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I played East Stirling for many seasons when I took on the Sir Alex Ferguson challenge. I had toyed with the idea of coming back to them, but this is the first time that I have since that story (Wind on the Canal). As BobBev said in one of his- time to start a new one (finally ) This is my first FM2006 story as well.- MD
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Quote:
Troubled East Stirling Names Lolich to Lead
In a surprise announcement, East Stirling has chosen unknown 30 year old Mick Lolich to become their new Manager. Lolich, who had been out of football for two seasons after a moderately successful career in the English Conference North, wasn't even mentioned among possible candidates to manage 'The Shire' when discussed with the press two weeks ago. Lolich's terse comments indicated that he is dedicated to improving the club and hopes to instill a disciplined system of play.
9.7.05
Well, I am here. I didn't expect to be here, but it certainly was a great opportunity for someone newly badged, but with no managerial experience (and besides it was the only offer I had). The Board confided in me that their expectations are fairly low. They would just like to see me build up the club this season. With them able to offer no transfer funds and a pretty miniscule weekly wage budget- I guess that isn't too surprising. Still, if we can suprise people and make them take us seriously- that would be a worthy accomplishment for the season. I will have to get some additional staff on board and will have to scour the free transfer list for some immediately available talent- this club is woeful in many ways- but though daunting, I am keenly looking forward to the task.
9.7.05
It was a little daunting to have a friendly on my first day here, but we played acceptably in losing to Dumbarton 1-0. The squad here may lack talent, but they showed a bit of heart today and that is always a great thing to see from any side.
11.7.05
We signed our first three free transfers today and I am excited about adding them. 24 year old SC James Flood, 27 year old AM/FRC Dave McEwen and 22 year old DM Andy Ross were all pleased to join us with the promise of playing time.
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14.7.05
Many additions were finalized today. Signed off the free transfer list were 24 year old D/DMRLC Carl Laurie, 22 year old MC Ross O'Donoghue, 24 year old DC Paul Moss and 18 year old DC Chris Robertson. All were excellent additions and should be in our starting lineup when the season begins. Also joining us today were 20 year old ML Kevin Howe (free transfer purchase from Livingston) and 20 year old WB/AMRL Stuart McGrady (free transfer from Queen of the South).
Staff wise we have added scouts Bob Pearson and Steve Ingham to work with Billy Gibson. Supporting Assistant Manager Gordon Wylde will be Coaches Brian Parkin and Gary Himsworth.
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16.7.05
We lost to Boston United 3-2 in a wild friendly at Firs Park. I was happy to see us score, but defense was a bit lost and keeper Aaron Gillespie was a bit disappointing. I likely will make finding another keeper a priority as 39 year old Derek Jackson isn't suited for extensive play.
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19.7.05
I was able to obtain another keeper today and it was one I really like (especially since it was a free transfer from Brechin that brought him). 21 year old Steven van der Deyl has a lot of promise and was happy to come here (something that wasn't true of two other keepers I had discussed contracts with). He will likely start over Gillespie.
Thanks glamdring (my fellow lotr afficianado)- sorry, I meant to welcome you back- glad to have you back among us
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21.7.05
Another friendly loss as we fell to Airdrie 3-1. They handily beat us in this match and we looked a bit lost at times. We are still trying to gel all the new players and work into the 442 system I want us to play.
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25.7.05
Northern Irish side Institute defeated us 2-0 in a match where we played better, but had little to show for doing so. Still, it was encouraging to see at least some improvement in the match. This was our last friendly and we still don't look all that ready to start the season.
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27.7.05
We signed two more off free transfer. 24 year old MC Mark Batty has a lot of qualities that should help us in the midfield and he will likely move directly into a starting role. 23 year old SC Steve McDonald had just been released by Accrington and my scouts were all over me with suggestions to sign him. McDonald adds a left footed forward- something we didn't have- and he certainly appears to have some talent, so should be a worthy addition up front.
29.7.05
Our starting lineup against Dumbarton in our trip to face them in the 1st round of the Challenge Cup will be:
GK- Steven van der Deyl
DR- Mark Tyrrel
DL- Carl Laurie
DC- Paul Moss
DC- Paul Gaughan
MR- Dave McEwen
ML- Kevin Howe
MC- Ross O'Donoghue
MC- Mark Batty
SC- James Flood
SC- Derek Ure
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30.7.05 Dumbarton (1) East Stirlingshire (1) Challenge Cup-1st Round- Dumbarton advances on penalties
We gave it a good effort and outplayed Dumbarton for stretches of the match. James Flood scored in the first half to give us the lead off a nice pass from MOM Mark Batty. We gave away the lead when Paul Moss headed past Steven van der Deyl midway through the second half to even things at 1-1. It stayed there all the way through extra-time, despite the home side losing Mark Dempsie to his 2nd yellow card at 83 minutes. We failed miserably in the penalty shoot=out and they escaped with a close win.
Going back can be a lottery, especially to a club where you've had enjoyment in the past. Good luck though, bright and breezy start as usual although where you find the time to write all this! You must live in a 48 hour a day reality
Thanks PM You're very right about it being a lottery to play a club you have fond memories for- but in this case my time with East Stirling was 4 versions of CM/FM ago- so I didn't mind another try, even if it didn't work out quite as well as the first one. No 48 hour reality here- just that I have played some stories further ahead of posting and then play others in the meantime
6.8.05 East Stirling (1) Montrose (0)
Our fans (and Board too) were overjoyed when we stunned favored Montrose to win our home opener 1-0. The lone goal in the match came in first half injury time when leftback Mark Gourlay sent a cross into the six-yard box and James Flood flicked it past Andrew Reid into the upper right corner of the net. They pressed us hard in the second half, but Steven van der Deyl earned his clean sheet with fine work in the net as we hung on for a pleasing victory.
12-10-2005, 06:55 PM
Scottish Reprise- Return to East Stirling Post #10
9.8.05 East Stirling (2) Ross County (4) League Cup 1st Round
It was a stunner to both our fans and myself when we grabbed a 2-0 lead on heavily favored Division 1 side Ross County at the midway point of the first half. 38 year old Ally Graham started us out when he took a fine pass from Andy Brand and slipped his shot past Stuart Garden. We moved ahead 2-0 when Derek Ure finished off a fine tic-tac-toe passing sequence by driving the ball past Garden. Our bubble burst quickly though as Ross County exploited our backline in fighting back to even the match at 2-2 on goals from John Rankin and Sean Higgins. Higgins goal was impressive as he knifed his past two defenders on the dribble before scoring. Higgins again escaped our efforts to mark him and flicked a header past Aaron Gillespie to allow them to lead 3-2 into the dressing room. We tried to rally, but they had too much quality for us and Maciej Nuckowski flicked another header past Gillespie to cement their comeback win at Firs Park. To be honest, this was a Tuesday match after our stirring win over Montrose and I was forced to play our 2nd line players in this match, and this clearly effected us as they fought back.
Scottish Reprise- Return to East Stirling 
) This is my first FM2006 story as well.- MD
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