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Starting the month in fourth place in the so-called 'Championship' group (as opposed to 'Relegation Group') of the Premeir League, we realised that every game from here on in would be a real test of our skill and determination to finish the season in the best possible position. Finishing in third was a realistic goal, while we would require a major form slump by Rangers to finish in second spot.
The first test came in the form of Scotland's most southerly club, Gretna, where we played a throughly-professional game and finished the game deserved winners.
"No hard feelings from my side," commented Gordon Strachan after the game. "There are lots of managers in this league that I don't have a lot of time for, but David O'Connor isn't one of them."
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">30/4 - Gretna 0 University 2Scorers - Fetai 44, Gethins 691. Celtic 74 +592. Rangers 67 +273. University 61 +214. Gretna 59 +115. Dundee 50 -36. Dunfermline 39 -3</pre> Freddy Guarin was named player of the month of April, whilst I finished third in the manager award behind Martin O'Neill and Gary McAllister of Falkirk.
A gallant performance against Celtic followed, but we were unable to capitalise on our great start. The result means that the Buoys win the Premier League for the fourth season in a row, after Rangers were upset by Gretna.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">7/5 - University 1 Celtic 2Scorers - Walker 26 (Smith 75, Hunt 83)1. Celtic 77 +602. Rangers 67 +263. Gretna 62 +124. University 61 +205. Dundee 51 -36. Dunfermline 40 -3</pre> Dunfermline were having a decent season by their standards, and shared a point with us after our fixture.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/5 - Dunfermline 1 University 1Scorers - Fetai 82pen (Kerr 52)1. Celtic 78 +602. Rangers 68 +263. Gretna 65 +144. University 62 +205. Dundee 51 -56. Dunfermline 41 -3</pre>
In our second-last home game of the year, Dundee showed about as much resistence as the French in 1940. With only three shots at goal all afternoon, the Dees were only kept in the game by some brilliant goal-keeping.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/5 - University 2 Dundee 0Scorers - Guarin 7, McGeady 531. Celtic 81 +622. Rangers 71 +293. University 65 +224. Gretna 65 +125. Dundee 51 -76. Dunfermline 41 -6</pre> Kilmarnock were promoted on the same afternoon that Partick were relegated, thus restoring the status quo of teams from last season in the Premier League.
Collegians Road was packed for the final game of the season, where we would entertain Rangers. The game started in explosive fashion, with Wouter Vandermieren given a red card in the second minute for a professional foul. Playing in what was possibly his last apperance in a University shirt - although everybody feverently hoped otherwise - Connor Gethins struck the penalty, and the ambush was on.
Dirk Neumann and Gavin Skelton added goals later in the game, but the real story was the incompetence of the Rangers attack - not offering a single shot on goal for the entire game. The Rangers players hadn't played bad - they were terrible.
Freddy Guarin won the Scottish Player's Player Of The Year award, a tremendous vote of approval in him from his fellow peers. Thorsten Freund became the second University player to win the Scottish Golden Boot, following - who other? - Connor Gethins in 2008/09. Martin O'Neill won his fifth Manager of the Year award in seven years, whilst I was the runner-up.
Gretna completed their own fairytale season by beating Rangers 2-0 in the Scottish Cup final.
Qualification to Europe was secure after seven seasons of league football - an incredible achievement by anybody's standards. How many more pages did the University story have?
The new owner of the club looked me in the eye, and repeated his question. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Absolutely," I replied.
"Then let's get the ball rolling."
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The media conference room was packed to capacity, with every football writer in Scotland sent to cover the event. In the background, construction workers were already at work tearing down the old northern stand at Collegians Road Stadium, with a new stand to be built, taking the overall capacity to well over 25,000.
Off to the side were Sheena and my twin boys Sam and Callan, who were allowed the day off school just to be here today. Standing up around the perimeter of the room were the entire playing roster of the University club.
The owner walked to the podium and simply said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr David O'Connor."
With my throat dry, I took a deep breath and walked over to the middle of the room, placed my papers on the lectern and placed my hands on either side of it to stop them from shaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I am announcing my immediate retirement from football management."
The room exploded with audible gasps of surprise, with a few reporters immediately on their feet. After a while, I continued on.
"When I first came to the club seven years ago, the task ahead of me seemed impossible. There were no expectations except to be competitive. I believe I have fulfilled that expectation.
"The day that the club won it's first trophy was one of the happiest days of my life. Another highlight was gaining promotion to the Premier League for the first time. I'm also very proud to have guided this club to the position we are in today.
"I want to thank a few people, so stick with me. First of all, to my lovely wife Sheena, who's put up with my tossing and turning for all these years. To my two boys, I love you very much.
"To the players. You have all been fantastic, and it's been an honour to have been your manager. You make it all worthwhile.
"To my staff, thank you for all your support over the years. Your professionalism and expertise have helped to make this club great.
"Finally, to the fans. Thank you so much for taking me and this team into your hearts. To quote the song, everything we do, we do it for you.
"However, I feel that the time has come where I...." My eyes trailed around the room. Connor Gethins, Markus Paatelainen, Gary Dempsey, Gavin Skelton, Allan McGregor, Dean Walker, Ross O'Donoghue...all integral players from my seven years in charge, all here to see me off. "Where I feel that it's time for new blood to take over. I've been very privileged to have had some excellent staff working for me over the years. I'm also proud that one of my staff will step up to the plate and lead this club into Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, John Dennis."
My former assistant manager walked to the stage and said a few brief words of thanks, and then surprised me by leading three cheers. Sheena and the twins joined me up on the podium for the obligatory pictures for the afternoon papers.
There would be one final surprise, when the new owner asked Sam and Callan to say a few words. The microphone was lowered to their six-year-old height, and Sheena bent down to whisper the words they would repeat in their ears.
"Daddy, they're going to name the new grandstand after you."
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Sadly, that's all from the Scottish Saga, since my save game file has been corrupted. Next time, I'll save twice. :cool:Thanks to all my readers for reading and commenting. I hope you enjoyed the ride. Cheers - Bowman :thup:
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