Jump to content

Tranent F.C.

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tranent
Full nameTranent Football Club
NicknamesThe Belters, The Big T
Founded1911 (as Tranent Juniors F.C.)
GroundForesters Park
Tranent
Capacity2,300 (44 seated)
ManagerRobbie Horn
LeagueLowland League East
2025–26Lowland League, 4th of 18
Websitewww.tranentfc.co.uk

Tranent Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Tranent, East Lothian. They currently play in the fifth tier of Scottish Football in the Lowland League East.

The majority of the clubs history was spent in the Scottish Junior Football Association from its foundation in 1911 as Tranent Juniors, until 2018 when the club made the decision to move to the East of Scotland Football League.

History

[edit]

The club was originally named Tranent Juniors, however following an announcement of a merger with Tranent Colts in February 2023, the club was renamed Tranent Football Club from the 2023–24 season.[1][2] Their home ground is Foresters Park and club colours are maroon and white.

The club crest pays tribute to the towns history of agriculture on the left side and coal-mining on the right and is complete with a banner of the clubs motto 'Lie Forrit'.

Tranent competed in the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) from its inception in 1911 up until 2018. However, the club has taken part in the Scottish Junior Cup since 2018 due rules being relaxed within the SJFA.

Tranent have reached three Scottish Junior Cup finals in their history. In 1933 they lost 4-2 to Yoker Athletic at Hampden Park, this result came as a result of a replay following the first game finishing goalless at Tynecastle Park.

Two years later Tranent won the Scottish Junior Cup which many still regard as the clubs greatest honour. They defeated Petershill 6-1 at Ibrox Stadium in front of a crowd of 22,000. This result remains the joint record victory in a Junior Cup final [3].

In more recent times, despite leaving the SJFA, the club reached the final in 2025 and came up against Johnstone Burgh. The game ended 1-1 with Johnstone Burgh winning 4-2 on penalties at Broadwood Stadium.

Before the start of the 2018-19 season, a host of Junior clubs, including Tranent, moved across to the East of Scotland Football League to join the recently established Scottish Football Pyramid. This presented clubs the opportunity to potentially gain promotion to the SPFL creating an increase from 13 teams to 39.

East of Scotland Football League (2018-2022)

[edit]

Following the increase of teams into the East of Scotland Football League, a decision was reached to separate the clubs into three parallel conferences of 13 teams in each.

In Tranent's debut 2018–19 season they finished 3rd place in Conference B which saw them qualify for the newly established East of Scotland Premier League the following season. Max Christie was in charge until late January 2019 before leaving to join conference rivals Bo'ness United, with Calvin Shand managing the team to conclude the season [4].

The 2019–20 season saw the competition come to an abrupt end due to the outbreak the Coronavirus pandemic. The season was suspended and then eventually curtailed with a points per game system adopted to determine each clubs finishing position. This resulted in the Belters finishing 4th place with Bo'ness United promoted as champions to the Lowland League. Shortly before the league was suspended, Calvin Shand departed the club and was replaced by Johnny Harvey as manager.

The start of the 2020–21 season was delayed until October 2020 due to continuing global issues surrounding the coronavirus. Before proceedings got underway Tranent announced that Johnny Harvey had left the club [5] . Harvey disputed this claiming he was sacked following a heated argument with a member of the clubs committee[6].

Tranent went on to appoint Calum Elliot as manager. The season only lasted until 11 January 2021 before having to be suspended, again, due to pandemic issues. On 11 April 2021 a vote was held with clubs deciding to 'null and void' the season. At that time Tranent sat top of the Premier League with 12 games played and were undefeated.

In season 2021–22 under the guidance of Elliott, Tranent won the East of Scotland Premier League title by pipping Penicuik Athletic due to a far superior goal difference, after both sides finished the season on 80 points. In a round robin play-off for promotion to the Lowland Football League, Tranent defeated Darvel 2-0 away and St Cuthbert Wanderers 7-0 at Foresters Park to secure promotion to the fifth tier.

Lowland Football League (2022-present)

[edit]

In their debut 2022–23 Lowland Football League season, Tranent went on to finish a very respectable 5th place in the table. This was despite further managerial disruption with Calum Elliott departing the club in late August. Elliott felt it would be best for both the club and himself to part ways and was replaced by Colin Nish [7]. The Spartans would go on to win the title and eventually SPFL promotion via the play-offs.

Max Christie returned to the dugout for a second managerial spell with the Belters to begin the 2023–24 season. This was due to the board not renewing Colin Nish's contract at the end of the previous season [8]. Having stabilised the club, Christie took up a position on the clubs committee and Ian Little took the reins from the 1st September [9]. Tranent went on to replicate the season before with another 5th place finish as East Kilbride stormed to the championship title.

In the season's Lowland League Cup final, Tranent faced East Kilbride at Broadwood Stadium and twice came from behind with goals scored by Dean Brett and Kallum Higginbotham as the game ended 2-2. A tense penalty shootout followed with the Belters winning the cup 5-4 on penalties as goalkeeper Kelby Mason got the plaudits [10].

The 2024–25 season saw a familiar story emerge in the dugout as Ian Little departed in August hours before Tranent were due to take on Bo'ness United in their third league match of the season [11]. Jonny Stewart was announced as the manager on 3rd September and remained in place until 13th March 2025 when Bonnyrigg Rose approached the club about their own managerial vacancy. Reluctantly, Tranent allowed talks to take place and Stewart left the club [12]. Robbie Horn was appointed manager but didn't take control until the end of the season, the remainder was overseen by caretaker boss, Darren Smith [13].

