Arniston Rangers - Facts and Figures

1878 - The probable start of Arniston Rangers

The first 1883 'Advert' showing Arniston Rangers playing Westfield Thistle at Annfield Park, Eskbank (date October 4 1883) and pinpointing the first verified game of the Arniston Team.

The first verified game between Arniston Rangers and Bonnyrigg Rose ended in a win for Arniston.

October 1883 - The first known entry fee for a football match - Men 2d. Ladies free No mention of boys Men 2d. Ladies free No mention of boys Period 1885 - 1890 Arniston were defunct.

December 18 1890 - The first known game between Arniston Rangers and Newtongrange Star as juveniles. "Should I mention the result"? Arniston 2 - Star 7 Arniston 2 - Star 7 Season 1892 - 1893 saw Arniston entering the world of the juniors, at its birth. Donaldson Junior League being the body concerned.

Between December 1892 and February 1893 was a remarkable period. Arniston played 4 games winning 3 and losing 1 and still amassed an incredible 36 goals for and 4 against. It included the first double figure win for Arniston, beating Ormiston Primrose by an amazing 17 goals to 0. The month before Arniston had played West Calder Wanderers in the Midlothian Junior Cup and lost by 9 - 0 at West Calder.

January 18 1894 gives us the first listed Arniston team

Ferrier, McFadyn, Thomson, Hughes, Hogg, Drummond, Blake, Bernard, Nichol

March 15 1894 - Arniston achieved their second double figure win, this time a "modest" 12 - 0 over Loanhead Mayflower.

Season 1893 -1894 saw Arniston gain their first honour winning the Midlothian Championship, the forerunner of the Midlothian Junior League, which in turn was changed after the First World War to the Edinburgh District League.

Arniston Rangers played 2 games against the Drum Birds of Gilmerton in 1895, the first game resulted in Arniston Rangers 18, Drum Birds 0, date February, 1895. Arniston played Drum Birds again in 1895, winning by 11 goals to 0, making an aggregate on the 2 games - Arniston Rangers 29, Drum Birds 0.

June 2 1898 - Arniston won their first trophy, the Simpson Shield, beating Dalry Primrose 3 - 2 in the final at Newtongrange.

Arniston Rangers won the League three years in succession between 1899 - 1902.

Arniston's first game in the newly formed Midlothian Junior League, was against Newtongrange Star, and was the first time these teams had met as juniors.

Result - Arniston 2, Star 2.

Arniston Rangers first trophy, in the 20th century was attained in season 1902 - 1903 with the winning of the Musselburgh Cup, beating Prestonpans Athletic in a controversial final.

The first named Arniston Rangers captain was Hadden. Date, November 21 1901. 1901.

Season 1904 - 1905 Arniston reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Season 1909 - 1910 Arniston again reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup, this time losing to Glasgow Ashfield by 3 - 2 in Gymnasium Park, Edinburgh.

Season 1910 - 1911 W. Taylor of Arniston plays for Junior Scotland against Ireland and scored.

Season 1922 - 1923 Arniston reached the Scottish Junior Cup Final, losing 3 - 0 to Musselburgh Bruntonians. Same season Noble of Arniston played for Junior Scotland against Ireland.

Season 1926 - 1927 Arniston vanished for five months before being resuscitated for season 1927 - 1928.

July 31 1930 Arniston forced to disband.

August 24 1933 Arniston returned to the junior ranks.

November 22 1934 Arniston demolish Newtongrange Star by 9 goals to 3 at Gorebridge in the League. Sharp of Arniston scored 5, Connabay, Fitzsimmons, Weir and Stevens.

Season 1935 - 1936 achieved two double figure wins, first a resounding 11 - 0 trouncing of Blackburn Athletic and the second, a 10 - 3 thrashing of Lochore Welfare in the Scottish Junior Cup.

After the Second World War, Arniston had two different Presidents in the 1945 - 1946 season. They started with Mr. John Aitken and after a meeting in December, 1945 Mr. William Davidson took over the reins.

June 5 1947 Junior admission charges go up from 7d. to 9d.

Season 1948 - 1949 saw the start of a field fund to enable Arniston to purchase a new ground.

1950 Arniston were playing at Rosebery Park while awaiting the completion of their new ground.

Season 1950 - 1951. In a game against Dunbar United, Paterson of Arniston scored without a Dunbar player touching the ball.

May 14 1953 saw Arniston playing again in the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup against Annbank United. Result after replay Annbank 4 - Arniston 2. Attendance at first game at Firhill 30,000. Arniston took nearly 5,000 supporters to the ground.

Season 1952 - 1953. Arniston Rangers 2 - Blantyre Vics 2. Attendance 8,083 at Arniston. Scottish Junior Cup 6th Round.

February 1955 saw Arniston lose its ground record in a match against Bo'ness United. Attendance 9,000. Result Arniston 2 - Bo'ness 4.

March 1955 - another double figure win for Arniston beating Linlithgow Rose 11 - 2 in the East of Scotland Cup. Linlithgow were the current holders. Brown scored 5, Cranston 4, with Glen and Dickens getting the others.

July 1956 - Junior Football to cost 1s.

January 1965 Arniston gain their biggest win in the 20th century. Arniston v Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the Scottish Junior Cup. Result Arniston 13 - Ardrossan 0. Arniston scorers Glen 3, McEwan 4, Mair 4 and Hope 2.

January 13 1966 saw Arniston gain another double figure, winning 12 - 1 over Armadale Thistle in the St. Michael Cup, where Hadden scored a double hat-trick.

April 1978 Arniston appoints Bill Inglis as team manager with full responsibilities and Neil Martin as coach, to take effect immediately.

July 1978 Arniston relegated to 'B' Division.

Season 1978 - 1979 Arniston win promotion to 'A' Division, and just as quickly lose it.

Season 1979 - 1980 Arniston Rangers win promotion to 'A' Division.

Season 1980 - 1981 Final double figure win for Arniston, beating Blackburn at Arniston by 11 goals to 0. Arniston scorers, Pryde 3, Aird 3, McAuley 2 and Cochrane.

To take us to the conclusion of this Chapter, did you know that Arniston have had three homes? First was called Greenhall Park, but in reality was a field leased from Arniston Colliery on a farm near Gowkshill. Their second abode was the old Arniston Welfare Park. When it was opened, Arniston were allowed to use it and were tenants for the next 60 years before post-war developments forced to Arniston to move again.

The present Newbyres Park was created out of a derelict dump by the blood sweat and tears of the villagers of Arniston, who with their generosity helped to cover the cost of development by means of a Field Fund. The total cost of the new ground when finally completed was around £12,000.

The first advertised game of Arniston Rangers dated 4.10.1883