Regardless of the outcome of tonight’s game at Bellslea, Fraserburgh should consider themselves the winners.
The Broch have embraced the spirit of Scottish football’s national cup competition in style, welcoming in the media and promoting themselves at every opportunity. They have represented themselves, their club and the Highland League fantastically well and for that they should be applauded.
As soon as Fraserburgh landed the plum tie of hosting Rangers, club chairman Finlay Noble knew the media frenzy would follow. But he, his manager Mark Cowie and the players have handled the attention like seasoned veterans. It’s not that anyone at the Broch is shy and retiring – in fact it’s quite the opposite – but they don’t feel the need to promote themselves at every turn.
Tonight’s Scottish Cup tie, however, is anything but a normal situation. The game that has captured the imagination of the local community unlike any other in the club’s history.
Tickets are like gold dust for this one and media interest is also at an unprecedented level for the big game with a many as 40 journalists expected to cover the meeting of the underdogs and the overwhelming favourites.
That’s what makes the game so appealing. It’s the football equivalent of David against Goliath. Your head says there is little chance of an upset but the heart tells you while there is a chance there is hope.
Everyone wants to be at the game. Should the biggest cup shock in Scottish football unfold they will be able to tell their children, their grandchildren that they were there.
That’s the magic – that little niggling feeling of what might happen.
For those who can’t get to the game, they will see it wherever they are in the world. But for the people associated with Fraserburgh FC it promises to be an occasion that will last a lifetime.
For Finlay Noble, Mark Cowie and all the players and staff at the club – enjoy it. You deserve it.