Raith Rovers F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Raith Rovers Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Rovers | |||
| Founded | 1883 | |||
| Ground | Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy | |||
| Capacity | 8,867 | |||
| Chairman | Colin Smart (interim) | |||
| Manager | Barry Robson | |||
| League | Scottish Championship | |||
| 2015–16 | Scottish Championship, 4th | |||
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Raith Rovers Football Club is a professional football team from Kirkcaldy, Fife, in Scotland. The club started in 1883 and plays in the Scottish Championship league, which is part of the Scottish Professional Football League.
Raith Rovers has won four national trophies. These include the Scottish League Cup in 1994, and the Scottish Challenge Cup three times (in 2014, 2020, and 2022). They also reached the finals of the Scottish League Cup in 1949 and the Scottish Cup in 1913. The team has won the second-highest league in Scottish football six times. Their best-ever league finish was third in the top division in 1922.
Winning the League Cup in 1994 allowed Raith Rovers to play in a European competition for the first time. They entered the UEFA Cup and made it to the second round. There, they played against Bayern Munich, who later won the competition.
The team's home ground is Stark's Park, located in Kirkcaldy. Raith Rovers has played at this stadium since 1891.
Contents
Club History and Achievements
How Raith Rovers Started
Raith Rovers was founded in 1883 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. They first played at Sands Brae and then Robbie's Park. Even though other local teams existed, Raith Rovers became the most successful, winning five trophies in the 1890s. The name "Raith" comes from an old word for a "fort" or "fortified home." It's not a town itself, which once led to a funny mistake by a BBC commentator who said fans would be "dancing in the streets of Raith."
The club became a professional team in 1892. In 1902–03, they were the first team from Fife to join the Scottish Football League. After doing well in the Second Division, they moved up to the First Division in 1909–10. Three years later, in 1913, Raith Rovers played in their first and only Scottish Cup Final, but they lost 2–0 to Falkirk.
Setting Football Records
In 1921, Raith Rovers started a new training method: using a football during practice. Before this, teams thought being away from the ball made players more eager on game day! This change helped the team become more successful.
In 1921–22, Raith Rovers had their best-ever finish in the top Scottish league, coming in third place. This was under manager James Logan, a former player who fought in World War I.
A strange event happened in 1923 when the players were shipwrecked! They were traveling to the Canary Islands for friendly matches when their ship ran aground off the coast of Spain. Luckily, local fishermen rescued them safely. A few days later, they continued their trip and won all four games they played. In July 2023, the club remembered this event with a new away kit that had the yellow and blue colors of a team from the Canary Islands.
The team faced tough times in the 1920s and 1930s. However, in the 1937–38 season, Raith Rovers set a British League Record. They scored an amazing 142 goals in just 34 league matches while winning the Second Division championship. This record still stands today!
In 1938, a record crowd of 25,500 fans came to Stark's Park for a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay. This shows how popular the team was.
Willie McNaught, who played the most games for Raith Rovers, joined the team during World War II. He played 657 senior games for the club, often as captain. In 1948–49, Raith reached the League Cup final for the first time but lost to Rangers. That same season, they also won the Second Division title. In 1951, Raith had their biggest crowd ever for a Scottish Cup semi-final, with 84,640 people watching them play Celtic.
Promotions, Relegations, and Top Players
The 1962–63 season was difficult, as the club finished last in the First Division. In 1964, George Farm became manager and led Raith to promotion in 1966–67.
In 1967–68, striker Gordon Wallace helped Raith avoid relegation. He became the first player outside of the famous "Old Firm" (Rangers and Celtic) to be named SFWA Footballer of the Year. He scored 27 goals in 34 matches.
In 1975–76, the league system changed to three tiers. Raith was promoted to the First Division but went up and down between divisions for a few years.
In 1986, new manager Frank Connor brought in many new players. This led to promotion on the very last day of the season after a 4–1 win against Stranraer.
Winning the League Cup
Raith Rovers became a full-time team again in 1991–92. This was followed by winning the First Division title in 1992–93. This period became the most successful in the club's history.
On November 27, 1994, Raith Rovers, managed by Jimmy Nicholl, famously beat Celtic 6–5 in a penalty shootout to win the Coca-Cola Cup (now the Scottish League Cup). The game ended 2–2 after extra time, with future Raith manager Gordon Dalziel scoring the equalizing goal for Raith. That same season, Raith was promoted to the Premier Division again.
Because they won the Cup, Raith Rovers qualified for the UEFA Cup in Europe for the first time. They beat teams from the Faroese Islands and Iceland. In the second round, they faced Bayern Munich, who went on to win the UEFA Cup that year. Raith lost 2–0 in the first game, which was played at Easter Road (Hibernian's home ground). In the second game in Munich, Raith surprisingly led 1–0 at halftime but eventually lost 2–1. This was special because Raith was the first Scottish team to qualify for a major European competition while playing outside the top league.
Winning the Coca-Cola Cup and selling player Steve McAnespie for a record fee helped pay for the redevelopment of Stark's Park. It became an all-seater stadium for the 1995–96 season. Bayern Munich was invited to play a friendly match in the newly redeveloped stadium, which Raith won 1–0.
Recent Times
After being relegated from the Premier Division, Raith Rovers struggled. In 2001–02, they went down to the Second Division. They returned to the First Division in 2002–03 under manager Antonio Calderón.
In 2004–05, Claude Anelka (brother of famous French striker Nicolas) became manager. He signed many new players, but the season was very difficult. Anelka resigned, and Raith was relegated to the Second Division.
