1919/20: A New Dawn

Competition Results

Football in the borough was slow to emerge from the shadows of the war. Spittal Hearts and the reformed Tweedside Albion began playing friendlies in the early months of 1919, but the future of Berwick Rangers still hung in the balance.

On Wednesday June 4th, a meeting was called at the Three Tunns Inn by Mr John Lough and Mr Alex Darling to consider the restarting of the club. Mr Lough said that it was time something was done if the club intended to enter any cup or league competitions with the new season fast approaching. There was nothing was left of the old club. The lease on the Union Park had lapsed; the Pavilion, along with the fencing, had been sold for building materials for the sum of £18 and even the players' shirts had been disposed of. The money raised was placed on deposit at the bank under the names of Messrs Lough and Darling. They had received a letter informing them that, if the club was reformed, they would likely get a grant for £10 from the Scottish Football Association. It was thought impossible to carry on the club privately at the present time due to the difficulty in securing a secretary and treasurer and outside help was urgently needed. Mr C. W. Judge moved that the club hand over to the Comrades of the Great War the balance at the bank on their undertaking to carry the club on under its present name. There were several old Rangers players in the Comrades' team. This was seconded by Mr R. G. Tait. Mr A. Crisp suggested that seen as eight or nine of the players who formed the Rangers team when at its best were now playing for Spittal Hearts, the funds should be handed over to that club and the name changed to Berwick United. Mr Pattison, Commandant of the Comrades, thought it would be a pity to allow the name of Berwick Rangers to lapse. At the same time, he saw difficulty about non-Comrades if the Comrades took over the management and used their club room as headquarters. Mr J. Tait suggested that a committee of Comrades and non-Comrades be formed to run the club jointly. A vote was then taken, and the motion carried by ten votes to nine: Berwick Rangers were back in business.

On the question of a playing field it was thought that there would not be much of a problem in securing the use of the Union Park from owner Mr John Robertson of the Mill Farm, Tweedmouth, at least until the start of the newly proposed housing scheme. However, Spittal Hearts, after a failed attempt to amalgamate with Tweedside Albion, had changed their name to Berwick United and were also in negotiations for the ground.

Both Rangers and United had ambitions of join the East of Scotland and Scottish football associations and playing in their cup competitions. No club was to be admitted to either association unless they had a ground of their own and on this front Berwick United were at the fore – they had acquired the lease of the Union Park from under the noses of the Rangers. In response, Rangers moved quickly to secure the use of Shielfield for the season.

August

12. At a meeting, held on Tuesday August 12th, the newly appointed committee met to discuss the club's prospects in preparation for the start of the new season. Their only real concern was the out-of-the-way location of the Shielfield ground and the consequent difficulty in getting even the most enthusiastic supporters to the top of Tweedmouth. On the playing front, several players had already signified their willingness to don the black and gold and the committee believed the best method of selecting a team was by holding a practice match. Amongst those turning out were brothers Robert and Peter Richardson, John Scobie, Robert Wakenshaw, Tom Purves and Harry Burgon, while three players from the KOSB Depot team gave a good account of themselves. Army training was said to have improved some of the old players and their fitness was tested to the full when two teams chosen by Harry Burgon and Robert Richardson took to the field. Burgon's team won a close game by a goal to nil and the committee were satisfied with what they saw.

30. Berwick Rangers opened their season with a friendly against Tweedside Albion at Shielfield on August 30th. Despite the apparent willingness of several players to don the black and gold the club struggled to field eleven players and in the end veterans Tommy Smith, George Glenton and Jack Poulton turned out. Albion, playing with the slope and the sun at their backs, had the better of the first half and opened the scoring in only the second minute of play when Jackson Piercy beat Scobie with a fine drive following a corner. Jamison extended their lead when Scobie completely misjudged his long drive and at the interval Albion led by two goals to nil. Berwick pinned the Tweedsiders back in the second half, and but for the disjointed play of the forwards and their lack of shooting power Rangers should have won comfortably. Robert Richardson beat Douglas with a nice drive on the hour mark. Wakenshaw, Burgon and Izet all went close, but either the keeper, or in Burgon's case the crossbar, denied them. With five minutes remaining Burgon finally succeeded and levelled the score at two goals apiece.

September

To overcome travelling difficulties, the draws for the East of Scotland and Scottish qualifying cups were drawn in districts. In the first-round draw for the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup for the Berwick District, Rangers received a bye. The Berwick District then combined with the Borders for the second round of the competition with Rangers drawn as hosts to Vale of Leithen.

