A new dawn at Whitestone Park

David O'Leary • Published 6 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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FORMER Vale of Leithen boss Stuart Robertson has taken the helm at Whitestone Park.

Robertson replaces Rab Linton, who dropped a bombshell last week by resigning after his Peebles Rovers team drew with Edinburgh amateur side, Alba Thistle.

The departing manager cited a lack of enthusiasm from local players as the reason for his decision.

Rovers officials then spent a frantic week in talks with Robertson, who was coaching with Gala Fairydean last season, before getting their man.

Robertson, who has since departed on a pre-planned two week holiday, will be joined in the dugout by assistant player/manager, Kevin Martin, formerly of Spartans and Coldstream.

Martin possesses a Uefa B coaching licence at just the tender age of 22.

Derek Learmonth will also be staying on as coach at the Whitestone Park outfit.

Former boss Rab Linton had brought some much-needed stability to the Peebles team last season after he took over from Ray McInnes.

However, despite attracting a quality bench of coaches to assist him, he was unable to find the calibre of player required to take the team into the top half of the league.

And a growing frustration with players who stalled on signing led him to stand down following his side's 3-3 draw against Alba Thistle.

Despite the upheaval Rovers chairman Colin McDonald believes the club now has a good team in place and is optimistic for the coming season.

He also took the opportunity to throw down the gauntlet to those who have long criticised the club.

He said: "Rab did an excellent job since coming in and we all thought good times lay ahead - it is extremely unfortunate what has happened with players not wanting to sign.

"But I'm sure Stuart and Kevin will do a fine job. This could be a new beginning for the club, we don't need all the adverse publicity and criticism which is bandied about online. It doesn't help the team and it certainly doesn't help in getting players to join.

"All we're asking is for people to be a bit more positive about the club and stop doing it down. Come to us (the committee) and tell us what you think we could do better rather than sniping about it on the internet.

"Also any players who think they're of a good enough standard come along to training on a Tuesday or Thursday night at 7pm and we'll have a look at them."

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Aug 10

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