retired_bxterror29

Afternoon Monday 3rd July 2006.

Back in our respective offices I noted that it was just gone four in the afternoon. I reflected upon how time flew when you were enjoying yourself. I adjourned to the bathroom and splashed some water in my face welcoming the refreshed feeling.

As I finished Allison walked through and informed me that as I was having my ‘discussion’ with Stevie she had received a couple of calls one each from Jim Smyth and Carl Radcliffe. I asked her to return the calls and put them through to me.

Carl was first on the line. I had developed a friendship with Carl throughout my term at Irvine and I knew him to be a good scout. He was particularly good at spotting young players with good potential and this was the role I envisaged him carrying out for us.

I explained what I wanted from him and my difficulties this week which he made little of and agreed to come up next week and “have a look at the set up”.

Jim was next on the line.

“Hello Jim,” I said “where have you been hiding?” “We have been trying to contact you for days.”

“I was doing a spot of fishing on the Tweed and, because the ring disturbs the fish, I normally have the thing switched off.”

“You and your bloody fishing.”

Like Carl my relationship with Jim stemmed from my time at Irvine. He was not only a keen fisherman but had a good eye for players with ability who could slot into a clubs team with no ripples whatsoever.

He also agreed to visit the following week and give us the once-over.

When I had completed the calls I buzzed Allison and asked her to make the necessary arrangements for Jim and Carl. I added that as Jim had finished fishing he would be much easier to get a hold of. That raised a “Huh?”

I went back to my computer and my football sites and perused them for a couple of hours making copious notes but with no calls to any agents.

As Monday night was a training night I dismissed Allison and made my way down to the dressing rooms where I chatted to such staff and players as had arrived.

By seven everybody was on the pitch running through different drills with each coach. I allowed the coaches to do their own thing for about 45 minutes then calling everybody together I separated them into my ‘two piles separated by age’. I then got them to play a game against each other, 15 minutes each way, allocated coaches to each group and asked them to try and ensure everybody a piece of the action.

As I watched I began to put names to most of the players. Paul Irvine was indeed the impressive goalkeeper but he was running on potential and not honed and accomplished skills. I suspected an older more experienced keeper would have to be signed but Irvine, provided he progressed as I thought he would, could be our main keeper next season.

Central defence looked to be a choice of any two from three with Craig Cairns, although the weakest tackler and marker leading the way purely on age, followed by two sixteen year olds in Jon Paul Bain and Jon MacLeod. Again an area crying out for a more experienced head and talent.

Both full back positions were no contest for Mark Walker on the right and Mark Donald at left back. Potential backup did exist in the Under19 squad but that was all potential with no instant replacement in the event of injury. A good man capable of playing both sides could well be a good investment here.

Central midfield had me spoiled for choice. The leading candidates were Ross Ferguson, Brian Cameron, Sean Cheyne and Alex McMullan. Joe Clark, Allan Henderson, Brian Kelly and Chris Stevenson looked to have the potential to step up provided they worked hard at their game.

Left midfield I already know about.

My speedy right winger from the Rangers game turned out to Allan McMillan but he did not particularly impress this evening. Speaking to the coaches they reckoned that he simply ‘played out of his skin’ on Saturday. His senior squad back up Rod Wallace did not impress me at all and the Under 19 relief was Michael Weir who was all potential and nowhere near good enough to hold down a first team berth. It appears that I am looking for a right winger as well as a left.

My striking options were limited. Dave Burrell looked the most dangerous and indeed it was he that headed our opening goal on the Saturday. Marlon Thomas Burrell’s partner in the second half looked to be an average Scottish Third Division striker, which did not say a lot for him. Any under 19 back ups were simply there in name only. Only one, Neal McManus, showed me any potential but fruition was a very long way off. It looked as though I needed to add a striker to an ever growing list.

Once the game and the training were over, I allowed the players to disperse to the showers and spoke to the staff before they too went off.

I announced that the main training evenings would be Monday and Wednesday with Friday earmarked for either travel to a match or light training. Pre-match Saturday mornings would be light training/warm up and team selection – home or away. Sundays would be a post match injury treatment day.

Anyone wishing to train outside of those hours would be welcome to do so.

I also arranged a regular Coaches Meeting to take place on the Friday before the Monthly Board Meeting. Hopefully this would be in the afternoons but would depend upon any work commitments any of the coaches had. Failing that it would take place after the evening training session.

Nobody had any comments or contributions to make so we all went our separate ways.

I returned to my office and untangled my mental notes into some sort of sensible list. I was looking for a Goalkeeper, a Central Defender, a Right Midfielder and a Striker and all of them should be experienced players. A good full back capable of playing on either side would also be handy. A hard ask for a club of Montrose’s calibre.

So back to trawling the net.

I was almost midnight by the time I got to the hotel.


Tuesday 4th July 2006.

In spite of my late hour the previous night I awoke feeling refreshed, breakfasted, and hit the office by eight,

Allison was already present and not having any business for me seemed content to chat socially for a few minutes.

Eventually I entered my office and was back on the computer looking for players.

After a couple of hours or so I had accumulated a list of about a dozen potential candidates, fortunately at least one for every position I was looking to fill. I knew that there was a great distance between having a list of players and having them on the field of play. All I could do was go through the motions and see what happened.

As I was preparing the list to pass on to Allison she buzzed me with the news that Dean Jones was on the line. I had him wait while I passed the list on to Allison asking her to contact their respective agents.

“Hello Dean thanks for ringing back.”

“Well that is good news Dean,” “I’ll pass you back to Allison and the two of you can arrange the details of your visit for next week.” “Thanks again mate.”

With that I handed Dean, now committed to a visit next week, to Allison.

I sat back and was thinking that it was coffee time when Allison entered with a cup of the wonder brew in her hand.

“God you must be a mind reader,” I said which rated a smile.

“Not knowing how much time you expect to spend with the new potential staff members and the player and his agent I am slowly filling your diary for next week with each of them pencilled in for a full, but separate, day with you.”

“If you want to see any more agents/players next week I will have to start doubling up on appointments, either that or break into the following week.”

“No keep it all in next weeks slot if you can.” “The quicker I can get those players on our books the better.”

