by Ben Langley
Northumberland’s Scottish football club, Berwick Rangers, have been busy this week, with the departure and signing of three players. Berwick, who are also known as the Dream Team, are looking to resolve their recent struggles which has seen them win just one of their last ten league games.
For those who aren’t familiar with Berwick Rangers, the team play their home games at Shielfield Park. The stadium holds over 4,000 and is also the home of the Berwick Bandits speedway.
Since the club’s relegation from the Scottish senior leagues in 2019, it has been a struggle for Berwick to maintain consistency amongst their playing squad. To combat recent struggles of the last few weeks, Berwick were busy in attempting to add quality to their ranks.
The club announced the signing of Cameron Scott, and this was a particularly special signing as Scott is the great-great-grandson of Alex Weatherburn who also sported the black and gold of Berwick Rangers 110 years ago.
Discover more on the historic nature of this signing at berwickrangers.com/news.
Prior to Scott’s arrival, the club released defender Gareth Rodger from his SFA contract. Rodger joined the club from Gala Fairydean Rovers in July and played 7 times in black and gold before his departure was announced.
The work off the pitch didn’t stop at Shielfield Park as the club announced the departure of Corey Fellows. Like Rodger, Fellows was also released from his contract after a brief spell at Berwick. Fellows made 15 appearances for the Gers. The club replaced Fellows with young Hibernian prospect Owen Calder.
Calder featured for the Edinburgh-based Scottish Premiership side in pre-season last summer which brings excitement with the quality he can bring to the Berwick side.
Work behind the scenes continued as Berwick announced a third departure in quick succession in Jamie Stevenson. The 40-year-old was released from his contract after making 73 appearances for the Dream Team since the start of the 2022/23 season, scoring four goals.
The news on Stevenson was swiftly followed by the announcement that former captain Jamie Pyper was returning to Shielfield Park.
Pyper was former manager Stuart Malcolm’s first signing in 2021 and returns to the Gers after a spell with fellow Lowland League side East Stirlingshire.
The three new additions join a Berwick squad that has faltered this season, despite a strong start. The Dream Team currently sit in 13th place in the Scottish Lowland League table after their 3-0 loss to Gretna 2008, which saw their opponents leapfrog them in the table. After winning three of their opening four league games, Berwick have only picked up four points from their last nine matches.
Today’s squad is managed by former Gers player Thomas Scobbie, who will be hoping the new signings help his team climb the table. The man from Falkirk spent two years as a player at Berwick before becoming the club’s first-team manager after his retirement from his playing career.
Thomas Scobbie was appointed Manager in October 2023 (Credit: The Southern Reporter)
So if you’re visiting the town of Berwick-upon- Tweed this season, why not come along to a game to cheer on the Gers! More information on how to make the most of your trip can be found on the club’s website here, with many hospitalities to choose from.
Berwick’s home stadium, Tweedmouth (Credit: Berwick Rangers)
Upcoming fixtures:
Sat 7 Dec East Stirlingshire (H) Lowland League
Tue 10 Dec Civil Service Strollers (H) Lowland League
Sat 14 Dec East Kilbride (A) Lowland League
Sat 28 Dec Gala Fairydean (H) Lowland League