Hill of Beath Hawthorn play in the
ACA Sports East Superleague, & I saw them at the end of May, against Linlithgow Rose, thanks to fellow
Kempsterite 'progege', who kept me well up to date with fixture news, & when the Monday night one of my trip was changed from a Linlithgow home game, he offered to meet me at the station & drive to this match. Really appreciated, & he made the night for me, very good company, & educating me on some of the 'ins & outs' of Scottish football, both non-league & the stuff on our pools coupons, all of which I know far too little. The town itself is close to Cowdenbeath.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWV1XYWAI/AAAAAAAABPM/9D8ywVk5OU0/s400/DSCF3024.jpg)
This was the entrance we used, the name of the ground, Keir's Park, displayed above the turnstiles.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUYHeuLnI/AAAAAAAABLY/mxao7pGIT6g/s400/DSCF2958.jpg)
Oh dear, not a good start, photowise, for this corner of the ground shot, the camera focussing on the railing & not the rest of the ground! Doh! It does get better...
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU3Wsr-lI/AAAAAAAABMY/vVDseJI2cq4/s400/DSCF2973.jpg)
From this corner we're going to walk round anti-clockwise. Simply because I started taking some snaps from along the side, during the match & am 'piecing' them together so to speak, and so am taking them in the direction I took my stroll. As I headed toward the turnstile where we came into the ground, & rather than turn back on myself I carried on. Hope that makes sense! Behind this goal is an open step of low terracing.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU8R2l4bI/AAAAAAAABMg/_IvoYJetVJY/s400/DSCF2975.jpg)
To our left it is open, with covered standing further along. The roof you see at the far end is the changing room.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU-x-WLpI/AAAAAAAABMk/0Qg6-JhVYb8/s400/DSCF2976.jpg)
From behind the goal we see the rest of the covered terracing along the other side. Like many Scottish Junior grounds there is no seating, but plenty of cover.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVBEiDQJI/AAAAAAAABMo/UiOrVQzVBhs/s400/DSCF2977.jpg)
From the other post we get a clearer view of the cover down the right hand side.
Whisky sponsors, unsurprisingly, for the League.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVHfM69bI/AAAAAAAABMw/Q5gZ9gzGKYE/s400/DSCF2979.jpg)
Here we see down the length of the pitch.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVKXEjOgI/AAAAAAAABM0/tOir6p5SR2c/s400/DSCF2980.jpg)
And then to the cover on the left, which is where I will watch most of the match from, with 'prorege', & where he is, while I did my circuit.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVMq3fZSI/AAAAAAAABM4/5dfQXxdod1Q/s400/DSCF2981.jpg)
Moving closer to the right hand side cover now.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVO3HSC7I/AAAAAAAABM8/LlZm9xGrMYY/s400/DSCF2982.jpg)
A similar shot, zoomed in slightly.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVRT3gZlI/AAAAAAAABNA/WHCz8OwbSg4/s400/DSCF2984.jpg)
No terracing along the first part of this side, just hard standing.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVVz2iWyI/AAAAAAAABNM/Xu0m0z-R9Ao/s400/DSCF2986.jpg)
A better corner flag shot, not so fuzzy.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVbSpKUvI/AAAAAAAABNQ/PW8mUYe7LQ4/s400/DSCF2987.jpg)
From here we see back down behind the goal, where we've come from.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVdiYO-vI/AAAAAAAABNU/whefvWCfJJk/s400/DSCF2988.jpg)
Turning the corner there's a slight grass bank behind the hard standing at the front.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVghitxYI/AAAAAAAABNY/uN012QCZ9qU/s400/DSCF2989.jpg)
As we continue you can see the shallow steps of terrace under the roof, with a tea bar just before it.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvViKEUHzI/AAAAAAAABNc/-By0bLeZnqY/s400/DSCF2990.jpg)
Looking across the pitch again, sideways this time.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVj40rpaI/AAAAAAAABNg/VwGWddZnyQM/s400/DSCF2991.jpg)
This appears to be the popular side.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVlZ-pd_I/AAAAAAAABNk/BXIOde5TXvA/s400/DSCF2992.jpg)
The tea bar doing brisk trade during the game.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVmxfbgFI/AAAAAAAABNo/_bzELKLwVHI/s400/DSCF2993.jpg)
From behind the dugouts we look over to the opposite terrace.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVoc7KZoI/AAAAAAAABNs/j1S-VSD8nPI/s400/DSCF2994.jpg)
A similar picture, a few steps back, behind the other one.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVssBgntI/AAAAAAAABN0/hOrE2_F1XhA/s400/DSCF2997.jpg)
Along this side, in the middle behind the cover, is another turnstile, which we see here.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVumBxBII/AAAAAAAABN4/L4u4u6e7B6Q/s400/DSCF2998.jpg)
Past this is a Club plaque, by the flagpole. 'prorege' tells me that lots of Scottish clubs fly flags, as it is a tradition dating back to the old days, before modern communications, when a flag would be raised on the day of the match to let locals know that there was a match on that day.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvVxlzvw_I/AAAAAAAABN8/Br2p-462jxc/s400/DSCF2999.jpg)
This is the Scottish Junior eqivalent of the English non-league FA Trophy, & it is a huge honour to lift it.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV0tDPVzI/AAAAAAAABOA/dRCwdMRU1LE/s400/DSCF3001.jpg)
We're now past the dugouts & turnstiles, & moving along the 'shed'.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV2dMqjYI/AAAAAAAABOE/4i85AZ1_xU0/s400/DSCF3002.jpg)
