Latest news with #PeeblesRovers
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Historic Scottish football club dramatically WITHDRAW from league weeks before new season amid stadium issues
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HISTORIC Scottish football club have dramatically WITHDRAWN from competing in their league next season.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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The club have withdrawn from the East of Scotland League Credit: SNS Peebles Rovers have been on the go for more than 130 years having been formed in 1888.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 Now, in a statement, the club have confirmed they've withdrawn from the Est of Scotland League. Birmingham give update on new £3billion stadium as they announce major development 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 The Peebles Rovers statement read: "It is with great regret that we have to announce that we have withdrawn from competing in the 2025/26 EoSFL season and its associated cup competitions.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. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish football club desperately appeal for help with their long-term future at risk after 132 years
Peebles Rovers are fighting for their existence in the East of Scotland League 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... Peebles Rovers fear they will be ejected from Scottish football's pyramid system if they can't find a new home ground. Whitestone Park, the club's base for nearly 120 years, does not meet the required criteria for Peebles to continue long-term in the East of Scotland Football League. Attempts to find an alternative have failed so far. Peebles officials have been told Whitestone Park cannot be upgraded, while efforts to share other sports grounds locally have been rejected. The club are now concerned that their very future is at risk after 132 years. They remain the only club from the Borders region to have played in the Scottish leagues, having been members of the old Scottish Football League Third Division between 1923 and 1926. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Currently in the East of Scotland League Second Division, Peebles fear being demoted and eventually forced out of senior football altogether. The club are desperately appealing for anyone who can help them survive. 'For several years now, there has been increasing pressure on the club from the East of Scotland Football League (EOSFL) to upgrade our facilities,' they said in a statement. 'Changes to the minimum league criteria a few years ago resulted in home and away dugouts being added to the Alec Lucas stand along with permanent and semi-permanent pitch surrounds. 'Since the elevation of the EOSFL to the Scottish Football pyramid, these minimum ground criteria have become significantly more stringent, to such an extent that the club has been forced to actively seek an alternative ground to play from. Whitestone Park has been the home of Peebles Rovers for almost 120 years but, as it is not possible to make the necessary upgrades to this area, it has been deemed necessary that we find a new home. 'Over the last few years, we have engaged with several senior figures at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) in the hope that we could find a workable solution. Multiple promises have been made and broken and leaving the club in a seriously precarious position. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were summoned to an EOSFL meeting to outline our plans but as what appeared to be our last hope of survival, a ground share with Peebles RFC at The Gytes, has met with both opposition and funding issues, we had virtually nothing to appease the league authorities with. 'Whilst, from our perspective, it is clearly disappointing that there is opposition to sharing The Gytes, it is perfectly within the rights of Peebles RFC to want to retain sole ownership of the lease so we just need to live with the consequences of this no matter how damaging it is to our future and to the local sport community. The only alternative to this would now be to find somewhere to start completely from scratch. 'Even if this became a possibility, should anyone local have suitable ground they could lease to the club, the timescales involved would not be consistent with our continuous participation in the EOSFL. Clearly, if there was potential to relocate somewhere else, we would then be able to fundraise for a specific project and hopefully be able to re-enter the EOSFL in a compliant facility in the future. 'In terms of timescale, if we do not have a compliant ground by March 2026, we would be demoted to the lowest division of the EOSFL and if by March 2027 we did not have the necessary ground, we would be ejected from the league. Clearly, this scenario severely impacts our ability to sign and motivate players going into next season where all they could be playing for is relegation from the outset. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'What a shame this would be to see a 132-year-old club potentially go to the wall due to a lack of sporting facilities in the town that are commensurate with the 21st century. Many people over the years, and in fact decades, have worked tirelessly for this club but its very existence is now threatened. If the club ceases to exist, it would bring an end to our active support of Peeblesshire Foodbank and the Alec Lucas Memorial Trust. It would also remove the pathway for local kids to play in the town from the age of five right up to senior football. 'So, whilst time is very much against us, we are far from giving up and if necessary will continue to work behind the scenes to help ensure the club comes back better, stronger and in a facility that will inspire future generations. 'If anyone at all feels they can help the club in any way, whether it be potentially with land which could be leased and developed, financially or just with any advice or help at all, please do get in touch and we will be delighted to speak with you. 'Together, we can all save the future of Peebles Rovers!'
