11 May 2010

Exiled County fans already experts at handling precious metal

Photo opportunity: 1pm on Wednesday, May 12th at the Jewellery and Metal Design Department, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Perth Road, Dundee. Exiled Ross County fans Anne Sutherland and Maria Maclennan will be decked out in club colours just a few miles from the home of their Cup Final opponents.

Whilst everyone connected with Ross County has spent the past month dreaming of getting their hands on silverware, two exiled Staggies can already boast of some experience when it comes to dealing with precious metal.

Anne Sutherland and Maria Maclennan, both final year Jewellery and Metal Design students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University of Dundee, will be among the 15,000-strong army who travel to Hampden to back County in this Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Dundee United.

The pair will take time out from preparing their Degree Show exhibits to back their team in the biggest game in its history. Whilst the Highland town is awash with excitement, Anne and Maria have been forced to endure Cup fever from a different perspective based, as they are, in their opponents’ backyard.

Anne (22), who moved from Dingwall to study in Dundee, said she was disappointed to have missed the build up but hoped that the best was yet to come.

'I’m going to the game with my boyfriend, cousins and a few other friends,' she said. 'My boyfriend and I are travelling through from Dundee and meeting the rest there before heading up to Dingwall afterwards - hopefully to celebrate!

'There has been a lot of hype in and around the Dingwall area, with all the shops decked out in County gear and everyone talking about the game. It would have been nice to have been there to savour the atmosphere, but the big party will be after the game so I’m not too worried about missing out on much just now.

'I was a very keen supporter when I was younger and used to go every Saturday with my cousin but haven’t been able to go regularly since I came to University. I’ve got my old strips and scarves looked out though, and can’t wait for the game.'

Maria (21), originally from Muir of Ord, said she will be attending the game with friends who hail from Dingwall but who are now studying in either Dundee or Edinburgh.

'I don’t actually know anyone from back home who isn’t going to the game - even my mum is going,' she said. 'I’ve never been a regular attendee at matches but I do feel strongly that everyone should support their local team.

'I’ve never seen any game as exciting as when County pounded Celtic. I went to the local pub that night and it was chaos! I’ve been getting a bit of stick down here over the past few weeks and have become very defensive of County as a result.

'I wish I was up in the Highlands to savour the build up before the match but, unfortunately, I have the build-up to my Degree Show to savour instead!'

And are the two former Dingwall Academy pupils confident of success? 'Of course,' says Anne. 'Come on the Staggies!' 'Hell yeah!', adds Maria.

Despite their proximity to United’s home, the exiled County fans will be proudly showing off their club colours at their Jewellery workshop on Wednesday, May 12th from 1pm.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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