The Highland football team hoping to be the UK's most northerly professional club

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The Highland football team hoping to be the UK's most northerly professional club4 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleChris MacLennan , Scotland, BroraandSteven McKenzie ,Highlands and islands reporterBBCBrora Rangers' director Mary Stewart grew up on a street behind Dudgeon ParkA part-time village football club is potentially one game away from joining Scotland's national professional leagues. Highland League champions Brora Rangers FC is in a play-off against Edinburgh City for a place in League Two. The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in Brora and are now preparing for a final showdown in the capital on Saturday.

"It would be amazing to get into the second division - this is making history for Brora," said club director Mary Stewart, who grew on a street behind the team's Dudgeon Park ground. If Brora Rangers win the play-off, they would become the most northerly team in UK professional football. More stories from the Highlands and IslandsNews from the Highlands and Islands on SoundsBrora, about 50 miles (80km) north of Inverness, is a community of about 1,200 people on the North Coast 500 tourist route.

The Details

In the 1900s, Brora was the first place north of Inverness to have electricity, leading its residents to nickname their home Electric City. And it was the site of the UK's most northerly deep coal mine, before the last shafts closed in the 1970s. The village football team was founded in 1879 and joined the Highland League in 1962.

The club has made Scottish footballing history in the past - including knocking Hearts out of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 win in the second round of the competition in 2021. It also competed for promotion to League Two in 2015, but narrowly lost out to Montrose. SNSBrora has a population of about 1,200 peopleMary Stewart believes her beloved club is on the brink of joining the big leagues.

"We've had a lot of good times over the years, but this would top it all," she said. "I think we've got the quality in the squad, we've got a fantastic management and coaching team. "She added: "It would be great to have all these new people come up and see what we've got to offer.

What Experts Say

"'There will be tears'Struan Gunn broke a finger celebrating Brora's goal last SaturdayResidents of Brora said excitement was building ahead of the weekend's crunch match. But life-long fan Struan Gunn was left with a painful reminder of last Saturday's 1-1 draw. The 35-year-old broke a finger celebrating Brora Rangers' opening goal.

"I got a little bit excited and ended up having to go to hospital," said Gunn. He said securing promotion would be a dream come true. "It will bring in a lot of income and for younger people playing football it would be a stepping stone for them as well," he said.

"I watched Brora since I was tiny, and was going to games where we were losing five, six-nil, and now we're potentially going into the Scottish leagues. "Asked how he would celebrate a win over Edinburgh City, he said: "There will be tears.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.