retired_sroch3032

A part of the Authors Note i forgot about was that i am using CM 03/04 with a small database

retired_sroch3032

18th of July 2003

Elgin City accepted my offer for James White and allowed me to discuss a contract with him. I offered him a contract of £50 per week until 1st of July 2006.

The first game of the East Stirling Cup 2003 was played today. Arbroath came away as four nil winners against Edinburgh City with all the goals coming in the first thirty five minutes of the game.

Later on that day my big moment finally arrived with our match about to kick off against Kelso United.

East Stirling Cup 2003: Game 1-East Stirling V Kelso United

The referee, David Somers, blew his whistle and my first competitive match as East Stirling manager was underway.

My day couldn’t have started any worse after only six minutes Kelso United was awarded a penalty after a clumsy tackle by Leishman. Grant smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the penalty and we were one nil down. The offside flag stopped us from going further behind on the twenty eighth minute after Quinn beat the offside trap. The first half came to a close with my team having a few half chances but still going in to the break a goal down.

Around the sixty minute mark I made three substitutions and it almost brought about a goal but for the Kelso United keeper who was equal to it and pushed it over for a corner. A quick release of the ball by our keeper, Connolly, allowed the ball to get to Baldwin who played a super fifty yard ball just in front of Robben and he blasted it past the Kelso United keeper to bring us level on the sixty seventh minute. Robben almost stole all three points with a lob which just cleared the cross bar in the last minute.

East Stirling (4-4-2) Connolly(c); McCulloh; McLaren; McGhee; Reid (Oates 63); Baldwin; Lappin; Livingstone (McAuley 63); Leishman; Kelly; Ure (Robben 63)

Final Score: East Stirling 1:1 Kelso United
MoM-David Jack (Kelso United) Rating 7

That result meant we were two points behind Arbroath after the first game but we still had to play them so anything could happen. I wasn’t very pleased with the performance but I could take to heart that my two wingers Baldwin and Lappin were proving talented players.

After the game my physio, L.Gillogly, reported that Kelly had a thigh strain and would be out for one day.

18th of July 2003

Just before my match with Edinburgh City a new manager was appointed by Tottenham Hotspur. Ruud Gullit was the man to land the Spurs hot seat for this up and coming season. All my best wishes to him though I don’t really like Spurs.

East Stirling Cup 2003: Game 2-East Stirling V Edinburgh City

In the seventeenth minute we almost take the lead through Ure but he is denied by a diving goalkeeper. Six minutes later a long ball found Martin and we were behind after controlling almost all the possession. Seven minutes later we equalised through Kelly after taking a throw quickly and taking advantage of a lack lustre defence. Just before the half time break Edinburgh almost retook the lead but thanks to great goalkeeping by Connolly we stayed level.

The second half was full of half chances and yellow cards. The score didn’t change and we drew another game against lower league opposition.

East Stirling (4-4-2) Connolly(c); McCulloh; McLaren; McGhee (Oates 62); Reid; Baldwin; Lappin; Livingstone ;Leishman (Mackay 62); Kelly (Robben 62); Ure

Final Score: East Stirling 1:1 Edinburgh City
MoM-Jon Connolly (East Stirling) Rating 8

Another draw and the only thing pleasing out of this game is the form of our goalkeeper Connolly. He scored a rating of 8 and man of the match against Edinburgh City.

My physio has some bad news after the game telling me that Paul Rodden was out of action for three weeks with a groin strain. That’s bad luck for him and for the team but he should be back for the third league game against Cowdenbeath.

Later on that day Arbroath won the East Stirling Cup 2003 with a less than convincing one nil win against Kelso United. Arbroath are now on six points with my team the closest to them with only two points. The last game in this preseason cup will be against Arbroath and since it is a dead rubber I may rest some first team players.

Next the last preseason cup matches and the up and coming season

retired_sroch3032

20th of July 2003

East Stirling Cup 2003: Game 3-East Stirling V Arbroath

Arbroath almost take the lead in the twenty fifth minute but the shot is straight at Connolly. The ball is quite congested in midfield and the rest of the half doesn’t produce any good chances.

The second half was different to the first as goals were actually scored. A great chance is carved out for Boyle. A quick throw by McLaren to Lappin on the left wing. Lappin picks out Boyle who can only manage a tame header into the hands of the Arbroath keeper. Arbroath take the lead with Durno taking advantage of Connolly’s inability to hold a long range shot by tapping the ball past the helpless keeper into the net. In the last minute of the game Arbroath seal the win through an unstoppable header by McLaren (not my team member).

