Season 1982-1983

Arniston in the first part of the season were a very ordinary side. An inability to score seems to be the reason going by the results. Arniston's record in the first eight matches - played 8, won 0, lost 2, drawn 6.

Arniston in January 1983 started to improve, and their season as in the past was centred on a Scottish Cup run. A replayed Scottish Cup Tie against Dunipace Juniors was played at Arniston and resulted in a win for Arniston (no actual score in). Next match in the Scottish Junior Cup, was to be a controversial affair, when Arniston had two penalty appeals turned down.

Match: Arniston v Oakley Result: Arniston 1 Oakley 0 Arniston scorer - Stewart

Arniston Team: Gowrie, Henderson, Fleming, Stewart, Keith, Reid Macaulay, Cunningham, Cockerill, Aird, Robertson Subs., Craig and Hunter.

Arniston's next Scottish Cup Tie was against Penicuik Athletic in the 4th round, and drew a big crowd to Newbyres Park, date February, 1983. Arniston team - Higgins, Henderson, Fleming, Stewart, Keith, Reid, Macaulay, Cunningham, Cockerill, Aird and Mutch. Subs., Pryde and Ferguson. Match result - Arniston 4, Penicuik 2. Arniston scorers, Cockerill 2, Mutch and Cunningham. Kelly and Burgess of Penicuik and Aird of Arniston were booked.

April 1983 we had Arniston in the quarter final of the Scottish Junior Cup against East Kilbride Thistle at Arniston. Despite a massive sponsorship by pubs and clubs and businesses from Tranent, Mayfield, Bonnyrigg, and by shopkeepers from Gorebridge, Arniston "blew" it on the day and lost the match by 1 goal to 0.

To end the season Arniston performed well in the League Cup, and went out in the semi-final 1 - 0 to Fauldhouse United. They finished among the prize money in the League also, ending up a creditable third to Fauldhouse United and Tranent Juniors.

Newspaper Clipping dated 15.7.1982

The following players are retained and unretained:

Arniston Rangers - retained - Derek Gowrie, David Huggins, George Henry, Raymond Fleming, Samuel Lynch, James Harkins, James Pryde, Gordon Ferguson, James Aird, Douglas Keith, Michael Dingwall, Raymond McAulay, John Cockerell, Gordon Robertson, Eric Davidson, Brian Begbie, Graham Robertson, Alexander Cunningham. Unretained - James Anderson, Michael Horne, Robert Wood, John Stevenson and Walter Pretsell.

 

Newspaper Clipping dated 7.4.1983

Arniston into the last eight of the Scottish Cup

Arniston Rangers FC, founded in 1878, are into the quarter- finals of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Their opponents are East Kilbride Thistle and the kick-off is at 3.30 pm this Saturday at Newbyres Park, Gorebridge.

With Arniston having reached this round of the cup, it is sure to bring back memories of names connected with the game in the early days.

Councillor Peter Boyes said: "It will bring back memories of the rivalry between Arniston and Newtongrange and of the days of larger crowds. It was common in those days to see the Toll Brae crowded with people going to and from the match."

He added that Arniston's fifth round opponents, Annbank from Ayrshire, last met the local team in the semi-finals of the cup in 1953 at Firhill in Glasgow.

More than 5,000 people travelled from Gorebridge to the match and virtually the whole village must have been in attendance. The overall attendance for the match was 35,000.

Arniston Rangers are being sponsored by pubs, clubs and businesses from Tranent, Mayfield, Bonnyrigg and by shop-keepers from Gorebridge.

There will be a sponsored walk before the match from Mayfield to Gorebridge. It will be led by Mr. Alex. McKinnon, Councillor Dick Small and Mr. Alistair Williams. The proceeds will go to the club.

Councillor Boyes added: "The atmosphere in the village will be one of pride that their team is in the quarter-finals, and my message to local people is to go along and support their team."

Councill Boyes will attend the match with MP Mr. Alex. Eadie.

 

Newspaper Clipping dated 28.7.1983

Following players retained:

Arniston Rangers: Derek Gowrie, Michael Horne, Alex Cunningham, Raymond Fleming, Douglas Keith, Raymond McCaulay , John Cockerill, James Aird, Gordon Ferguson, James Pryde, Gordon Robertson, Ian Henderson, Lawrence Mutch, Robert Reid, Robert Devlin, Neil Craig, David Begbie, Graham Robertson.