I hadn't followed football for about 20 years until I started going to Hayes Lane in 2021. And here I am off to Gillingham on a very cold January Thursday!
"Getting home at 1 AM, still soaking wet after a pumping from Alloa on a cold, wet Tuesday in January?"
*tick*
It's good to know I'm not the only adopted Scottish Bromley fan to bear this unwanted hallmark. A true rite of passage that is. Recreation Park (or Indodrill Stadium, whatever you call it) was always a bogey ground for Raith Rovers.
A truly heart warming article from a real gentleman. Seeing the three generations on the terrace giving me a wee wave and smile as the kick-off whistle sounds at Hayes Lane is one of the many pleasures I'm lucky to experience at Bromley. It really takes me back to the South Stand at Stark's Park, sitting there with my old man and family. I decided to take in Rovers games in the stands this festive period with my dad to get that feeling back again, cheering on the team. Definitely the right choice!
I fondly remember my first attendance at Palmerston which must have been circa 2003-2004 in the first division. A lovely ground steeped in history. I managed to get there in November 2021 to watch a drab 1-1 draw as I was up in the Lake District for a long-weekend. I agree with Pete, Queen of the South is certainly right up there with the most romantic names in football. I would love to see a follow-up article on the romantic names of British football, *hint* *hint*.
Steve Tosh, a player I grew up watching for a few seasons in the late 90s banging in the goals for Raith Rovers, scored a goal in that 2008 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers for Queen of the South. I always remember celebrating it in front of the TV as if he had just scored for us. Nonetheless so as he was a local lad from Kirkcaldy and it was against one of the ugly sisters!
There's a loose historical connection with an old area of Kirkcaldy known as Raith. It's old Gaelic apparently "Scottish Gaelic: rath, "fort" or "fortified residence". It's presumed the Battle of Raith was fought somewhere between Kirkcaldy and Lochgelly.
My parents, along with other family, live up in the old Raith estate where housing was built.
I might be wrong but I think Raith Rovers are the only team to have the RR alliteration in the UK. Certainly rolls off the tongue especially for a heavy Scots accent with the rolling R's!
It's interesting to note that the phrase "They'll be dancing in the streets of Raith tonight" still lives on now among commentators and journalists albeit tongue-in-cheek. It was famously coined out of ignorance by Sam Leitch during our 1994 League Cup win over Celtic instead of saying Kirkcaldy.
Fantastic article and a very similar experience to me and my son’s love affair with Bromley. Rekindled my interest in football after years of apathy. Beautifully written Graeme. ‘Mon the Brom!
A thoroughly enjoyable read Graeme. I also arrived in Bromley in the late 80's leaving behind a big team North of the border but keeping my season ticket at G51. I Lived in Glasgow in all fairness! I too had been taken by my Dad from the age of 7 and lifted over the turnstile.
I too wasn't really aware of my local team as all my new found friends supported big London teams (including Charlton!) so I went to these watch them in between my trips back home.
I discovered Bromley by accident really. One of my pals was Assistant Manager at Braintree and he invited me along when they were playing at home , hosting my local team , Bromley, in the National League during 2010/11 season. We won 2-0. I "hosted" the return game in April 2011 and they won 3-0. Welcome to the football that is the lower leagues. I loved it , football was starting to become a different game that I grew up with but this was back to proper football. I soon became a supporter of my local team and have been lucky enough to witness the highs and lows of the past 10 or so years.
My Grandson is now 18 months old and I very much look forward to bringing him along when he's Ready!
Such a heart warming story about a family who have supported a small football club in a Scotland , who have now moved to Kent and are now supporting our beloved B F C
Your article was a pleasure to edit, Graeme. Not often I shed a tear while reading something, but you got me at the end there. Really hits home how Bromley's community activities are carrying the club's reputation forward and winning new fans in the process. As you say, they don't have to do it, but I can think of few things more worthwhile. I wonder how many of the 3-4000 fans we now rub shoulders with at Hayes Lane started coming because of the training sessions and school outreach programmes.
For what it's worth, in a country full of evocative football club names (Gala Fairydean and Linlithgow Rose anyone?), Queen of the South is surely the finest moniker going. Perhaps we should have poets name all of our football clubs.
Thanks Peter for your kind words and skilful editing! It would be interesting to know if the club keeps track of attendees that come from outreach schemes. From my own and JB’s experience on this thread there are at least two of us, but I suspect many more.
Great article - I share much the same experience with only a recent interest in the club after my daughter got free tickets in school and now in my third season of going along to their games.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading that , I have a friend from Falkirk who supports them , can't stand the old firm & thinks its great that I support a local team , he takes interest & watches when he can when we are on tv & I watch Falkirk when they have a Friday night on BBC I player . Although I would say Hibs are my favourite Scotish club I always look for Falkirk scores . Glad you have found a new place to watch your football & share Family time together.
Enjoyed this thanks!
I hadn't followed football for about 20 years until I started going to Hayes Lane in 2021. And here I am off to Gillingham on a very cold January Thursday!
On the way myself Luke! 🤞🐦⬛
"Getting home at 1 AM, still soaking wet after a pumping from Alloa on a cold, wet Tuesday in January?"
*tick*
It's good to know I'm not the only adopted Scottish Bromley fan to bear this unwanted hallmark. A true rite of passage that is. Recreation Park (or Indodrill Stadium, whatever you call it) was always a bogey ground for Raith Rovers.
