Champs County are Twitter sensation!
SOCIAL networking site Twitter struggled to keep up with the wildfire spread of messages welcoming Ross County FC to the top flight of Scottish football.
The Ross-shire side won the First Division title on Tuesday night in the surreal circumstances of not having to kick a ball – and then saw the club name trending worldwide on Twitter a matter of minutes later.
When basement battlers Queen of the South levelled with second-placed Dundee minutes from the final whistle of their Dens Park tie, it was the cue for scenes of wild celebration around the world – for those with Ross County FC close to their hearts, at least.
The result meant Dundee – the only side with even a mathematical hope of catching runaway leaders County – had blown the opportunity and handed it to the Ross-shire side on a plate.
With County’s next footballing fixture almost 24 hours away at Ayr on Wednesday night, cyberspace became the natural forum for shared celebration of a remarkable success story.
And an online campaign to have April 10 declared an unofficial local holiday was also gathering momentum.
Club captain Richard Brittain tweeted: “To all the fans of Ross County FC, we are champions!!!! Big thanks to all for the backing this season - the boys are grateful for it.”
He added: “What a feeling to be champions, absolutely unbelievable feeling!”
Paul Lawson stated, tongue in cheek: “Yaaaaaass, coupon up tonight :) Oh, and in other news, we've won the league.”
Rocco Quinn wrote: “Massive thank you for all your messages!! Been an amazing season! Thank you for all your support!”
Gary Miller noted: “1 Staggie is equal to 1,000 other supporters!!”
BBC sports presenter Rob MacLean stated: “County cruise to promotion. Top achievement. Really chuffed. Heading for Ayr tomorrow night.”
Football writer Graham Spiers stated: “I'm chuffed to bits for Ross County. Let me at that A9, the Highlands, the Black Isle. A fantastic football story.”
Journal contributor Alasdair Fraser noted: “Derek Adams as calm and sober as ever leaving Dens tonight, but suppose that's why he's won two titles, a cup and reached a Scottish Cup final.”
In a tongue-in-cheek tweet to Her Majesty the Queen, JailEnder superfan, Alan Ross, asked: “Any chance of making April 10 an annual holiday for us Ross County fans! And can we get a Knighthood for Derek Adams?”
Writer on the great outdoors, Cameron McNeish chipped in with: “Congratulations to Ross County for winning Scottish Div 1. Two Highland teams in next season's Scottish Premier League. Fantastic.”
Muir McDonald tweeted: “Congratulations to Ross County! Looking forward to a party in Ayr tomorrow night!”
Luke Manson wrote: “Staggies! What a season! Dingwall is going to be bouncing on Saturday!”
Doug Kennedy: “Unstoppable, uncatchable, unbelievable."
Pick up a copy of this week’s Ross-shire Journal for reaction to Ross County’s achievement as the dust settles and the latest as the pride of Ross-shire look ahead to taking the next step.
