A CHANCE to lift a cup for the first time in nearly quarter of a century is “reward” for Dunbar United’s progress on and off the park.
Kevin Haynes and his team head to Newtongrange on Sunday to face Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in the final of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, with kick-off at 2pm.
The East Lothian side have enjoyed an impressive return to the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) and also defeated SPFL side East Fife in the Scottish Cup earlier this season.
Now, they are looking to add to the silverware they won last year, when they were crowned EoSFL First Division champions after an eventful final day of the season.
That came 12 months after the club suffered last-day relegation.
Dunbar United boss Kevin Haynes celebrated the club winning the First Division title last season
The manager said: “[Relegation] probably turned out a blessing in disguise. It did not feel it at the time but it has helped us.
“It has helped us build a very competitive squad – we have got two players in every position now.
“That progression continued from last season into this season and we are getting the fruits of our labour with the cups.
“It has been 24 years since Dunbar competed in a cup final, after winning a cup in 2000.
“This is an achievement in terms of our first cup since moving associations into the East of Scotland.
“That in itself is an achievement.”
The Seasiders will likely go into the contest as favourites given they sit 23 points and eight positions better off than their rivals.
Dunbar and Inverkeithing have shared a victory apiece in the league, while Dunbar edged the Fife side out of the League Cup last month.
Kevin Haynes is calling on his Dunbar United team to keep progressing.
Haynes told Courier Sport: “If you were to ask the bookies, they would make us favourites but I have been involved long enough to know it is a one-off game.
“We have played three times this season, with us winning twice at home and Inverkeithing winning their home game as well.
“It is going to be difficult. You are going to a neutral venue. Right now, the team with home advantage has won the fixtures but the neutral venue is going to take away any advantage for either side.”
Haynes was also confident there would be a vocal support behind his team at New Victoria Park.
Dunbar United (black and white) edged out Penicuik Athletic earlier in the season. Image: Alan Wilson.
The manager said: “We are averaging 300 supporters to Dunbar on a non-local fixture.
“I’m pretty sure we will carry numbers not too far away from that and it is a game for the support as well.
“For a small town, Dunbar is very community-based and it gives them something to shout about if we are fortunate enough to win the cup.
“I have said it lots of times before but that is why I am involved in football: to make people smile.
“It is not about me but people that have supported the club, people that have been involved with the club long before me and will be long after me.
“If we can bring that wee bit of success to allow these people to smile and gloat for a short period of time then it is well worth it.”
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