Background

As we begin to see the end of January, Scottish football enters a tense time. It’s the time of year where clubs need to bring in the relevant reinforcements to push for relative success. Towards the end of the transfer window, it can often result in a scramble for players to bring in and to offload. It can be the making of a club’s season, or the beginning of the downfall. Time will always tell.

This weekend, I’m bringing my adventures back up to Angus. A few weeks ago, I travelled up to see Arbroath fall to a defeat at the hands of Greenock Morton. Currently, the Red Lichties are the highest positioned Angus club, but by all means are not the only one in the professional leagues– Montrose, Forfar Athletic and previously Brechin City being the others.

Being a Hibernian season ticket holder, Forfar Athletic have interested me in the last couple of weeks. It is no secret The Loons were unlucky not to progress into the next round of the Scottish Cup, with only a lapse in judgement stopping them from taking The Hibees into extra-time at least. I missed the cup-tie last week, but Station Park looked class on the highlights. I felt it was time to take a venture up to see it in person.

Formed in 1885, Forfar Athletic are the amalgamation of two older Angus clubs. Angus FC had been the town of Forfar’s senior club, before joining with nearby Forfar West End to form Angus Athletic. The success of Angus Athletic became increasingly difficult to ignore, and in 1885 began to play under the name Forfar Athletic after Angus FC broke away again. It would be the beginning of Forfar Athletic’s journey into the Scottish professional game.

The club were admitted into the Scottish Football League in 1921, ending their first campaign in 14^th place in the Second Division. Since then, the club have consistently remained between the lower divisions of the professional football pyramid. They did come mightily close to playing the top division in 1986 though – finishing only a point behind a promotion place.

In modern times, Forfar have fluctuated between Leagues 1 and 2. Under legendary manager Dick Campbell, Forfar achieved promotion to what was then the Second Division, beating Angus rivals and Campbell’s future employers Arbroath in the play-offs. The promotion play-offs would not be so kind to Forfar in future seasons, though. Defeats against Ayr United and Dunfermline Athletic in consecutive seasons denied The Loons promotion to the First Division. However, in this time, Campbell led Forfar to arguably the biggest result in the club’s history. On 3^rd August 2013, Forfar defeated Rangers 2-1 at Station Park to knock the Glasgow giants out of the League Cup. However, after another play-off loss, this time to Alloa, Campbell lost his job in 2015, leaving The Light Blues third from bottom in League 1.

Since then, Forfar were relegated down to League 2, achieved an instantaneous return before relegation once again. Currently, the club sit in 8^th place in League 2 under manager Ray McKinnon. However, confidence appears to be high after their narrow defeat to Hibs. Visitors Bonnyrigg Rose have goals to finish in the play-offs this season. It would be a tough test for both teams.

Facilities

Opened in 1888, Station Park gets its name from its previously close proximity to Forfar’s train station. Although, ironically, the closest stations to it now are miles away in Dundee and Arbroath.

All four sides to the ground are a bit different. First, the David McGregor Stand is Station Park’s main attraction. Built in 1959 and consisting of mostly benches, it provides a good view of proceedings. The other sides consist of standing terracing. Both terraces behind the goals are uncovered, but for me look pretty iconic in the Scottish football world. I’m not sure if it’s the old school, concrete look to it or the standing barriers dotted around it, but I’ve always liked the look of the ‘mert end’. Every time I’ve watched highlights from Forfar’s home games, it has always interested me as an aesthetic. I can confirm it gives a superb view of the Angus countryside as well as the match itself. A simple covered terracing lies opposite the David McGregor Stand, and certainly does its job.

I enjoyed having access to all 4 sides of the stadium, as well as the mixing of home and away fans. Supporters from both teams were able to swap ends at half-time – something which is rarely seen now in the professional leagues.

Overall, I really like Station Park as a venue. It is an excellent throwback to the older days of Scottish football. I’m not sure much has changed around the place in the last few decades, but why would it? It works perfectly well as it is, shown just as early as last week when just under 3000 Hibees filled the place. It really is excellent. 4/5.

Atmosphere

In the lead up to the Bonnyrigg match, Forfar made a plea on social media for those who attended the Hibs game the week previous to continue their support for the team. The atmosphere and support they created is said to have played a major role in the side’s largely positive performance. There was certainly a sizeable crowd for today’s match – over 600 in fact, including a small but entertaining group of Bonnyrigg supporters.

