In contrast to the youthful exploits of the Dundee United women’s team, in West Linton there’s an amateur football club approaching both its centenary and its 10th anniversary… all will become clear!
Linton Hotspur is one of the Borders’ oldest amateur clubs with records dating it back to the 1920s. Locally known as ‘The Hotspur’, their history has seen them play at various venues in the village but, as with most amateur clubs, facilities and funding were always problematic. Nevertheless, The Hotspur always seemed to find a way to carry on but despite everyone’s best efforts they were eventually forced to call it a day in 1971 after a particularly sobering 12–2 defeat to Ferranti Thistle, who later evolved into the current day SPFL Premiership side Livingston. Sliding doors? Perhaps…
Yet many locals, particularly those with family connections, remembered The Hotspur fondly and in 2008 a public meeting was called in The Gordon Arms Hotel to gauge the level of interest in resurrecting Linton Hotspur Football Club. The interest was indeed substantial and genuine, so a new committee was formed and, spurred on by the traditions and history associated with both the village and club, The Hotspur has not looked back since.
Fundraising and sponsorship raised around £20,000, allowing the club to purchase changing facilities which were installed adjacent to the former school playing field at Deanfoot Road in West Linton. In 2009 the senior team was admitted into the Borders Amateur Football Association and played their first game since 1971 in front of around 350 local supporters. At the same time the previously informal youth set-up in West Linton was brought under one umbrella to create a ‘community club’ with playing opportunities from pre-school ages upwards. But once again there was a problem looming. In 2010 plans were announced for the new West Linton Primary School, and its impending construction on the school playing field would effectively render Linton Hotspur homeless…
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About iScot Magazine
iScot Magazine August 2018 issue is a colourful 124 page glossy magazine, choc full of the best crack from Scotland.
Voted July 2018 as the best of the best World Cup of Magazines by Pocketmags readers. #MonTheIScot