Brothers Have Big Plans For Bankhead
Report by Andy McLaren
Bankhead brothers Craig and Grant Robertson today admitted they are determined to continue the clubs recent success by offering more opportunities for players in the community.
The Aberdeen outfit are one of the most up and coming teams in Amateur football, having already scored 34 goals in only six matches.
The duo, who have been with the club for 15 years, recently took over the reins from former manager Dennis Duncan and won promotion to Division Two in their first season in charge last term.
Bankhead now have plans to create youth squads in the area and are in discussions to develop a new football facility at the old Bucksburn Academy.
And Craig, 34, believes his current squad can become the most successful Bankhead team to compete in recent years.
He said: “We now have a local team made up of mainly guys from Bucksburn and the Bankhead area but before we were taking anyone off the street to field a team.
“There is no doubt the future is bright for football in the Bankhead area and we probably have the strongest team we have ever had in recent times.
“Together with Beacon Rangers, we have formed a committee to push for a new facility at the old Bucksburn Academy pitches with the view to starting youth sides.
“Both teams currently have to play outside Aberdeen as we don’t have the facilities available.
“We are trying to get into to the Premier Division within the next three years.
“Everyone involved with Bankhead are now trying to better themselves and helping to create youth squads would leave behind a legacy for a lot of the boys.”
The Aberdeen side currently sit 2nd in Division Two (East) and have only dropped two points so far this season.
The pair have brought in over twenty new signings since taking charge of the club and the team now have 30 players competing for places.
Bankhead secured their place in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday and now face the possibility of competing against some of the best Amateur sides in Scotland.
The Aberdeen outfit, who were previously called Auchmill, were formed over thirty years ago and have won the Dickie Trophy and Chatton Rovers Cup over the years.
And co-manager Grant insists the future is bright for football in the Bankhead area.
“There was no one to take over at the club once our old manager left so we felt the time was right to change things,” he said.
“We were shocked at how hard it was to run a club but the squad has totally been transformed.
“It’s a tough job to select a team every week as we have so many players.
“We see ourselves as more than a pub team which you maybe couldn’t say a few years ago.
“Both myself and my brother have targeted staying at the club for the next fifteen years and hopefully this success can continue.”
