FLANAGAN'S FILES

A 130-year-old football club fears it may be forced out of the Scottish football pyramid unless it can secure a new home ground.

Peebles Rovers, who have played their matches at the scenic Whitestone Park since the early 20th century, now face an uncertain future as the ground no longer meets the standards required for clubs in the East of Scotland Leagues.

Notably, Peebles Rovers remain the only club from the Scottish Borders ever to have played in the national leagues. Although their time in the Third Division was brief—between 1923 and 1926—they’ve had their fair share of memorable Scottish Cup moments. These include a goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road in 1923 and a dramatic, three-match saga against Brechin in 1959.

While major trophies have been few—limited to a handful of cups and league titles—Peebles Rovers have been a fixture in Scottish non-league football since their formation in the 1890s.

A club official stated:

“We have a fantastic history going back more than 130 years, and it would be a travesty to be kicked out of the league. Like many older clubs, we’ve suffered from years of underinvestment and financial constraints. Unfortunately, our ground no longer meets the necessary criteria, and we’ve explored almost every option to move the club forward.”

The club has looked into redeveloping Whitestone Park, relocating within Peebles, and even ground-sharing with the local rugby club—all efforts have so far come to nothing.

Due to new, more stringent ground regulations—which now include mandatory permanent fencing and changing facilities located closer to the pitch—Whitestone Park has been deemed unsuitable. Initial discussions about upgrading the ground have stalled, mainly due to planning restrictions and the fact the park is shared with the town’s cricket team.

Several proposals to build a new facility elsewhere in Peebles have also failed to materialise.

It has now been made clear to the club that redevelopment of Whitestone Park is no longer an option. Without a viable alternative, Peebles Rovers face automatic relegation at the end of this season to the East of Scotland Division Three. Worse still, if no solution is found within the next 10 months, they could be expelled from the East of Scotland Leagues altogether.

Despite recent meetings between the club and league officials, no flexibility has been offered regarding deadlines or criteria compliance.

In a last-ditch effort, senior club representatives have asked local MP Euan Jardine to meet with the East of Scotland Football Association to explore any possible way forward.

This situation is sadly not unique. Across the UK—particularly in the South of England—clubs are struggling for space amid increasing pressure to develop land for housing. In many areas, the appeal of local football has waned compared to previous generations.

As one supporter put it:

“It’s heartbreaking. Young people today have so many options for how they spend their time. Unlike in our youth, they don’t always flock to the local football ground. We need to cherish and protect these historic clubs and the game we love—before more of them fade into history.”