Ross County’s hat-trick on date with destiny

FOR the third year in a row 10 April has proved to the luckiest date in the calendar for Ross County Football Club, whose promotion to the Scottish Premier League could generate up to £1 million for the local community.

Yesterday fans jokingly suggested that the Queen make 10 April a public holiday for supporters of the Dingwall-based club, after it scored a hat-trick on what has become its most auspicious date.

In 2010, Ross County beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final on the date and a year later the club won the Challenge Club. But this year’s promotion to the big league, also achieved on 10 April, is the club’s proudest moment to date. In a tongue-in-cheek Tweet, Alan Ross, a self-confessed “superfan”, wrote: “Any chance of making 10 April an annual holiday for us Ross County fans! And can we get a Knighthood for [manager] Derek Adams?”

Roy MacGregor, a businessman and chairman of Ross County, said the club’s good fortune would be reflected across the area. He added: “Promotion will be terrific for the whole of the Highlands because our team is about Skye, Sutherland and all over, not just Ross-shire.

“Every other team in the SPL is a city team and we have done it a different way where community has been really important to us. I’m amazed that we’ve come from the Highland League, watched by around 200 people, to the SPL.”

Yesterday businesses in the area woke up to the opportunities that the club’s inclusion in the SPL could bring.

Seorais MacGillivray, of Dingwall Business Association, said: “We’re all recognising that this is going to make a huge difference.

“Even a local derby with Inverness Caley Thistle will be a big home game with around 5,500-6,000 in the crowd.

“We want to make contact with hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, bars and eateries – not just in Dingwall but the surrounding area – to see how we can advance things like packages for fans, particularly since it is increasingly common nowadays for families to be followers. This is a very exciting time for Dingwall and we want to try and maximise the economic benefits for local businesses.”

A spokeswoman for Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: “Congratulations to Ross County for winning promotion to the Scottish Premier League. As the success of Inverness Caledonian Thistle has shown, a strong, successful top-flight team will bring many benefits and a real feel-good factor to Dingwall and Ross-shire. Ross County and their fans have proved themselves true ambassadors for the area. Their promotion will raise the profile of Dingwall and the surrounding area as well increasing lucrative sponsorship opportunities. Of course, more travelling support will also be coming to the area and spending money, increasing the team’s already positive impact on Dingwall and the surrounding community.”

Highland Council convener Sandy Park said: “This is a great achievement for Ross County and our warmest congratulations go the manager, the players, the directors and the supporters.

“Their success in recent times in reaching the Scottish Cup final and now promotion to the top flight of Scottish football is truly remarkable.

“Ross County are a wee team with big ideas and ambitions and I have no doubt they will prosper in the Premier League.

“The prospect of a Highland derby is exciting for the fans and there is no doubt both clubs will benefit from their friendly rivalry. Local businesses will also benefit.”