When your area needs its fair share of quality football, what do you do?
Enter Tweedmouth Rangers, who’ve undertaken the compelling and decisive mission of helping to raise the standard of football in Berwick
With the town having a substantial youth set-up which branches out to the many grassroots football sides that grace the town, there is a belief that if it’s taken by the horns together, the charge that is longed for will be within reach.
It’s not long been announced that the Tweedmouth Rangers have decided to take on two fellow neighbouring teams and create partnerships - bizarrely, all play in different competitions.
Spittal Rovers are one of the two. Recently having found their feet again after a disbanding in 2006 left Spittal without a team. Currently competing in the Northern Alliance Division two - in England
Tweedmouth Harrow is the second - having recently just won promotion to the Scottish Borders Amateur A division, which is indeed a challenging plus demanding environment.
So in the overall analysis of this hierarchy, you’ve got a semi-professional English side, an amateur Scottish team and the cornerstone of the development who are Tweedmouth Rangers, a semi-professional English-turned-Scottish establishment.
Now that all the local connections are clear, we move onto the Rangers themselves, who are they?
Tweedmouth Rangers in 2010 they’re a relatively new side. Currently competing in the East of Scotland Football League after deciding to bring their breed of football over from the English divisions. Their entry meant a representation for Tweedmouth and Berwick in the much-anticipated EOS.
Donning a colourful array of young and experienced players who usually come from the local depths of Berwickshire, there’s no doubt that people turn out to cheer them on at Old Shielfield.
Their main aims and recruitment policy has been highlighted with some key signings this year which play a pivotal role in not only the game plan - but sending a message.
One of their recent signing presentations of midfield man Marco Lambert had a few words stand out - the same words I believe have echoed some of the thoughts and hopes many young footballers in Berwickshire;
"Bringing the best local talent to Old Shielfield"
Putting footballing talents aside for a few sentences- having access to a brilliant rank of facilities, there’s honestly no surprise why TRFC are eligible to play at this level.
Not only an exceptional ground like Old Shielfield, but they are also modernising their grassroots experience with giving supporters the chance to purchase match programmes every home game, symbolising the wide range of entertainment and content creation the club has.
Their recently-struck deal with Extase energy has too, represented the club’s ambition to move on further and knuckle down both on and off the pitch.
What next for the Rangers?
After the COVID-19 crisis, the fixtures were undoubtedly cancelled - but a few days ago we’ve had word on who the boys will be facing next.
A trip away up to the Lothians will first induct the Rangers to the oncoming 20/21 season - facing off with the newly established manager Ryan Dinse’s Craigroyston, who are in a rebuilding project themselves.
Being included in a competitive Conference A this season, they’re going to face the likes of Border rivals Coldstream who never fail to provide a hard-fought match.
Other sides include newly some introduced sides such as Edinburgh South, Thornton Hibs, plus Kircaldy & Dysart.
The above will play a big part in bringing a new type of football to the league and hopefully provide some quality entertainment and opportunities at Old Shielfield.
There too are some ever-present teams in Dalkeith Thistle, Ormiston, Craigroyston and Arniston Rangers - though those aren't all the teams.
Facing off with some of the regulars always represents the stature and tough standard of the league.