retired_southdown

November 2004

David Hagen scored the player of the month award for October, a fine reward for his efforts in the past four games.
Our need for a forward was alleviated somewhat with the signing of Fraser Logan from Kilmarnock. Fraser is a 20-year old forward who prefers to play on the right side, and I feel we've got him on the cheap for just $3,000. We'll have to wait another two months for the transfer window to open before he can join our squad, however.

The trip to New Bayview saw a dour game, which roared into life in the dying moments as both sides tried to convert one point into three. Jamie Dolan had the chance to seal a win late in the game but a cross from Connor Gethins was intercepted by the East Fife goalkeeper. During the same moment, Connor strained his calf and we'll be without his services for two weeks - at least.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">6/11East Fife 1, Thistle 1Hagen 35, (Nicholas 5)2nd</pre>

With league-leaders Gretna visiting Bowmans Road, I decided to go on the offensive and place on the public record my admiration for manager Rowan Alexander, although I had only briefly met the man, and had never heard of him before June. Although the final article was only 50 words long and was wedged inside the sports section next to the results of the greyhound races, I think the praise will have the desired effect on my troops, and placing pressure on Gretna to live up to the hype that currently surrounds them.

A fantastic crowd (by our standards) of 2,394 saw Thistle take ownership of the top spot in the Third Division with a throughly dominating performance. Afterwards, Rowan had the decency to personally thank me for the praise and paid tribute to the Thistle lads, and in particular how I had been able to mould a team of cast-offs into title contenders. As I arrived home from the ground, I was most surprised to see a cask of wine delivered to the front door with a personal note from Rowan - "Enjoy the good times, because when the bad times hit this job can be a real bastard - R.A.". I think he was being genuine. I hope so anyway.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">20/11Thistle 4, Gretna 1McManus 10, 22, Walker 43, O'Donoghue 69 (Smith 39)1st27/11Montrose 0, Thistle 1Gethins 801st</pre>

Table - November

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Thistle29 +192. Gretna29 +163. Peterhead26 +34. Cow'beath19 +15. East Fife19 +0</pre>

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Apologies for the 'wide screen' look. Still having trouble with formatting, although have switched to writing in a text file only. We now return you to normal programming....


December 2004

The month started on a great note with Thistle players sweeping the awards. Robbie Horn won his second player of the month award - the fourth time that a Thistle player has won the award. Ross O'Donoghue also repeated his feat of winning young player of the month. The real buzz for me was getting the manager of the month award. A simple 30-year old Australian with just a few months of managerial experience! Hah! I must admit that I'm really enjoying this challenge, and am learning more and more about the intracies of soccer all the time, even if the sum total of my soccer awareness previous to moving to Edinburgh was watching the World Cup every four years.

We've added another face to our stable of forwards with the acquisition of Muray Watson from the Albion Reserves for the measly sum of $3,000. Muray will join our team in the new year, although he may have to bid his time in the reserves.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/12Thistle 4, Cowdenbeath 0McManus 32, Hagen 49, Gethins 60, Reid 841st</pre>

We had another week off after the Cowdenbeath massacre, during which the draw for the second round of the Scottish Cup was made. Forfar will be our opponents at Bowmans Road on December 22.

Allan McGregor didn't have the happiest of first halves against Stenhousemuir, so I took the opportunity to allow David Hay to get some league experience. Our attack was unusually stifiled by the impressive Stenhousemuir defense, and we probably should have walked away from Ochilview Park with more than one point, although I refused to let Allan be a scapegoat. The bus trip back to Edinburgh was lightened considerably with the news that both Celtic and Rangers had been knocked out of the League Cup in the quarterfinals against Inverness CT and Kilmarnock respectively.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/12Stenhousemuir 1, Thistle 1Gethins 10, (McGregor o.g. 5)2nd</pre>

With a busy schedule in the coming week, I took the opportunity to rest several defenders, allowing Tony McParland to finally make his Thistles debut against Albion. However, we were unable to finish off our opposition and escaped with another draw.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/12Thistle 1, Albion 1Walker 21 (Friel 31)2nd</pre>

