retired_southdown

July 21 2010

The training sessions were going well. The energy levels were high, the commitment was evident on the faces of the players. A crowd of devoted supporters ringed the boundary of the field at Collegians Road Stadium to see their heroes put through their paces just weeks before the beginning of their seventh season of football.

The main focus was Connor Gethins, the very popular forward whose name had risen to prominence along with the fortunes of the University club itself. With 246 apperances to his credit, and an incredible 135 goals in that time, it was not hard to realise why the 'Scholars' supporters loved him so much. Gethins was just one week back into training after breaking his jaw on the eve of playing in his first World Cup for the Republic of Ireland. The months of June and July were instead spent drinking soup through a straw while watching his team-mates qualify for the second round.

Suddenly, Gethins lay sprawled on the ground, his face screwed up in agony. The screams bounced off the concrete grandstands and echoed around the ground. It would be a scream heard around Scotland.

My mobile phone was turned off for days after the event. Leaving Connor's suite in the hospital, I cursed myself for letting him participate in such a rough session, just days after his return from injury. You idiot, I cursed myself. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.

The prognosis was not good. Three pins to be inserted, eight months on the sidelines. Would Gethins ever been the same player again? And without his incredible goal-scoring contribution, would University even survive this Premier League season?

If we cannot have Gethins this season. I mused, Then we must find the new Gethins

The 'new Gethins' came to us in the form of Thorsten Freund, another former German U21 representative, who came to us highly recommended by his former club Leverkusen. The new addition to our squad meant that University were looking more and more like the United Nations, with four Irishmen, three Germans, two Colombians, two Englishmen, and a Bolivian, Dane and Belgian in the top squad.

But no Connor Gethins.

retired_southdown

August 2010

Gethins would not be the only player missing on the field this season, with Alexander John-Baptiste ruled out until the new year with a torn calf muscle suffered in a practice game against Welsh club Rhyl. A big blow for a player who I was hoping would establish himself on the right defense.

The new season kicked off at Dens Park, the scene of some embarrasing results last season. Although the contest was close on the park, we didn't have the opportunities that Dundee had to win the game.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">7/8 - Dundee 2 University 0Scorers - (Weir 31, Reid 42)Position - 12th</pre>
A Sunday home game followed, with our derby against Hibernians, who we had yet to beat in eight previous games, including a 3-3 draw in a Scottish Cup tie in 2008 where we led 3-0 with five minutes to go. The board signalled their intentions to reverse this trend, but try as they might, University were unable to match the ability of the 'green third' of Edinburgh.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/8 - University 0 Hibs 1Scorers - (O'Connor 10)Position - 11th</pre>
A short trip across town to Tynecastle, where Hearts were making their traditional slow start to the season. We took advantage of their legartic marking to hammer home our first win of the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/8 - Hearts 0 University 2Scorers - Dempsey 26, Guarin 90Position - 8th</pre>
"Already we're doing much better than this time last season," I reminded the lads. "This competition is not a short sprint, it's a marathon. The important thing is to keep at it."

What followed in our next game was nothing short of wonderful. Although it wasn't our first victory against the three-time reigning champions, that didn't mean it wasn't just as sweet. What was particuarly pleasing was our defending and marking, with Freddy Guarin working well as a defensive midfielder. Hopefully we'll be able to use this victory to launch our season and lift the club into the top six and European calculations.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/8 - University 3 Celtic 1Scorers - McGeady 16, Walker 43, 49pen (Diarra 38)Position - 4th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - August 20101. Rangers 12 +62. Dunfermline 10 +63. Celtic 9 +94. University 6 +15. Dundee 6 +16. Falkirk 6 -27. Hibs 5 -48. Dundee Utd 4 -49. Aberdeen 3 -110. Gretna 3 -311. Hearts 3 -412. Partick 3 -5</pre>

