Rodney Marshall – a lifelong Bankie and SFA referee – poses with his name adorned on the match officials changing area he generously helped purchase.
Rodney explained: “Last year when the club announced they were looking to gain their Scottish FA licence, they highlighted a few issues that had to be addressed, one of these was the fact that the referees’ changing room had to be upgraded.
“As I had been an SFA listed Category 3 Referee for 12 years, which had allowed me to officiate as an Assistant Referee up to Championship level, I had visited many senior league grounds. I was inspired by the fact that there is a referee’s room already named after a former Scottish World Cup referee at a current Scottish football league ground.
“As people who know me will know, I like my quizzes, so I will leave it out there for people to guess which ground this is.
“As I thought this would be a good legacy for myself and the club would benefit hugely from it, I enquired as to how much it would cost to get the referee facilities up to the required standard. Once known, I put a proposal to the club and, thankfully, they accepted my proposal.
“It was a proud moment for myself to see the club recognise my contribution to the licence by putting a plaque with my name on it on the referee changing facilities. The club has so far benefitted hugely from the licence.
“They have been able to enter the Scottish Cup, which has already brought a televised match to Holm Park, and the club have a chance of progressing to Round 4 if they manage to overcome Clyde in the next round. This would bring further much needed revenue to the club and a chance of playing one of the really big boys once again.
“I know the club has ambitions to move up the pyramid, and hopefully my contribution will have helped to get us there sooner rather than later.”
