Darvel Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Darvel, Ayrshire. Nicknamed "The Vale" and formed in 1889, the club play at Recreation Park, and currently compete in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.
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| Full name | Darvel Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Vale | ||
| Founded | 1889 | ||
| Ground | Recreation Park, Darvel | ||
| Capacity | 2,200 (65 seated) | ||
| Owner | John Gall | ||
| Chairman | Stephen Gilmour | ||
| Manager | Tony McInally | ||
| League | West of Scotland League Premier Division | ||
| 2022–23 | West of Scotland League Premier Division, 3rd of 16 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History edit
The club reached the final of the 1975–76 Scottish Junior Cup, but were beaten 3–0 by Bo'ness United.[1]
Darvel won the Ayrshire District League title in 2016–17 to gain promotion to the West Super League First Division (renamed as the West Championship), the second tier of the SJFA West Region league structure.
The team was managed from June 2013 to November 2017 by Scott Clelland.[2] On 14 February 2019, Darvel announced that Mick Kennedy would be the new manager for the season 2019–20.
The club and Blantyre Victoria were declared joint-winners of the West Region Championship in 2019–20 after the season was prematurely halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
Darvel joined the West of Scotland Football League in 2020–21 along with all other West Region junior clubs, and were promoted to the Premier Division for the inaugural season. In the first full season, they won the Premier Division in 2021–22.
On 23 January 2023, Darvel pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Scottish Cup history, as they beat Premiership side Aberdeen 1–0 in the fourth round at Recreation Park.[4]
Players edit
Current squad edit
- As of 21 September 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching Staff edit
As of 7 June 2023
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Tony McInally |
| Assistant manager | David Winters |
| Coach | Stewart Ralston |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Brian Whelan |
| Sports Therapist | Andrew O’Donnell |
Honours edit
Senior
West of Scotland League Premier Division
- Champions: 2021–22
Junior
Scottish Junior Cup
- Runners-up: 1975–76
- Joint-winners: 2019–20
- Winners: 2016–17
References edit
- ^ "Scottish Junior Cup Finals 1970-1979". Scottish Junior FA.
- ^ Wren, David (3 July 2014). "Darvel Juniors boss Scott Clelland optimistic ahead of new season". Daily Record. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ Thomson, Paul (22 May 2020). "Ex Hamilton Accies secretary and UEFA delegate to lead Junior title probe". Daily Record.
- ^ Murray, Keir (23 January 2023). "Darvel 1-0 Aberdeen: Sixth-tier hosts secure famous upset". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2023.