On holiday last week in Berwick...

so I thought I'd visit the site of one of "Scottish Football's greatest upsets!" (John Grieg quote not mine).

28th January 1967. As a fairly new football fan (inspired by the '66 World Cup win) I remember this particular match.

Berwick Rangers 1 Glasgow Rangers 0.

This was the same Glasgow Rangers that had Willie Henderson, Willie Johnson and John Grieg in a team with 9 internationals. The same year they reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup, losing to a Franz Beckenbauer inspired Bayern Munich. The Glasgow Herald said on the day of the match, "Anything other than a comfortable Rangers victory must be deemed a surprise".

Well the part-timers of Berwick certainly surprised everyone in front of a 13,500 crowd. Managed by Jock Wallace, who was also the goal-keeper, they held out against tremendous Ranger's pressure after scoring in the first half.



I was surprised to see how far they have fallen down the leagues. Now playing in the Lowland League ( I have no idea what the level is like. Arabian Ian, can you help here?) they appear to be struggling financially and stand 11th in the league. There was no one around at all, not even admin staff.

Still I got a few pictures. The ground itself is a tidy one, surrounded by the Speedway track. Next time I'm up there, I might catch a game.

Thanks for reading.

 

Only been to Berwick Rangers once mate. Way back in 74 I think. For a cup replay which we won with Andy Gray scoring.
The Lowland league is the one under League 2. Equivalent to the Highland league.
Glad to hear you had a good trip. Hope to perhaps meet up with you and Kev at the Charlton game. I’ll be down for a few days over that weekend.

 

I'm unable to attend now, Ian, but thank you.

 

I tried to send you PM mate but it was not accepted.
Hope all is better than your reply suggests.
Take care mate

 

I'm a bit puzzled why I can't receive PM's, mate. I'm fine, actually, but we're having unforeseen personal issues that I'm going to keep private.

 

Ok Kev. Wishing you all the best.

 

Thank you.

 

Whatever they are, hope everything gets sorted.

 

We went to Berwick in our Motorhome last year (not the football ground though). I'd read that it wasn't a very nice place so I suppose we didn't expect much but were pleasantly surprised, it was lovely. I'd definitely go again, maybe call in and see the ground.

 

Thank you.

 

Got to admit i love the area. Great beaches and generally quiet. If you like castles, big houses got loads and not to mention the religious aspect. The whole area of Northumberland and to Edinburgh is great and atmospheric.
Even though their poor at the moment i do liok for their results. Been a few times but in middle of the winter up there on top of the cliffs is a little nippy. A bit like watching Penny Church in the middle of summer.

 

. Reminded me about the thread when you said you'd been to St Andrew's. Just got that vision of a Motorhome parked in the centre circle with a should have gone to Specsavers caption. I suspect in Berwick no one would notice anyway though.

 

We spent a night next to the golf course at Bamburgh, you could see Lindisfarne castle and Bamburgh castle as well as the Farne islands. Spectacularly beautiful. The Northumberland coast is wonderful.