6. In the first round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup, Berwick Rangers were pitted against Coldstream at Home Park in the Border Counties Division. Coldstream got off to a good start and Cockburn was unlucky to see his goal bound shot deflected from its intended path by Melrose. However, Melrose made amends when he opened the scoring for the home side, five minutes from the interval, with a tremendous shot that was well out of Poulton's reach. Soon after the change of ends, Cockburn scored from a free kick on the edge of the box to increase Coldstream's lead. Edminson and McKenzie both had good runs but failed to find the net as the home side continued to press. Scobie and Peter Richardson made the occasional burst away for the Rangers, but Stewart and Scott held them safe and Stenhouse in goal had little to do as Coldstream advanced to the second round with a deserved 2-0 win.

13. Vale of Leithen, who had recently defeated Berwick United in the Scottish Qualifying Cup, gave Rangers the opportunity to measure their "local" strength when they met at Shielfield in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. However, Vale opened in impressive form and took the lead in the first minute of the game through Aird. Ten minutes later Pearce added a second, with a fast shot from 15 yards. From this point onward there was only one team in it, and it came as no surprise when Aird scored again from the edge of the box just before the interval. The second half was only a few minutes old when Aird completed his hat-trick from a penalty awarded against Peter Richardson and with the game now over bar the shouting most of the few spectators who attended left in disgust. Aird scored again before the final whistle as Vale ran off comfortable 5-0 winners.

Out of the first two cups in the early stages, Rangers received a substantial boost to their funds when it was announced by the Scottish that a third allocation of grants was to be made to assist clubs which had suffered on account of the Great War. The allocation of £80 was only made possible by the generosity of the Queen's Park and Glasgow Rangers football clubs, bringing the total sum allocated to £3000 of which the East of Scotland FA had received £380. It was agreed that the same 14 clubs which had participated in the first two allocations be allotted £5 10s each.

20. Local football enthusiasts were looking forward to a friendly encounter at the Union Park between Berwick United and Berwick Rangers. Many considered the teams to be playing for the right to call themselves the premier team in the town, but many left disappointed with the goalless draw that resulted with one supporter heard to mutter: "Neither team was fit to be the premier team of Ancroft, let alone Berwick." United were represented by much their same team, whereas Rangers only just managed to scrape a team together in time for the kick-off. This resulted in most players being members of the KOSB Depot team and two guest players from Edinburgh. The game accentuated the feeling already circulating the town that it was time either one or both teams shut up shop.

November

1. With team raising difficulties high on the agenda, a meeting of Berwick Rangers and Tweedmouth Albion was held, on Monday October 13th, where it was unanimously agreed that the two clubs should amalgamate under the name of Berwick Rangers and new committee consisting of the members of each club was appointed. The amalgamation resulted in an enthusiastic young team being drawn together and a large turnout of spectators turned out for their first match at Shielfield against Edinburgh University.The Rangers team, composed of mainly youngsters captained by Robert Wakenshaw, was awarded two penalties as they battled hard against the experienced University side. Both spot kicks were taken by Wakenshaw; the first was saved by the student's keeper, but the second found the net to give Rangers the lead. However, goals by McNair (twice) and Hoyland gave the visitors a commanding lead. Berwick fought back and reduced the score slightly when Matthews scored a late consolation and although defeated at the final whistle the future looked brighter for the new look Rangers side.

8. The young Rangers side travelled to Norham with renewed confidence on November 8th to face the local Athletic side in a friendly encounter. From the very start Rangers made the pace and for the first 15 minutes they worked hard for a goal, but the home keeper was in fine form and kept them out. Rangers did find the net through J. Wood after 20 minutes' play but straight from the kick-off Norham took up the running and levelled the score through Hare. This gave the home side confidence and their more determined play forced Rangers on the back foot for a spell. Norham took the lead close on half-time when Cowe scored with a splendid 20-yard drive that was well out of Patterson's reach. Berwick were reduced to ten men midway through the second half when Simmons broke a collar bone after a collision with Cowe, but Rangers fought on outnumbered to earn a creditable draw when J. Wood scored the equalising goal towards the end.

