‘Close to immortality’: Arbroath’s part-timers chase Premiership dream

Led by colourful manager Dick Campbell, the Red Lichties have climbed from the fourth tier to the verge of Scotland’s top flight

DELIGHT: Arbroath's James Craigen (right) celebrates making it 1-0 against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last month. Pic: Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)

In a quiet corner of Scotland’s east coast, a modern football fairytale is being written. Arbroath FC, the Scottish Championship’s only part-time club, are in the promotion play-offs after finishing as runners-up in the second tier. “We’re so close to immortality,” their manager, Dick Campbell, tells me. “Nobody else will ever do this.” 

Campbell is a hardened veteran of Scotland’s lower leagues, having coached more than 1,000 games across three decades. Now, just four matches stand between his side and the Premiership, starting with the first leg of their semi-final at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday night. Win that tie, and the 11th-placed side in the top flight – probably St Johnstone – awaits in the two-legged final.