Linton Hotspur F.C.
| Full name | Linton Hotspur Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Spurs, Hotspurs |
| Founded | 2008, 17 years ago |
| Ground | New Moor Road, West Linton |
| Capacity | 1,000 (63 seated) |
| Chairman | Campbell Forsyth |
| Manager | Chris King |
| League | East of Scotland League Third Division |
| 2023–24 | East of Scotland League Third Division, 10th of 11 |
Linton Hotspur Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the village of West Linton in the Scottish Borders. They play their matches at New Moor Road, West Linton.
Initially an amateur side, the club now plays in the East of Scotland Football League Third Division after admission in 2023.[1] The first team is currently managed by Chris King.
History
[edit]Early history and disbandment
[edit]Linton Hotspur Football Club was founded in the 1920s and was amongst the oldest amateur football clubs in Peeblesshire. In 1971, however, the club decided to disband after a 12-2 thrashing by Ferranti Thistle.
Re-establishment
[edit]In 2008, almost four decades after its disbandment, a meeting at the local public house gathered enough support to re-establish Linton Hotspur. A year later, the club was granted membership to the Border Amateur Football League, playing their first game since 1971.[2]
Over the next decade, travel constraints and poor form led to the club leaving the Borders League to join the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association in 2018/19. This move relieved pressure on the existing squad and broadened the appeal of the club to players in the latter region.[3]
In 2022, Hotspurs reached the final of the South of Scotland Amateur Cup, losing 3-1 to Lesmahagow Amateurs F.C.[4] The following year, the club was then admitted to the EoSFL Third Division, playing its first fixture against West Calder United F.C. on July 29, 2023.[5]
Stadium
[edit]Linton Hotspur plays at New Moor Road, a small ground to the east of the village.
Soon after reform, the club settled on the village's football pitch as a home ground, with subsequent fundraising accruing £20,000 to be spent on dressing rooms. However, the construction of a new primary school on these premises necessitated the search for a new ground. In 2012, after further fundraising, landowners from the village agreed to lease a nearby field, which in turn was purchased by a local businessman two years later and leased back to the club for 99 years.
Since securing this location, the club committee has steadily upgraded it via fundraising and grants. It now boasts a pavilion including kitchen and communal facilities, dressing and shower rooms, and a small stand that holds 63 people.[6]
Club staff
[edit]Corporate staff
[edit]| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman |  Campbell Forsyth
|
| Vice Chairman | Ivan Mackenzie
|
| Club Secretary | Lindsay Swan
|
Coaching staff
[edit]| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Chris King
|
| Assistant Manager | Scott Gibson
|
| First Team Coach / Analyst | Ben Gilmour
|
| First Team Coach |  Drew Sanson
|
References
[edit]- ^ "Linton Hotspur to play in the East of Scotland League next season". Peeblesshire News. 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Welcome to Linton Hotspur Football Club". Squarespace. New York City. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (5 October 2018). "10 years and counting as Linton Hotspur go from strength to strength". Peeblesshire News. Galashiels. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ @LintonHotspurs (26 May 2022). "FULL-TIME: Hotspur 1-3 Lesmahagow A memorable South Cup journey, thank you for your support! Congratulations @LesmahagowAfc #MontheSpurs 💙🤍 @LeafaOfficial @ScotAmFA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Hislop, John (29 July 2023). "Momentous moment in Linton Hotspur's history today". Peeblesshire News. Galashiels. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (5 October 2018). "10 years and counting as Linton Hotspur go from strength to strength". Peeblesshire News. Galashiels. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
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