Kirkcaldy MP and lifelong Raith Rovers fan Gordon Brown has praised the “heroic” Rovers squad who secured a sensational Ramsdens Cup final victory over Rangers earlier this month.
At a private civic reception in Kirkcaldy Town House, Mr Brown presented commemorative medals and action photographs from the game to each of the Raith players and members of the management team.
Addressing an audience that included players, officials, Fife Provost Jim Leishman and other politicians, Mr Brown said: “It is a real privilege, it’s a real pleasure to be here.
“To congratulate all the members of the team, to congratulate the manager Grant (Murray), the players, all the backroom staff that work to make Raith Rovers sosuccessful, to thank the directors and to thank everybody who has contributed to what was a magnificent performance that has made Kirkcaldy so proud. This is one of the great events not just of this year but of the decade for the town of Kirkcaldy.”
He said the Ramsdens Cup victory was now up there with the club’s famous League Cup victory of 1994.
Mr Brown also thanked the directors and board “who through difficult times have put their money into Raith Rovers”.
In a lighter moment, Mr Brown said he was pleased Dunfermline Athletic legend Jim Leishman could attend, adding: “We wanted to show him what silverware looks like!”
Mr Leishman said he had been impressed by the “fantastic togetherness” of the team. He noted the pundits had written off Rovers and was delighted they were proved wrong.
Picture by David Wardle