Treble joy for Danderhall boss

Alex ‘Ecky’ Stewart guided the team to the Edinburgh and Lothians First Division title, South of Scotland Cup and Challenge Cup, in only his second season in charge, after leaving his u19s goalkeeping coach role at Hibs .

He said: “It has probably been the best season for the club in their history.

“We managed to raise the levels this year. Next season we are looking to go up to the Premier League and be challenging for the title.

“We will be bringing in new players and retaining most of this season’s team.

“It was incredible to go unbeaten at home. We did lose the Scottish Cup replay, but that had to be played at Dalkeith Campus as our park was waterlogged. It’s unbelievable that we only had four defeats all season.

Danderhall through and through, Stewart is delighted to have brought them glory.

He said: “I’m from Danderhall. And I have watched Danderhall since I was a young boy, they’re my team.

“To the point of having to jump out of my bedroom window when my mum wouldn’t let me watch them!

“My dad played for them, my uncle played for them, and I came back from the Juniors to play for them.

“I was at Hibs for nine years coaching the young goalkeepers, and Danderhall approached me a few times to take over, but I never felt it was the right time.

“Then the opportunity came two seasons ago, at that point where Hibs were taking up too much of my time, so I left them and joined Danderhall as manager.”

The former Newtongrange Star player praised everyone at the club.

He said: “The committee promised me no interference and they have backed me to the hilt. They stuck to their word.

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