The day before our Scottish Cup tie, Forfar sacked manager Brian Fairley and promptly replaced him with former Queen of the South coach Warren Pearson. When asked my opinion of the matter by the cub reporter from the Edinburgh Evening News, I simply wished Warren all the best for our upcoming tie, mindful of the dignity that Rowan Alexander had treated me earlier in the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">22/12Thistle 3, Forfar 0O'Donoghue 17, Walker 45, 62Scottish Cup 2nd Round</pre>

After the game, I congratulated the boys on their fine victory and invited them all to my house for Christmas lunch, at the insistence of Sheena. The next day, the draw for the third round of the Scottish Cup was held, with all Thistle fans hoping for a showdown against one of the Premier League teams, preferably Hibs or Hearts. However, we would have to settle for a trip to St Johnstone, who were currently holding fifth spot in the First Division. The game was scheduled for January 15, with Thistle listed at 12/1 to win.

Christmas Day was memorable in itself, with much merry cheer being made by the boys and their extended families. Our little house was split at the seams with around 150 people (officials, coaches, scouts, players, wives, children, and other associated draggers on!). Sheena even managed to get a hold of some Australian seafood in a vain attempt to replecate an Australian summer christmas in frosty Scotland.

However, we had one more assignment left in the calendar year - a showdown against East Stirling, who were desperate to make up ground in the Third Division. The game was originally scheduled for Boxing Day, but was postponed due to East Stirling's replayed Scottish Cup match against Albion.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">29/12East Stirling 0, Thistle 2Walker 59 pen, McManus 882nd</pre>

Sheena and I spent New Year's Eve alone in the house in Edinburgh, with a game the very next day against Peterhead the only reason why we didn't dash down to London for the celebrations there. After several games of scrabble, and the CD player working overtime, we settled down on the couch and cracked open a bottle of Moet.

With minutes to midnight, Sheena suddenly turned to me with a glint in her eye. "You know something, David?"

"What's that, sweetheart?"

"I know you were a bit disappointed with the suit and tie that you got for Christmas...I must admit, I was too. I looked all over bloody Scotland just to get that for you. Anyway, what I mean to say is...there's still something that I have to give to you for Christmas. As a souvinier, if you like, of our time together here in Scotland."

"You've got me interested now. Please go on...."

"Okay," Sheena said. "But you have to do this for me. Here, stand up."

Obeying my wife, Sheena proceeded to place a blindfold on my head, and exited the room for a while. "Okay, take my hand and follow me, just don't trip over the stairs, promise?"

My darling wife then proceeded to walk me around the entire house, outside into the freezing Scottish air, and back inside again to the spare bedroom. "Okay, you can take off your blindfold now."

In the corner of the room was a cot, with a stuffed toy inside.

I stood for a few moments in a state of shock.

Turning around, I could only ask one question..."When?"

"Late August, according to the doctor. There is one other thing, Dave...stop stammering and take a look in the cot."

I peered in. There were two stuffed toys.

"Twins?" Sheena confirmed with her broadest smile.

The perfect end to a great, if slightly unusual, year.

Table - December 2004 (17 games)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Gretna 41 +232. Thistle 37 +253. Peterhead 32 +114. East Fife 28 +35. Cowdenbeath 22 -4</pre>

retired_southdown

January 2005

The start of a brand new year! And what a wild year it's going to be, too!

Early in the morning before our home game against Peterhead, I signed my first contract extensions - captain Jamie Dolan, Paul McManus and David McClune will stay until the end of the 2005/06 season, whilst David Hay and Ross O'Donoghue will remain until the end of 2006/07. A clause within David Hay's contract stipulated that he be placed on loan transfer with a view to getting some league experience as Allan McGregor has established himself as the top keeper for now.

For the first time this season, we didn't win the Third Division player of the month award, although Gavin Skelton was a finalist. David Dunn won the Young Player of the Month. Fraser Logan and Muray Watson also joined the club, giving us some depth up front, although to be honest, the reaction from Thistle fans to Muray's signing wasn't as positive as I hoped, even though the lad has struggled in his few apperances thus far this year.