A truly heart warming article from a real gentleman. Seeing the three generations on the terrace giving me a wee wave and smile as the kick-off whistle sounds at Hayes Lane is one of the many pleasures I'm lucky to experience at Bromley. It really takes me back to the South Stand at Stark's Park, sitting there with my old man and family. I decided to take in Rovers games in the stands this festive period with my dad to get that feeling back again, cheering on the team. Definitely the right choice!
I fondly remember my first attendance at Palmerston which must have been circa 2003-2004 in the first division. A lovely ground steeped in history. I managed to get there in November 2021 to watch a drab 1-1 draw as I was up in the Lake District for a long-weekend. I agree with Pete, Queen of the South is certainly right up there with the most romantic names in football. I would love to see a follow-up article on the romantic names of British football, *hint* *hint*.
Steve Tosh, a player I grew up watching for a few seasons in the late 90s banging in the goals for Raith Rovers, scored a goal in that 2008 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers for Queen of the South. I always remember celebrating it in front of the TV as if he had just scored for us. Nonetheless so as he was a local lad from Kirkcaldy and it was against one of the ugly sisters!
Thanks Graeme, really enjoyed this one.
Good man, thanks Martin! Glad you enjoyed your trip home and got some Rovers time. Come to think of it, where does the Raith come from?
There's a loose historical connection with an old area of Kirkcaldy known as Raith. It's old Gaelic apparently "Scottish Gaelic: rath, "fort" or "fortified residence". It's presumed the Battle of Raith was fought somewhere between Kirkcaldy and Lochgelly.
My parents, along with other family, live up in the old Raith estate where housing was built.
I might be wrong but I think Raith Rovers are the only team to have the RR alliteration in the UK. Certainly rolls off the tongue especially for a heavy Scots accent with the rolling R's!
It's interesting to note that the phrase "They'll be dancing in the streets of Raith tonight" still lives on now among commentators and journalists albeit tongue-in-cheek. It was famously coined out of ignorance by Sam Leitch during our 1994 League Cup win over Celtic instead of saying Kirkcaldy.
Fantastic article and a very similar experience to me and my son’s love affair with Bromley. Rekindled my interest in football after years of apathy. Beautifully written Graeme. ‘Mon the Brom!
Good Scottish name! Thanks.
A thoroughly enjoyable read Graeme. I also arrived in Bromley in the late 80's leaving behind a big team North of the border but keeping my season ticket at G51. I Lived in Glasgow in all fairness! I too had been taken by my Dad from the age of 7 and lifted over the turnstile.
I too wasn't really aware of my local team as all my new found friends supported big London teams (including Charlton!) so I went to these watch them in between my trips back home.
I discovered Bromley by accident really. One of my pals was Assistant Manager at Braintree and he invited me along when they were playing at home , hosting my local team , Bromley, in the National League during 2010/11 season. We won 2-0. I "hosted" the return game in April 2011 and they won 3-0. Welcome to the football that is the lower leagues. I loved it , football was starting to become a different game that I grew up with but this was back to proper football. I soon became a supporter of my local team and have been lucky enough to witness the highs and lows of the past 10 or so years.
My Grandson is now 18 months old and I very much look forward to bringing him along when he's Ready!
Sounds like we’ve had a similar journey! Good to know there’s another Scotsman tucked away at Hayes Lane. Awra best!
Great read. Thanks for making the effort to pen it. Queens haven’t changed!
Thanks Andrew, hope everything is guid up hame!
What a lovely read wee man and so so right about going in hope rather than expectation ❤️
I hope to join you for a game or two this year. 😁
Seersy
Thanks Big Yin!
What a fantastic read .
Such a heart warming story about a family who have supported a small football club in a Scotland , who have now moved to Kent and are now supporting our beloved B F C
Cheers Barrie!
Have got a photo of the three generations of you at a game at BFC 🤔
Sorry, should have read
Have you got a photo of the three generations together
at a Bromley F C game ?
Aye, we’ve taken plenty of pictures for my Mum!
That’s good, can you post one so we can put the faces to the names please. 👍
Ah, I see, will dig one out Barrie!
Your article was a pleasure to edit, Graeme. Not often I shed a tear while reading something, but you got me at the end there. Really hits home how Bromley's community activities are carrying the club's reputation forward and winning new fans in the process. As you say, they don't have to do it, but I can think of few things more worthwhile. I wonder how many of the 3-4000 fans we now rub shoulders with at Hayes Lane started coming because of the training sessions and school outreach programmes.
For what it's worth, in a country full of evocative football club names (Gala Fairydean and Linlithgow Rose anyone?), Queen of the South is surely the finest moniker going. Perhaps we should have poets name all of our football clubs.
Thanks Peter for your kind words and skilful editing! It would be interesting to know if the club keeps track of attendees that come from outreach schemes. From my own and JB’s experience on this thread there are at least two of us, but I suspect many more.
Great article - I share much the same experience with only a recent interest in the club after my daughter got free tickets in school and now in my third season of going along to their games.
Thanks JB!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading that , I have a friend from Falkirk who supports them , can't stand the old firm & thinks its great that I support a local team , he takes interest & watches when he can when we are on tv & I watch Falkirk when they have a Friday night on BBC I player . Although I would say Hibs are my favourite Scotish club I always look for Falkirk scores . Glad you have found a new place to watch your football & share Family time together.
Thanks Michael. Seen Queens play Falkirk a few times over the years, the one that sticks in my mind is the 1997 Challenge Cup Final (won by Falkirk!).