“Do you know if Ryan and/or Garry are here today?”

“Yes they are both here now in Ryan’s office.”

“Good see if you can get me in with them at their convenience.”

Tuesday 4th July 2006.

At their convenience turned out to be after lunch at two o’clock which by then suited me fine as I was fielding several calls from agents regarding the players on my list. So far I had only two knock backs but at least I still had viable alternatives on there.

Lunch in the club lounge at a two seat table again was a very welcome break even although Allison was still handling assorted phone calls. Everything was postponed until “after three at the earliest” which allowed me a good hour with Ryan and Garry. Hopefully my business would not take that long.

After an initial social chat with Ryan and Garry, Ryan indicated that it was time to get down to business.

"I think we are all aware that in spite of the recent silence we still have a mole within our organisation.” “I have an idea as to how we might flush him or her out but that will take a long time if it is successful at all."

"As you know I invited Charlie Anderson publicly at the extraordinary meeting and followed that up privately by telephone to come in and see me." "Neither invitation has so far been acknowledged let alone accepted or refused." "It seems that Mr Anderson, sole sports reporter on the town’s largest newspaper is far too busy to talk to the town’s largest and most important football club." "It just doesn’t make sense." "What I propose in order to hopefully bring him to his senses is to freeze out him and his newspaper." "Press releases will still go to everybody else but not to Montrose Today.” “He, or his bosses, will soon get the message.”

Garry replied first. “I don’t know Jim.” “The press local or otherwise can be a very nasty enemy and I am reluctant to pick a fight with them.” “Ryan?”

“Well while I agree with what you say Garry I also agree with Jim that somehow we have got to get this guy to talk to us without us going to him cap in hand or grovelling at his feet.” “Not that I think you ever would Jim.” “Are we liable to be releasing anything of importance in the immediate future?”

“Well Chairman that kind of crosses over on to my second request but for the moment let’s just stick with this chestnut.” “I am hopeful of announcing a few signings next week; both coaching and playing staff and any local paper worth its salt would be reluctant to miss out on that kind of news.”

“OK Jim I agree that we have to do something but whether that is freezing them out or not remains to be seen.” “Let’s contemplate any alternatives.”

Silence reigned as we contemplated the problem.

Garry was first to break the silence. “Let’s see what we have here.” “We have Today and The Globe both local daily’s with Today having the largest circulation.” “We also have a couple of freebies one weekly and the other bi-weekly.” “Suppose we make our press releases as normal to all nationals and all locals but we delay Today’s until after the weekly freebie has published the story or at least until The Globe hits the streets?” “This would take careful timing of the release but I’m sure our Press Office can handle that.” “It might mean holding on to the odd story for a day or so but again that is not an insurmountable problem.”

“Garry I like that idea.” “As Chairman I authorise you to set it up with the press people that way if anybody wants to fire any bullets they will be aiming at me and I’m pretty thick skinned.”

“Let the new system run until the beginning of the season proper or until Anderson appears in Jim’s office whichever is the sooner.” “If he hasn’t appeared by then we can review the situation.”

“Right that’s settled that.” “Your other problem Jim?”

“It concerns the same possibility of signings in the next week or so and their contracts.” “As things stand I should point whoever towards the Director of Football when it comes to matters of their contract.” “After our little tiff yesterday, his obvious unhappiness at his perceived change of duties, and his stated intention to take legal advice I have an issue of trust.” “Under those circumstances I have to question his loyalty to the club and whether we can expect his best efforts in the cause.”

“Ouch! Your still not pulling your punches are you Jim.” “I can however see where you are coming from.” “I think under the circumstances I too would have doubts in trusting the drawing up of contracts to a man very unhappy with the club and his current lot.”

Another long silence prevailed while Ryan gathered his thoughts.

“Very well, somewhat reluctantly because I have no wish to aggravate an already tense situation, I see no alternative but to appoint another Director to be in charge of Football related contracts.” “While you are the obvious choice Garry because I think the football contracts would nestle alongside your administration contracts I have no wish to add to your already cumbersome load.”

”I think that Dave McMillan could quite easily handle this.” “I’ll have a word with him later but, unless you hear anything to the contrary Jim, he is your man.”

I thanked them both for hearing me out, apologised for causing problems, and left for my office. I was thankful to have such strong support from the Board but I realised that the time was fast approaching when I would have to repay that support in spades. The honeymoon period was nearing its end.

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retired_bxterror29

Tuesday 4th July 2006.

Back in my office it was a case of cementing the ear to the telephone and listening to agent speak. At least I got no more knock backs with the majority seeming to be professional enough to accept the level that their clients were at and to appreciate that an offer from a Scottish Third Division club was about as good as it was going to get.

None of them saw fit to do a Georgina and make an offer for my services. Perhaps I was not such a desirable property as she thought I was.

After my last call I leant back in the chair and stared sightlessly at the ceiling. I was mentally drained. I heard Allison come in and gratefully I accepted the proffered coffee. She opened up my diary for the next week and I groaned at the total lack of free space.

“Christ you couldn’t get a couple of kisses in there could you?”

I got a giggle for that one.

“Well I’m for the hotel and a late dinner.” It was almost nine. “Do you want to join me?”

“Not I thanks – its straight home, hair wash, and a very hot bath for me.”

I bet that would be a sight to behold I thought.

“OK then Allison – I’ll see you on Saturday morning then.” “You’re in charge from now until then.” “Don’t burn the factory down.”


Wednesday 5th July 2006.

I left the hotel at six and, without breaking any speed limits hit Irvine about ten. The Astra gave me a very comfortable ride and had enough under the bonnet to get you out of trouble if needs be. I drove straight round to the nearest greasy spoon to my flat and tucked into a welcome hearty breakfast. Greasy spoon it may have been but it was cheap and cheerful, clean and tidy, and served good freshly cooked food. I was well satisfied.

Two minutes to my flat and 30seconds to dump the junk mail into a black sack and I was ready to start.

I started at my computer by downloading onto disc all my football related programmes. Those discs were put into a storage wallet and that placed on the hallway table. They were going with me.

I stripped out the computer and put the components onto the dining room table. That would be the hotel destination.