22. Having received a bye in the first round of the King Cup, Berwick Rangers faced their stiffest test since amalgamation with Tweedside Albion when they faced Gala Fairydean, who included ex-Berwick Rangers player Robert Richardson in their ranks, in the second round of the competition at Shielfield. Berwick kicked over the hill with the strong wind behind them in the first half. The whole team showed a vast improvement and kept the Gala defence busy. Joe Piercy headed an attack that almost brought a goal. Richardson, being hard pressed, passed back to the keeper, but almost put the ball out of Nicol's reach. The keeper stopped it with difficulty just before it crossed the line. Daniels then placed a free kick nicely to Matthews who tested Nicol with a difficult shot. J. Wood, who was ever ready to take advantage of a slip, got his chance when Nicol only partially cleared, and he poked the ball into the net. Gala replied with a strong attack, but Rangers increased their lead when Matthews headed home from a well-placed Piercy corner. Berwick returned to the attack immediately to make their position secure against a predicted second half onslaught, but several wild kicks spoiled their chances. The predicted onslaught was not long in arriving on the restart. Within five minutes Forrest had found the net following a corner from Burnett. Piercy gave Nicol a low shot to save to prove that Berwick were still not done, but then the ever-dangerous Forrest pounced on a miskick by Wakenshaw and made for goal. Patterson saved his shot but took too long to make up his mind what to do with the ball; Lothian forced a corner from which Bennett put the teams on level terms. Gala secured a third goal soon after when Lothian beat the home defence before netting with a fierce low shot. The same player had the chance to put the issue beyond doubt with the goal at his mercy, but he sent his shot over the bar. The wind dropped considerably towards the close and Berwick vainly forced the play until the final whistle. Despite their 3-2 defeat the Rangers' committee had every reason to be encouraged by the display of the local team.

December

6. If anyone had suggested the visit of a Holy Island footballing eleven to the Berwick Rangers pitch six years ago, they would have had a warm time. However, the visit of Holy Island Rovers, who played in the Lowick and District League, showed how far the Rangers' fortunes had fallen since the re-emergence of football following the Great War. A fair crowd turned out to watch this scrappy encounter in which dirty play was the outstanding feature of the game as the Islanders played with more energy than science. Rovers, playing with wind advantage, introduced their forceful methods from the start, but Rangers fought back strongly with Purves missing two good chances before half-time. Rangers found their stride after the interval and forced three corners in the opening minutes, but the stubborn defensive tactics of the Islanders kept them at bay. Gilchrist at length gave Berwick the lead following a nice pass from Jackson Piercy and a few minutes later added a second to put Rangers in command and seal their first win of the season.

13. Rangers travelled to Duns for their first Border League fixture of the season, played under heavy conditions, on December 13th. The first half was even, but on the change of ends Duns showed the better form. Their constant attacking meant that Heatlie in the home goal had little to do with Rangers seldom dangerous. However, the home forwards were weak in front of goal despite their pressure and it took a penalty scored by Turner with ten minutes remaining to separate the two sides.

20. The two local teams, Rangers and United, met at Shielfield for the first of their back-to-back Border League encounters. The Rangers defence was hard pressed by the United attack from the start. Purves sent in a grand shot that Edney did well to stop, but Moffat had more success when the keeper failed to prevent his shot hitting the back of the net. Gregson then tested Edney with a fine shot before Cairns headed home following a corner to give United a two-goal lead. United were quickly back on the attack and only the off-side flag prevented them from increasing their score. However, Weatherburn scored goal number three from another corner and then Gregson beat Edney with a lovely shot to put United 4-0 up at half-time. Rangers were more in the game in the second half, but never looked like pulling back the score. Hare scored on the hour but United, who had slackened their pace considerably, caught them on the counter attack and with Edney running out to intercept the ball it left an open goal for Purves to score a fifth with ease.

25. Christmas Day saw the eagerly awaited return encounter between the two sides at the Union Park. Rangers were let down by two of their players and started the match with only nine men until substitutes were found from the large festive crowd. Rangers were first to go close when Wakenshaw skimmed the bar with a swift shot before Maxwell opened United's account after 15 minutes' play following a pinpoint cross by Purves. Another fine run and cross by Purves led to United's second goal when Crombie, in trying to clear, got in the way of the keeper leaving Redfearn with an easy chance. Soon after the interval, Weatherburn headed through a third goal for United. Rangers fought back and had their best spell of the match which saw Moffat reduce the deficit from a free kick on the edge of the box. The success was short-lived, however, as Maxwell latched onto another Purves centre to place a fourth goal to United's credit before the close and claim top spot in the league.

January

1. Berwick Grammar School Former Pupils, who had beaten Berwick United by a goal to nil on Boxing Day, were Rangers' New Year's Day opponents in a friendly match at Shielfield. From the start the School showed their superiority and pressed the home defence. Platt broke away on a solo run but screwed his shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Rangers replied with Richardson missing narrowly, but all too often they were being caught out by the School off-side trap. A further spell of "pupil" pressure before the break saw Purves send the ball into the net after an in-swinging corner had created a melee in the goalmouth. The School then tried vainly to extend their lead before the interval whistle; however, it took only a few minutes of the second half play before Gregson netted their second with a well-timed shot. Pratt on the wing was getting plenty of the ball, and a nice centre by him was coolly netted by Gregson. The home defence now held well despite the constant pressure, but with time running out a long free kick landed at Gregson's feet with which he completed his hat-trick to give the School a deserved 4-0 victory and a double over the borough's senior sides.

