End of an era as final whistle blows for Buckie Rovers
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THE curtain is set to come down on local Junior side Buckie Rovers at the end of this month.
Rovers have not been in action since the Covid pandemic hit in 2020.
However, the club have been unable to form a committee which, allied with persistent acts of vandalism in and around their ground, has seen Moray Council terminate Rovers' lease of Merson park.
The ground is due to be handed back to the local authority on September 30.
Former Rovers president Grant Sutherland said: "It's the end of an era, really and very sad.
"There have been a few people who have offered to help out along the way but ultimately a committee wasn't established and caused the lease to be voided.
"During the last couple of seasons Buckie Ladies and the Buckie youths have been using the park and keeping it going, which has been great to see.
"It's a shame to see how badly the park and perimeter area has been vandalised. Rovers were a self-funded club and simply did not have the finances to effect such repairs, as the perimiter fence alone would be in the region of £50,000 to replace.
"It would be great if there are folk out there keen to kick start Buckie Rovers again and get the club back up and running. It takes a bit of work and commitment to get there, but it would be good to see a team back in the Junior league.
"I am unsure what the council plans are for the park and pavilion but hopeful it gets fixed up and becomes available for football once again.That Buckie Rovers sign above the gates is part of the town and has been for a long long time.
"Myself and the last committee members had a great few years at the club and are saddened to see how things have gone, and hope to see it back in the near future."
