Photograph by Joe Gilhooley LRPS.
The housebuilder has announced a sponsorship deal with Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club (BRFC) following one of the most successful seasons in the club’s 140-year history.
Cala Homes (East) has teamed up with the Rose, supporting the club with its upkeep and running costs as it looks to cement itself as an established SPFL team.
The team became a professional club for the first time in its history just one season ago, after securing promotion to SPFL’s League Two.
The sponsorship comes at a crucial time for Bonnyrigg Rose, which sits midtable in SPFL’s League Two and narrowly missed out on the Scottish Cup quarterfinal, following an impressive cup run that included a win against higher-tiered Falkirk FC.
Bonnyrigg Rose FC Committee Board Member, Donald Cameron, said: “Cala’s contribution will ensure our club has the best possible chance at competing at the highest level.
“We’ve not long been a professional club so it’s absolutely crucial that we continue our momentum and can retain our position as a high-level club. Sponsorships, such as Cala’s, are vital in keeping our football club competitive as we look to build on a successful season staying in the SPFL.
“At this level, it takes a lot of graft and dedication to run a football club, and so we are grateful for every ounce of support we receive. The partnership with Cala made sense right away – it has a terrific reputation in supporting local community projects and ventures so we’re over the moon to have its support.”
The housebuilder’s logo will now be seen pitch side, with the resulting donation helping the team to fund its transport costs up and down the country for its away fixtures.
The club has enjoyed great success in recent years with a number of Lowland League titles in the trophy cabinet and, following a final day survival in the SPFL last season, the club has plans to develop its stadium and introduce hospitality tickets for each home game at New Dundas Park.
Philip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East) said: “Bonnyrigg Rose has been on an incredible trajectory this past year and provided so many great memories for the community – we’ve really enjoyed watching the club’s success.
“It’s very important to us at Cala to support the areas and communities we work in. Midlothian is no different and we’re very glad to be able to back one of its local clubs where we can. We’ll definitely be cheering on Bonnyrigg Rose throughout the season!”
Cala has long invested into the Midlothian area, recently completing and handing over 57 social rent homes in Penicuik, helping to combat the affordable housing shortage in the area.
Last year Cala also commenced construction on a new £80m development at Newton and Wellington Farm in Midlothian, which will comprise of 620 homes located between Old Craighall and Millerhill.
Rose players acknowledging their supporters at full time. Photograph by Joe Gilhooley LRPS.
Match report by James McKenzie, of Bonnyrigg Rose FC
Aberdeen 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 0
Bonnyrigg Rose made the long trip north to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Fifth Round, the furthest the Rose have ever gone in the prestigious tournament.
Aberdeen were massive favourites for the contest given their Premiership status, but the Rose fans came to Pittodrie in their numbers to try and spoil Neil Warnock’s first match at the ground.
Robbie Horn made 2 changes to the team that disposed of Elgin City mid-week as cup-tied Scott Mercer and Declan Byrne made way for Smart Osadolor and Callum Connolly.
Osadolor looked to make an impact early on but saw his effort deflected into the path of Aberdeen keeper Ross Doohan.
Bojan Miovski was always going to be the danger man for Aberdeen, and yesterday was no different as he slotted home from close range to bring Aberdeen ahead 16 minutes in.
Bonnyrigg Rose almost responded immediately with a goal as Ross Gray picked the pockets of Richard Jensen but Osadolor’s effort was cleared off on the line by a sliding Nicky Devlin intervention.
Aberdeen would punish Rose for not taking their chances as their quality began to shine through, with Miovski getting on the scoresheet again as his effort deflected past Paddy Martin.
Osadolor would go close again late in the half but his effort drifted just wide of Doohan’s left-hand post.
Miovski was going in search of a hat-trick in the second-half, with Martin making a brilliant flying save to deny him his third of the game from a free-kick.
It wasn’t to be for Bonnyrigg Rose in the end as they exited the Scottish Cup in the Fifth Round, but the players and supporters will be feeling an immense sense of pride for what the team has achieved in the cup this season, capping it all off with remaining competitive against one of Scotland’s biggest teams.
Conor Doan scores his first goal. Photograph by Joe Gilhooley LRPS.
Match report by Gregor Bruce, of Bonnyrigg Rose FC
Bonnyrigg Rose 2 Elgin City F.C 0
Bonnyrigg Rose entered this Cinch League 2 fixture against Elgin City with the previous three league games all resulting in draws, and the last meeting with Elgin up north this season resulting in a 2-0 defeat.
Robbie Horn made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 against Stranraer, with January transfer Declan Byrne leading the attacking line and Ross Gray returning to the attacking midfield role. Angus Mailer has been deployed in a defensive midfield role in the past two weeks, showcasing an excellent work rate in Rose’s engine room.
To start the game, Elgin City had their best chance of the evening, with Dayshonne Golding firing a one-on-one with Paddy Martin in the middle of the goal. Rose took control of the first half, with Bradley Barrett hitting the side netting inches away from Bonnyrigg going ahead. In quick succession, Conor Doan capitalised on a mistake from Tom McHale’s error in commanding his 6-yard box, slotting in to give Rose a lead 21 minutes into the first half.
Conor Doan continued his impressive performance at the start of the second half, scoring his second of the evening nine minutes in as he rifled home a half-volley in the bottom right from a brilliant, weighted cross from Reis Peggie finding him at the back stick. New signing at Right Back, Scott Mercer, has shown his versatility in recent weeks, posing as a calm head around the back and providing dangerous set pieces. He worked Tom McHale with a brilliant free-kick effort over the wall, followed by a superb save from the Elgin City stopper.
Rose employed brilliant game management, passing around the back and keeping a cool head, to see out the rest of the game. With fresh legs off the bench, skipper Jonny Stewart and Robbie McGale had Rose’s last chances of the night.
Rose will look to use this momentum in their 5th round Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup tie away to Aberdeen this Saturday to build on an already admirable cup run.