Despite the turmoil off the pitch, the team had another impressive season on it and finished 4th place in the table. East Kilbride would go on to win the title again and this time secure their place in the SPFL via the play-offs.

In Horn's first season as manager the club had a fantastic 2025–26 season which saw them compete right up until the last few weeks for the league championship before falling short. With forward Cameron McKinley in rich form throughout the season with 18 goals, it was another 4th place finish for the team with Linlithgow Rose winning the title on the final day.

At the end of the season, the club announced various plans and efforts of fund raising to improve the facilities at Foresters Park with a view of reaching the SPFL within the next 5-years. The aim is to raise £200,000 in order to help achieve this whilst remaining competitive on the pitch [14].

Current squad

[edit]

As of 25 June 2026[15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  SCO Kelby Mason
— GK  SCO Roan Flanagan
— DF  SCO Euan Bauld (Captain)
— DF  SCO Euan Greig
— DF  SCO Dean Brett
— DF  SCO Liam Hall
— DF  SCO Robbie McIntyre
— DF  SCO Nick Aitchison
— DF  SCO Sam Buchanan
— MF  SCO Corey Thomson
— MF  SCO Finn Montgomery
— MF  SCO Scott Gray (Vice Captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  SCO Conor Doan
— MF  SCO Harry Gordon
— MF  SCO Ben Miller
— MF  SCO Ryan Murray
— MF  SCO Sean Murphy
— FW  SCO Greig Spence
— FW  SCO Harry Girdwood
— FW  SCO Jack Duncan
— FW  SCO Jamie McMurdo
— FW  SCO Tiwi Daramola
— FW  SCO Guy McGarry

Managers (Senior Leagues)

[edit]

Information is from 2018/19 season onwards when Tranent moved from the SJFA to the senior leagues.

Key

  • M = matches played; W = matches won; D = matches drawn; L = matches lost; Win % = percentage of total matches won
Name From To M W D L Win %
Scotland Max Christie 08/12/2017 30/01/2019 26 18 2 6 69.23
Scotland Calvin Shand 07/02/2019 03/02/2020 42 27 5 10 64.28
Scotland Johnny Harvey 10/02/2020 24/09/2020 3 1 0 2 33.33
Scotland Calum Elliot 26/09/2020 24/08/2022 60 43 10 7 71.66
Scotland Colin Nish 31/08/2022 07/05/2023 37 19 6 12 51.35
Scotland Max Christie (2) 10/05/2023 25/08/2023 10 5 2 3 50.00
Scotland Ian Little 25/08/2023 06/08/2024 47 26 8 13 55.31
Scotland Jonny Stewart 06/08/2024 13/03/2025 37 19 8 10 51.35
Scotland Robbie Horn 02/06/2025 Present 63 40 11 12 63.49
  • Max Christie was the manager for a period prior to move to senior leagues. These stats are not included.
  • At 27/09/2026

Top Scorers (Lowland League Onwards)

[edit]

Top scorers for the club since promotion to the Lowland Football League in 2022.

  • Friendlies and penalty shoot-out goals excluded
Player Goals
1 Scotland Cameron Ross 46
2 Scotland Harry Girdwood 37
3 Scotland Broque Watson 28
4 Scotland Guy McGarry 26
5 Scotland Dean Brett 24
  • At 27/09/2026

Honours

[edit]

Other honours

[edit]
  • Fife & Lothians Cup
    • Winners: 2016–17
  • East of Scotland Junior Cup
    • Winners (10): 1913–14, 1919–20, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1959–60, 1978–79, 2016–17[16]
  • King Cup winners: 2018–19
  • East Region South Division: winners 2015–16
  • Midlothian League winners: 1928–29, 1930–31, 1936–37
  • Renton Cup winners: 1924–25

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Clubs set to merge to form Tranent Football Club". 13 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Club info - Tranent FC". www.tranentjuniorsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ↑ McGlone, David; McLure, Bill (1987). The Juniors – 100 Years. A Centenary History of Scottish Junior Football. Mainstream. p. 76. ISBN 1-85158-060-3.
  4. ↑ "Max Christie quits as Tranent boss and prepares to make Bo'ness switch". Edinburgh News. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Club statement". Twitter. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "'Heated argument' led to Johnny Harvey leaving Tranent Juniors". East Lothian Courier. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "Calum Elliot's shock decision to quit Tranent explained by club director and former Hearts striker himself". Edinburgh News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Tranent Juniors and Colin Nish part company". East Lothian Courier. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ian Little ready for Tranent challenge after replacing Max Christie". East Lothian Courier. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Tranent lift Lowland League Cup after penalty shootout drama". East Lothian Courier. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Tranent looking for new manager after Little departure". East Lothian Courier. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Football club looking for their third manager of the season". East Lothian Courier. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "New manager targeting Lowland League glory for second time". East Lothian Courier. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Football club targets bronze licence in bid to play league football within five years". East Lothian Courier. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Tranent Juniors FC – Squad list". www.tranentjuniorsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "East of Scotland Junior Cup". sfha.org.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
[edit]

55°56′39″N 2°56′55″W / 55.944243°N 2.948644°W / 55.944243; -2.948644

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tranent_F.C.&oldid=1376994674"