How Darvel's 'unthinkable' Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen left a small Ayrshire town roaring in celebration
Goalkeeper Chris Truesdale and scorer Jordan Kirkpatrick were the heroes for sixth-tier outfit Darvel, as they triumphed against the odds to knock out Premiership side Aberdeen on Monday night. "Buzzing" residents say the win gave them "goosebumps" - and a few sore heads.
Tuesday 24 January 2023 16:55, UK
Roars of celebration thundered through a small Scots town following the local football club's shock Scottish Cup win against Aberdeen.
Sixth-tier outfit Darvel triumphed against the odds thanks to a deflected strike by Jordan Kirkpatrick in the first-half of the game on Monday night and the determination of goalkeeper, Chris Truesdale, to keep Aberdeen out in the second 45 minutes.
Following the final whistle at Recreation Park in Ayrshire, partying could be heard into the night.
Mother and daughter duo Helen and Ainslie Ballantyne, who run the local roll shop, told Sky News it was a "historic moment" for Darvel.
Helen added: "It's got us on the map, that's for sure. It's just brought the full community together.
"We've all worked so hard to pull everything together and everybody is just absolutely buzzing."
After the game, Helen said it was "total elation", noting: "You could hear the screams, the whistles, the roaring all over the town last night. The atmosphere was just absolutely amazing.
"I actually had goosebumps. I've never felt this way ever about any football, but this moment last night just made me feel overwhelmed and proud to live in Darvel."
The town is home to less than 4,000 people with some of its part-time football players earning as little as £70 per week.
Ainslie said the win was "amazing", adding: "We've had so many people in this morning that have just been on top of the world - very hungover, a few sore heads, but just so happy."
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Ainslie added that it was a proud moment and "inspiring" for a lot of people, especially the local children who have been supporting the team.
She added: "You don't see many things like this happening in these wee villages, so it's just amazing to see all this happening. And good on the players - they've worked so hard to get to this point, it's fantastic."
Speaking after the game, Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin praised Darvel's performance but said he was "extremely disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated" with the 1-0 defeat.
The loss piles further pressure on the Pittodrie boss, who only has one win in nine games.
Darvel - the West of Scotland Premier Division leaders - are now on course for a last-16 home tie with Falkirk next month.
'Unthinkable' achievement
Manager Michael Kennedy, who visited the local primary school following the win, told Sky News it was an "unbelievable occasion" for the whole town and the club in general.
He added: "When we started this journey a few years ago, nobody [could have] foreseen what we achieved last night - it's unthinkable, unimaginable.
"I don't even think it's set in yet to be honest with you. It will probably take a couple of days for it all to become a bit real."
Mr Kennedy said the club wouldn't survive without support from the local community and said around 2,500 locals snapped up tickets for the match.
He said it was a "remarkable achievement" for "everyone connected" with the team.
Speaking about the game, the manager said he was "always confident" they could pull off a shock win due to the quality, ethos and values shared within the club.
And on star goal scorer Kirkpatrick, Mr Kennedy said: "We're very fortunate to have him. And what an occasion for him, what a night.
"I just need to try and find him somewhere in Glasgow - he was out last night after the game."