Whitehill Welfare 1 Jeanfield Swifts 4
If there’s ever a call – and there actually ought to be – to fee a statue of the normal Scottish soccer man, then I’ve the mannequin.
He birls into Ferguson Park together with his membership anorak, his bunnet and that air of urgency as soon as the protect of docs – when this was a observe – of happening a house go to. The angle is considered one of addressing a matter that’s not more likely to be deadly however is definitely vital. There may be thus objective within the stride of Andrew Renwick, 82 subsequent month, as he reaches the Eddie Thomson Lounge.
Renwick has been making this journey for 47 years. He has the side of a retired tanner ba’ winger in his sprightliness, measurement and sharpness of motion and thoughts. ‘I used to be actually inside left at newbie stage however I feel they now not exist,’ he says.
He’s a fitba’ man of the sideline. He is without doubt one of the characters who hold Scottish soccer – definitely on the broadest finish of the pyramid – alive and kicking. However he wants assist.
Whitehill Welfare stalwart Andrew Renwick, 82, has been with the membership for 47 years
Welfare tackle Jeanfield Swifts within the East of Scotland League Cup
‘My position is far lowered on the membership now,’ he says. ‘I’m the adviser on guidelines and process.’ He additionally makes the tea and conducts a casual historical past tour together with your correspondent. Renwick skips from the committee room to the lounge to level out Oceanic and Olympic medals and level out how the membership was constructed from bits of Lasswade Rugby Membership, Spartans FC, the Munich Olympics and the Edinburgh Tattoo.
It’s a heady brew and must be supped fastidiously and at leisure to savour its full style. There may be, nonetheless, a matter that should be attended to first.
Final month Whitehill Welfare issued an enchantment for assist. The committee said its intention to step apart on the finish of this season. Who would step in?
The discharge was obtained as if it was a klaxon name and Whitehill had been headed for perdition. The reality is extra sober. The membership has a robust monetary base and the committee appears able to plough on, with the assistance of a brand new cadre of prepared palms.
‘There have been a dozen individuals who have expressed curiosity in serving to out so the assertion has accomplished its job,’ says Renwick. He has definitely accomplished his. He arrived on the scene in 1979 when Whitehill moved from the juvenile leagues to the East of Scotland League.
It’s the most profitable membership in East of Scotland League historical past, profitable sixteen titles and lifting the Scottish Qualifying Cup on 11 events, resulting in ties with Stirling Albion, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir, Queen of the South and Celtic within the competitors correct.
Whitehill Welfare gamers emerge from the dressing room at Ferguson Park
‘We had the anniversary dinner only a couple weeks in the past,’ says Renwick of that match with the Parkhead aspect 30 years in the past. Welfare misplaced 3-0 at Easter Street because the tie was moved from Ferguson Park.
‘Essentially the most memorable match for me was the sport towards Fraserburgh,’ says Renwick. ‘We drew right here after which went as much as Fraserburgh understanding that the winners would play Celtic. That was nerve-wracking. However we did it.’
He locations down his chair. ‘Each Saturday after we are at dwelling,’ says Renwick, peering from his perch excessive behind a purpose, and stating that that is his spot, it doesn’t matter what.
‘The Celtic cash and an excellent sponsor received us that,’ he says, pointing over to the dressing-rooms. His hand waves in the direction of a constructing close by. ‘The Eddie Thomson Lounge was as soon as the reception space at a caravan park. We heard it was being knocked down so we went up and salvaged it and rebuilt it right here.’
Whitehill Welfare supporters take within the motion at Ferguson Park
A pre-match journey to the lounge was virtually absurdly fantastic. What odds would one get for an Olympic medal and a Oceania Soccer Affiliation medal adorning the partitions of a former caravan reception within the village of Rosewell, Midlothian?
They had been donated by the household of Eddie Thomson who was born within the village, starred for Whitehill and went on to play for Hearts and Aberdeen. His managerial profession on the Australian nationwide staff included two World Cup campaigns and two Olympic appearances in 1992 and 1996. The medal was earned on the Atlanta Olympics within the shedding semi-finalist match. The Oceania medal was awarded when Thomson led the younger Socceroos to triumph within the match in 1994.
There may be barely time to look at different medals earlier than one is launched to the seats in a stand close by.
Jeanfield Swifts rating their third purpose within the 4-1 win over Whitehill Welfare
‘There’s a story there,’ says Renwick. ‘It was as soon as only a shelter and a ref requested in the future if we ever considered placing seats in. I mentioned we might if we might get low-cost seats. He mentioned the Edinburgh Tattoo was refurbishing and we might get them. It seems that the Tattoo received them from the Olympics in Munich in 1972.’
He’s joined, excessive on the hill, by Thomas Ward, 70, who has been serving to out at Ferguson Park for 50 years.
‘I bided up beside one of many committee males,’ he says. ‘As a lad, I used to be at all times getting rows for taking part in soccer on the street and my ball hitting automobiles. The committee man introduced me down right here. In order that was that. After I grew up a bit, I helped out.
‘I’ve run the road, minimize the grass, painted the posts and now attend to placing the nets up and flags out.’
He reminisces with Renwick over the times when the concrete bollards had been put right down to assemble a fence many years in the past. The floodlights are a more moderen innovation. ‘We received the towers from Lasswade Rugby Membership and the lights from Spartans,’ says Renwick.
It’s approaching full time in a league cup match that Welfare, eleventh within the first division, lose 4-1 to Swifts, second within the premier division.
The Whitehill gents appear resilient. ‘Are you coming again subsequent season?’ asks Ward. ‘Aye, I’ll be again,’ replies Renwick.
Reinforcements could also be on the best way. John Quinn, chairman of the membership, believes the ‘’name to arms’’ could have been profitable.
The seats at Ferguson Park got here from the 1972 Munich Olympics through the Edinburgh tattoo
‘I’ve been right here eight years and folks exterior don’t fairly know the difficulties concerned in working a membership within the trendy period,’ he says. His spouse, Nicola, is secretary of the membership and Quinn, a railway supervisor, admits the roles at Whitehill virtually represent second full-time jobs for them.
He’s anxious to not be seen as moaning or in search of sympathy. ‘It has been our alternative to do that however we really feel contemporary blood might assist improve the membership,’ he says.
Whitehill, a founder member of the Lowland League, now sit within the second tier of the East of Scotland. ‘I don’t draw back from that,’ he says. ‘The Junior golf equipment on this space got here into the Lowland and the East of Scotland leagues and with their monetary energy we had been outgunned. However this may permit us to search out our stage. New folks with new skillsets might assist us with that.’
The assertion additionally provoked a interval of reflection for Quinn. ‘Individuals had been calling us to say how effectively we had accomplished with the membership. That is an operation with a sound monetary foundation. We aren’t wealthy however we’re not in monetary problem,’ he says. ‘We simply want a wee hand.’
In a room at half-time, Darren Bald, a committee member, factors to a staff {photograph}. ‘That’s your granda,’ he tells his nine-year-old daughter Ella.
She is delighted. She is a fitba’ lady and has been launched to the previous. She could hopefully be a part of the long run on this nook of Rosewell.
