Camelon Juniors F.C.

History

A previous Camelon side had existed in the Junior grade from 1906 to 1910, however the current club were formed in 1920. This Camelon Juniors side initially competed in Stirlingshire competitions but became the easternmost side to join the breakaway Scottish Intermediate League in 1927, ironically joining the West Division of the new set-up. The club resigned from the Intermediates halfway through the 1929–30 season and joined the Scottish Junior League which at the time, contained fellow Stirlingshire sides Dunipace and Kilsyth Rangers. Camelon remained with the SJL up to and including its solitary post-World War II season before moving in 1947 to the Edinburgh & District League.

Camelon made their first appearance in the final of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1952, losing 1–0 to Kilbirnie Ladeside at Hampden Park in front of 69,959 supporters. John Hansen, father of future Scotland internationalists Alan and John, played for the Mariners at centre-half. The club made consecutive final appearances in the 1990s, defeating Whitburn 2–0 at Fir Park, Motherwell in 1995, to lift the trophy for the first time, then losing by the same scoreline to Tayport at the same venue a year later.

The club provided several players to Rangers over the years, including Jerry Dawson and Archie Macaulay, who both went on to become full Scotland internationals with Macaulay going on to play for West Ham United and Arsenal. Max Murray also arrived at Ibrox from Camelon via Queen's Park, and scored Rangers first ever goal in European competition against OGC Nice in 1956. Notable ex-Camelon players in more recent times include former Chelsea and Falkirk winger Kevin McAllister and Jack Ross. Ross was a member of Camelon's losing 1996 Scottish Junior Cup final side and was also capped for the Scotland Junior international team.

After winning the Lothian District League Division One in 2005–06, the club played in the top tier of the East Region for twelve seasons until their move to the senior pyramid. Their best finish in the East Superleague was 2nd in 2008–09, losing to Bonnyrigg Rose on goal difference. Camelon were one of many junior clubs that moved to the senior East of Scotland Football League during 2018.

The team had been managed since October 2016 by former Dumbarton striker, Gordon Herd. The club parted with Herd and his coaching staff on 11 March 2021.

Scottish Cup

Camelon entered the Scottish Cup for the first time in 2019–20 as winners of the South & East of Scotland Cup-Winners' Shield, and then subsequently as an SFA member having gained their club licence the following year. They reached the second round in the 2022–23 campaign where they were defeated away at Elgin City.

Their best run was achieved in the 2025–26 edition, making it to the fourth round having beaten SPFL opposition for the first time (Edinburgh City), before again going out of the competition to Elgin City.

Colours

Camelon's traditional home kit is all red, with the team currently possessing an away kit of blue tops with blue shorts.

Current squad

On loan

Coaching Staff

Honours

Scottish Junior Cup

• Winners: 1994–95

• Runners-up: 1951–52, 1995–96 East of Scotland Football League First Division

• Winners: 2024–25

Other Honours

• South & East of Scotland Cup-Winners' Shield winners: 2018–19
• Alex Jack Cup winners: 2018–19
• East Region Division One winners: 1979–80, 1993–94, 1994–95
• Fife & Lothians Cup winners: 1970–71, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2014–15
• Lothian District League Division One winners: 2003–04, 2005–06
• East of Scotland Junior Cup winners: 1993–94, 2007–08
• East Junior League Cup winners: 1993–94
• Brown Cup winners: 1976–77
• St Michaels Cup winners: 2004–05

References

References

1. McLauchlin, Brian. (7 June 2018). "East of Scotland League vote signals exodus of 25 junior clubs". BBC Sport.
2. "Scottish Intermediate League".
3. "Scottish Junior League".
4. "Newtongrange Star".
5. (17 May 1995). "Head of the Hansen clan strolls down Memory Lane". Herald Scotland.
6. (22 May 1995). "Junior Cup is on its way to Camelon". Herald Scotland.
7. "Falkirk FC Graves – Jerry Dawson".
8. "Archie Macaulay".
9. (20 October 2012). "Max Murray, scorer of Rangers' first Euro goal, finds his loyalties divided". www.scotsman.com.
10. (16 January 2016). "Interview: Kevin McAllister still grieving end of Brockville". www.scotsman.com.
11. (7 February 2010). "Jack Ross: I'll enjoy final - it has taken me 14 years to get here from junior football". Daily Record.
12. (5 May 2009). "St Mirren defender Jack Ross celebrates a Scotland double". Telegraph.co.uk.
13. (22 October 2016). "Camelon Announce Appointment Of New Boss - The Juniors".
14. (2021-03-11). "Management Team".
15. (24 November 2017). "Squad {{!}} Camelon Juniors Football Club".