CHURCH of Scotland Deacon Bill Wishart has spoken about how he became Tranent Juniors’ chaplain and unofficial photographer.

Mr Wishart, 51, who joined the club last November in the chaplaincy role, said he turned to photography after attending his first game and discovering no one had a camera.

He said: “When I went to the training day for football chaplains at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Mark Fleming of Sports Chaplaincy Scotland advised us to try and find a job or a role at our club that would help us fit in quicker while helping the club out a bit.

“I decided that I would bring my camera to the next game and then uploaded all the pictures onto Facebook.

“At first the reception was mooted, people enjoyed the pictures and I got some nice comments, but the whole situation changed very quickly when Tranent went on two of its best cup runs for decades.

“Suddenly, almost without realising it we had reached the quarter-finals of the Fife and Lothians Cup and the East of Scotland Cup, last won by Tranent in 1979.

“My photos were beginning to tell the story of how history was being made.”

The club went on to win both cups.

Mr Wishart, who is based at Gladsmuir Church, paid tribute to the club.

He said: “It truly is a fantastic place with a real community ethos and I’m proud to be the chaplain of the Juniors and its parent organisation the Tranent and District Community Football Club, which encompasses over 70 teams including a newly formed para-football team.

“Whilst I can’t guarantee that every new chaplain will see their team win a historic cup double in their first season, I can guarantee an experience that is right up there with the best. I look forward to a continued association with Tranent Juniors and, for as long as we’re needed, my camera and I will try to capture the magic.”