Head coach says title win would be 'massive' for Dunbar

The Hallhill side are locked at the top of East Region League Division Two with Penicuik, who they face on Saturday.

The three-horse race also involves Dalkeith, who sit seven points adrift but with two games in hand over their rivals.

Damian Jones, who took on the head coach role at Dunbar at the beginning of the season, stressed that nothing would be decided this weekend but acknowledged that victory would be a step in the right direction.

He said: “It would be massive.

“I think all of the guys have a huge amount of heart and, to be honest, there is a lot of talent within the squad, which deserves to be playing at the highest level possible.

“The important thing is they want to do that with Dunbar.

“The passion from the boys for the club and community is there to be seen.

Damian Jones is looking ahead to an important game against Penicuik

“There is a huge amount of pride in the badge they wear every Saturday.

“I see the emotion the guys have within the changing room and speak with them.

“We had a team meeting at the start of the season that has translated to the way they have expressed themselves on the pitch.

“If we manage to get over the line and get promoted, you will see an outpouring of emotion from everybody on the pitch.

“They are desperate to play at a higher level with Dunbar.”

Fellow promotion contenders Dalkeith face a double-header against Duns over the next two weeks before the Midlothian side welcome Dunbar at the end of March.

Dunbar RFC (green and white) are getting ready for a massive game tomorrow (Saturday) (Image: Newsquest)

Looking ahead to the Penicuik game, Jones, who lives just outside Coldstream, was keen to keep it in the context of the season and stressed that nothing would be decided on the day.

He told Courier Sport: “I think it is going to be a very exciting, open game.

“Everyone is going to be wanting to put the ball through hands, if weather allows it.

“They are very good at finding space available on the pitch.

“It will be an exciting one for the spectators.”

Regardless of what happens over the coming months, it marks a remarkable turnaround for Dunbar.

The club won just two of their 12 games in the division last season and finished second bottom of the pile.

Now, they are firmly in the hunt for a league title.

Jones, who previously coached under-18s at Haddington, was full of praise for everyone involved.

He said: “The guys have worked really hard.

“Obviously, that is reflected by where we are sitting in the league.

“It just shows there has been a good turnaround in fortunes from last season.

“All the guys have bought into the targets we set as a group at the start of the season.

“They have worked really, really hard to get to this point.”