BONNYRIGG ROSE v NEIL WARNOCK

Today in the William Hill Scottish Cup, 5th Round, Aberdeen, one of the higher ranked clubs, meet Bonnyrigg Rose, one of the less known clubs despite its charming name.  The well known, much travelled, Neil Warnock manages Aberdeen!! But Bonnyrigg can match that for famous celebrities!

Today, football supporters will be more knowledgeable about the club, having discovered that Sir Sean Connery found himself associated with the small, former mining town in Midlothian. In 1962, he was making his name in the first 007 film, Dr No, as James Bond, of course.

Connery died in 2020 at the ripe old age of 90 and had played for Bonnyrigg Rose, the League Two part timers in the 1950s, wearing the Number 7 shirt, watched by 2,000 or so locals. Club historian, Nat Fisher, whose father also played for the club, described Connery as "a good club member, starring on the right wing, but was able to play in other places, being speedy and strong. He would take the knocks and get up again! He looked after the younger players, was well liked by the crowd but Fisher did say that they couldn't tell if he was popular with lady spectators because none came to watch the games in those days!"

Bond denied being offered a trial by East Fife and Matt Busby apparently offered Connery £25 a week to join United! Connery was 23 at the time, so he decided to stick with acting, as he knew his footballing career would not last long!

Bonnyrigg, nicknamed Rosey Posey, hope to upset their Pittodrie opposition, Aberdeen, for Warnock's first match "at the helm". This match is a 5th Round tie, the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, with the "minnows"  having already knocked out League One leaders, Falkirk en route.

Seven years ago, the club players were photographed in Bond style tuxedos as they took on Hibernian in the Cup,  playing at Tynecastle. This did not impress the professionals, who walked away winning 8-1.

The Bonnyrigg players all have jobs to do, being only "part timers", but having beaten Elgin during the week, they have not been able to recover as they all have jobs to go to! Of course, the club has nothing to lose and there is zero pressure, apparently! Neil Warnock (below) will be used to a few "heroes" looking to upset his professional and "historic" image but when  it comes to the cup and upsets, the phrase "never say never again" comes to mind.

Bonnyrigg's path to this Cup round includes victories over Fraserburgh in Rd2 1-2, Albion Rovers 0-1 in Rd3, and Falklirk 2-1 in Rd4, so a decent path so far!