Bo’ness Athletic 5 Dundonald Bluebell 1

The atmosphere could have resembled a somber farewell, yet it transformed into an exuberant celebration.

As Newtown Park bid its long farewell, the air resonated with melodies reminiscent of childhood memories at the Bo’ness Fair, set against a backdrop of biting sleet and a wind fierce enough to make even a penguin shiver.

Bo’ness Athletic is nearing the end of its journey, but not in disgrace. Over its six-year lifespan, the club has secured three promotions and clinched six trophies. Financially stable, it maintains a respectable position in the upper echelon of the East of Scotland Premier League.

Bo’ness Athletic will honour a promise and call it a day at the end of the season

Bo’ness Athletic chairman Alex Brown is contemplating his next step

The club’s closure is not due to financial woes but rather a commitment made, coupled with the realization that the weight of success has become unsustainable.

Derek Oliver, the club secretary, has been a guiding force nearly since the beginning. The team started as the Linlithgow Thistle amateur side, rebranding in 2019 to become a Junior side, and later transitioning in 2021 to the East of Scotland league as Bo’ness Athletic.

‘We made a promise then – that was documented in press reports – that we would never compete with Bo’ness United,’ said Oliver. United share Newtown Park and now play in the Lowland League.

‘The Lowland League was never in our plans because of the set-up here and the financials,’ he added. ‘Basically this club is run by two families (Browns and Olivers) and our friends.

‘We have come a long way and very quickly. But it is not sustainable in terms of effort. We felt now was the right time to call it a day.’

‘You do get a sense of fulfilment as a player but I get my kicks out of building a club. We went from strength to strength. But a decision had to be made.’

He helped transform an amateur side into a team that has competed in the senior Scottish Cup. Oliver has a demanding local authority job. Alex Brown, chairman, has retired from full-time work and is contemplating his next step.

Supporters brace themselves from the weather as Bo’ness Athletic take on Dundonald

‘It was a time to hit pause,’ said Oliver. He conceded there was sadness in this but he has a life to lead with his daughters and is warmed by the memories.

‘My personal highlights are watching us beat Linlithgow Rose 5-1 at Prestonfield and travelling to Drumchapel where we played very well to beat a well-fancied home side,’ he said.

‘We have tried to encourage people to come in and help but it’s very difficult to do that,’ he said.

The Browns and Oliver will, though, still have an influence at Newtown Park. They intend to work with the park’s association to improve a facility that stands in the centre of a community.

The rain strafes the hospitality hut with the force of tracer bullets. Revie Thomson stands defiant. He is wearing a black tie and armband. His gesture is part jollity in the face of the club’s demise, part an acknowledgement of the part Athletic has played in his life over recent years.

The referee prepares to lead the teams out ahead of Saturday’s match at Newtown Park

‘I first started coming here when my son was here as reserve keeper. Me and my mate – Derek Lourie – are at most home games. We are called Jack and Victor and usually stand at the end of the bar and then come out to watch the game,’ he said.

‘I love this club, You are made to feel so welcome and I will miss everybody involved.’

Asked what Saturdays will now be made of, he repolled instantly: ’It will no’ be shopping anyway.’

His comment is made as Carole Brown clips up the stairs with bags of messages. The supplies will sustain the ravenous and thirsty guests who sing the Fair songs with gusto and no little emotion.

Carole and Alex Brown have a marriage forged in football. She stood on the terraces when he was a Junior player of considerable skill, pace and achievement. There is a photograph in the corner of the room that shows Alex as a member of the Bo’ness United team that won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1984. Their son, Robbie, played with Athletic on loan from Hearts.

Carole spends most of her Saturday setting up the hospitality serving the punters and then cleaning up. This information was relayed by others. She preferred to talk about the joy of football and how Newtown Park needed to be upgraded and improved. She will be there for that work.

Her husband was reflective about the past. ‘We stepped up from being an amateur team because there was the opportunity for a Junior team in the town,’ he said. The football world has spun quickly, however.

‘Our greatest achievement has probably been to attain a SFA licence,’ he said. ‘We have had great victories on the park too.

‘But who else wants to take it on? No one. We built a great club but we didn’t want to see it slide back down.’

Carole Brown looks out from the Newton Park kitchen during Saturday’s match

He is not walking away, however. ‘I’m a Bo’ness boy. This park was given to the town by the miners. There are 400 kids who play here every week now. . My passion is the Newtown Park Association. Come back in five years and see what has happened here. But I am proud of what we have done at this club. If people come together you can achieve a lot.’

Through the rain and the gathering dusk, one can make out a blue-shirted figure heading towards the far-side enclosure. Blair Woodburn, 32, Athletic captain of the day, is greeting his parents after the spectacular victory.

Athletic has played a significant role in his personal, business and sporting life.

‘I have been very fortunate that I have been here for every success. In and out the team, of course, but part of I all,’ he said.

He was keen to emphasise that the club was not just about winning trophies.

‘Alex gave me a pep talk one summer. He said: ‘’You need to shift a bit of weight if you are going to compete at this level’’. He gave me a lot of support and I lost five and a half stone over time.’

Woodburn runs a packaging business with his father and is also grateful to Brown for his business advice.

Athletic fan Revie Thomson wears black tie and armband with the news the club is to disband

‘I have matured in football but also as a person outside it. This will mark the end of a big era of my life.

‘We had loads of success. But I don’t know if success is the real memory I will take away from it all. The best memories are the little bits. It’s coming into training on a Monday and Wednesday. whether it is raining or snowing.

‘It’s that camaraderie. That joking. That’s the memory for me. It’s when life is a bit rough or you are having a bad day and you come in here and everything changes.’

The club news was broken to the team on Monday but the performance on Saturday showed their mettle. It was 1-1 at half-time but the dressing room was united in its aim.

‘The message was that we owe it to ourselves and to the club not to let the season drift away. It was: “Let’s get out here and give it a go”.’ They did.

It’s almost over for Athletic. But the past will survive in collective and personal memory. And in the echo of the Fair songs.