Deveronvale F.C.
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| Deveronvale F.C. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Deveronvale Football Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | Vale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Founded | 1938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | Princess Royal Park | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capacity | 2600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manager | Gregg Carrol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | Highland Football League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005-06 | Highland Football League 1st | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Deveronvale F.C. is a senior football club currently playing the Highland Football League in Scotland. They were founded in 1938 and play their football at the Princess Royal Park in the town of Banff, (formerly Banffshire, now officially Aberdeenshire), Scotland. As of season 2005-06, Vale are Highland League champions. The name comes from the River Deveron, which has its mouth at Banff. Due to them being a senior team they can play in the Scottish Cup.
Contents |
[edit] Senior Honours
- Champions: 2002-03, 2005-2006
- Winners: 1947-48, 1950-51, 1950-51, 1961-62, 1965-66, 2000-01, 2006-07
- Winners: 1950-51, 2001-02
Bells Cup
- Winners: 1978-79
Aberdeenshire Shield
- Winners: 1994-95, 2002-03
[edit] Famous Players
Princess Royal Park has played host to Jim Leighton and Eddie Wolecki who went on to play for Aberdeen F.C. and Dundee United F.C. respectivly.
[edit] Millennium Legends
To mark the millennium Deveronvale and the Banffshire Journal combined to find the clubs millennium legends.
[edit] Kevin Bremner
Kevin joined Vale in 1976 at the age of 18 and his strong running and deadly finishing in front of goal soon made him one of the most feared strikers in North Football. In season 1977-78 Kevin played his part in the Bells Scotch Cup winning team, beating Huntly in the final and the following season Kevin was invited to Parkhead by Billy McNeil for a two week trial at Celtic. Despite losing the 'shire cup final to Peterhead the same season, Kevin finished top scorer with 27 goals and added the Player of the year award to his collection.
Kevin, from Aberchirder, comes from a successful football family. His father Sandy, a long time Vale fan, predicted that Kevin had the potential to be a better player than his brother Des, himself a former Vale player who went on to enjoy success at Hibs, Aston Villa as well as appearing for Scotland.
At the end of season 1978-79, Kevin decided to move on from Vale and joined Keith, where he stayed for two seasons. Kevin's desire to play full-time football was achieved in England where he played for several clubs such as Colchester, Brighton and Reading.
He returned to Scotland turning out for Dundee. His return to the Highland League came as Player/Manager of Brora Rangers and finally returned to his native Northeast and took up a similar role at Vale. His managerial stint at Vale was only to last one season, but in that season Vale won their first trophy since the Bell's Scotch Cup in 1977-78 and held a lofty position in the Highland League. Kevin returned to England to take up a coaching position with Gillingham.
[edit] Johnny Mackie
Right back Johnny Mackie joined Vale from Banff Academy in 1972, and was with the club until 1980. His powerful over-lapping and shrewd distribution soon earned him admiring glances from other clubs. John's performance in a challenge match against Hibs in 1975 led Hibs' left winger, Ian Munro, to rate him the most difficult right back he had played against all year, and Easter Road manager Eddie Turnbull also enquired about him.
John joined Vale at a time when the survival of the club, rather than winning silverware, was the prime consideration. While the club remained in the doldrums for several seasons, John's enthusiasm and commitment to Vale could never be faulted. He played in two losing Aberdeenshire Cup finals before eventually tasting success in the Bell's Cup against Huntly in the 1977-78 . The following season John played in what was to be his last cup final for Vale, against Peterhead in the Aberdeenshire Cup. The match, which was played over two games, ended in victory for Peterhead, with John being "harshly" sent off in the replay.
John moved to Nairn County at the start of season 1980-81 along with Alex Cormack, to join former Vale manager Ken Tedcastle. However his Highland League career was ended in 1982 following a horrific leg break in a match against Elgin City. John returned to Vale as assistant manager to Ken Tedcastle when he was re-appointed manager in 1985, and also worked alongside Julius Morrison, in 1986-87
[edit] Norrie McBain
In the summer of 1974, Vale signed Norrie McBain, who was to become one of the most popular and certainly one of the most successful Vale forwards of the '70s. At the time, McBain - a Leading Aircraftman at RAF Kinloss - was playing for the service side in the North Junior League, having previously played for Sunnybank and Formartine, and had been selected for the RAF Scotland side which was managed by Vale boss Dave Graham.
