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"We understand the position of the club and there is no false expectation of instant success. The books seem to believe we are the 9th best club in Division 3 going in, and the way we played last season, they have a right to view us that way. I believe we are better than that, or rather, we can become better than that," flatly stated East Fife Chairman William Gray.
I just nodded my head as there didn't seem anything to contradict in his statement.
"Lewis, that is why I want you to take over as Manager. I know the press are sneering at your credentials, but I really believe you can do this job."
"Thank you for your confidence Mr. Gray. I would be a fool to not accept your offer- and I am not a fool."
Gray nodded his head with curt acceptance.
"The club is yours then. We really have little money to spend on transfers and such, so I won't make promises. The Board's weekly wage budget is 5,400 a week and we are currently paying out 4,300 a week- so there is a little room to add a few players. Welcome to East Fife Mr. Grayling."
I don't imagine my smile was too small. I never expected to get a Managing opportunity anywhere in the Isles after my little to-do with the TV reporter after a difficult match in Eastborne Boro. Still, forgiveness is divine and instead of being a Youth Manager, now I have control of a club. The expectations are minimal here- at East Fife, but I really believe this club can be made to be better than everyone expects.
30.6.06
A horrible start left us behind 4-0 at the halfway point of the first half when hosting Brechin in our first friendly. Nothing went right, but our poor backline tackling left me considering my bad feelings that our backline isn't good enough. I do have to credit our effort in the match as we scored three goals to get back close and just missed an equalizer late in the match.
***
1.7.06
The new staff members joining the club are:
David Gemmell- Assistant Manager
Gordon Scott- First Team Coach
Willie Irvine- Youth Coach
John Harvey- Scout
***
2.7.06
"You weren't kidding when you said you were planning on adding players," offered David Gemmell.
"I think we need the depth and frankly some of these players are going to replace players already here," replied Grayling.
"It will take us awhile to gel, but I am sure you know that."
"I do. I don't have any illusions that it won't be problematic for a bit- but I am convinced this is the best way to improve the club. Here are the quick summaries for the PR department:"
***
Denis Boyle 25 year old Irish MC- Out of football for several seasons- known to have been tutored by current East Fife manager when coming up as a youth player.
Iain Vigurs 18 year old DL,ML- played for Elgin last season- likely to see time up and down the left side for East Fife.
Chibuzor Chilaka 19 year old DR/C,WBR- played for Hinckley last season- likely to see time both in the middle and rightback.
Sami El-Abd 18 year old DL/C- played for Crawley last season- likely to see time in both middle and leftback.
Danny Black 20 year old DR/C- played for Albion Rovers last season- possible starter at rightback.
Danny Ogunmade 22 year old WBL,AML- out of football last season- last played for Bellshill and Stenhousemuir- will play most anyplace up and down the left side of the pitch.
Gavin Holligan 26 year old SC- out of football last couple seasons- last played for Havant & W- known to current East Fife manager and will be in the forward rotation.
Ian Tillson 23 year old AM/FC- out of football last several seasons- known to current East Fife manager- versatile Irish forward who could fill one of several roles for the club.
Christopher Gilligan 19 year old ML/C- out of football last couple seasons- last played for Hartlepool youth program- likely to be in mix for center midfield rotation.
Harvey Bussell 16 year old AML- out of football last couple seasons- last played for Stafford Town- expected to be on the development side.
Michael Hilton 16 year old GK- played for York youth program until released at end of last season- will work on the development side.
Paul Martin 20 year old DC- played for Tranmere youth program until released at end of last season- left footed defender possible starter in central defense.
Andrew Duffy 21 year old AMLC- played for Dundalk last season- highly sought after Irish winger who will likely start at leftwing.
Stephen TUlloch 18 year old DL,ML- played for Raith last season- Scot youngster will see playing time at both positions.
Ricky Cathcart 23 year old DC- played for Ballinamallard United and Ards last season- Northern Irish player likely to work in our rotation at center defense.
John Sutton 18 year old DC- signed first pro contract with us- will play in our rotation in center defense.
James Evans 17 year old GK- highly sought after Keeper may get a chance to start some Senior side matches this season.
Tony Ord 14 year old AM/FC- signed a youth contract and will play on developmental squad.
Eddie McAvoy 14 year old DC- hulking Irish youth signed a youth contract and will play on developmental squad.