Back in the open it's grass & hard standing again.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV4I3HpWI/AAAAAAAABOI/8fVLN8-D2Ic/s400/DSCF3003.jpg)
From beyond the cover we look back, & you can see the flag flying up the pole, on the left.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV5dj4peI/AAAAAAAABOM/Nv5mS7yyeR0/s400/DSCF3004.jpg)
Now at the next corner we look across the pitch, to the next covered side.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV7O6epII/AAAAAAAABOQ/U22iF1vxsdk/s400/DSCF3005.jpg)
Behind this goal is very tidy shallow terracing, & well kept grass. In fact I was extremely impressed at how spick & span the whole ground was, compared to some of the more 'well worn' Junior grounds I've seen north of the border.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV9dtYAKI/AAAAAAAABOU/BipXeKGLreM/s400/DSCF3006.jpg)
From behind the goal we look back now at the side we've come along.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvV_jg4P0I/AAAAAAAABOY/IAK3h5ra75s/s400/DSCF3007.jpg)
In the far corner of this end is the changing rooms, & club office. I stuck my head into the office to ask if they ever produced programmes, which they don't, but happily bought a badge & scarf.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWCdiCHNI/AAAAAAAABOc/yMW8CrPj7mc/s400/DSCF3008.jpg)
Hanging up in the office was this collection of ties! Presumably not-too-forcibly acquired from various visiting officials!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWX2DQFAI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Rj2ahaH5IiQ/s400/DSCF3025.jpg)
From outside the club building we look back along this end.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWHe91sfI/AAAAAAAABOs/rF7ImyE6TFI/s400/DSCF3011.jpg)
Before looking down the final side of the ground, where we are now off to.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWGGZzoRI/AAAAAAAABOo/PrauMNrSLkA/s400/DSCF3010.jpg)
The last of our' corner flag' shots'.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWLBzhPUI/AAAAAAAABO0/6k8BVRrAHWg/s400/DSCF3013.jpg)
This part of the ground is extremely narrow.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWJfqXDaI/AAAAAAAABOw/7teztX3AAto/s400/DSCF3012.jpg)
But widens by the time we reach the cover, with more shallow steps under it.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWO0kIvhI/AAAAAAAABPA/oZKP7m1R9os/s400/DSCF3015.jpg)
Here we look down it, with 'prorege' following the action with his back to us, in the baseball cap.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWRYiCfbI/AAAAAAAABPE/70I8CeNpVDI/s400/DSCF3016.jpg)
I was standing next to him earlier, as the match kicked off, before we did our circuit.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUaVHNVuI/AAAAAAAABLc/A_5cEE7rN-E/s400/DSCF2959.jpg)
Here we move along this side.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUccRDSuI/AAAAAAAABLg/VOVGj2HBKBA/s400/DSCF2961.jpg)
And look over the halfway line, through the gaps between these elderly spectators.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUeAQWqEI/AAAAAAAABLk/rmSqv557Fi8/s400/DSCF2962.jpg)
Same view, a few steps along.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUgfotXXI/AAAAAAAABLo/k4LZYgwIHWI/s400/DSCF2963.jpg)
Here we look back down the terrace, with an old metal club sign at the back.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUiOfmlwI/AAAAAAAABLs/H-vp1MVAPJM/s400/DSCF2964.jpg)
Leaning over the barrier, I take a shot down the touchline, with the turnstiles where we began in shot.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUkLqosUI/AAAAAAAABLw/7K3d2WdyQdM/s400/DSCF2965.jpg)
Past the cover the shallow terrace continues, in the open.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUmYgd28I/AAAAAAAABL4/rFhvaV2A42w/s400/DSCF2966.jpg)
A last look back at the cover on this side.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUoMUbDKI/AAAAAAAABL8/GTx917JJjy0/s400/DSCF2967.jpg)
A very smart example of the 'traditional' Scottish football outtside roofless toilet.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUrVtm2OI/AAAAAAAABMA/hqz-qq6Vayg/s400/DSCF2968.jpg)
And now back at the corner where we started.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUu4ugKUI/AAAAAAAABMI/8g7KwgZ084A/s400/DSCF2969.jpg)
This is the end we began our walk.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvUxoNkKQI/AAAAAAAABMM/_6eOGN5lDgI/s400/DSCF2970.jpg)
This, to an Englishman, stereotypically Scottish hoarding caught my eye....
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU0K4vthI/AAAAAAAABMQ/BwHssNsbGzU/s400/DSCF2971.jpg)
Before we finally reach the turnstiles where we entered the ground.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU16DkIZI/AAAAAAAABMU/RYGkYTy_Sr0/s400/DSCF2972.jpg)
Now we finish with a few, brief action shots for you:
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvU5wGIG5I/AAAAAAAABMc/56FN06ASqSs/s400/DSCF2974.jpg)
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWTtP9s5I/AAAAAAAABPI/oR7zy_E2aw8/s400/DSCF3021.jpg)
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWcMaefUI/AAAAAAAABPY/-PLZh9irIto/s400/DSCF3029.jpg)
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWekR76kI/AAAAAAAABPc/TP-ArsF_wuU/s400/DSCF3034.jpg)
Game over, it will be a penalty shoot-out, but up the other end, as they're already taking the nets down at this one!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWgnjlWrI/AAAAAAAABPg/3lLkeaGLhiM/s400/DSCF3040.jpg)
Here the players get ready for the shoot out, as we get ready to dash back to the car! Thanks again to 'prorege' for his generousity in offering me a lift, his company for the evening & for just being an all-round decent chap!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAvWiwL8aLI/AAAAAAAABPk/s52MnreKzaQ/s400/DSCF3041.jpg)