Inverkeithing: Swifts cup win can inspire youngsters

And those who are responsible for making them tick behind the scenes hope that participating in a showpiece occasion will provide inspiration to the hundreds of kids who are affiliated to the club.

Many of those youngsters who pull on yellow and blue Swifts kits at a variety of age groups will be at New Victoria Park in Newtongrange to cheer the senior team on in their historic final against Dunbar United.

It's a match that has captured the imagination of an entire club which has members from mini-kickers all the way up to adult football, and long-serving secretary, Ronnie Jamieson, hopes it will have positive knock-on effects.

"There'll be a lot of the age group kids hopefully there, and we want to inspire that younger generation to see this is what can happen if we stick in and do well," he said.

"It is a big thing for the whole club, not just the seniors.

"I think we're almost ahead of where we want to be with a cup final. There's not that many cups in the league structure that we've got and I think to get to one final, for us, is a huge achievement.

"It would be good if we can retain our Premier League status as well, but I think just getting to a cup final, we've done pretty well, whether we win or lose."

Jamieson's involvement with the Swifts stretches back more than 20 years, having first become involved with their amateur side.

He's had spells as club secretary and treasurer and reckons he's been involved in the organisation of around 500 matches throughout the years.

It's a labour of love - Jamieson says it's his way of "keeping involved in football at a good level" - and he admits he's been busier in the build-up to today's final than he is most weeks.

"I would say this is one of the biggest ones. You normally organise a game Tuesday afternoon before the Saturday, so it's two or three days in advance, but this one is two or three weeks in advance," he explained.

Ronnie Jamieson's involvement with the Swifts spans more than 20 years. (Image: David Wardle.)

"There's a lot more to think about, making sure all the arrangements are in place, just silly wee things like parking for the buses, where are the supporters going to stand, what happens after the game, all this kind of stuff.

"There's a wee bit more to think about than a normal league game or cup game.

"It's a voluntary role, as most of us are doing, so it's done for the love of the game. I think the Swifts certainly are a club that's always interested me because they're bringing youth up through the age groups and hopefully get to the senior side, then, if they do well and they get picked up, they can go off to whatever level they want.

"We've certainly developed a number of players, even just with the seniors, that have gone on to Lowland League and hopefully further up the pyramid.

"It's sad to see these guys going sometimes but it's for their development and you have to understand that.

"The ethos of the club is very much development. We know we're going to lose players season in, season out, but we've got a good pipeline coming through from down below, the age group kids, to take their place. That's how the club is going to run for the foreseeable."

He added: "I think if we were to go on and lift a trophy, that would be a fantastic achievement because, not only have we beaten some good sides below us, but we've beaten a team up in the Lowland League.

"That's no mean feat for the resources we've got."

Kick off for the final is at 2pm, with cash entry at the gate costing £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.