In 2005–06, the club's future was uncertain because the owners threatened to sell Stark's Park for housing. However, a group of local investors and fans, including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown (a Raith fan), completed a £1.2 million community buy-out. This saved the club and its home ground.
On May 2, 2009, Raith won the Second Division title with a 1–0 win at Hampden Park.
On April 6, 2014, Raith won the 2014 Scottish Challenge Cup final 1–0 against Rangers after extra time.
In early 2022, the club signed David Goodwillie. After a public outcry, the club announced that Goodwillie would not play for Raith Rovers, and his contract was reviewed. Raith's women's teams also decided to separate from the club due to the controversy. Goodwillie was released from his contract in September 2022.
Team Colors and Badge
Raith Rovers' kit is dark blue with light blue details, white shorts, and dark blue socks. The club's current badge has been used since 1998. It replaced an older design that featured a lion and a shield.
Stadium
Raith Rovers plays its home games at Stark's Park.
Local Rivalries
Raith Rovers has rivalries with other football clubs in Fife. These include East Fife (from Methil), Kelty Hearts, and Dunfermline Athletic. The biggest rivalry is usually with Dunfermline. A game between them in April 2011 attracted over 11,000 fans. Cowdenbeath was also a regular rival for many years.
Supporters and Culture
Many famous people support Raith Rovers. These include former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, author Ian Rankin, Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, and writer Harry Ritchie. Author Val McDermid was a director but ended her sponsorship and support in February 2022 due to the controversy surrounding a player signing. Former Scotland and Hearts manager Craig Levein has supported the team since he was a boy.
In Books
The team is often mentioned in Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus novels, as the main character, Inspector Rebus, is a supporter. In Giles Foden's novel The Last King of Scotland, the main character is also a Raith Rovers fan.
Team Song
The Raith Rovers anthem is a song called "Geordie Munro," which mentions Kirkcaldy.
Fan Connections
Raith Rovers fans also have connections with supporters of the German football club FC Ingolstadt 04, from Kirkcaldy's twin city, Ingolstadt.
Players
Current Squad
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Club Officials
Board of Directors
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Management Team
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Managerial History
Some important managers of Raith Rovers include:
- 1945–1961: Bert Herdman – He led the club during some of its most successful years in the top league.
- 1964–1967 and 1971–1974: George Farm – He helped Raith get promoted during his time as manager.
- 1986–1990: Frank Connor – He brought the club up from the Second Division to a strong position in the First Division.
- 1990–1996: Jimmy Nicholl – As both manager and player, he won two First Division titles and the historic League Cup. He also led the team in their first European competition.
Women's Team
Raith Rovers Ladies and Girls F.C. was once the oldest women's team connected to a club in Scotland. In February 2022, the women's team decided to separate from Raith Rovers. This decision was made due to a controversy surrounding a player signing. The women's team then changed its name to McDermid Ladies, named after the writer Val McDermid.
Club Honors
- Scottish Football League Division Two / Scottish First Division
- Winners: 1907–08, 1909–10, 1937–38, 1948–49, 1992–93, 1994–95
- Scottish Second Division / Scottish League One
- Winners: 2002–03, 2008–09, 2019–20
- Scottish Cup
- Runners-up: 1912–13
- Scottish League Cup
- Winners: 1994–95
- Runners-up: 1948–49
- Scottish Challenge Cup
- Winners: 2013–14, 2019–20, 2021–22
- Runners-up: 2022–23
Notable Former Players
The League Cup Winning Team (1994–95)
Players from the team that won the 1994–95 Scottish League Cup include:
- Shaun Dennis – Played over 400 games for Raith Rovers.
- Colin Cameron – A former Scottish international player who started his career at Raith.
- Jason Dair – An experienced midfielder who played for Raith three different times.
- Stevie Crawford – A former Scottish international who began his career with Raith Rovers.
- Gordon Dalziel – The record league goalscorer for Raith Rovers with 154 goals. He scored the equalizing goal in the Cup Final.
- David Narey MBE – A veteran player who was named Man of the Match in the Coca-Cola Cup final.
- Steve McAnespie – Sold for Raith's record transfer fee of £900,000. The money from his transfer helped rebuild Stark's Park.
Scottish Football Hall of Fame
Ten players who have played for Raith Rovers are in the Scottish Football Hall of Fame:
Jim Baxter- Alex James
- McCrae's Battalion
- Willie Wallace
- David Narey
Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
One former Raith Rovers player is in the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame:
- Jim Baxter
Club Records
- Record attendance: 31,306 against Hearts, February 7, 1953
- Record victory: 10–1 against Coldstream, Scottish Cup, 1954
- Record defeat: 2–11 against Morton, Division 2, 1936
- League goalscoring record (individual in a season): Norrie Heywood, 1937–38, 42 goals
- Most league goals (individual career): Gordon Dalziel, 154 goals (1987–1994)
- Most goals in a league season (team): 142 goals, 1937–38 (a British Record)
- Most capped player (for Scotland): David Morris, 6 caps
- Highest transfer fee paid: £225,000 for Paul Harvey (from Airdrie, July 1996)
- Highest transfer fee received: £900,000 for Steve McAnespie (to Bolton Wanderers, September 1995)
European Record
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | UEFA Cup | Preliminary round |  GÍ |
4–0 | 2–2 | 6–2 |
| First round |  ÍA |
3–1 | 0–1 | 3–2 | ||
| Second round |  Bayern Munich |
0–2 | 1–2 | 1–4 |
See also
In Spanish: Raith Rovers Football Club para niños