10. Berwick Rangers played Berwick United for the third time in as many weeks when the two teams met in the first round of the Border Cup at the Union Park on January 10th. Heavy rain did not prevent a very dogged struggle. The ground was sodden, and the foothold precarious, but the pace was fast, and the partisans of either side did not seem to mind the rain. Rangers had the better of the opening exchanges. Tom Purves was unlucky, after dribbling the ball down the Rangers left-wing, to see his scorching shot cannon off the upright. However, it was down the right that Rangers secured the opening goal with Bryson applying the finishing touch in the 15th minute. Rangers continued their attack, but a breakaway by United ended in Buglass equalising. More determined pressure from the Rangers resulted in two more goals being notched in quick succession by Peter Richardson and Wood. With a two-goal lead they seemed in a secure position when the teams changed ends, but now Rangers faced the wind. Aided by the wind United showed up better although their goal had a narrow escape on at least two occasions as Rangers tried to kill the game early. At the railway end the Rangers backs were forced to work overtime to keep United out, but Weatherburn, with a long shot, finally succeeded in finding the net. With only a goal difference United pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Maxwell had hard lines when his shot went narrowly wide, but ten minutes from time he caught the ball and gave Edney no chance with a brilliant shot to level the score at 3-3 and force a replay.

17. The replay took place at a gale swept Shielfield the following week in a game of two distinct halves where Rangers bossed the first and United the second. Rangers won the toss and decided to kick with the gale behind them. Wakenshaw was first to test Allan with a fast drive and later the same player missed narrowly with a powerful shot. The United defence was happy to play the ball into touch whenever their goal was threatened as Allan did not inspire confidence between the sticks and corners were frequent. However, Rangers failed to capitalise on this weakness and their wild shooting wasted many a good chance. United were seldom over the halfway line, but never allowed the homesters to get into their stride. On changing ends, the order of play was reversed. Gregson tested Edney with a hot shot and later Purves rattled the crossbar. Edney was playing his best game so far and made many a fine save to deny United, but when Gregson received close-in the keeper had no chance with his shot through a ruck of players that put United into the lead. Rangers defended gamely after this and had several forays up field without success and at the final whistle United just about deserved their slender win purely for their second half performance.

24. It was back to Border League business and the visit of Duns to Shielfield. Duns, attacking the town end with wind advantage, had to revert to long ball tactics to beat the stubborn Berwick defence. Wakenshaw put in a beauty, which gave Whitehead in the Rangers' goal no chance, to open the visitors' account. Shortly after, Vallance won possession 30-yards out and landed another long shot into the net. A breakaway by Berwick forced Heatlie to make his first save of the game, but from his clearance, Cook sent in a long shot that beat the home keeper to make it 3-0 at the interval. With a heavy shower of rain, the strong sun disappeared and the harsh wind that had hampered the Rangers in the first half practically dropped and Duns were rather fortunate that both had disappeared before the resumption. Rangers at once pressed and Heatlie had his work cut out for a change. After forcing a corner, Berwick were unlucky to see the ball strike the upright, but Johnston obtained possession and sent in a fierce drive that this time beat the keeper. A few minutes later Matthews added a second and Rangers were back in the game. Duns then pressed but, from a breakaway by Berwick, Johnston levelled the score. However, as Rangers went all out for the winner, they were caught on the counterattack and Watson netted the winner for Duns with only a few minutes remaining.

February

7. With renewed confidence after running Duns so close, Rangers, who were still looking for their first win of the league campaign, visited high-flying Coldstream. The home side did most of the attacking throughout, but the Rangers' defence put up a stubborn fight. Edney in goal was easily man-of-the-match. Time and time again he saved his side, and it was not until 15 minutes from the end that he was beaten when, following a corner kick, Melrose scored. The continued pressure eventually told on the Ranges and Jamieson made the result sure with a fine individual effort.

14. Having received a bye in the first round of the East of Scotland Consolation Cup, Rangers played a warm-up friendly with the KOSB Depot team at Shielfield but were beaten 2-1 by the soldiers.