I then checked through my desk drawers discarding most but adding to the hallway pile such items as passport, birth certificate etc.

A quick stop in the kitchen revealed that in spite of being in the fridge the milk had long gone so I made do with coffee mate powder. Just as good and just as refreshing.

That took care of the kitchen.

The dining room personal items such as photographs etc. ended up on top of the bed in my spare room. The office destination.

Larger items were added to the dining room table.

The main and spare bedroom contents were even easier clothing from each was simply added to the nearest pile. A lot hit the black sack as well.

The bathroom yielded mainly toiletries most of which were unwanted Christmas Gifts so they stayed where they were. Anything else was added to the hotel pile.

The hallway cupboard contained virtually all my junk. After some consideration I added to the office pile a tool kit that had followed me around for years.

And that was it – three years, if not longer, of my life filed in about an hour and a half. The joys of a single life.

I made another coffee and sat by the telephone ringing the bank and managing by pleading urgency to get an appointment that afternoon.

Ringing my stockbrokers in Glasgow established that I might as well stick with them as I was well satisfied with their service and they had no branch nearer to Montrose than Glasgow. I left my new address and moved on.

I never was one for lingering sentimental farewells so I contented myself by ringing Irvine Meadow thanking the chairman for the opportunity he had given me and saying a quick goodbye to whoever was near a telephone at the time.

I had just completed that call when the removal van arrived. I explained the milk problem to the foreman, a big muscular beast that I wouldn’t like to argue with, but cheered him up by directing him to the Coffeemate.

While he and his gang were devouring my coffee I rang the Estate Agent who had sold me the flat three years ago. I told him I wanted it sold fairly quickly and that I would be at the Thistle if my signature was required on anything and also for him to collect the keys. I think I impressed him by not asking what he would charge me for the privilege. Like the Stockbroker he too received my Montrose address. One interesting item was his sight unseen six figure valuation.

A final call to my Solicitors notifying him of my change of address and instructing him to handle the sale and any final meter readings or bill remnants that appeared as a result and I was done.

Anything I had missed was in the past now.

I showed Mr Muscles the three piles and their destinations and said the rest was for his boss. He seemed to grasp it alright.

I told him where I would be after four o’clock in case of any problems, picked up my personal stuff from the hallway table and headed for the car and the bank.

Although I had an irritating ten minute wait the Manager I spoke to could not have been more helpful. Transferring to their local branch in Montrose was handled in minutes. He even arranged by telephone for a Bank Messenger to deliver and return a Signature Specimen Card. New cheque books, Bank Cords etc would be sent by mail to me in Montrose and everything should be in place by Friday. Existing Direct Debits, Standing Orders would be transferred with the account and although there might be a bit of upheaval he expected everything to settle by the end of the month. He did suggest retaining some 20% of my balance at the account in Irvine to cover any contingencies and he assured me that this account would be automatically transferred to the new one in Montrose in three months time. He would also take care of notifying my Credit Card Company’s of my change of address, bank details etc.

As I said a very helpful young man.

Leaving the bank I found a Bar a few doors along the High Street and went in and made myself comfortable with a pint of heavy. I sat there totally relaxed pleased to be ticking boxes without opening any others. I was really pleased with my progress today. I sat there listening to two old boys discussing the relative merits of Meadow and the Vic’s and wondered if they would ever discuss Montrose with the same passion and the club manager who used to coach at Meadow. One can dream can’t one?

I booked into the Thistle about 4.30 got settled in the room, stripped, showered then lay on the bed wrapped in the hotels dressing gown. I felt good.

I don’t remember falling asleep all I knew was that the brain was at rest and was presumably recharging its batteries before returning to Montrose. About 6.30 I finally moved myself and got dressed ready to meet my new agent.

Georgina Lucas turned out to be a smartly dressed fifty something woman, slightly overweight for her 5ft 5inch height who looked like efficiency on feet. After self introductions and some social chat I suggested dinner together which she accepted.

Dinner passed quickly although that was nothing to do with the food which was not of the same standard as that at The Links. Georgina simply was good company. Full of amusing anecdotes and many football tales some of which I had never heard before and the rest presented in a different context. After dinner we found a quietish corner in the bar and got down to business.

“OK Jim lets get the bad news out of the way.” “I will take 10% of all your cash earnings throughout the duration of our contract.” “This will predominantly be made up of your wages and, while you are at Montrose and you are in the Third or even Second Division there are unlikely to be any substantial sponsorship fees, TV appearance fees etc. etc.” “I do believe in you and honestly think that those fees will eventually start to come in.” “You do not have to do anything until such time as I do something for you so as far as your current contract is concerned that is yours and I claim no part of it.” “Provided we reach an agreement tonight I will work hard for you probably in ways you do not expect but certainly in negotiating a new deal at Montrose of you want to stay there or any other interested club.” “When I do reach agreement with the club, commercial company or TV Company my 10% will be deducted at source and paid directly to me.” “Your 90% will be paid to you directly in whichever form you want it to take.” “There is therefore nothing at any stage for you to do as everything financially will happen automatically.”

“How am I doing?”

“Pretty good so far Georgina.”

“Well that’s refreshing to hear.” “I don’t just look after you I also look after the interests of your club – but I do that through you.” “Ok most women when it comes to football are considered to be as thick as two short planks.” “I’m not – I know football Jim.” “I know the best route for developing young players and hardened professionals alike.” “If I have a player that I believe could benefit by playing for Montrose then that, subject to you approval, is where he ends up.” “You get a good player, the club is happy, you are happy and I am happy.” “What’s wrong with that?” “In addition to that agents have access to a very good grapevine.” “We will know long before any manager which Chairman is unhappy with his man, how long that man has to turn things around, and which men are on that Chairman’s mental shortlist.” “Provided I think that it is a step up that you can handle then I make sure that you get on that list.”

“Any Questions.”

“How long does the contract last?”

“Well it is not like a contract between you and a club which normally is for a set term with preset conditions that run for the term of the contract.” “OK at or near the end of that term the contract can be renegotiated with changes to the conditions incorporated into the new one.” “Our contract is not term related it just runs and runs – a rolling contract if you like but with no time limits.” “A clause within it normally sets a buy out facility for you at a cost of one year’s salary.” “This is OK if you are on a minimal wage at a non-league club but can be very expensive if you are managing Manchester United or Liverpool.” “You get the good with the bad from me Jim.”

