It would be a dream come true for long-serving Rothes physiotherapist Brian Neish if the Speysiders can overcome Clachnacuddin in the first round of the Scottish Cup at Mackessack Park on Saturday.
The Speysiders make their annual attempt to end an unwanted record in the national cup competition and Neish will be celebrating if his side can beat the Lilywhites.
Neish said: “Although Rothes have won Qualifying Cup ties in years gone by we’ve never won a Scottish Cup tie.
“I retired from being club physio and kit-man three years ago after 34 years with the club.
“I’m now 51 but I started at Rothes on the bag when I was just 17.
“I was enticed back to the club at the start of this season, although I did help out a few times last term, but this time I’m purely on the bag and not the kit, that’s all I really have time for with my work.”
Neish, a factory manager, believes this weekend’s tie is as good a chance as his club has had and ending their long wait for a cup win.
He added: “I think that this Rothes side is almost as good as the one which won the North of Scotland Cup in 1979 when we upset the odds to beat Inverness Thistle 1-0 at Telford Street in Inverness, local lad Kenny Wales scoring that historic goal to talk the famous old trophy back to Mackessack Park.
“I was at that game, I was only 11 at the time, we had a great team with players like ex-Elgin City legends, George Gilbert and Gerry Graham and the Gray brothers, bearded goalie Charlie and centre half Gavin – happy days indeed!
“I think that Saturday’s home tie against Clachnacuddin will be our best chance to win a Scottish Cup tie in my lifetime.
“In our last two games we’ve beaten Wick Academy 3-1 at Harmsworth Park and last Saturday we defeated an even stronger Forres Mechanics side by the same score-line at Mackessack Park.
“On that type of form I can’t see any reason we can’t make it three wins on the spin with a historic Scottish Cup victory against Clach this weekend.”
