dramatically WITHDRAW from league weeks before new season amid stadium issues
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A HISTORIC Scottish football club have dramatically WITHDRAWN from competing in their league next season.
They've made the huge call after a row over their home stadium.
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The club have withdrawn from the East of Scotland League
Credit: SNS
Peebles Rovers have been on the go for more than 130 years having been formed in 1888.
Previously members of the SFL, they've spent almost the past 100 years in the East of Scotland Football League, winning the league title six times and the First Division three times.
They were due to be competing in the EoSFL Second Division this coming season but have now pulled out just weeks ahead of the new season getting underway.
The dramatic decision comes after their home stadium was no longer deemed compliant going forward.
They've been playing at Whitestone Park since the early part of the 1900s but it now longer meets the criteria needed for clubs in the EoSFL.
The more stringent criteria means Peebles' ground fell foul of rules surrounding the changing facilities and fencing.
The situation meant the club faced being booted out of the league.
They explored a number of options, including developing the ground, moving elsewhere or ground-sharing with the local rugby club.
But none of those materialised.
Now, in a statement, the club have confirmed they've withdrawn from the Est of Scotland League.
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They have, however, assured supporters that the club is NOT folding - and they intend to mount a comeback as soon as they possibly can.
The Peebles Rovers statement read: "It is with great regret that we have to announce that we have withdrawn from competing in the 2025/26 EoSFL season and its associated cup competitions.
"This is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
"We apologise to the league for the lateness in our communication, but we wanted to ensure that there was no other option before we came to this decision.
"Sadly, the lack of progress towards a compliant ground together with the threat of relegation due to having insufficient facilities made it impossible for us to assemble a management team and playing squad to tackle the long season ahead.
"Peebles Rovers has NOT folded, we will continue to pay our association fees and very much hope we receive the support we have been promised over the years to come back stronger in the shortest possible time.
"At this point, we would like to acknowledge all of our sponsors who have been behind us along the way and to ensure our kit sponsors that we will once again have their logos displayed on playing and training kit when we return.
"Finally, for now, thanks to everyone that has supported the club on and off the field and please, if you can lend a hand to get us back on our feet, then we would be delighted to hear from you."
The East of Scotland League Second Division will proceed with 15 teams next season instead of the planned 16.
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