“OK I appreciate your honesty.”

“Before we get down to the nitty gritty Georgina I could do with some free advice.”

“Shoot.”

You know why I am in Irvine don’t you?” She nodded yes. “I drove down here in a company vehicle allocated exclusively for my use as per my contract.” “I am booked in here for two nights and not expected back at work until Saturday morning.” “It now looks as though I could easily leave Irvine as early as tomorrow morning.” “I have two questions – 1 who pays for what and 2 do I go back early or just stay here?”

“Do you have a copy of your contract?”

“Yes right here.” I passed it over.

She studied it for a while then looked me straight in the eye.

“They can pay all the fuel costs.” “My advice is that you pay all the accommodation and associated costs.” “I can explain it in detail if you want but that is my advice.” “With regards to staying or returning then stay and enjoy the day off.” “It will be a long time before you get another one.”

“Right then thanks for that I’ll follow your advice.” “Any chance of negotiating your percentage?”

“What are you offering?”

“5%?”

“I’ll settle for 7.5% and that’s it – take it or leave it.”

“I think we have a deal Georgina.”

Calling over a waiter she ordered another couple of drinks and asked him if he would witness our signatures on a document. He agreed, and received a tenner for his trouble, then happily strode off to get our drinks.

I now had an agent.

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retired_bxterror29

Thursday 6th July 2006.

I was surprised to find Georgina sitting in the Dining Room when I came down for Breakfast.

Joining her it transpired that having a couple of appointments in Glasgow today she had elected to stay in Irvine rather than travel on the previous evening.

We spent a pleasant hour or so together before she sped off promising that she would be in touch before next week.

About ten the Estate Agent turned up with some forms requiring my signature and to collect the keys of the flat. Enquiring as to the condition of the flat I replied that when I left yesterday it was fully furnished and, apart from a week or so of dust was clean and tidy. I went on to explain that I also left behind a removal van complete with a full crew with instructions to pack what I needed and to strip the rest for subsequent sale in the Montrose Area. He did not seem unduly perturbed at this news only to say that he would contact me that morning if there were any problems. Other than that the only contact would be to inform me of the final sale price and any subsequent offers. He expected to have people viewing within the week.

Once he had left I confirmed with Reception that even although my booking had been made through the club I would personally settle the bill in the morning.

With all my local business now complete I was looking forward to 13 hours of doing absolutely nothing. I did not have to vacate my room until Midday tomorrow.



Friday 7th July 2006.

By leaving as late as possible and enjoying a leisurely drive on what turned out to be a pleasant sunny day I arrived at The Links about 4.30. Reception welcomed me back and informed me that ‘several small boxes’ had arrived for me that morning and as they looked to be particularly well secured offered the services of a handyman to open them, assist with any unpacking if required, and then remove the boxes and packing from my suite.

Knowing of the penchant of removal companies for screws and stainless steel bands I readily accepted the offer. After about two hours the handyman had toddled off with a pile of boxes and packing and a new Twenty Pound note in his wallet. So he was happy and I was looking at a reasonably tidy suite with only a pile of computer equipment on one living area table and a smaller pile of personal items on the desk in the same area.


Saturday 8th July 2006.

As usual Allison was at her desk awaiting my arrival and after greeting each other passed over a couple of sheets of messages received while I was away while she prepared the coffee which I duly sipped while perusing through them.

I nicked a couple of different coloured pens from her desk and worked through the sheets again. When finished I handed the sheets and the pens to Allison saying that the blue ticks I would talk to this morning but the reds could wait until Monday.

“They are mainly Managers and Coaches offering congratulations and as most of them will have matches today I doubt if they will appreciate my interrupting their preparations.”

“Very sensible Boss.”

“Yes I am aren’t I,” I replied with a grin.

We sat in silence for a few minutes finishing our coffees before I spoke again.

“Who services the Club’s computer equipment?”

“I don’t really know but I believe it is the manufacturer, Dell.”

“Well whoever it is I want to talk to them preferably this morning and before anybody else.”

“OK Jim.”

With that I entered my own office and fired up my machine.

It was only a few minutes before Allison buzzed me announcing that Dell Support were on the line.

After exchanging names I explained that I didn’t know if I was in the right place. Dell’s Engineer patiently asked me my problem/requirements and if he couldn’t help then he was sure he would know somebody within the Dell organisation who could.

I explained my situation at work and that I lived in a hotel ‘just up the road’ from work. What I wanted to do was somehow link my computer to the one in my office so that each would copy/save whatever I did on the other so that I would always be working with up to date facts rather then cart discs back and forth.

He asked for the Service Tag Number of my office machine, after he explained where to find it. I am a user not a technophobe.

I could hear his keyboard rattling away in the background.

“Well Mr Thomson I’ve got all your details on screen and your office machine is certainly capable of doing what you want with a small hardware addition and some software which we can supply.” “Now to your machine in the outside location.”

This took a bit longer but eventually we pinned down what I was running at the hotel. When he got back to me it sounded as though he was talking about the wreck of the Hesperus.

At four years old and built to a much lower specification my machine just did not have the technology required to meet my wishes.

“While we might be able to upgrade it sufficiently we could not guarantee that it would function as required in an efficient manner.” “In any event mixing different manufacturer’s components untested for compatibility within the same box is never a good idea.” “Additionally the costs of going that route would probably exceed the cost of a brand new balanced machine that we knew would work.”


I agreed to accept his recommendation that I purchase a new machine and that they would supply an engineer to install the new equipment and to test that the whole system worked as desired. I also specified that all work within the office including any equipment/software supplied would be billed to the club. Anything outside the office, including the new machine, would be billed to me.

With that we went back to my office machine to ‘note how it was set up’ in order that the new one would be the same. As we worked through the installed software I could hear him typing away.

“Mr Thomson as things stand you have no protective software or passwords installed on your machine.” “I suspect that the same will be true of your secretary.” “What this means is that anyone with access to any machine within your organisation can log on and see absolutely everything on your hard drive.”