Perhaps not helped by the lack of real quality on the park, the atmosphere largely remained flat for the duration. Hopefully though, Forfar can turn a corner in their season and bring these supporters along for the long run. 1.5/5.

Quality of the Match

Today’s League 2 encounter kicked off in blustery conditions, with the wind blowing in the direction of Marc McCallum for the first half. Both sides had chances from a dead ball in the first five minutes. Firstly, Bonnyrigg earned a free-kick in a very dangerous position in the first minute. Thankfully for McCallum, Lee Currie’s strike went just over the bar. Then, Forfar had a very similar chance, with a free-kick earned just outside the Bonnyrigg box. However, Tyler Mykyta’s curling effort went past the post – largely untroubling Paddy Martin in the Bonnyrigg goal.

Forfar’s players and supporters were up in arms a few minutes later. A good attack down the right-hand side resulted in a cross into the box. According to The Loons, it struck an arm of a Bonnyrigg player. However, the referee disagreed and play continued.

Throughout the first half, I feel the ball spent more time in the air than on the deck – Bonnyrigg trying to take advantage of the wind being behind them. This resulted in a lack of real chances. The only one of the half fell to Forfar, though. A free-kick into the back post was headed back across goal by big striker Russell McLean. The ball was met on the volley by the left-foot of Stuart Morrison, but the ball went just wide – much to The Rose’s relief.

Bonnyrigg had a decent chance of their own to take the lead just before half time. A quick break down the left had Bradley Barrett in on goal. His low strike was saved well by McCallum, and with nobody to finish it off, the half ended goalless.

Half Time: Forfar Athletic 0-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

With both teams having created decent chances in the first half, you’d have thought they’d have been keen to strut their stuff and have a go at the other. Unfortunately for the majority of the second half, it was a pretty poor spectacle.

Forfar did muster the first opportunity of the half though. A good break after some sustained Bonnyrigg pressure saw Russell McLean’s shot well saved by Paddy Martin, with the rebound being blocked superbly by the Rose defence.

A dull half suddenly burst into life around 10 minutes from time. A Bonnyrigg corner resulted in a huge scramble in the Forfar box, with only the slightest touch from Adam Hutchinson getting the ball behind for another corner.

Forfar responded. A Stuart Morrison drive at goal had to be well pushed behind by the Bonnyrigg ‘keeper, who had not been tested in quite some time.

The introduction of Bonnyrigg substitute Smart Osadolor brought a burst of energy into the game. Two minutes into his appearance, he took on the Forfar defence before blasting a shot straight at Marc McCallum. The ‘keeper blocked the shot well, before scrambling the rebound clear.

Osadolor perhaps should have put the visitors in front a couple minutes late. Some excellent work down the Bonnyrigg left by Reis Peggie resulted into a cross into the box. Bradley Barrett couldn’t divert his header goalward, but it did reach Osadolor, who poked the ball wide of the post. A big chance.

Bonnyrigg’s final chance fell to Callum Connolly. A good touch and control by Osadolor laid the ball off for the midfielder, but he couldn’t keep his shot down from the edge of the box.

With match seconds from its conclusion, Forfar broke. Some good running saw the ball across to Craig Thomson. From just inside the area, and with space to aim, he could only drag his shot wide with the final kick of the game.

Full Time: Forfar Athletic 0-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

I don’t know why, but I had a high expectation that this could turn out to be a cracker of a match. Sometimes though, it turns out not to be the case. The wind certainly did not help, but it is fair to say that both teams did not have the best of times playing the ball on the deck either. However, with the game bursting into life in the final minutes of the game, I can’t be overly critical. Both teams had superb chances to leave Station Park with all three points, and they will disappointed they didn’t. Overall, I feel this match deserves a 2/5.

Pricing

For entry into the terracing, I paid £14 for the pleasure. It was an extra quid if you wanted entry into the David McGregor Stand, but I preferred to be in and amongst the punters. I feel this is a fair price for League 2 football, despite the relatively poor game I witnessed on this particular occasion. I also felt the food and price was pretty good. I paid £4 odd for a coffee and a bridie. Overall, a League 2 encounter for just less than £20 is alright. 4.5/5.

Final Score

Forfar Athletic end the day with a score of 12/20 from me. I really enjoyed my time at Station Park. It is a classic old venue with plenty of stories woven inside its concrete jungle. It is worth visiting if you haven’t already, and for a club who have ambitions to make their way back up the leagues as soon as they can, it could be an exciting time to do so. Take a punt.

– Connor