retired_southdown

September 2010

The month started with a trip to Ibrox to face a Rangers side that was in an unusual position - on top of the ladder by themselves. With Bobby Williamson introducing a plethora of new faces, it still seemed as though they were still unsure of combinations and trying to get used to each other's style of play. At the end of the day, I was disappointed to walk away without a point.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/9 - Rangers 2 University 1Scorers - Stuhr-Ellegaard 10og (Novo 29, McCormack 66pen)Position - 6th</pre>
Dean Walker passed Connor Gethins's record for league apperances for University in our 0-0 draw with Dunfermline.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">17/9 - University 0 Dunfermline 0Position - 7th</pre>
With Freddy Guarin and Dean Walker out of the next contest due to training injuries, our number of injured players rose to eleven, the worst injury crisis I can ever recall. Youngster John Thomson made his professional debut at the age of 17 against Aberdeen.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">25/9 - University 0 Aberdeen 0Position - 7th</pre>
Three days later, our League Cup campaign got off on the right foot against St Johnstone.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">29/9 - St Johnstone 0 University 2Scorers - Neumann 4, Voight 21League Cup 2nd Round</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - September 20101. Rangers 18 +62. Celtic 14 +113. Dunfermline 12 +54. Gretna 12 +15. Dundee 12 +16. Falkirk 10 -37. Partick 9 -28. University 8 +09. Hibs 7 -610. Aberdeen 6 -111. Hearts 5 -512. Dundee Utd 4 -7</pre>

retired_southdown

October 2010

Partick were enjoying a successful return to the Premier League, having won three of their first seven games, and we expected to be tested to our limits by their side, managed by former Hearts manager John Robertson. University proceeded to turn in an economical performance which turned the screws on the homeside, although we were incredibly lucky by having a penalty shot over the bar, and a home goal disallowed for offside.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">2/10 - Partick 0 University 1Scorers - Skelton 19Position - 6th</pre>
We continued our brilliant defensive form against Falkirk, although I would have liked to have earned the full three points. Three of our defenders - David Cowan, Gavin Skelton and Joos Valaegren were named in the team of the week for their fine efforts. We had now not conceded a goal in five games, a new club record.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/10 - Falkirk 0 University 0Position - 5th</pre>
That record was extended when we took on Gordon Strachan's Gretna and won quite comfortably in the end, given that the Black and Whites were limited to just five haphazard shots on goal.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/10 - University 2 Gretna 0Scorers - Wilson 6, Freund 90Position - 5th</pre>
The month ended with a home game against Dundee United, whose descent down the ladder was as swift as their sudden rise last season. Thorsten Freund hammered home two goals to give University supporters a lot to smile and sing about on their way home.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">30/10 - University 3 Dundee Utd 0Scorers - Freund 6, 40, Walker 38penPosition - 3rd</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - October 20101. Celtic 23 +162. Rangers 23 +63. University 18 +64. Dundee 16 +05. Dunfermline 15 +36. Gretna 15 -27. Aberdeen 13 +18. Partick 13 +09. Falkirk 12 -810. Dundee Utd 11 -611. Hearts 10 -412. Hibs 9 -12</pre>

retired_southdown

November 2010
By anybody's standards, University had had an outstanding month, and this was reflected in the monthly awards, with Bajram Fetai picking up the Player of the Month award, and yours truly edging out Martin O'Neill and Roberto Carlos for the Manager of the Month award.

Although it was only Morton, we still turned in an incredibly good performance, as well as keeping our defensive integrity intact.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3/11 - University 4 Morton 0Scorers - Walker 17, 53, Wilson 40, Freund 89League Cup 3rd Round</pre>

The 'streak', as the media was now refering to it, continued at the expense of Dundee.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/11 - University 1 Dundee 0Scorers - Freund 86Position - 3rd</pre>

The streak would be all for nothing, I reminded the players, if we could not beat Hibs in our next game. Tony Mowbray's men had had a wretched start to the season, winning just one of their first eleven games - against us. Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, I had grown to respect Mowbray as he seemed a decent chap and never carried personal grudges. Therefore it was disappointing to see him get the sack days before our tenth derby game against Hibs.

As always, Hibs were a handful for us, and terrorise our defenders all day with headers and chips. However, the monkey was finally off our backs when Bajram Fetai headed home the sealer deep into injury time, placing the punctuation mark on our 2-0 victory. Never before had I felt so emotional during a derby game, pumping my fists in the air and swinging my arms like a helicopter when the whistle finally went for full-time. To place the icing on the cake, it was David Cowan's 200th league game - a fine way to celebrate!

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/11 - Hibs 0 University 2Scorers - Neumann 33, Fetai 90Position - 3rd</pre>

Graham Diamond, the former St Mirren and Raith manager, was named as the new boss at Easter Road Stadium the day after the game.