Well I wasn’t having that. He talked me through the installation of the minimum amount of passwords, and promised that the engineer would supply and install the necessary protective software. I then passed him to Allison to do the same.

He was back in a few minutes pronouncing that both of us were as safe and secure as we could be until his engineer arrived.

Before passing me on to Sales he said that he had marked everything, including my sales order, as Urgent thus ensuring speedy attention and the completion of the work in the following week.

I then proceeded to place my order. This took a bit longer as there were various options to upgrade the supplied hardware and software.

Eventually I ended up with a Duel Core RAID System with enough storage and memory to handle the National Archives. Whatever that system was it was setting me back a little under £5000.

My credit card had really taken a pounding over the past few days but it would be worth it in the long run.

Remembering my contract discussions with Ryan it certainly looked as though I was settling in for a long haul. The question was would I prove to be good enough to be given that opportunity?

The remainder of the morning was spent working through Allison’s ‘blue list’ which was mainly agents promoting the virtues of some of their players. In all cases they were told to send in a resume and a CD/Video of the guy in action and, if required, we would get back to them. I thought that was a nice variation of the ‘don’t call us we’ll call you’ theme.

During this the promised Bank Messenger arrived and having obtained my specimen signatures handed over new cheque books etc.

Things were really coming together. More and more the brain was appreciating that virtually all the open boxes were football related - all the personal ones were closing rapidly.

Allison and I lunched in the Club Lounge again at our two seat table. Apart from the need for food and the fact that it was quite good I was enjoying our ‘out of work’ conversations. She had a really good sense of humour and I think she appreciated mine. She certainly was not a dumb blonde being able to express views on virtually any subject in a measured and intelligent way.

After lunch Allison headed for her office and I for the dressing rooms to talk to the staff and players. We were at home in a friendly with York City of the English Conference National that afternoon.

As I walked the brain slowly entered into the slot marked football.

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retired_bxterror29

Saturday 8th July 2006.

In the dressing room I found all the staff already there and a few of the players. I circulated round them having a few words here are there with those that seemed inclined to talk. Players on a match day can be a funny breed.

I broke into the huddle of Gary Watt, Looney and Ian McKay.

“Hello Boss, we were just discussing today’s team.”

This from Gary.

“With no reported injuries so far we have a full house to pick from.” “What I intend to do is the same as last week by getting everybody on for at least 45 minutes but particularly the players you haven’t seen yet.” “It may cost us the game but if nothing else everybody will be that much nearer match fitness.”

“Thanks Gary, I appreciate that.” “Don’t worry about the result that is the least of our worries at the moment.” “Unless you particularly need him I’d like to nick Ian to sit at the back of the dugout with me and help out with putting names to faces.”

“That’s fine by me Boss.”

I pulled Looney to one side.

“Looney here I am beating myself to death over new players when I’ve got you in this club stood here with your thumb up your bum.”

“Where else would I put it Boss?”

“Never mind.” “What do you know of a keeper called Steve West?”

Looney’s face became a picture of concentration. After a minute or so he spoke.

“Yeah he knocked around the English Second Division for a while.” “Two maybe three clubs.” “Good shot stopper, fast between the sticks, but a bit on the short side to really make it as a class keeper.” “If you are thinking of signing him I’d say that you could do worse as, if nothing else, he would give Irving another year to develop.”

“OK thanks Looney.”

By now the room had filled up and Gary announced his team including eleven substitutes then pinned the squad on the board for all to see. Once the hubbub had settled down and the squad began to change Gary asked me if I wanted to say anything.

“Thanks Gary.” “As per last week lads Gary is in charge today.” “The only difference from last week is that today I will be in the dugout but I will not interfere in any way with Gary’s decisions.” “Have a good game.”

With that I turned, and motioning to Ian to follow, headed for the door.

We sauntered through the tunnel to the edge of the pitch and could see a trickle of fans entering the ground. Not as many as last week but this was York not Glasgow Rangers.



Saturday 8th July 2006. Montrose v York City. Friendly.

Straight from the kick off York descended on our defence like a bull in a china shop creating havoc. Within about three minutes our defence was in taters with the individual players looking shattered and shell shocked. In the fourth minute Lee Ralph York’s solitary Striker knocked one in with no effort. 0-1 to them.

I heard Gary passing on instructions to the team and it seemed to work for a while. Our defence became a lot steadier and the midfield came into the game a bit more. This lasted until the 21st minute when Ralph broke through our defence running on to a beautiful through ball that he one-touched into our net. 0-2 and deserving no better.

In the 24th minute Sean Cheyne got a knock and had to come off being replaced by Brian Kelly. Alan Marshall, our lead Physio later confirmed a two to three week lay off for a thigh strain. That was the highlight of the remaining portion of the first half.

Everybody disappeared into the dressing room at half time but I elected to stay in the dugout. Ian brought back two mugs of tea and sat with me while I studied my notes and mentally reran the half which had shown us to be a very poor team.

Towards the end of the break our Public Address system crackled into life and announced a total of eight changes for us. Ian was ticking his team sheet during this then informed me at the end that by 5 o’clock I would have seen everybody on our books including both Under 19 Goalkeepers.

For all the difference they made our substitutes could easily have stayed in the dressing room as the second half was pretty much a repeat of the first. Ralph duly completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, midfielder Jermaine Cross added a fourth in the 83rd minute and it was only our luck and a lack of ambition by York that prevented us being totally swamped by more goals.

Addressing the troops after the match I told them not to be too disheartened as they had given their best and that was all anybody could ask.

If I had spoken the truth a few might have committed suicide.



Back in the office I had no further calls to make or answer so bidding Allison goodnight I headed for the hotel.

retired_bxterror29

Sunday 9th July 2006.

As was becoming normal I enjoyed a late breakfast and just lounged in the suite for most of the morning.

Reflecting upon yesterday’s game I could only conclude that as a team we were non-existent. I was not exactly encouraged by our lack of strength in depth. If you took Irving, Burrell and Thomas out of our team, and none of them had played any part yesterday, then we were very poor indeed. Not that the three aforementioned were particularly good players. They just happened to be the best we had.