Rodney Grant 15 year old SC- Irish youth signed a youth contract and will play on developmental squad.
Derek Harrington 15 year old DL,WBL,AML- Irish youth signed a youth contract and will play on developmental squad.
***
"Quite a list of new additions there," commented Gemmell. "Developmental squad?"
"Under-19s," grinned Grayling.
"Things will be a little topsy-turvy for awhile with all these new players."
"Yes, I am certain they will be. With all these new additions, we are right at the Board's budgeted weekly wages of 5,900 a week- so if possible, I will be trying to find some players who were here before I took over new homes."
"It wasn't pretty," agreed Grayling. "Still, the Referee did us no favours by handing Celtic Reserves two penalty kicks in the first 15 minutes. He made it pretty clear it was a 'no touchee' match for us."
"Still, we lost 6-0 because our backline absolutely could not make tackles to start out."
"True, and James Evans looked more than a little lost in goal today. I still saw a few hopeful signs- but it was not much fun being on the losing end of that train wreck."
***
10.7.06
"Much better effort and performance," stated Grayling.
"There was a lot more to like," agreed Gemmell.
"We could have won the match, but a 1-1 draw at Workington is an acceptable result- given our first two friendlies."
"We managed to find a new home for Gary Kelly," commented Grayling.
"Who picked him up?" asked Gemmell.
"Larkhall Thistle took him on free transfer."
***
13.7.06
"We didn't impress our fans very much today," offered Gemmell.
"Our backline play in the first half was just horrid again today. James Evans didn't help matters by being out of position on two of the goals," replied Grayling.
"4-0 to Cardiff wasn't a good result, but we did play better in the second half."
***
13.7.06
"Neil Jablonski is on his way to Shrewsbury," announced Grayling.
"How much did we get for him?" asked Gemmell.
"5K, but it does help us on our wage budget."
***
16.7.06
"That should have been a win over Rochdale. Instead we give them an own-goal and can't mark their forwards at all in the late moments and they get a 3-3 draw," muttered Grayling.
"We did some things right. We played pretty well offensively- but our backline play remains inconsistent," agreed Gemmell.
"I have been hoping to see one of our keepers step-up, but none of them have so far."
5.8.06 East Fife (5) Arbroath (1)
East Fife- Stevie Nicholas 26,62 Andrew Duffy 31 Craig O'Reilly 41,45
Arbroath- Kevin Webster 17
MOM- Denis Boyle, East Fife
"All that work in the friendlies really paid off," grinned Grayling.
Gemmell laughed heartily, "We executed much better than in any of the friendlies. We really finished well today."
"Good passing and good defense- especially from our back line- were the keys. It was a great way to start the season."
"Nice debuts for Andrew Duffy, Craig O'Reilly and John Sutton."
"I wish O'Reilly wasn't just on season long loan- I think he will do really well in our system."
8.8.06 East Fife (0) Hamilton (1) League Cup 1st Round
East Fife- None
Hamilton- David Winters 10
MOM- David Elebert, Hamilton
"We lost because the Referee and his Assistant couldn't stir themselves to get the proper angle and realize that David Winters was well offside," muttered Grayling.
"It was a bad no-call, because he was a clear 5 yards beyond our backline when they lofted that pass to him," agreed Gemmell.
"Still, David McEwen deserves a lot of the credit for their win. He made terrific one-on-one stops on both Craig Gibson and Gavin Holligan."
"Don't forget *we* were the one who lost the goal on the offsides- at least the one they called."
Heya Dixie Well, I am pretty partial to East Stirling (I just didn't want to play them again at the moment- so I used LLM randomizer to wind up with East Fife), so no guarantees (and no prisoners...)
***
12.8.06 East Fife (3) Elgin (1)
East Fife- Stevie Nicholas 4 Graham Gibson 76,90
Elgin- Chris Gardiner 89
MOM- Graham Gibson, East Fife
"Great effort by Graham Gibson off the bench. He showed Partick Thistle (parent club- on loan) something today," said a pleased Gemmell.
"It was a relief to see Stevie Nicholas deflect the cross from Lloyd Young past John Donegan in the opening moments," replied Grayling.
"Also some good passing by John Martin. He set up both of Gibson's goals with superb passing off the rightwing."
Fee Fife Fo Fum, I Smell the Blood... 
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