Norrie was almost lost to football some years earlier when, on joining the RAF, he had taken up boxing with some success, winning the RAF light heavyweight novice title at the first attempt. His boxing training, however, began to interfere with football, and eventually he had to make a decision between the two sports. Fortunately for Vale, his choice was in favour of football, and in his first season, Norrie was the team's top scorer with 24 goals.
Norrie, who died suddenly in his late 30s in 1991, was to remain at Vale until November 1975, when he was lured away by Huntly. The success he had enjoyed with Vale eluded him at Christie Park, and he returned to Princess Royal Park towards the end of season 1976-77. There again he played a significant part in the fortunes of the Vale team, helping them to win the Bells Cup in 1977-78, beating Huntly in the final before hanging up his boots in 1979. During his career, Norrie attracted the interest of a number of senior clubs, but unfortunately never got the opportunity to play at top level.
[edit] Nigel Montgomery
Nigel Montgomery joined Vale in 1982 at the age of 15. Outstanding performances soon prompted Vale manager Billy Anderson to sign him and it wasn't too long before Nigel was holding down a regular place in the side. He was fortunate enough to break into the team at a time when there was an abundance of experienced players such as Dennis D'Arcy, Kenny Roger and Bobby Livingstone at the club who were all willing to pass on valuable advice to the youngster.
Senior sides began to take notice and Nigel soon found himself on trial with Sheffield United and then Motherwell under the watchful eye of Jock Wallace. There was also press speculation about interest from Manchester United, but unfortunately for Nigel nothing came of it.
Nigel, still a current player, has now given sterling service to Vale for the best part of 18 years, apart from brief spells at Deveronside and Turriff United. He recently played his 400th game for the club and scored his 60th goal earlier this season against Fort William. Twice voted Player's Player of the year (1989-90 and 1992-93) and also achieving Supporter's player of the year (1989-90) Nigel was awarded a well-deserved testimonial in 1993, and his selection of former team-mates went down 3-0 to a strong Aberdeen side.
Nigel's ambition to win a trophy with Vale, as success has so far eluded him. He has played in three Aberdeenshire Cup finals and one Aberdeenshire Shield final and ended up on the losing side on each occasion. Nigel has proved to be a most versatile player over the years, including a handful of appearances as goalkeeper, with a great record on saving penalties! Now 33, Nigel still holds down a regular first team place, using his vast experience to great effect, helping to bring on the young players as they break into the first team
[edit] Billy Smith
Half-back Billy Smith had been a member of Aberdeen's first Scottish League Championship winning squad in 1954/55, but sadly two leg breaks suffered in 1955 all but finished his first-class career.
He spent a session with Third Lanark before his work brought him to Banff in May 1958. He was appointed Player-Coach at Princess Royal. His influence began to tell the following season as Vale began to emerge from the shadows, rising to sixth position in the final league table.
In 1960-61 Billy led Vale into the Scottish Cup, beating Stirling Albion 1-0 in the 1st Round, before going down 4-2 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the second round.
Billy also led Vale to Aberdeenshire Cup success in 1961-62, beating Fraserburgh in the final and again in 1965-66 against Buckie Thistle. The Smith era was to come to an end in the close season in the 1967-68 season, when Billy's work took him abroad after nine years as Vale Player-Coach.
He was granted a well-deserved testimonial against his old team Aberdeen, but they had to pull out due to cup and league commitments. Instead, an Aberdeenshire FA select team provided the opposition, and a large crowd turned up to see the select beat Vale 6-5.
After the match Billy wrote to the Banffshire Journal, to thank everyone who supported his testimonial, and said; "I shall always remember my days with Deveronvale"
"I could not have had more appreciation, or more co-operation, from anyone than which I received in my time at Princess Royal Park"
[edit] Jimmy Williamson
Jimmy Williamson, who played for the club from 1948-1955, was kicking a football almost as soon as he could walk. He was captain of his school team and won a Scottish Secondary Juvenile Cup with Dunipace Secondary Juvenile FC.