I knew what I had to do but was impeded by not having any scouts, which would hopefully change this coming week, and not having any halfway decent players on the books. Hopefully that too would alter as the week progressed. My biggest problem was that we only had two weeks until the start of the season proper, a home league match against East Fife.

I still had to decide upon who was going to manage on Tuesday against Stirling. While I was sorely tempted to take over permanently I was keen to let Gary have another go but this time select and play for a result under league rules. I finally decided that this was the route to take and even if Dean Jones was in situ by then I would stick to that plan. That way both Dean and I, and possibly Ian, could concentrate on our players and assess any trialist that was on the pitch.

I had just finished an excellent Roast Lamb lunch in the suite when my mobile sprang into life. It was Georgina.

“Hello handsome – I promised you a call before next week and this is it.”

“And hello to you Gorgeous George – what neck of the woods are you cohabiting in today?”

“Huh! Chance would be a fine thing,” “I’m still in Glasgow and will probably stay here until I come to you in the week.”

“Anyway Georgina one thing I forgot to ask you was that I haven’t even mentioned you at the club let alone announced you as my agent.” “Is that the right thing to do?”

“Well there is no need at the moment to make a big deal of it.” “If I were you I’d just quietly slip it in round about Christmas or early in the New Year.” “That will give them time to adjust to the change and be ready for me when we negotiate a new contract for you.”

“If you had watched the worst Montrose Football Club display ever yesterday as I did I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you.”

“Aw don’t be so pessimistic Jim.” “I believe you have got it in you to be a successful manager not only at Montrose but eventually with a Scottish Premier or English Premiership club.” “Ok you will suffer knock backs and the odd poor display, we all do, but you will succeed in the end.” “I’m very confident of that.”

“Thanks for that Georgina.” “I wish I had as much confidence in me as you seem to have.” “I’ll tell you one thing though I’ll certainly give it a good go and if I fail it won’t be for the want of trying.”

“That’s my boy!” “See you in the week.”

Perhaps it was the sign of a good agent but I felt better about my lot already. She seemed to have the knack of installing confidence in people. Although we had only met three times she was becoming an important part of my life just as Allison was but in a totally different way.

I wondered how those two opposites would get on once they met.



Monday 10th July 2006.

“Good Morning Allison.” “Ready for a busy week?”

“Good Morning Jim, and yes, as ready as I will ever be.”

“Good, let’s have a cup of that delicious coffee of yours before the proverbial hits the fan.”

“We have plenty of time as it happens, Jim.” “The first appointment is not before ten o’clock.”

After my rather blue outlook on life yesterday I had woken up refreshed and quite upbeat at the prospect of new players and staff. Now, if only the reality matches the imagination.

As our normal socialising drew to a close I asked Allison to check if Dave McMillan was available and if so I’d like to talk to him on the phone.

“OK then Allison wheel them in as they arrive and I’ll work through your ‘red’ list in between times.”

By ten when the first player and agent arrived I had spoken to two Managers acknowledging their best wishes and, in one case, renewing a friendship while making a new one with the other.

I had also spoken to Dave McMillan and after confirming that he was the new Football Contracts man gave him a rundown on the number of players I hoped to sign that week. I also mentioned the three potential staff members and established that, unless you lived locally, accommodation usually formed part of the contract. I told him that being Scouts Jim and Carl would not require this facility but Dean almost certainly would. I also told him that I did not want Dean ‘billeted’ with any players. He would have to be accommodated separately.

The procedure for dealing with prospective players I had sorted out in my head yesterday. An initial interview in the company of his agent, relieve the agent of any CV and/or DVD/Video tapes then hand them over to Looney, who had agreed to make himself available all week, for a conducted tour of the club.

While that was happening I could peruse the CV, watch the tape, and field whatever telephone calls came in or had to be made.

When they return I could clear up any queries, other than contractual, and, if there was even the slightest possibility of a contract being offered arrange with the player for him to stay for a training session game, or to appear as an un-named trialist during a match.

In the next week or so we would be in touch with the agent to advance things or not as the case may be.

I think the procedure covered everything we could expect to in two or three days.

The first player through the door who was a serious candidate for a contract was Tony O’Doherty an Irish AMR/ST who had played in the Irish League until his release in June. I thought on paper that he could do a job for us but wanted to see him in action first.

When they left with Looney I perused the CV and watched the tape making notes as it ran, When it was finished I put the tape, CV and notes together in one pile on the spare table in my office.

I managed a few more calls before they returned still all ‘red’ list.

Once settled I said to Tony that we had a training session that evening and, if he was interested in joining the club, I would like him to attend. We also had a Friendly match the following evening and if he wanted I could play him as A Trialist. As we would be unlikely to contact his agent with any offer until later in the week he could go home on Wednesday morning.

He readily agreed and shook hands on the ‘deal’.

His agent tried to bring up the subject of a contract but I told him that was not my department but all I could say was that it would be Part Time and probably only for one year initially. Both seemed content at that.

I managed three more calls before lunch with Allison, again in the Lounge at ‘our’ table.

The afternoon was all phone calls and two players. The first player knocks us back deciding that he didn’t want to come to Montrose.

The second was a warhorse of a DL called Stuart Foley and I made the same arrangements with him as I did O’Doherty.

The most interesting call that day was that with Stevie Gallagher manager of Glasgow Rangers. He was particularly friendly and bid me a very warm welcome to ‘to our exclusive club’. Brian Cameron had obviously given him a full report on our recent match and we discussed that for a few minutes. He ended the conversation with the same offer made to me by Brian.

“If there is anything I can do to help then just call.”

Not every manager was that friendly.

I spent the last hour or so loading my programmes onto my machine then browsed through them in case anybody had slipped through the net or the latest update had thrown up any prospects. Neither appeared.

By 6.30 it was time to call it a day, grab a snack, and head for the training ground.

I got a hold of Gary and told him of my decision regarding tomorrow nights game and the conditions I wanted him to run it under.

“Apart from any trialists, and there is only two so far, the team is yours.” “Substitution of any trialist will not count against your allotted three.”

With an OK Boss Gary returned to the field and the training.

