And so the season which had promised so much drew to a rather subdued close. Bathgate went one better than they did 2 seasons ago and lifted the Junior Cup at Cumnock’s expense. Lochee ran out worthy winners of the Super League having seen off the persistent challenges of Camelon and Whitburn. Camelon wrapped up a couple of well deserved trophies (both at Prestonfield) to finish their season in style.

When the dust settles, Rose fans will look back and they’ll look beyond a campaign that was riddled with disappointment from February through to May. They’ll remember that they were the first set of junior supporters to put SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith right on the importance of the junior game to Scottish football when they eye-balled him at Newton Stewart. They’ll remember a magnificent performance against Spartans. They’ll remember the character of a fully-fit Rose team in full flow as they roared back from the dead against Irvine Meadow. They’ll remember bursting their lungs at Bo’ness to encourage the lads through as tough a tie as you could face.

Most of all though, they’ll remember Dumfries. They’ll remember the day Linlithgow Rose walked into the big time. Extended highlights on Sportscene, a song or 2 for the Doonhamers, a word of advice for Stevie Tosh, Queens’ biggest crowd of the season to date and a defeat lined with respect after they’d given it their best shot. Whatever the future holds for junior clubs, Linlithgow Rose were ambassadors and pioneers for the junior game. The players, officials and supporters were an absolute credit to the town. They carved their name in Scottish football history. ‘Hail The Gallant Rosey Posey’ was belted out – it came across the airwaves loud and clear. Form is always temporary, class is rather more permanent. When the form returns next season, the class will be sitting waiting for it.

Roll on 2008/09. Hail The Gallant!!!

AND DESPITE IT ALL WE HAD SOME FUN ALONG THE WAY

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