East Stirling (4-4-2) Connolly(c); Maughan; McLaren; McGhee (Reid 64); Oates; Baldwin; Lappin; McAuley ;Leishman (Polwart 64); Boyle; Ure (Kelly 64)

Final Score: East Stirling 1:1 Edinburgh City
MoM-John Cusik (Arbroath) Rating 7

In my way of thinking that wasn’t a bad result since they were a division above us. It gives me hope that we have half a chance of advancing past Arbroath in the first round of the Challenge Cup

Later on I heard the news that Edinburgh City’s edged out Kelso United three two. This adds more salt into the wound as now we are left in third position as our final standing. The East Stirling Cup 2004 waits to be captured by its rightful owners (East Stirling).

East Stirling Cup 2003 Final Standings

3 games were played in this Cup:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Won Drn Lost For Ag GD Pts1st Arbroath 3 0 0 7 0 +7 92nd Edinburgh City 1 1 1 4 7 -3 43rd East Stirling 0 2 1 2 4 -2 24th Kelso United 0 1 2 3 5 -2 1</pre>


22nd of July

Finally I have landed my man. James White (23y/o, Scottish, DC) has been transferred from Elgin City to East Stirling for £0. I am ecstatic that I have finally landed more defensive cover because Oates didn’t play that well in the preseason cup.

Peterhead faxed me a bid of £2,000 for Jamie Mackay. He only played one game in the preseason but I think he has the ability to step up this season. I tell Peterhead that they will have to look elsewhere for a realistic transfer target.

23rd of July 2003

Today Cleland (assistant manager) walks into my small but cosy office and shows me a list of my squad which are in the last year of their contracts. I was shocked almost the whole team was in their last year. I offered new contracts to Graham McGhee, Paul Rodden, Sean McAuley, Rodden Maughan, Stuart Kelly, Jordan Leishman, Jamie Mackay, Scott Livingstone, Chris Todd, Derek Ure, Gerry Boyle, Craig Reid, Stephen Oates, Chris Baldwin, Graeme McLaren, Gary McCulloh, Jon Connolly and Dougie Polwart. The only player not to receive a new contract was Robert Hare as he is placed on the transfer list.

I ask Hiberian if they will allow me to take their young striker, Alan Reid on loan for the season. I await for their response.

24th of July 2003


Stephen Oates accepts his new contract and is now contracted to the club until 30th of June 2005.

25th of July 2003


Derek Ure, Scott Livingstone, Stuart Kelly, Paul Rodden, Roddy Maughan, Dougie Polwart, Craig Reid and Gerry Boyle accept their new contracts to keep them at the club until 30th June 2005.

26th of July 2003


Graham McGhee, Sean McAuley, Jon Connolly, Chris Baldwin, Jamie Mackay all accept their contact offers and are now contracted to the club until 30th of June 2006.

My loan bid for Alan Reid has been rejected by Hiberian but I will try to renegotiate with them.

5 days till the start of the season with our Challenge Cup 1st Round match against Arbroath

[This message was edited by Raptor on 26 March 2004 at 9:32.]

Raptor

Clear structure :thup:

retired_sroch3032

Thanks for that Raptor i hate stories without a clear structure makes it a chore to read...well in my opinion anyway ....and Raptor could you fix up that table in my above post please!

27th of July 2003

Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, Chris Todd and Jordan Leishman accept their new contracts and are now contracted to stay with the club until 30th June 2006.

Elgin City makes a bid to loan Alan Reid for three months. There is no way I am letting my third division rivals get Reid. I will fight tooth and nail to get the loan deal secured for East Stirling.

The Third Division promotion odds were released today. The pundits think that Cowdenbeath (4-6) is the hot favourite to clinch the division followed by Albion Rovers (4-5), Stranraer (4-5), Stirling (5-4), Peterhead (6-4) and Queens Park (7-4). The pundits seem to think there is no point us playing this season because we don’t have quality enough to finish at any other position then bottom of the league. Let’s just see where we are at the end of the season shall we?

Dumbarton has also made a loan bid to Hiberian for the services of Alan Reid for the upcoming season. The competition for this young star’s services this season look to be hotting up.

I make a bid for a young twenty year old goalkeeper at Montrose. His name is Michael Hankinson and he seems to have potential and is listed at the cheap price of £0. He will most likely be a backup for my substitute keeper, Chris Todd, but having three keepers is something I think we need at this club.
2nd of August 2003

Just before the match with Arbroath I learn that Dumbarton has won the battle for Alan Reid’s services. Reid will be applying his trade for the division two club for the next three months.