21. Peebles Rovers were Berwick Rangers' second round opponents in a match which saw Berwick gave a vastly improved performance. Rangers had had plenty of experience so far this season with strong winds and defended strongly against both the elements and the speedy Peebles attack. It took until the 20-minute mark before the home goal came under any real danger. Shiel beat the Berwick backs and had only Edney to beat, however, the keeper advanced coolly and dispossessed him. Rovers continued to press until the interval, but Edney was in top form and the half ended goalless. Peebles sprung a surprise on the restart when a quick breakaway saw Dodds open the scoring. This success led to a sustained spell of pressure on the home goal, but Rangers held out before fighting back. Peter Richardson and Redfearn both went close before Matthews scored the equalising goal in the 65th minute. A few minutes later Tom Purves, following some good build-up work by Peter Richardson and Redfearn, was played through and scored from a difficult angle. However, Peebles were still a force to be reckoned with and Edney had to be alert to clear from Anderson in the dying minutes to secure Berwick's passage to the semi-final stage.

March

6. Despite a counter attraction at the Union Park, a large crowd, including many from the countryside in for the Berwick Hirings, lined the ropes at Shielfield to watch the Border League fixture between the Rangers and table topping Coldstream. For the second week running Rangers relied on a solid last line of defence to keep their opponents out in the opening half. Coldstream had chance after chance and could have easily taken the lead but for the performance of stand-in keeper Douglas. Time and time again he denied them with some remarkable saves. Then, just before the interval, it looked as if Douglas would be beaten at last when a penalty was awarded against Wakenshaw. However, Jamieson hit the upright with his kick and the danger was cleared. Play in the second half was a bit more even. Gilchrist and Turnbull tried hard for Coldstream, but Wood and Farrington rose to the occasion in defence. Rangers then seemed to slacken. Coldstream took advantage of the situation and a few minutes from time they were awarded another penalty. This time Cockburn took the kick and made no mistake to inflict Berwick's sixth straight league defeat and strengthen Coldstream's position at the top of the table with a two-point advantage over nearest rivals Duns.

27. Rangers entertained Edinburgh Civil Service in the semi-final of the East of Scotland Consolation Cup at Shielfield. Despite the visitors having the early advantage it took until the 15th minute before the home goal was really threatened. Even then it was a misunderstanding between the Berwick backs that let Findlayson through and only the quick reactions of Peter Richardson averted the danger. However, a few minutes later Richardson let the same player through again after slicing the ball and this time Haswell came to the rescue. Rangers then began to press. Matthews intercepted a wide shot by Redfearn and drove for goal, but his shot was saved before Redfearn headed just wide of the post with the keeper beaten. Another faulty kick by Richardson gave T. Lawson the chance of the afternoon, with a one-on-one against Edney, which he put wide of the post. Peter Richardson came close to scoring at the start of the second half with a long shot that struck the crossbar with the keeper helpless; Tom Purves and Redfearn tried hard to net the rebound but the danger was cleared. A free kick in a dangerous position set the visitors moving and for a time the Berwick goal was under threat. A late surge by the Rangers looked like producing the desired goal with Purves, Redfearn and Matthews all going close, but it was the visitors who scored, only for the point to be disallowed, and with the match ending goalless a replay was necessary.

April

3. The Civil Service decided to forgo their choice of playing in Edinburgh and the replay took place at Shielfield. It turned out to be one of the hardest games seen in the borough this season, notwithstanding the fact that the ground was rain sodden and treacherous with more rain falling throughout the match. The Service opened forcefully, but Berwick put up a good defence. Edney was forced to leave his goal to clear from Cruickshanks. Two minutes later Findlayson followed suit and looked certain to score until Haswell raced back to clear on the line. Haswell again came to the rescue with a goal-line clearance following a well-placed corner-kick by McMurchie. It was from a corner at the other end that Rangers came closest. Moor played the ball down field from which Matthews forced the corner. Purves placed the kick and Gilroy was force to save amongst the kicking feet of the scrum that followed. Edney was again tested by Cruickshanks who, after a fine effort, sent in a hard shot from close range just before the interval. Berwick forced a corner in the first minute of the second half; Peter Richardson headed goalward, but Gilroy saved. Even play then followed until Haswell was robbed of the ball by T. Lawson, who ran to within six yards of Edney before giving the keeper no chance with a low shot into the back of the net. Matthews missed by inches as Rangers fought back. Matthews then worked an opening for Johnston with only the keeper to beat, but he shot wide as the Service held on grimly to their 1-0 lead. Overall, the Edinburgh side were the smarter eleven, but on the run of play another draw would have been a fairer result.

17. Rangers rounded off their season with a 4-3 victory over the North British Railway team in a friendly at Shielfield. A disappointing three wins from twenty-two matches, and bottom place in the Border League without a point, did not reflect the club's pre-war status and moves to put the Rangers back where they belonged in Border football were required without delay.