By John Armour
Johnstone Burgh welcome Dalbeattie Star to Keanie Park this Saturday (29th August), for our next Scottish Lowland League West fixture. This will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
Dalbeattie Star FC were originally founded in 1905, but folded in 1948. However, the club were re-formed in 1976. They play their home matches at the 1,320 capacity Islecroft Stadium on a grass surface, in the town of Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway which is an 87 mile drive from Keanie Park in Johnstone.
“The Star” have won 13 South of Scotland League Titles; 2 South of Scotland Cups and 5 South of Scotland League Cups, as well as several other regional cup competitions. The club have mostly participated in the South of Scotland League, but in 2001 Dalbeattie Star joined the East of Scotland League, where they managed to win The East of Scotland League Cup in 2009, before returning to the South of Scotland League the following season.
In 2013 the club’s adventures would continue as they joined the newly formed Lowland League. The Dalbeattie side competed at that level for 10 seasons, until they got relegated back into the South of Scotland League in 2023. “The Star” are the current South of Scotland League Champions, which gained the club promotion to the new Scottish Lowland League West.
Dalbeattie Star currently sit in 16th place in the league; on 1 point from their first 5 games. An opening day 6-0 defeat away to Auchinleck Talbot, was followed by defeats to Pollok (2-0), Largs Thistle (1-0), and Celtic B (5-1). However in their most recent match “The Star” earned their first point of the season with a 2-2 draw away to Cumbernauld Colts.
Manager David Taylor, and his players will arrive at Keanie Park with a spring in their step following that result.
Johnstone Burgh come into the match on the back of a hard fought 3-2 win over Newton Stewart at Keanie Park last Saturday (22nd August). The Burgh currently sit in 9th place in the table, on 8 points from their first 5 games.
The Keanie Park side’s home form is good so far with 7 points taken from a possible 9. Manager Stevie Farrell highlighted last week how important it was to pick up points at home, and he will be very confident his players will deliver another 3 points this Saturday.
Johnstone Burgh FC v Dalbeattie Star FC
Scottish Lowland League West
Saturday 29 August 2026, kick off 3.00pm
Keanie Park, Johnstone
Admission prices: Adult £12.00/Concession £7.00
Accompanied Under 16s FREE