August 2nd, 2003 Challenge Cup 1st Round (a)
Arbroath V East Stirling

Arbroath Challenge Cup Form-No games played
East Stirling Challenge Cup Form-No games played

East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly- Roddy Maughan, Graeme McLaren, Graham McGhee, James White- Chris Baldwin, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Stuart Kelly, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Craig Reid, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Gerry Boyle

A nightmare start for us being one nil down after only seventeen minutes. A long ball finding Robbie Duncanson and he hammered it past Connolly to put us behind. Almost a carbon copy of the first goal happened on the twenty second minute with the same goal scorer and we were on the brink of a hammering. James White’s debut turned into a nightmare after he was called for pushing in the penalty area. Duncanson stepped up and could have completed his hat-trick in less than half an hour but he put the penalty wide of the left upright.

During the break I revved the players up but made it clear i would like at least some respectibility in the score line. Stuart Kelly almost obliged straight from the kick off but his header went just wide. Winning(Arbroath player) put the game out of doubt for Arbroath or so I thought but the offside flag was up and it was game on. Winning eventually sealed the game for Arbroath scoring in the sixty seventh minute and sending us out of the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle.

Arbroath 3:0 East Stirling
Goals: Robbie Duncanson (2), Jamie Winning (1)
MoM: Greig Denham (Arbroath) Rating-8
Subs: Goyle on for Derek Ure (62’), Polwart on for Mackay (62`), Leishman on for Baldwin (62`)
Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Gayfield Park
Attendance: 1537

This match was a good reality check of where we are at before the season even starts. I can see we don’t have the quality in the squad to compete with division two teams yet. If we were to be promoted I think the preseason would be full of transfer activity but let’s not get ahead of ourselves!

One positive of the match was we were given £2,000 for losing the match. A bit weird to me being given money for losing a match unless that is half the attendance money??

A week before our first match in the Third Division against Peterhead. I am confident we will have a new striker brought to East Stirling before that match.

The season is very close to starting now....stay tuned for the first league match and beyond...The season is very close to starting now....stay tuned for the first league match and beyond...

retired_sroch3032

3rd of August 2003

After a quick look at the loan listed players I found another young defender who looks to have a promising future. His name is Michael Stewart and he is currently contracted to Montrose. I fax the club a loan deal to bring Michael to the club for the rest of the season and a clause to buy him for £0 if he performs.

I seem to be looking at taking a few players from Montrose. Michael Hankinson the young goalkeeper I was thinking about bringing to the club has had his club allow me to speak to him in regards to a contract. He didn’t seem like he wanted to come to East Stirling but I offered him a contract anyway and I will wait to hear from him.

Today the Italian Super Cup was played with Juventus playing AC Milan. Ninety minutes of playing time after the referee blew the whistle to start the match it ended as a seven goal thriller. Juventus just edged out Milan winning four three and taking their first silverware of the season.

4th of August 2003

Stranraer come knocking on the door asking about an East Stirling player. Mark McGhee is the player that they are enquiring about. I tell them that Mark is a key component in our team and that he wont be sold for any price.

6th of August 2003

My loan bid for Michael Stewart is rejected by Montrose. I try an outrageous bid of £0 for Michael. I may just get lucky and Montrose may accept though I doubt it.

7th of August 2003

Michael Hankinson becomes an East Stirling player and he is the third goalkeeper in the squad. He joined for £50 per week until 30th of June 2006.

Michael Hankinson(20 y/o, Scottish, GK)
Michael has been with Montrose for almost two seasons. He only played one first team game for Montrose in that time. I brought him into East Stirling because i feel he has the ability to develope into a great keeper and he will be a good backup for Connolly and Todd

9th of August 2003

Our first match of the season and it’s at home against Peterhead.

August 9th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 1 (h)
East Stirling V Peterhead

East Stirling League Form-No games played
Peterhead League Form-No games played

East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)- Roddy Maughan, Graeme McLaren, Graham McGhee, Craig Reid- Chris Baldwin, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Scott Livingstone- Stuart Kelly, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), James White, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Paul Rodden

My physio has inaccurately judged how serious Paul Rodden's injury was and how long that it would keep him out. Paul is almost fully fit and will start on the bench

After fifteen minutes the match has become very frustrating. There has been a few chances to each team but neither team’s forwards could hit the target. Peterhead’s manger would have been extremely disappointed when his forward Johnston missed a sitter after Connolly spilt a long range shot.

Stuart Kelly had a small injury preventing him from playing at his best in the first half. To not worsen the injury I took Kelly off at half time and brought on Paul Rodden. The second half had Peterhead completely dominate the match but couldn’t turn there large amount of possession and there eleven shots into any goals. How we escaped this game with a point I’ll never know but I am happy with the way grit and determination the players showed to hold Peterhead to a draw

At the end of the match my physio reported to me that Stuart Kelly would be out with three weeks with a groin strain. I really hope he is wrong with this as well and that Stuart will be back sooner.