After half an hour or so Gary split the squad into two and ran a 30 minute each half, no contact, match. I noticed that he took particular care to keep the trialists in the same squad. He didn’t want the DL to blot out the AMR or vice versa. Good thinking Gary I thought.

O’Doherty and Foley showed themselves to be among the better players on the field. Both were woefully short of match fitness but that would come with training and the more games they played so that didn’t overly worry me.

Another performance to match that tomorrow night and I was looking at two serious contenders for a contract.

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retired_richcoble

I'm really enjoying this. Good work.

retired_bxterror29

Thursday 11th July 2006.

Another bright start to the day with excellent coffee and conversation in Allison’s office. We certainly were getting on well together.

I had worked my way through most of the ‘red’ list so that would allow me a bit more time with any prospects. Which was just as well as the first person through the door at ten was Dean Jones.

I sat him down and arranged coffee with Allison and upon my enquiry he said he was at The Park and was ‘very comfortable thank you’.

I again expressed my disgust at his treatment by Nicky Ridley, Sheffield Uniteds manager. He said that he was largely over it even although it still smarted but he could not see him and Ridley shaking hands in the foreseeable future.

After the inevitable remember when’s and whatever happened to so and so we finally got down to business.

“Jim, as much as I appreciate your offer, and the free holiday, I still don’t see why you want me.” “I have only coached youth players, and that under the supervision of a ‘proper’ Youth Coach and that was only for about eighteen months, and, who knows, maybe Ridley’s opinion of my coaching abilities was correct.

Right then Dean let’s get Ridley out of the equation first.” “Ignoring his extreme bad manners is one thing but giving him credit for an assessment he is incapable of making is something else.” “He is totally reliant on his staff and has never even selected a Youth Squad without help from somebody or a pin stuck at random into a squad list.” “That is not just my opinion either it is all fairly common knowledge among fellow managers.” “His club gained promotion last year on the back of his staff not through any effort by him.” “Whether they can retain their Premiership status or not is very dependant upon his staff and a good few of us don’t think they are that good.” “Any success at that club certainly will not be down to Ridley.”

“Then there is you.” “Under extreme circumstances you gained your coaching badges which were no mean feat.” “If nothing else it displays a singular determination to succeed and, having secured them, bestows upon you a proven level of coaching ability.” “You know who is a good player and who a bad one.” “You can see which player has potential and is worth retaining and those who will never make the grade at whatever level and should be released.” “Like me you possess a football brain which you are not afraid to use to the benefit of players and club.”

“Those are the qualities that I see in you and that I want working for me and my club.”

“The only thing wrong with you at the moment is a decided lack of confidence, confidence I might add that you had by the bucketful until Ridley got his hooks into you.”

“Now I want you to think about what I have just said while I show you round Montrose Football Club.” “I am deadly serious in my offer to you and there is no sentimentality involved whatsoever.”

With that Dean and I left via Allison’s office informing her of my intentions and we started the Grand Tour.

Without making it too obvious I took my time escorting Dean. I could tell from the occasional flinch that he was still getting a lot of pain from his injured leg. That he was still suffering some two years after the event gave some indication of the seriousness of the original injury.

Apart from the odd question Dean was mainly quiet until we reached the edge of the pitch.

I could see him taking in the smell of the grass and the fresh sea breeze.

“God Jim there is nothing like standing on a football pitch is there?”

“Yeah I know what you mean.” “Unfortunately those days are long gone for both of us.” “You because of a horrendous injury and me because of old age and slowing reactions.” “Although we might draw some perverse pleasure and satisfaction at a job well done as a Coach or Manager you can never beat actually playing the game.”

With that we turned and slowly made our way back to Allison’s office.

Sitting there sipping Allison’s excellent brew each deep in his own thoughts Dean was first to break the silence.

“I think that if I don’t take this job I might regret it for the rest of my life wondering what might have been.” “So I guess you’ve just hired yourself an Assistant Manager.”

“You just don’t know how pleased I am Dean,” reaching over and shaking his hand.

“Have you got an agent?” “No, then ring this lady, you can talk to her in my office, and if you like what you hear let her negotiate on your behalf.”

“Off you go – I want you in harness sooner rather than later.”

Once alone Allison looked at me quizzically.

“I didn’t know you had an agent.”

“It is a fairly recent thing but she won’t come into play until about nine month’s time.”

After about ten minutes Dean joined us saying that Georgina wanted to talk to me and he was on his way back to the Park until she called him.

Wishing each other well I swapped offices and picked my phone up and answered Georgina’s request by bringing her up to speed on whom was dealing with contracts within the club. She thanked me for giving her first bite at Dean then said she would see me tomorrow.

Buzzing Allison I asked her to pass on Dean’s details and that he had agreed to be our Assistant Manager to Dave McMillan.

I eased off quiet a bit and only managed a further two red list calls before lunch. So far I was very pleased with my mornings work.

As we finished lunch in the lounge I could see that Allison had something on her mind.

“OK Allison what’s up?” “There is something eating away at you so get it out in the open where I can see and deal with it.”

“There’s no fooling you is there Jim?”

She sat for a moment gathering her thoughts then continued.

“We have been working together for two weeks now and while I can see that on a personal level we are pretty compatible I was wondering how you rated my work.” “If you had to prepare a Staff Report on me right now how would you rate me?”

With no hesitation I plunged right in.

"You are efficient and attractive and a smartly dressed young woman and a credit to my office.” “You have displayed good initiative and organisational skills and I have not seen or heard of anyone I would rather have in your position.”

“Initiative? Organisation Skills? I haven’t done either,” she protested.

“Yes you have.” “You realised pretty quickly that the hub of my world is my office, the computer and the telephone and like any other executive I would need a break from that scene.” “You displayed your initiative by cajoling, bullying and leading me by the nose until it has become second nature for me to have lunch here in this lounge where I could relax and enjoy social conversation or sit deep in thought.” “Even if the latter it didn’t matter as I was in a totally different environment as far removed from my office as we could get without leaving the building.