We were on a roll, and it continued against Hearts

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/11 - University 3 Hearts 0Scorers - Walker 11, Neumann 45, Freund 79Position - 3rd</pre>

Another red-hot month of University football. With just six goals conceded, we had the best defensive unit in Scottish football, and our excellent form had seen us catapault up the ladder to be just two points behind the Old Firm....who we would play in our next two games.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - November 20101. Celtic 29 +202. Rangers 29 +103. University 27 +124. Gretna 22 +15. Dunfermline 19 +46. Dundee 19 -27. Dundee Utd 17 -78. Aberdeen 15 -39. Partick 14 -410. Hearts 14 -711. Falkirk 14 -1012. Hibs 12 -14</pre>

retired_southdown

December 2010

Bajram Fetai repeated the dose as Player of the Month, collecting the award for the second month in succession. I also collected the Manager's award for the second time, whilst Dirk Neumann won Goal of the Month for his contribution against Hearts.

Off to Celtic Park, where we would play two games in the space of ten days, with a League Cup Quarter-Final to consider later in the month. With David Cowan and Dirk Neumann missing because of training injuries, Alex John-Baptiste would make his debut, himself coming off a long stint on the sidelines.

Eight minutes into the game, Bajram Fetai placed University in front in the game and on top of the ladder. Ninety seconds later, we conceded our first goal in almost three months, and managed to give up another three before the full-time whistle went.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/12 - Celtic 4 University 1Scorers - Fetai 8 (Lawson 10, 19, Smith 52, 61)Position - 3rd</pre>

"Don't worry too much," I soothed the players after the game. "All of the pressure was on the hoops this afternoon, they would have been crucified if they didn't win that game."

Rangers made their way up to Collegians Road, and for 85 minutes looked like a shadow of their former glory. Then they got on the scoreboard.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/12 - University 1 Rangers 1Scorers - Freund 45 (Janczyk 85)Position - 3rd</pre>

Back to Celtic Park where we were duly dispatched from the League Cup for another season by a red-hot Celtic.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/12 - Celtic 3 University 0Scorers - Greco 18, Il-Sung 23, Severin 37League Cup Quarter-Final</pre>

In Gavin Skelton's 200th game for University, we were able to deal with Falkirk and continue our excellent form in the Premier League

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/12 - University 3 Falkirk 1Scorers - Freund 25, 66, Walker 34 (Moutinho 90)Position - 3rd</pre>

In the Boxing Day fixture, Dunfermline would be our hosts, but they could not crack our defense of steel. Dean Walker capped off a historic milestone as he scored his 100th league goal for University, achieved in six-and-a-half seasons.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/12 - Dunfermline 0 University 2Scorers - Freund 40, Walker 43Position - 3rd</pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - December 2010</pre>
1. Celtic 39 +26
2. Rangers 39 +16
3. University 34 +13
4. Gretna 29 +4
5. Dundee 26 +0
6. Dunfermline 23 +1
7. Dundee Utd 23 -9
8. Aberdeen 21 -1
9. Falkirk 20 -10
10. Hearts 17 -11
11. Partick 14 -11
12. Hibs 14 -18[/code]

retired_southdown

retired_southdown

January 2011

The University juggernaut rolled into Aberdeen and came away with the three points.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1/1 - Aberdeen 0 University 2Scorers - Guarin 4, Walker 27Position - 3rd</pre>

Partick were our next visitors, currently on a streak of eight games without a win. That would soon become nine.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/1 - University 2 Partick 0Scorers - Jauregui 11, Freund 31Position - 3rd</pre>

And then we extended it by another game, this time in the Scottish Cup

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/1 - University 3 Partick 1Scorers - Walker 7, 9, 83 (Kerr 76)Scottish Cup Third Round</pre>

Our visit to Raydale Park resulted in our first loss to a team not called Celtic in quite a while, although it was ultimately decided by the referee and not the players themselves.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/1 - Gretna 1 University 0Scorers - (Quaresma 59pen)Position - 3rd</pre>

After nearly three years in charge, Roberto Carlos was sacked as manager of Hearts after they lost 5-0 to Dunfermline and slam all the way to the bottom of the Premier League. In an odd left-field signing, he would be replaced by former Canadian national manager Frank Yallop, who would be managering his first club outside of Canada.

Meanwhile, up at Tannadice Park, we had to work very, very hard for our three points.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">29/11 - Dundee Utd 0 University 1Scorers - Guarin 39Position - 3rd</pre>

With sixteen games left in the season, University seem poised to make a serious tilt at the Premier League title....if only they can upset the Old Firm once or twice...or more.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - January 20111. Celtic 49 +382. Rangers 49 +213. University 43 +174. Gretna 39 +85. Dundee 32 -36. Dunfermline 26 -17. Dundee Utd 24 -148. Aberdeen 22 -79. Falkirk 22 -1410. Partick 21 -1111. Hearts 20 -1612. Hibs 20 -18</pre>

retired_southdown

February 2011

Before we could seriously consider a tilt at the title, we first had to deal with clubs that we were expected to beat. Dundee nearly stole all three points from us, and would have done so were it not for the quick reflexes of Freddy Guarin.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/2 - Dundee 1 University 1Scorers - Guarin 89 (Robertson 14)Position - 3rd</pre>