East Stirling 0:0 Peterhead
Goals: -
MoM: Mark Perry (Peterhead) Rating-8
Subs: Rodden on for Kelly (45’), White on for McGhee (62’), McAuley on for Leishman (62’)
Booked: McGhee, Reid, White, Leishman
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Firs Park
Attendance: 1415

It was goals galore this week in division three. Seventeen goals were scored in five matches with the largest score being Stirling’s five nil home demolition of Elgin City.

Just after the match I was told Montrose did accept my £0 bid for Michael Stewart. I wasted no time in contacting Michael with my contract offer.

1st match has been played and the season is about to be in full swing more updates soon

retired_sroch3032

Raptor could you delete that small post above...how that got there i dont know

10th of August 2003

The English Community Shield was fought out today between two great rivals, Manchester United and Arsenal. United got off to a dream start with Ryan Giggs scoring after only twelve minutes. Arsenal got back on level terms just before the break with Kanu showing he can still put the ball in the back of the net. Ruud Van Nistelrooy put United two one up ten minutes later. United’s Community Shield victory was sealed two minutes before time with Diego Forlan scoring his first goal this season. Sir Alex Ferguson and his players celebrated winning early silverware but they know that Arsenal will be a threat to them retaining their title this season.

12th of August 2003

Michael Stewart completed his transfer from Montrose to East Stirling today. He has agreed on a £60 per week until 30th June 2006.

Michael Stewart (19 y/o, Scottish, DC)
The young central defender’s future looks bright and joining East Stirling should get him more game time. Michael is very brave and determined and I have never seen anyone who can jump as high as he can when he meets a header.

The Scottish Challenge Cup 2nd Round was played today. The main upset came in the match between Gretna and Inverness C. Thistle. Gretna stunned the division one side after keeping them scoring in the ninety minutes of regulation time and then scoring the only goal of the match in the first half of extra time.

16th of August 2003

After a draw against Peterhead our second match is away to Elgin City.

August 16th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 2 (a)
Elgin City V East Stirling

Elgin City League Form-D
East Stirling League Form-L

East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)- Roddy Maughan, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid- Chris Baldwin, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Scott Livingstone- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Gerry Boyle

Elgin scores with the first real attack of the game. After a sweeping move which involved almost all eleven players McLean put the ball past Connolly and into the right bottom corner of the net. Elgin’s lead stays at one after great keeping by Connolly to keep Bane’s shot out. From the resulting corner bad marking allows Hind to stoop to the near post unmarked to give Connolly no chance. It ends two nil at the break.

There were no chances to speak of until the eighty fourth minute. Baldwin beats his defender and runs down the wing before delivering a telling cross on to the head of substitute Boyle. Boyle gives the Elgin keeper no chance and East Stirling is back into the game. Unfortunately for us that is also the way the score stays.

After the match my physio reports to me about Chris Baldwin’s injury. He picked up a calf strain and will be out for two weeks.

Elgin City 2:1 East Stirling
Elgin City Goals: David Hind (1), Charles McLean (1)
East Stirling Goals: Gerry Boyle (1)
MoM: David Hind (Elgin City) Rating-9
Subs: Boyle on for Rodden (62’), Stewart on for Reid (62’), Leishman on for Livingstone (62’)
Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Borrough Briggs
Attendance: 1537

That result has left us ninth after two matches. The only team to keep a one hundred percent record after two games is Gretna. Gretna defeated Stranraer on the road three one and thumped Stirling five two at home.

20th of August 2003

I got in contact with Queens Park and gave them a £0 offer for their attacking right midfielder/forward Ross Jackson.

22nd of August 2003

Queen’s Park accepted my offer for Ross Jackson and gave me permission to discuss a contract with him. I talked to him and he was excited about playing for our club so I offered him a contract and let him sleep on it.

This wasnt the start i was dreaming of hence the title but i can always dream more updates to come

retired_gunvor

I'm enjoying this story very much keep it up! :thup:

retired_sroch3032

Thanks alot Super_Gord i hope your enjoying it as much as i am enjoying writing it(and i am enjoying writing it )

23rd of August 2003

Our second away match in a row pits us against Cowdenbeath

August 23rd, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 3 (a)
Cowdenbeath V East Stirling

Cowdenbeath League Form-LW
East Stirling League Form-LD

East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly- Roddy Maughan, Graeme McLaren, Graham McGhee, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), James White, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Gerry Boyle

I replaced the injured Chris Baldwin with Jamie Mackay. I switched Livingstone out to the right of midfield and Mackay to the centre.