“Your organisational skills did not become as clear as that until this week.” “Last week I gave you a list of 15 or so names that I wanted to see this week.” “You managed to track them all down and get them into mutually convenient slots, but slots that suited us and not them.” “You realised like today that some were more important then others so Dean got a full two hour slot with no pre-planned interruptions.” “That is a good organisational skill.”

“If there is an overall grade in this report of yours it would certainly be good if not very good.” “As we progress I see no reason why it should not be Excellent or whatever the top grade is.”

She looked a lot happier now.

There is only one thing left for you to learn or practice.” “Mothering skills.”

At this she sat bolt upright, eyes wide open in shock and the beginnings of a flush already hitting her cheeks.

“No! No! No1 I don’t mean that literally.” “Hear me out.”

“One of those days, and not too far in the future either, a young 15 to 17 year old kid is going to come out of my office bawling his eyes out because I have just shattered his life long dream to be a football player.” “We don’t usher him out in that condition.” “You do whatever it takes to get him as fit to face the world as possible.” “You give him a cuddle, dry his tears, blow his nose, wash his face, whatever is necessary so that he leaves your office almost as much the man he thought he was when he came in.”

“Don’t just do it for the kid.” “Do it for me as well as I will be in my office probably feeling just as bad as he does.”

“Does that include the cuddle?”

“Well there’s an interesting thought.” “No you know what I mean.”

“Yes, of course Jim, it was a bad joke.”

“My interesting thought wasn’t.”

Having restored our normal light heartedness we headed back to the office. As we left the lounge I noticed that if anything her head was held a bit higher, the back straighter and there was a bit more swagger in her walk.

Confidence Jim – it’s all about confidence.

The afternoon turned into a complete waste of time as far as signing players was concerned. All three interviewees turned us down flat. I don’t know why they bothered coming. The only thing it proved was the low reputation of Montrose Football Club.

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retired_manragh

Hi Jim, great start to the story and nicely detailed, looking forward to reading more.


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retired_bxterror29

Tuesday 11th July 2006. Montrose v Stirling Albion. Friendly

I think Gary was a bit taken aback when I asked him to continue to be in charge for tonight’s match. But he accepted the responsibility with no argument.

“Tonight Gary I want you to pick the best team, using the most suitable tactic, under league rules i.e. three subs only and play for a result.”

“The one exception to this is to play our two trialists for 30 minutes maximum each.” “Their substitutes will not count as part of your three allowed subs.”

“I have also been considering our forthcoming friendly games and decided that I will learn more about our players by concentrating on observing them rather than be involved in a match where I also have to consider what the opposition are up to.” “I therefore want you to carry on managing our friendly’s applying the same conditions/instructions that you have for tonight’s game.”

That’s OK by me boss but you could come in for some stick when people realise what you are doing.”

“That’s true Gary but I can handle that.” “I may as well tell you now that I am hopeful of having an Assistant Manager in place shortly.” “My instructions to you apply whether he is here or not.” “Like me he will need time to get to know the players and I want to give him that time.” “It’s a guy called Dean Jones.” “Coached Sheffield United until recently.” “Pass that on to the rest of the staff please.” “Perhaps some of you will remember him as a very talented player when he was on the pitch.” “Anyway that’s incidental.”

“Our next game is on Friday night followed by one on Tuesday then Friday again. Training in the weeks we have a Friday game will be held on the Thursday.” “We also have a Group 2 Reserve League fixture against St Johnstone at home on Saturday 29th and again I want you in charge for that game.” “After that game you can stand down and revert to your normal duties with my heartfelt thanks.”

“As you wish Boss, and I am only too pleased to help.”

“Thanks Gary.”

I again sat in the rear of the dugout with Ian for company but found that I needed his identification feeds less and less.

Gary’s ‘strongest team’ was pretty much as I would have expected with Paul Irving in goal and Burrell and Thomas occupying the Striking berths, Mark Walker wore the Captain’s arm band and took up his right back position. Trialists O’Doherty occupied the AMR position while Foley turned out as our DL.

Jon McLeod a DC played as our stand in AML.

Gary started with a pretty neutral 4-4-2 formation and both teams started cautiously feeling each other out and probing for weaknesses.

After about ten minutes of this we became a bit more adventurous and started to pressure Stirling more than a little.

In the 23rd minute Foley sent an audacious lob over Stirling’s midfield for O’Doherty to run on to which he gladly did. A step over and a push and go beat his marker all ends up and he was in the clear hurtling towards their area where he unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot, beat the keeper but not the crossbar. The ball came flying straight back into the area where Burrell rose above everybody and headed into a virtually empty net. A very good goal and appreciated by everybody I think even the Stirling bench were impressed.

Although both could have carried on and would have contributed well to our efforts both Foley and O’Doherty came off at the 30 minute mark being replaced by Mark Donald at full back and Bryan Cameron on the wing. Both of those would have started but for my trialist instruction as the best available in their positions.

I was particularly pleased to note that Foley and O’Doherty instead of disappearing down the tunnel as they were perfectly entitled to do suited up and sat on the bench supporting the team for the rest of the game.

Gary made no changes at half time which I again sat out in the dugout with Ian and his welcome cup of tea.

By now our superiority over Stirling was well established. At the 72 minute mark he replaced a tiring Jon MacLeod with a fifteen year old central midfielder Brian Kelly. I conjectured that although Kelly would be ineligible for any first team league games he presumably got the run out as a contribution to his fitness. In any event it didn’t really matter who Gary used as we were talking about our problem left wing position.

As we were adjusting to the changes on a rare up field excursion Stirling equalised through their substitute Striker Darren Smart. It was not a particularly good or bad goal and I decided to put it down to our substitutions and the consequent slight reorganisation.

If nothing else it served to shake us out of our complacency and we started to be more purposeful with our pretty patterns on the field.

On 77 minutes midfielder McMullen restored our lead and we followed that up with a goal from Striker Thomas.

I was well satisfied with our commitment and display and said so in the dressing room
afterwards before heading for home.

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retired_bxterror29

A post covering the 12th July 2006 should have appeared here. For some reason it has vanished into the dark reaches of my machine - probably never to be seen again. :eek:

Fortunately at this early stage it is not too critical. The more observant among you might notice a discrepency in the numbers of players joining the club but apart from that no big deal.