A week later we were back in the same city, but 100 metres down the road to take on Dundee United in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. The game started on a sensational note when the referee awarded two penalties to the Terrors, both duly converted. With 25 minutes to go it looked as though we would face a sudden exit from the competition; however, University romped home with all guns blazing, with the win sealed by Dean Walker.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/2 - Dundee Utd 2 University 4Scorers - Neumann 52, 66, Freund 68, Walker 90 (Wilkie 13pen, Wilson 24pen)Scottish Cup 4th Round</pre>

Our reward would be a home quarter-final against Frank Yallop's Hearts.

With Hibs currently occupying the relegation spot, a record crowd packed into Collegians Stadium to witness what may be the last Uni-Hibs derby for quite a while. As far as the game was, it was an entertainment spectacular, with five goals in the first half alone. In the end, neither side did quite enough to earn the three points, with the visitors possibly the unluckier side.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/2 - University 3 Hibs 3Scorers - Freund 6, Walker 39, Kinniburgh 60og (McDonald 19, Brown 25, Naismith 54)Position - 3rd</pre>

During the week, reserve goalkeeper Scott McCulloch signed with Dunfermline for the 2011/12 Premier League season. The transfer will cost Dunfermline $120,000.

We drew our third league game in a row against Hearts, coming from two goals behind to finish the game level.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/2 - Hearts 2 University 2Scorers - Walker 75, Freund 80 (Walker 11, Jones 23)Position - 3rd</pre>

Celtic arrived at Collegians Road to find a home side fired up and ready to take on the best team in Scotland. For nearly an hour, the match could have swung either way. Ultimately, the best team in Scotland's superior quality would shine through and lift them four points clear of Rangers on the ladder.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/2 - University 0 Celtic 2Scorers - (Diarra 52, Ji-Sung 62)Position - 3rd</pre>

The month finished with the Premier League contest still wide open, whilst the question of the relegation was also very much undecided.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - February 20111. Celtic 58 +462. Rangers 54 +223. University 46 +154. Gretna 45 +115. Dundee 36 -56. Dunfermline 31 +07. Dundee Utd 31 -138. Aberdeen 28 -49. Falkirk 26 -1910. Hearts 25 -1611. Hibs 25 -1812. Partick 23 -19</pre>

retired_southdown

March-mid April 2011

The news that contract talks with Gethins had stalled did not take long to leak out into the footballing world, helped largely by a backpacker who professed to follow Hearts who snagged 60 seconds of Gethins cursing a computer in an internet cafe and posted it on Youtube.

"It's going to require a change of heart on Connor's behalf to make him sign," I admitted to my darling wife Sheena]. "I really cannot offer him any more per week, and the offer is triple the amount of what he's already earning."

Fan reaction was swift and brutal, with one fan on a message board stating: "O'Connor said earlier this year we had to sign the new Gethins. Well, Gethins is the old Freund."

Observing all of this from a distance were Rangers, who took advantage and handed us our worst loss of the year.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/3 - Rangers 4 University 0Scorers - (Weir 2, Cameron 33, MacDonald 43, 83)Position - 3rd</pre>
"Nothing has changed from 90 minutes ago," I noted after the game. "90 minutes ago, we were third. We are still in third place."

The quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup followed, with our tie against Hearts the only one requiring a replay, although we were the benificaries of some incredible luck in both games. One minute after giving up what seemed to be the match-winner, Dean Walker scored an amazing 35 yard strike seconds before time was up. In the replay, goalkeeper Libus Andres Arenas scored his first ever goal after a clearence bounced over the head of the Hearts goalkeeper. The goal was so incredible that it featured in sports bulletins around the world, even making its way onto Chinese State television. John Voight was brought on in extra-time and created four chances before finally making one of them pay.

We will play Gretna in the semi-final, whilst the Old Firm will square off in the corresponding fixture.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/3 - University 2 Hearts 2Scorers - Freund 9, Walker 90 (Porarinsson 27, MacDonald 89)Scottish Cup Quarter-Final</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/3 - Hearts 1 University 2 (aet)Scorers - Coakley 46 (Arenas 54, Voight 99)Scottish Cup Quarter-Final Replay</pre>

Our draw against Falkirk saw us dip below Gretna on the points table.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/3 - Falkirk 0 University 0Position - 4th</pre>
Celtic won their seventh consecuitive piece of Scottish silverware with a 2-0 win over Hearts in the League Cup final.

