OUR STORY
Established in 1881 ‘The Rose’ were a local junior team with a proud history but never troubling the big leagues. Then something happened…
About 15 years ago the club was on the brink of going bust. At this time lifelong supporter Charlie Kirkwood and other local supporters stepped up. There were no deep pockets to wave away the issues – the stabilisation of the club was achieved through hard graft. They didn’t stop there though – they dared to dream! Over the next few years success on the field was matched by the astute stewardship of the club. Always remembering that this is a community owned football club with no debt.
A brave decision to join the senor ranks in 2018 brought immediate success with promotion to the Lowland League won on the field. However, that also brought the first big challenge with ground licensing. Bonnyrigg Rose were denied an entry level license primarily due to the absence of floodlights. There were plans in place to fund and install the floodlights, but these had to be accelerated. With the help of local business G. Fitzimmons & Sons new floodlights were installed in record time and the licence was given.
In 2022 Bonnyrigg Rose achieved the unthinkable – promotion to the Scottish Professional Football League. This has massively upped the ante – yes there is more prize money and bigger games but the costs of running a professional football club have increased as well. In addition, Bonnyrigg has been steadily trying to improve the ground. Remember – no deep pockets or debt!
Resolving the pitch problem has been central to all ground discussions and there is an ambitious plan to install a 3G artificial pitch. This would allow 7 days a week use and increased access to football for hundreds of local children.
However, the deadline set by the SPFL means that the club needs to find a solution and quick. There have been advanced discussions with contractors and with your help we believe we can once more achieve the seemingly impossible.
Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club is more than just a football team; it’s the beating heart of the local community in Bonnyrigg and Midlothian. Midlothian has never had a team in the Scottish Professional Football league. We live in an era when many kids think football only exists on the TV and X Box. The presence of a local team where youngsters can rock up to play with the Community Football Club (over 700 at the last count) and then walk to the ground on a Saturday to see ‘The Rose’ (free entry for kids) is something we need to cherish.
Is the plan to completely level the pitch?
The working group is evaluating a range of options from the original aspiration to have a completely level 3G artificial pitch through to a grass pitch that is effectively level or a grass pitch that is significantly more level than currently and compliant with the bronze licensing requirements. Obviously, a big factor in this decision will be how much money we can raise in such a short time.
If I want to make a bigger donation how should I do this?
We know that a lot of supporters would like to make a bigger donation and don’t necessarily want to do this through the justgiving page. We have a range of options for bigger donations (CLICK HERE). If you are thinking about making a donation of more than £500 then please contact us by completing the short form. One of the team will then give you a call and talk you through the options.
What happens to my donation if the pitch development doesn’t go ahead ?
Any funding received on the JustGiving is ringfenced for use on the pitch. In the event that the pitch development doesn’t go ahead then we would consult with supporters on how this money should be used.
Where supporters or organisation have made bigger donations directly to the club we would speak to everyone individually and either agree alternative expenditure or return the money.
What will happen of there is a surplus of donations?
If we have the very welcome problem of having raised too much for the pitch development we would undertake a consultation exercise with supporters and other donors to agree how the money should be used. However, this would not be used for player budgets – it would be ringfenced for ground development of some sort.
How can I have a say in the future development of New Dundas Park?
We want this to be the start of a renewed sense of community with supporter and other donors having a real say in how we further develop New Dundas Park. In the short term we are organising a series of supporter sessions (CLICK HERE) and we would love to see you there. Moving forward we are looking at how we can make this a more regular occurrence and of course supporters can join 1881 Club. This is a Community Interest Company set up to raise money for New Dundas Park. This is intentionally separate to the football club but with a strong alignment of aims. Many of the 1881 Club members are heavily involved in the Pitch project but critically any money raised by 1881 Club is only released to the football club if members vote for it.
