Dalkeith High School sign off with perfect record

So Dalkeith High School senior boys’ football team deserve a massive round of applause having just completed five title wins in a row in the Lothian and Edinburgh league. In the final play-off match for this season’s senior title, the Midlothian boys defeated James Young High School 4-0.

Not only have Dalkeith won the title every session, but also have an undefeated record.

The boys who have enjoyed this amazing run are Ronan Clelland, Craig Swanston, Michael Lennie, Lucas Mason, Jack Combe, Euan Greig, Andrew Fleming, Thomas Prior, Jonathan Louden, Cameron Leslie, Ross Hope,  Cameron Redpath, Ryan Fegan, Lewis Cannon, Jake  Gibson and Reuben Earl.

Steven Wilson, a history teacher in charge of the football, who is rightly proud of the lads, said: “This particular group of boys have been a credit to the school over the last five years, winning five league titles and not losing a league match. The last time Dalkeith High won the senior league was in the 1980s.

“Two years ago, the same group lifted the Edinburgh Shield that dates back to the 1940s – that was a first for Dalkeith High.

“But the football is about much more than winning and losing. These boys have displayed exceptional effort, motivation, discipline and teamwork.

“Touchingly, a few of the boys said to me that they had a lump in the back of their throat after the final ever school game. It means more to them than I probably ever realised.”

Unfortunately, the boys just missed out on a place in the final of the Cup competition. James Young High School exacted revenge for the league defeat with a 3-1 triumph in the semi-final. The West Lothian team will meet the Royal High School in the senior Cup final, sponsored by Omar Khayyam Indian Restaurant, on 20 May 20 at Ferguson Park in Rosewell.

In the Under-16 final on the same evening, Ross High School will face Leith Academy.