Joy for Banks o’ Glee as they lift Superleague title
Team spirit is the key to first title since 1987
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BANKS o’ Dee clinched their first Superleague title since 1987 with a stunning 4-1 win over dethroned champions Culter at Crombie Park.
The Dee management team of Garry Welsh and Ian Taylor paid tribute to their players, who suffered just one league defeat, that coming on the opening day of the season.
Welsh said: “It was a great team performance, and when they had a good spell for 15 minutes, Graeme Long and Niall Corsar were magnificent.
“The guys have a phenomenal team spirit.
“I don’t know how many teams get 18 or 19 players turning up for training.
“The chemistry is good right throughout the club, from the players through to the coaching staff and committee.
“We’ve made steady progress over the years from being fifth to fourth and third twice and now we’ve deservedly won it.”
Taylor added: “I’ve coached in Junior football for over 20 years, and these are the best set of players I’ve ever had.
“For me, having played for Aberdeen in some big games, this ranks right up there alongside everything I’ve ever done.”
Richard Scaiffe and Lewis McKimmie both netted doubles, and McKimmie paid tribute to the Culter players who have endured such a long season.
He said: “It’s a superb feeling. I came here from Inverurie Locos and now I’ve won the league, it’s great.
“It was a very hard game, and for people who have had umpteen games in the past two months, they put in a good performance.”
For the retiring Levi Stephen, it was a fitting way to end his career.
He said: “I’m delighted for the boys, they’ve all worked so hard for this.
“I quit the game for a year-and-a-half, and I came back and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“It’s great for everyone involved with the club.”
Culter, who had to watch Dee lift the trophy they had made their own for the last four years, were gracious in defeat and Welsh paid tribute to their opponents
He said: “It couldn’t have been easy for them to watch us lift the trophy, especially at their own place.
“But credit to them, every single one of them came up and shook my hand and that says a lot for the club.”
