Keanie park

johnstone burgh fc
the community club of johnstone

our history

HERE'S OUR HISTORY

A trip through the years from 1956 to present day at Keanie Park ... The home of Johnstone Burgh FC

The Early Years and Early Success

Formation and Early Years: Johnstone Burgh FC was formed in 1956 in response to a journalist's suggestion in the "Johnstone & Linwood Gazette" to form a new football club to replace the former Scottish league side, Johnstone F.C. This period marked the beginning of the club's journey in the football scene.
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Early Achievements: The club's most successful period was in the late 1950s and 1960s, winning the Scottish Junior Cup twice. In the period, The Burgh won the West of Scotland Cup in 1958-59 and 1964-65. We won the Evening Times Trophy in 1968-69, The Central League in 1958, 1964-65 and 1967-68, as well winning the Scottish Junior Cup in 1963-64 and 1967-68.
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Local Heroes: Notable players like Bobby Dick, who played for the club and won the Scottish Cup, and his nephew Alan Donohoe, who played in goal for the Burgh, are highlighted as local heroes. Managers Jimmy Blackburn, who won several trophies in his time as Burgh manager, and Peter Donald, who is the only manager to have led Johnstone Burgh to a league and cup double, doing so in the 1967-68 season.

Current Era

Their most successful period was in the late 1950s and 1960s when they twice won junior football's top prize – the Scottish Junior Cup. Probably their most successful manager was Jimmy Blackburn who led them to both their Scottish Cup wins as well as West of Scotland Cup and Central League Championship wins. One of our local lads, Bobby Dick, who hails from Elderslie, played what was then right half for the Burgh, and can boast two Scottish Cup winner's medals as well as a number of other medals. In those days the cup final was played at Hampden Park, which made it a day to remember. In later years, Bobby's nephew Alan Donohoe played in goal for the Burgh and was involved in their cup final of 2000.

The 1967–68 season was Johnstone Burgh's most successful season: they won the Scottish Junior Cup, beating Glenrothes 2–1 in extra time after a 2–2 draw at Hampden in the first match. Hugh Gilshan scored the winner. The team also won the Central League Championship and the Evening Times Trophy that season.

Johnstone Burgh has a home support of around 100–150, though this tends to increase vastly when the team is doing well. An OVD Cup tie between Johnstone Burgh and Glenafton Athletic in February 2000 attracted a crowd of over 2000. [citation needed]

In the 2000 Scottish Junior Cup Final against Whitburn, goals by Colin Lindsay, who later had a spell as manager, and John McLay took the game to penalties after a 2–2 draw. Johnstone Burgh won on penalties in their semi-final at Love Street, but failed to repeat this success in the final.

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