Raith Rovers captain Kyle Benedictus still hoping for chance to lift historic double

Rovers were top of League One, and two weeks away from competing in the Challenge Cup final, when the season was postponed due to coronavirus.

The Kirkcaldy club has only ever claimed two trophies in a single season once before – the iconic 1994-95 campaign when the Coca-Cola Cup final win over Celtic was followed by the First Division title.

With another double potentially on the cards, Benedictus still hopes the season can be played to a finish.

“Everybody wants it to be continued, we just don’t know if that’s going to be possible,” he said. “I’ve heard rumours that we could be promoted, and the club would deserve it, but as professionals we want to do it on the pitch.

“We want to do it the right way, and we were on track for that. We’d been top of the table for 80 per cent of season and had a cup final just around the corner, so the chance to make history has been taken away.

“There’s no better feeling in the game than winning a league, and I’m lucky enough to have been through it before with Dundee, but a lot of the boys haven’t experienced that before and it would be a shame for that chance to be gone.

“There’s a lot more important things in life right now, but we were having a good season, and the boys were enjoying themselves. Whatever decision is made I hope it’s the right one because the club deserves to be promoted.”

With Stark’s Park closed, along with gyms and swimming pools, and a government ban on any gatherings of more than two people, Raith players are having to train on their own, following programmes devised by sports scientist Blair Doughty and strength and conditioning coach Cameron Ross.

“It’s difficult,” Benedictus added. “The boys are keeping in touch in a WhatsApp group and everyone is doing their own thing to try to stay fit.

“A lot of people are impacted worse than us but as footballers we’re just hoping we can get back training and playing as soon as possible.”

The board has given assurances that wages will be paid at the end of the month, while the fundraising efforts of fans will also go a long way towards ensuring bills are met.

“The club has told us not to worry and they are doing their best to get us through to the end of our contracts, but a lot of boys are up in May so there’s uncertainty about the future,” Beneditcus added.

“The fans are helping out and putting money in out of their own pocket at a difficult time and all the boys appreciate it. It’s amazing what they are doing.

“If you play for a big club then chances are you’ll be okay but there’s a lot of players at this level worried about what’s going to happen.

“Everybody just has to stick together, keep safe, and hopefully when this is all done and dusted, we can get back to what we all love.”