PEEBLES Rovers have scored a £10,000 winner towards renovation works at their ground.

The Whitestone Park club, which turns 125-years-old next year, will undergo a facelift after securing the support of the region’s new councillors.

Peebles Rovers have been left frustrated in recent years after hopes of a move to an all-weather ground on Victoria Park fell through.

And follow-up proposals of developing Violet Bank were also ditched.

Representatives from the club approached the six Tweeddale members recently in an effort to obtain funding towards creating a perimeter fence around their current ground at Whitestone Park.

They wanted £8,000 towards the £10,000 project.

But the six members of the Tweeddale Locality Committee decided to fund the entire sum.

Council leader Shona Haslam (Cons, Tweeddale East) told the Peeblesshire News: “When Peebles Rovers Football Club came to us they made a passionate plea for funds. 

“The work is needed to bring the club up to requirements to allow them to continue to play in the league. 

“I suggested to my council colleagues that we should award them the full amount that they needed. The club does a huge amount for the community and our young people. 

“The recent game against Celtic earlier this summer being just one example. 

“This is our way of saying thanks to them for the work that they do and recognising that they are an important part of our town and our history. I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Peebles Rovers are one of only a handful of clubs in the East of Scotland League that doesn’t have a perimeter fence.

And hopes are high that the structure will help the club eventually reach SFA Club Licensing status which would allow them to play once again in the Scottish Cup.

Manager Ger Rossi, who recently made an impassioned plea in the Peeblesshire News regarding the problems his club was facing, is thrilled with the backing.

He told us: “The councillors have been excellent. When we first made an approach Heather Anderson [SNP, Tweeddale West] came back straight away to say she supported what we were doing.

“We are aspiring to go as far as we can to benefit football in the town and this is a great start.

“Having a perimeter fence around Whitestone Park will completely change the ground.”

The majority of the new fence will be a permanent feature with sections at The Gytes end of the ground being removable during the cricket season.

Gerry Rossi senior, chairman of Peebles Rovers, believes the funding has saved the club from an uncertain future.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the news. 

“The money will enable us to take the club forward and ensure we stay in the East of Scotland League. 

“We plan to spend this on a new fence around the boundary of the pitch and portable goals. Thank you to SBC and also councillor Heather Anderson for supporting the club’s appeal for the money.”