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish football club desperately appeal for help with their future at risk after 132 years
Peebles Rovers are fighting for their existence in the East of Scotland League 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... Peebles Rovers fear they will be ejected from Scottish football's pyramid system if they can't find a new home ground. Whitestone Park, the club's base for nearly 120 years, does not meet the required criteria for Peebles to continue long-term in the East of Scotland Football League. Attempts to find an alternative have failed so far. Peebles officials have been told Whitestone Park cannot be upgraded, while efforts to share other sports grounds locally have been rejected. The club are now concerned that their very future is at risk after 132 years. They remain the only club from the Borders region to have played in the Scottish leagues, having been members of the old Scottish Football League Third Division between 1923 and 1926. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Currently in the East of Scotland League Second Division, Peebles fear being demoted and eventually forced out of senior football altogether. The club are desperately appealing for anyone who can help them survive. 'For several years now, there has been increasing pressure on the club from the East of Scotland Football League (EOSFL) to upgrade our facilities,' they said in a statement. 'Changes to the minimum league criteria a few years ago resulted in home and away dugouts being added to the Alec Lucas stand along with permanent and semi-permanent pitch surrounds. 'Since the elevation of the EOSFL to the Scottish Football pyramid, these minimum ground criteria have become significantly more stringent, to such an extent that the club has been forced to actively seek an alternative ground to play from. Whitestone Park has been the home of Peebles Rovers for almost 120 years but, as it is not possible to make the necessary upgrades to this area, it has been deemed necessary that we find a new home. 'Over the last few years, we have engaged with several senior figures at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) in the hope that we could find a workable solution. Multiple promises have been made and broken and leaving the club in a seriously precarious position. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were summoned to an EOSFL meeting to outline our plans but as what appeared to be our last hope of survival, a ground share with Peebles RFC at The Gytes, has met with both opposition and funding issues, we had virtually nothing to appease the league authorities with. 'Whilst, from our perspective, it is clearly disappointing that there is opposition to sharing The Gytes, it is perfectly within the rights of Peebles RFC to want to retain sole ownership of the lease so we just need to live with the consequences of this no matter how damaging it is to our future and to the local sport community. The only alternative to this would now be to find somewhere to start completely from scratch. 'Even if this became a possibility, should anyone local have suitable ground they could lease to the club, the timescales involved would not be consistent with our continuous participation in the EOSFL. Clearly, if there was potential to relocate somewhere else, we would then be able to fundraise for a specific project and hopefully be able to re-enter the EOSFL in a compliant facility in the future. 'In terms of timescale, if we do not have a compliant ground by March 2026, we would be demoted to the lowest division of the EOSFL and if by March 2027 we did not have the necessary ground, we would be ejected from the league. Clearly, this scenario severely impacts our ability to sign and motivate players going into next season where all they could be playing for is relegation from the outset. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'What a shame this would be to see a 132-year-old club potentially go to the wall due to a lack of sporting facilities in the town that are commensurate with the 21st century. Many people over the years, and in fact decades, have worked tirelessly for this club but its very existence is now threatened. If the club ceases to exist, it would bring an end to our active support of Peeblesshire Foodbank and the Alec Lucas Memorial Trust. It would also remove the pathway for local kids to play in the town from the age of five right up to senior football. 'So, whilst time is very much against us, we are far from giving up and if necessary will continue to work behind the scenes to help ensure the club comes back better, stronger and in a facility that will inspire future generations. 'If anyone at all feels they can help the club in any way, whether it be potentially with land which could be leased and developed, financially or just with any advice or help at all, please do get in touch and we will be delighted to speak with you. 'Together, we can all save the future of Peebles Rovers!'
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
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." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
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 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 have explored developing their ground, moving to new parts of the Borders town and even ground-sharing with their rugby neighbours - all without 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 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 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 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 with more stringent criteria now required - which include closer proximity of changing facilities and permanent fencing - Whitestone Park is no longer inquiries have ruled out developing the park, which is partially shared with the town's cricket team, mainly on planning 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 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 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 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.
