Nostalgia: Raith Rovers head to the Premier Division for the very first time

Raith Rovers players celebrate after the club won promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1993.Raith Rovers players celebrate after the club won promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1993.
Raith Rovers players celebrate after the club won promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1993. | JPIMedia
For those Raith Rovers fans old enough to remember it, April 10, 1993 will live long in the memory.

It was the day the Stark’s Park side clinched a place in the top flight of Scottish football for the first time, with a 2-0 home win over Dumbarton sealing the First Division title to allow the Kirkcaldy side to move up into the Premier Division.

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The report in the Fife Free Press said the victory had sparked “ emotional celebrations the like of which Kirkcaldy has never seen before”.

It read: “Thousands of local fans turned out to see if Raith could earn a place in Scottish football’s top flight and they weren’t to be disappointed. Destiny followed a fairy tale script to the letter.

Craig Brewster is mobbed by his team mates after opening the scoring.Craig Brewster is mobbed by his team mates after opening the scoring.
Craig Brewster is mobbed by his team mates after opening the scoring. | JPIMedia

“A double strike from Craig Brewster ensured victory against bit players Dumbarton and completed Rovers’ unstoppable surge to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

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“And as news came in from Clydebank that Dunfermline had dropped a vital point, players and fans shared in the glorious realisation that the championship flag was Stark’s Park bound as well.

“The football was almost incidental to the home fans who were in a party mood even before the kick off. They patiently waited for the 90 minutes to run its course before spilling onto the pitch.

“Rovers’ players reappeared in the directors’ box to lead a sing song and set the tone for the triumphant celebrations, which went on long into the night and will be remembered for years.

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“Despite the occasion, there was no trace of nerves in the league leaders. Quickly they asserted themselves in midfield, and, given space and time by Dumbarton, they could play to their strengths.

“After the first goal an archetypal left-foot thunderbolt from Brewster it became a showtime to rival the Links Market. Raith simply set out to entertain and win promotion.

“Dumbarton, who were reduced to 10 men with the expulsion of Paul Martin for a professional foul in 28 minutes, rarely threatened to spoil the Fife party,

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“Three minutes after Brewster’s goal, Martin pulled down Dalziel inside the penalty box. Referee Bill Crombie pointed to the spot then red carded the luckless player.

“Dalziel stepped up to take the penalty, and although he converted, McLeod was adjudged to have encroached into the box, then the kick was ordered to be retaken. This time Dalziel’s shot was saved.

“Three minutes after half time, Brewster snatched his second goal which ensured that Rovers’ crate of champagne was on borrowed time. “Nicholl raced down the left and squared into the middle. Cameron’s shot from just inside the box was blocked by McFarlane, but the rebound broke to Brewster, who side footed into the net from three yards.”

Raith Rovers: Arthur, McStay (865 Crawford), McLeod, Coyle, Dennis, Raeside, Nicholl, Dalziel (S71 Dair), Hetherston, Brewster, Cameron.