Threave Rovers beat Larkhall Thistle 5-0 on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the West of Scotland League second division to five points, in a match played in memory of Charlie Watson, the 20-year-old player who died in June after continuing to play following a diagnosis of stage four skin cancer.
An hour before kick-off, the mood inside Threave's home dressing room at Meadow Park in Castle Douglas is quiet. The players wear T-shirts bearing the slogan 'Charlie Boy'. A photograph of Charlie hangs above the dressing-room door, and his No.4 shirt still hangs on his peg.
"It was sad what we all went through," says manager Danny Dunglinson. "But Charlie is still part of things here. He always will be."
Charlie Watson's diagnosis and death
Charlie's story was reported worldwide, and his bravery has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for research. QR codes on banners and T-shirts around the ground point to fundraising efforts that continue today.
Dunglinson, who played for Rovers before becoming manager, says he has never experienced anything like the events of the past year. "I have been in football a long time and I have never experienced anything like that," he says. "I didn't think I would be going through something like that in my first year as a manager."
"It makes you appreciate things in life," Dunglinson says. "Wee Charlie is not here anymore but he is still part of things here. He always will be. He is a massive part of what we do here. And as long as I am here, he always will be."
He adds that Charlie and his family never wanted sympathy. "One thing Charlie and his family wanted was nobody to feel sorry for him. He wanted to be treated as normal. He didn't want to be 'Charlie who has cancer'. He was known here as Charlie who was a really good football player and the joker in the group. That's all he wanted."
"He never shied away from anything, he accepted every challenge with dignity," Dunglinson says. "He never let himself down in any shape of form so it would be unfair if we didn't speak about him. Nobody will ever get over it. But talking about it helps."
Dunglinson compares the club's grief to that felt at Liverpool following the death of Diogo Jota. "Liverpool took a dip after the tragedy of Diogo Jota and when we found out Charlie wasn't going to recover there was obviously a downturn," he says. "These guys, whether at Liverpool or here, are human beings. It's going to take a toll on you."
Threave Rovers chase promotion
Despite the loss, Threave have kept winning. Promotion has already been secured, and with enhanced promotion places available because of league reconstruction, Rovers are almost certain to play first division football next season, ahead of the five-year plan set out by chairman David McVittie and his committee.
Chairman David McVittie's plans
McVittie turns 66 next month and is due to retire as a roofer, though he already puts in 40 to 50 hours a week at the club. "Aye, I think there will be jobs for me to do," he says, looking toward a construction site beyond the stand, where a new 3G artificial pitch is being built. More than 300 children are already in the club's youth programme.
McVittie has been involved with Threave for 45 years as a player, manager and now chairman, and says the club's future lies in youth development. "We have to get the weans involved," he says. He notes that several clubs in the area compete for the same young players, and that Threave moved leagues to progress. "We left the South of Scotland league to move into the West so that we could progress up the pyramid," he says. "We are doing well but it has been hard work."
On Charlie, McVittie says: "He was a great wee player for us, a good lad. It affected the boys in the team and had a big effect on the club. He was a hardy wee boy and he played through a lot of things. It hit the community hard. He is well-remembered here and the fund-raising continues."
Supporters and the local community
An unnamed supporter describes the club as central to the town. "This club is the pillar of this community," he says. "The social club is the hub of the town in many ways. The people here work hard as volunteers and give everything they have."
Neil Porteous watches his son, Craig, play. "I come from a wee village outside Castle Douglas and as a boy I tried to get a game here but failed," he says. "I suppose I am living my football dream through my son. I love the grass pitch and would never change it but the 3g will add more and help us."
Ross Irving's farewell
The 5-0 win was the last game for club captain Ross Irving, who is emigrating to Australia to play for Geelong Soccer Club while his partner pursues a career as a psychologist. Irving, 24, worked with Charlie at a joinery firm.
"I worked with Charlie at a joinery firm and he was my best friend at the club," Irving says. "We sat next to each other in the changing rooms. We worked together every day, trained together at night."
"This is an emotional day for me," he says. "I have a lot of links to this club but Charlie made it even more special. We spoke every day about going to Australia. He would tell me when he was ill that he would get better and come with me."
"He was such a big part of the club, special to everyone," Irving says. "In the summer after he passed, I didn't want to come back. That's not like me at all. But I am glad that I did. He would be buzzing that I am off to Australia."