Cowdenbeath take a deserved lead after only seven minutes with Shields powering the ball past Connolly into the far corner. We keep pushing and pushing to try and steal a goal and level the game. Ten minutes later we get our chance when Ure does a great pass out to the right wing but the cross from Livingstone wasn’t converted by Rodden. The first half passes without any other shots on target by either team.

Shields is put through by a sublime ball but blasts it over from close range. I couldn’t believe it, we were one nil down with thirty seconds to play. McAuley gets played through one on one with the goalkeeper and he slammed the ball past the on coming keeper into the net. The team celebration was cut short because of an offside flag and we were condemned to another defeat and it has left us sitting in bottom position in the league.


Cowdenbeath 1:0 East Stirling
Cowdenbeath Goal(s): Shields (1)
East Stirling Goal(s): -
MoM: Iain Mauchlen (Cowdenbeath)
Subs: Stewart on for Reid (62’), Boyle on for Rodden (62’), Polwart on for Mackay (62’)
Booked: Livingstone
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Central Park
Attendance: 1688

After three games we still haven’t had a win and speaking for myself and the players I just want to know will a win in the league ever come? Maybe it will come in our next home game against Queens Park.

25th of August 2003

Ross Jackson has signed for East Stirling and is contracted to the club until 30th June 2006 on £50 per week.

Ross Jackson (23y/o, Scottish, AM/F(R))
I brought in Jackson to strengthen the right hand side of midfield. Ross has great agility, balance and he will be our new set piece taker. He will hopefully take division three by storm and he should be with the club until 2006.

26th of August 2003

I offered a loan deal to a Rangers reserve player. His name is Hamed Namouchi and he is a French attacking midfielder. Rangers have accepted my offer and I am just waiting to see if Hamed will come and play for East Stirling till the end of the season.

The Challenge Cup Third Round was played today with all the teams who were favoured to progress did so. The semi final matches have Montrose hosting Gretna and Brechin travelling to play Clyde. It is certain that the final will be played out between a division one and a division three side.

More to come with the league match against Queens Park and the Cup game away to St Johnstone

retired_sroch3032

29th of August 2003

Namouchi told his club, Rangers, to inform us that he has no intention on going on loan to a division three side and if he did it wouldn’t be East Stirling he would be going too.

The European Super Cup was played tonight. This match brought together last season’s Champions League Winner, Milan, and the UEFA Cup holders in Porto. Kaka put the red half of Milan in front just before the half hour. On the seventh minute mark Nuno Valente scored a priceless goal to level the game for the Portuguese side. Fate was against Porto as they conceded a goal in the last minute of stoppage time when Rivaldo was left unmarked in the area and he volleyed the ball past Baia and into the net. Milan take the European Super Cup after disposing of Porto two one.

30th of August 2003

Our second home match of the season pits us against Queens Park.

August 30th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 4 (h)
East Stirling V Queens Park

East Stirling League Form-LLD
Queens Park League Form-LDW

East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly- Roddy Maughan, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Ross Jackson, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Stuart Kelly

Ross Jackson was put straight into the first team line up and I will be really interested into seeing how he goes into today’s match.

On the twentieth minute a Jackson corner wasn’t punched away by the keeper and Ure capitalised by heading it into the open net. Finally East Stirling had a lead in a game. The first half ends and that goal was one of the only shots on target to speak of.

Connolly is forced to acrobatically tip a powerful shot around the post in the fifty first minute after a defensive lap by James White. A dead ball situation on the half way line results in a goal. Michael Stewart lobs a hopefully long ball up the pitch and the Queens Park defence don’t seem to see any danger. Leishman gets between the defence and the keeper and heads the ball into the net to make it game set and match to East Stirling. Lappin almost makes it three nil in the last minute but blazes his shot over the cross bar.

East Stirling 2:0 Queens Park
East Stirling Goals: Ure, Leishman
Queens Park Goals:-
MoM: Craig Reid (East Stirling) Rating-8
Subs: Stewart on for White (67’), Kelly on for Rodden (67’), Leishman on for Mackay (67’)
Booked: White, Ure, Murdoch (Queens Park)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Firs Park
Attendance: 1407

Our first win of the season was a relief and i can see this club winning many more if we continue to play the way we did today.

Ross Jackson played a good game receiving a rating of 7. It was his corner kick which allowed Ure to score the first goal of the game.

The transfer deadline for all Scottish clubs begins tonight.

We have our first win next we need to win two in a row!