1938: A historic leap for Rothes FC

Highland League Aspirants
On 6 May 1938 the Press and Journal and the Huntly Express both informed their readers that Rothes Victoria FC, described by the P & J as "the crack North of Scotland Junior League combination", were to make a bid for admission to the Highland League in time for the 1938-39 season. The P & J article continued: "It is learned that a prominent business man in the Speyside town has guaranteed a certain sum and in addition he has undertaken that several of his friends will also act as guarantors. Apart from the question of finance, another difficulty that will confront the club is that of playing accommodation, but it is understood that negotiations are to be set afoot right away for the acquisition of a field on the Seafield Estates.

Enthusiastic Support
Four days after Rothes Victoria's Highland League ambitions were publicised, a public meeting was held in the Rothes Drill Hall on 10 May, with Captain David Mackessack presiding. A resolution was passed at the meeting approving the action of the committee in making application for entry into the Highland League and also promising full support in preparing the field and raising the necessary funds to defray expenses.  The Northern Scot  carried a full report of the meeting and quoted Captain Mackessack at some length: "Should Rothes gain admission to the League, they were capable of holding their own. The secretary of the Club, Mr W. Milne, had been making inquiries, and the team had an excellent chance of getting into the competition, provided they had a ground that conformed with  Highland League standards"

"Some of the clubs in the League,” said Captain Mackessack, "feel that there is room for a team in this district. It would not incur very much travelling expenses for any club to come to Rothes. The second point I want to put forward to this meeting is of the support which we are likely to get. Are we justified in going ahead with our application? Are we going to get good support in the way of finance, free labour and also advice in making our ground fit for the League?" In something akin to a rallying cry, the Club President stated: "What we want is support beyond interest."

"Our main difficulties are, first of all, to obtain a ground, to prepare that ground, the erection of an enclosure, and, lastly, the raising of money to do it.”’

"The record financially of the Club is not too good at the moment,” he continued, "because Rothes has had to play most of their games away from home, and when that happens we do not get any share of the gate.” Rothes would be assured of more home games, and I do not think our expenses would be very much greater.” Mr W. Milne said that at present the Club had a credit balance of about £2O. Captain Mackessack said that if there was a game in Rothes people would travel from Archiestown, Craigellachie and Dufftown, and if there was no game in Elgin they would draw a crowd from there.

“The first really difficult point we have to consider is the choice of ground,” he said. "Our ground at present is leased by the Town Council, and we shall have to put a fence completely round the park. That will mean keeping everyone out. I do not think the Council will allow us to do that, as it would do away with the public park of Rothes. I feel it would be taking away the sporting ground of Rothes and turning it into a private concern. The alternative, however, is a strip of ground at the north end of the pavilion." 

Mr.` T. Gardiner, Rothes: "The old Market Green in Green Street was closed because some of the aristocracy of Green Street objected. You can do the same with the public park."
Mr. George Grant, Grantville: "One is a Market Green, but the other is the town’s public park.

Mr. Milne said he thought the strip of ground at the north end of the pavilion would be most suitable as their ground. It seemed to be fairly central, and was only a stone’s throw from the station and quite near the main road. Consequently, people coming by 'bus or train would have no difficulty in reaching the enclosure.  It was agreed that negotiations should be started to secure the ground and that the entrances and the general layout should be left to the committee. Mr. Milne said that at present the pavilion was quite suitable for the home and visiting teams, but there was no accommodation for the referee.   

The  Aberdeen Press and Journal on 24 May 1938 provided an update on Rothes FC's required transformation of their ground as part of their application to join the Highland League:

Rothes are forging ahead with their preparations for admission to the Highland League next season. Mr Milne, secretary, has received letters from the majority of the teams in the Highland League promising their support to Rothes in their application for admission. Elgin City will propose them,  and they will be seconded by Inverness Thistle, but until they know definitely that they will be accepted they cannot make a start with the planning, layout, and levelling of their new ground. All the necessary measuring has been done, however, and they now await the result of the League's meeting on 4 June. Free labour has been offered by almost 100 Rothes enthusiasts, and superintendents have been appointed for the various processes of preparing the playing field. Mr. F. Herrick is in charge of the levelling, and the sowing and ploughing will be supervised by Mr. A. E. Glen Grant, and Mr. A. Innes, New Street. Local carpenters have also offered their services for the erection of the enclosure. The cost of material will be about £200.

The P & J added the following with regard to player resources: The team will be run on an amateur basis, and Rothes have been offered the services of Matha Stewart, the ex- Peterhead centre. Lockhead, a former Mugiemoss and Glasgow junior player, will appear in the left half position. All the present Rothes team have signified their willingness to turn-out for Rothes, and there is a general feeling of enthusiasm and optimism in the new venture. Rothes F.C. added another cup to their collection on Saturday by defeating Hill Rovers at Inverness in the final of the Urquhart Cup. The winning team was as follows: Brian, Innes, Clark, Lockhead, Stuart, Meldrum, Forsyth, Taylor, Shewan, Grant, and Taylor. Innes, Forsyth, and Shewan were the scorers for Rothes in a 5-2 victory.

The Dundee Weekly News reported on 11 June 1938 that the North of Scotland Football Association's AGM had unanimously agreed that
"Rothes, the strong-going Morayshire junior club, are unanimously promoted to Highland League status, The report confirmed that Rothes' elevation brought the number of Highland League clubs for the following season up to thirteen. 

On 2 July 1938, the Northern Scot reported  "a large number of football enthusiasts attended a public meeting in the Drill Hall, Rothes, on Wednesday night in connection with the entry of Rothes Football Club into the Highland League. Captain D. Mackessack, Glengrant, presided. The following office-bearers were appointed: Hon. President, Commander H. Dunbar Rivers; president, Capt. D. Mackessack ; vice- president. Mr James Burgess, North of Scotland Bank ; secretary and treasurer, Mr Wm. Milne, Green Street; committee—Messrs Henry Humble, C. Kerr, J. Smith, J. T.| Armour, G. W. Rhynas, C. Christie, L. Meikle, James Davidson Jnr.,  W. Roy, G. Grant, Andrew Grant and J. Beaton.

It was announced that the work on the playing field would be completed by the beginning of the following week. Captain Mackessack said  Elgin City had granted permission to Rothes to use Borough Briggs when they were away from home in the event of the Rothes ground not being ready at the opening of the season. 

At a meeting of the North of Scotland Football Association (NSFA} on 28 July 1938, it was resolved that Rothes F.C. be admitted to membership of the association on the motion of Mr. A. Lyon. Clachnacuddin. seconded by Mr. T. Cooper, Inverness Thistle. Rothes’ election was subject to the association making an inspection of the club's ground when it was completed and being found suitable. Two days later, the new Banff/Macduff club, Deveronvale F.C., were admitted to NSFA membership, taking the number of Highland League clubs up to fourteen.

On 16 August 1938, Rothes and Deveronvale, together with Dunbar Town F.C., were admitted to the S.F.A as associate members.