Dunfermline were no match for University in the next week, with just one shot on goal. Bajram Fetai put his name up in lights as a Player of the Year candidate with a dominant display, setting up both goals. Celtic's loss to Gretna meant we stay in fourth position, however.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/3 - University 2 Dunfermline 0Scorers - Freund 11, Walker 90Position - 4th</pre>
Connor Gethins returned to full training during the week, and immediately faced an unhill battle to regain his form and his place in the side. I thought it was unfair to dump either Walker or Freund from the line-up and accordingly slotted the Irish Magician onto the bench against Aberdeen. Despite the news of contract breakdowns, Gethins had remained a crowd favourite and the roar when he came on the field with half an hour to go was deafening. The joy when he scored his first goal of the season just five minutes later was even more deafening.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">2/4 - University 4 Aberdeen 0Scorers - Neumann 29, Freund 50, Gethins 65, Guarin 90Position - 4th</pre>
In a six-point fixture against Gretna, we left it until very, very late to get back into the fixture, with Thorsten Freund slotting home the equalizer from a cross by Marco Pelosi. The result leaves the status quo in place, with the Black and Whites one competition point ahead of University.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/4 - University 1 Gretna 1Scorers - Freund 89 (Watt 53)Position - 4th</pre>
And so onto Hampden to face the Black and Whites again, this time in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Gretna had a golden chance to open the scoring in the tenth minute when Libus Andres Arenas fell to ground trying to punch a header. Quick thinking by Gavin Skelton in clearing the ball prevented the Scholars from falling a goal behind.

Thorsten Freund opened the scoring at the other end of the field, capitalising on excellent attack formed deep within our half, as so often is the University way. Short passing between Dean Walker and Craig Wilson created the extra man, with a long ball through to Freund giving the German just the right amount of time needed to deceive the goalkeeper.

Patrick Scullion rectified matters from a Gretna perspective when he blasted a powerful header past Arenas in the 34th minute.

Minutes later, Gretna were in front, courtesy of a Kevin Bradley header which completely fooled the defenders and goalkeeper. Now it was the turn of the Gretna supporters to chant 'We're going to Hampden'.

Connor Gethins came on at halftime and slotted into the central midfield, an unfamilar position for him. Gretna had a chance to seal the game in the 67th minute but Graeme Watt could not keep his shot on target.

Ten minutes later, it seemed our cup dream was at an end, with Patrick Scullion collecting a second goal from 20 yards. The misery for University was underlined with the dismissal of Sergio Jauregai with five minutes remaining. Two token goals were scored at the end, and there was nothing more that we could do.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/4 - Gretna 5 University 1Scorers - Freund 22 (Scullion 37, 77, Bradley 42, McNaughton 89, Tunbridge 90)Scottish Cup Semi-Final</pre>
In the other semi-final, Rangers beat Celtic 5-2 to end their excellent form in domestic competitions.

One positive of Gretna's win was that, with Rangers likely to qualify for the Champions Cup, the Black and Whites would qualify for the EURO Cup no matter the result in the Scottish Cup final. Therefore, it was no longer imperative that we finish third to qualify for the EURO Cup ourselves. Of course, it was still our goal to finish as high as we could on the ladder.

Our win over the Terrors, added with Gretna's draw with Dundee, meant we slid back into third position with six games to be played.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/4 - University 3 Dundee Utd 1Scorers - Walker 4, Greund 14, 86 (Templeman 6)Position - 3rd</pre>
Our next game was against a very desperate Partick, who were staring relegation in the face with six games to play and six points to catch up. We learnt an important lesson today - to never underestimate the desire of an opponent who has been kicked in the guts, with the home side scoring a dramatic late equaliser three minutes into injury time. Their task was made somewhat easier with the dismissal of Dirk Neumann in the second half.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">23/4 - Partick 1 University 1Scorers - Freund 17 (Kerr 90)Position - 4th</pre>
The draw for the final five years could not have been kinder to us - home games against the Old Firm and Dunfermline, away trips to Gretna and Dundee.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - April 20111. Celtic 71 +562. Rangers 67 +293. Gretna 59 +134. University 58 +195. Dundee 47 -56. Dunfermline 39 +07. Falkirk 38 -178. Dundee Utd 38 -189. Hearts 34 -1710. Hibs 33 -1811. Aberdeen 33 -1812. Partick 27 -24</pre>