High hopes for Darvel FC in next cup clash
February 2023
Darvel FC take on Falkirk in their next Scottish Cup tie, riding high from their recent win against Aberdeen.
Non-league Darvel pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history defeating Premiership side Aberdeen 1-0 at Recreation Park on Monday, 23rd of January, led by manager Michael Kennedy.
Darvel have been gaining greater prominence in recent seasons after being bought by John Gall, the managing director of Brownings the Bakers who were renowned for making Kilmarnock Football Club’s award-winning pies.
They also took on a lucrative sponsorship deal with railway contractors QTS, who previously sponsored Kilmarnock and Derby. With this plus the funds invested by Gall they have been able to increase their ambitions and strive for greater success.
Following the shock win, QTS managing director Alan McLeish said:
“This is just incredible, what an upset! Michael and the team pulled off something really special here and I hope to see the success continue. Seeing the investment QTS has made into the team pay off is fantastic. The whole community is behind them and we’re looking forward to the clash with Falkirk.
“The fact we were able to see the team play on TV in such an important game, proudly wearing the QTS logo, it really means a lot to me and everyone here.”
Manager Michael Kennedy added:
“The boys performed incredibly, it’s a fantastic achievement and they really showed what you can do when you just believe in yourself. I told them exactly that in my team talk, where I touched on, among other things, the great achievement by Alan McLeish, the owner of our sponsor QTS. He came from humble beginnings and built his business up to one of the top rail companies in the UK. He couldn’t have done that without belief in himself.
“That’s the philosophy at Darvel and I drill that into the team every week. We managed a massive upset with this mindset and hopefully we can keep that momentum as we go up against Falkirk.”