Dundonald Bluebell (Scotland)

Dundonald Bluebell FC is a Scottish football club from the town of Cardenden in Fife that was formed in 1938; originally playing Juvenile football. ‘The Bluebell’ were winners of the Scottish Juvenile Cup in 1944-45 and 1945-46.

The club turned to Junior non-league adult football in 1946; going on to enjoy a halcyon period in the 1950’s as they were crowned as Fife Junior League champions in 1951-52, 1956-57 and 1957-58. A further league title triumph followed in 1982-83. 

The Bell remained in that competition until all Fife Junior clubs becoming members of the SJFA East Region from the start of the 2002-03 season. In their new surroundings Dundonald became champions of the SJFA East Region Central Division in 2006-07 to progress to the Super League Division One.

The team went back down in 2008-09, before becoming Central Division runners-up in 2010-11 and 2011-12. Dundonald were switched to the South Division, winning back to the promotion back to the East Premier League as runners-up in 2013-14. The team also enjoyed a fine run in the Scottish Junior Cup; reaching the last eight before going out to eventual winners Hurlford United.

A further promotion followed in 2016-17 as the Bell finished as runners-up in the East Region Premier League to reach the East Superleague at their Moorside Park home. Successful manager Craig Morrison moved on to be replaced by Stevie Kay.

In 2018 Bluebell followed many other East Junior clubs by successfully applying to be become members of the SFA East of Scotland Football League for the 2018-19 season. The side finished fourth in Conference B to secure a position in the Premier Division for 2019-20.

Their performance in Conference B in 2018-19 saw Bluebell placed in the Premier Division the following season under manager Jason Dair. Kevin Fotheringham took over as manager in the summer of 2019 as the club became full members of the Scottish FA to enable them to play in the Scottish Cup for the first time. 

Stephen Husband was appointed as manager in June 2022 with the side consistently finishing in midtable before being relegated in 2023-24. A fifth place First Division finish ensued in 2024-25 before former manager Dair returned for a second spell in charge.

Dundonald Bluebell FC will play in the East of Scotland League Division One in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Saturday 25th January 2020

I’d originally marked down my visit to Moorside Park for the previous afternoon after calling in at nearby Thornton Hibs, but a combination of tiredness and fading light meant putting it off until Saturday before my live action.

I’d already called in at Kelty Hearts, Crossgates Primrose and then Hill of Beath Hawthorn, from where I walked to the Allan Park bus stop to shelter out of the cold wind before boarding the number 33 service heading towards Kirkcaldy.

Alighting at the Cardenden Road stop it was then a ten minute walk past Cardenden railway station and then up the steep hill of Main Road, past the Village Inn pub and along Dundonald Park.

I could hear voices over the fence as I approached the ground behind a goal. The path took me round to the open entrance. The management and committee had met up and were getting ready to head off to their afternoon game away to Penicuik.

They were fine with me having a look around for my photos, mentioning I’d timed my visit just right as they would be away shortly. I was glad to gain access to what was a very decent venue.

The main facilities were all down the entrance side, with a clubhouse and stand in front of the changing rooms. A raised bit of open terracing was further up the touchline, which I believed once had a cover over it.

On the far side of the pitch there was a small cover on the halfway line between and behind the sub benches. The pitch was enclosed by a bit of grass banking on its open sides. Floodlights had been installed as a result of the clubs move to the Scottish FA set up.

As I was leaving the ground the players began turning up for their coach ride. I had a nice brief chat with a committee man who was interested where I’d been. He raised a wry smile at the mention of Kelty. “Ahh the millionaires” he commented!

My next bus wasn’t due for a while, so I took a nice walk back into Cardenden, which seemed a pleasant enough place before jumping on the bus to Lochgelly to beat Google Maps advice to reach the ground of Lochore Welfare.