His first senior club was Falkirk, but the Second World War interrupted his football career as he joined the RAF. During his RAF service he sampled English Football with Bradford and it was during this period that he first played for Vale. He became a regular member of the vale line-up in 1948, being at home anywhere in the forward line and being a consistent goal-getter.
Jimmy helped Vale to Aberdeenshire Cup success in 1950-51, defeating Peterhead in the final. In the following season, Jimmy scored remarkable five goals as Vale trounced Inverness Thistle 8-1 in the league. Jimmy played his part in helping Vale become the first Banffshire team to lift the Qualifying Cup in 1951-52, defeating Clach in the final. He also helped Vale retain the Aberdeenshire Cup by beating Huntly in the final to make 1951-52 the only season Vale have won two trophies. Jimmy was Vale's top scorer with over 30 goals in the League and cup competitions and both he and Norman Mitchell were given a benefit match against Rangers, captained by George Young.
Jimmy continued to bang in the goals over the next few seasons before hanging up his boots in 1955, at the age of 33 and moving away from the district.
[edit] Top goalscorers
| Season | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | Jamie Watt | 21 |
| 2003-04 | Barrie Stephen | 21 |
| 2002-03 | Ian Murray | 49 |
| 2001-02 | Jamie Watt | 34 |
| 2000-01 | Jamie Watt | 20 |
| 1999-00 | Graeme Cadger | 18 |
| 1998-99 | Charlie Rowley | 12 |
| 1997-98 | Paul Douglas | 20 |
| 1996-97 | Kevin Christie | 10 |
| 1995-96 | Eddie Wolecki | 19 |
| 1994-95 | Kevin Bremner | 17 |
| 1993-94 | Billy Sutherland | 20 |
| 1992-93 | Eddie Wolecki | 22 |
| 1991-92 | James Pirie / Steve McBeath | 9 |
| 1990-91 | Paul Stenhouse | 16 |
| 1989-90 | Gary MacDonald | 13 |
| 1988-89 | Graeme Nicol | 9 |
| 1987-88 | Neil Morrison | 18 |
| 1986-87 | Gary MacDonald | 10 |
| 1985-86 | Gary MacDonald | 13 |
| 1984-85 | Allan Forbes | 14 |
| 1983-84 | James Pirie | 19 |
| 1982-83 | Bobby Livingstone | 9 |
| 1981-82 | Gary Loch | 23 |
| 1980-81 | Gary Craig | 16 |
| 1979-80 | Grant Smith / Steve Cowan | 9 |
| 1978-79 | Kevin Bremner | 27 |
| 1977-78 | Grant Smith | 13 |
| 1976-77 | Allan Forbes | 9 |
| 1975-76 | Norrie McBain | 9 |
| 1974-75 | Norrie McBain | 24 |
[edit] Information
Founded: 1938
Pitch Size: 109 x 78 Yards
Ground: Princess Royal Park Telephone: 01261 818303 Fax: 01261 818303
Record Attendance: 5,000 (27 April 1952)
Ground Capacity: 2600 Seating Capacity: 420
Contact Address: Stewart McPherson, 8 Victoria Place, Banff, AB45 1EL
Car Parking: Street Parking
Club Shop: At the Ground
Coach Parking: Bridge Road Car Park Opening Times: Matchdays Only
Nearest Railway Station: Keith
Nearest Bus Station: MacDuff (Buses also stop at Low Street in Banff approx. 5 minutes from Ground)
Nearerst Police Station: Banff
[edit] Admission Information
Adult Standing: £ 6.00
Adult Seating: £ 7.00
Child Standing: £ 3.00
Child Seating: £ 4.00
Programme: £ 1.00
[edit] Disabled Information
Wheelchairs: some
Helpers: yes
Prices: Please phone club for details
Disabled Toilets: yes
Are bookings Necessary: yes
