As the build up to an intriguing Scottish Cup Tie between Queens and Linlithgow Rose continues Andrew West who runs the Rose Official Website and also is their Official Photographer, gives us an insight into a rather unique Football Club.
Saturday January 12th 2008 will see Linlithgow Rose write a new chapter in the long history of the West Lothian club. For the first time in their 120 year existence Linlithgow will compete against a club from the senior leagues in a competitive Scottish Cup tie. Formed in 1889 The club is widely regarded as one of the giants of the junior game and have a history and honours list to back that up with three Scottish Junior Cup wins being the highlight of that time.
And whilst those three cup victories may be the pinnacle of the clubs achievements Saturdays game is arguably the most important the club has ever played. Following victories over Newton Stewart, Spartans and Dalbeattie Star in the new look revamped tournament Linlithgow became the first Junior Club ever to take their place among the big names of Scottish Football. The dress rehearsal for the draw paired them away to Hearts, a dream tie for many of the Rose faithful who are fans of the Edinburgh side as well as their local team. In the end when the draw was made for real Rose were sent to Dumfries for an intriguing tie with the Doonhamer's, and now a little piece of Scottish Football History will be made at Palmerston Park on Saturday.
Many players over the years have worn the Maroon of Linlithgow and gone on to bigger and better things, Kenny Black was farmed out by Rangers before going on to play for Hearts and now manage Airdrie, Tommy Walker the Hearts legend and former manager is probably the most famous ex Rose player, In recent years the trend for players moving from the juniors to the seniors has slowed down but current St Mirren player Marc Corcoran is one who had three years with Linlithgow in the early 2000's winning one Junior Cup and losing out in another final.
Linlithgow's Prestonfield Park is also widely regarded as one of the best grounds in Junior Football and on a par with many in the senior game. The playing surface is kept in immaculate condition and is overlooked by a modern 310 seat stand built in 1999/00 The current capacity is listed as around 3500 but the record attendance was for a tie with Petershill when 3626 were in attendance.
At xmas 2000 the club enlisted manager Jim Sinnet from Benburb Juniors, Sinnet was a former Rose player and had also had a prolific spell with Linlithgow's arch rivals Boness Utd as well as spells in the senior game with Stenhousemuir and Cowdenbeath and was recruited with one aim to put Rose back at the forefront of the Junior game after many years of under achievement In his first full season at the club he went to lead them to an unprecedented 6 trophies in one season wining the Scottish Cup, League Championship, League Cup, and three more local cups making it the most successful season in the clubs history.
This marked a start of a rise in the fortunes of the club and in his seven years in charge Sinnet has one 19 trophies at the club including 2 Scottish Cups and 2 East Super league titles. So to Saturday and the Linlithgow faithful will make the 2 hour journey full of hope secure in the knowledge that their heroes have done them proud no matter what the final score, They will dream of causing an upset but will know its without a doubt the hardest task they will have faced in years if not ever but with the likes of Brian Carrigan in the side anything is possible "Carrots" is as gifted a player ever to pull on a Rose shirt and can win games almost single handedly with his ability but its a team game and Rose have pulled together a strong bunch who pull together and will always give 100% for the club Gordon Herd provides the perfect foil for Carrigan up front, Mark Bradley pulls the strings in midfield whilst his "minder " Keith Hogg does the spadework, And at the back club captain and former Motherwell and Falkirk defender Greig Denham marshalls his side.
So Saturday will see a another entry in the Rose history book and even if it does signal the end of this particular adventure it is sure not to be the last.
I hope all Queens fans will join Queens MAD in welcoming the Linlithgow Rose team,Officials and Supporters to Palmerston.
