On Thursday 6th September there was a Raith/Celtic match at Starks Park that went by almost unnoticed.

It wasn’t a closed door trial or a practice match but two football fans, one of them a staunch Raith supporter and one a Celtic season ticket holder, decided to pay a visit to have a stadium tour.

Brian Leishman, a Golf Pro. at Gleneagles, who lives with his partner Eilidh Ross in Perth came to town to visit Eilidh’s family. As they were in Kirkcaldy Brian thought his Rovers daft girlfriend would enjoy a tour of Stark’s Park so he contacted Derek Pringle in the commercial department, who was happy to oblige.

The happy couple

Arriving at the ground at 4.00 pm Derek gave the couple the grand tour showing them the dressing rooms, boardroom and all the nooks and crannies that some fans have never been able to visit before. Brian and Eilidh were then asked if they would like to step on the perfectly manicured pitch and at a pre-determined point Derek excused himself and left the pitch for the couple to have some time on their own. Brian duly went down on one knee and proposed his girlfriend of three years , 1 – 0 Celtic. Although in a pleasant state of shock Eilidh recovered enough to say “Yes”, Raith 1 – Celtic 1.

Even though the skies had opened and the pitch was well watered nothing could dampen their spirits.  It was then off to the mains stand to pose for some photographs with Laurie Ellis and some of the players before being taken back into the boardroom to meet the manager.

There was a really happy atmosphere down at San Starko that afternoon, especially when Brian invited Grant and some of the players for a round of golf at Gleneagles.

Everyone one at Raith Rovers would like to congratulate Brian and Eilidh and wish them a long and happy married life. No date has been set for the wedding but we hope it doesn’t clash with a home game!

Brian and Eilidh with Lewis Vaughn, Jamie Watson, Scott Main and Laurie Ellis