The 2-0 result against third-placed Peterhead gives us an eight-point buffer and well inside the promotion zone.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1/1Thistle 2, Peterhead 0 Walker 31 pen, Gethins 742nd</pre>

With the transfer window opening, I took the opportunity to aggressively pursue two players which my scouts told me would be of great value to Thistle. Kris Brash had been performing very well for East Fife throughout the season and showed many valuable leadership characteristics which I thought would be just as valuable as his potential to the club. Stephen McManus had been a star performer for the Celtic Reserves and the Bhoys had no hesitation in letting me offer a contract

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/1Queens Park 0, Thistle 1 Walker 322nd</pre>

Two days later we suffered a blow to our preparations, with Fraser Logan breaking his leg during training drills. After accompanying Fraser to the local hospital, and discussing the results with his doctor, our worst fears were realised, with our new signing out for a massive ten months. I've offered Fraser a job with the marketing department while he gets over this injury.

The same day, Kris Brash personally telephoned to thank me for the interest, but that he would instead sign a contract extension with East Fife. I wished him all the best for the remainder of the season, although it was disappointing to not sign Kris on this occasion. The disappointment was erased when Stephen McManus signed on the dotted line for Thistle, making the short drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh the very next day to meet his new team-mates. McManus would slot straight into the side for the Scottish Cup match against St Johnstone in Perth.

The boys played very, very well in the last ten minutes of the Cup tie, and in the end it was two incidents that cost us a famous victory. Obviously McGregor's second own goal of the season was concerning, but Connor Gethins had scored what looked like the equaliser two minutes into injury time. To the sheer delight of the locals, the linesman had his flag up. Through gritted teeth, I declared the referee's assistant was a cow, and needed the stick surgically removed from his behind, and then stormed onto the bus. That little spat cost me a week's wages - Sheena was not impressed.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/1St Johnstone 3, Thistle 2 Hagen 80, P.McManus 89, (McGregor 14 og, Bagan 62, Hay 77)Scottish Cup 3rd Round</pre>

Our first loss since last October, ending a run of thirteen games without defeat.

Two more players were signed straight after the game - the verbal agreements from both players were actually obtained on the bus trip back home. Lee Hardy joins us from Hamilton Academical, whilst Albion's Jered Stirling will join Thistle from the beginning of the 2005/06 season.

An utterly fustrating game followed at Bowmans Road, where we duly lost our distinction of being undefeated at home. After the game I let rip with an expeltive-riddled tirage, the first time I have 'lost it' in front of the team. Effing this, effing that, you're no effing good to be licking East effing Fife's effing shoes today, that kind of thing. Hopefully the boys will be shocked into action for the vital trip south to Gretna

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/1Thistle 1, East Fife 2 Kelly 44 og, (Paliczka 15, McCheyne 81 pen)2nd</pre>

"Win at Gretna, win the division" was the mantra at training during the week. Unfortunately, it wasn't us that won at Gretna...rather it was the Black and Whites that handed us our worst defeat to date. Jamie Dolan strained his knee ligaments early in the game and although the physio expects him back in around a month, realistically at his age, it will be a hard struggle just to regain his former fitness levels.

The bus trip back home was very gloomy indeed. For once, I didn't bother to speak to the reporters from the Edinburgh Evening News which were waiting for us back at Bowmans Road.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">22/1Gretna 3, Thistle 0 (Graham 55, Tosh 76, 85)2nd</pre>

Things would just get worse, it seemed. David Dunn was ruled out for two months - two months! - after breaking his cheekbone after his girlfriend accidentally opened the door into his face back at his flat. For a gifted player, he seems to have a body made out of paper mache. In other news, the Thistle fax machine received its first offers - both for David Farrell, who never really got a chance to play for Thistle with just three apperances off the bench. David eventually agreed to sign for Stranraer for the remainder of the season, rejoining the team he played for between 2001-2003.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">29/1Thistle 4, Montrose 2 Gethins 16, Walker 21, 64, P.McManus 88 (Sharp 19, Greenhill 69)2nd</pre>

Table - January 2005 - 22 games played

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Gretna 56 +322. Thistle 46 +263. Peterhead 36 +94. East Fife 36 +55. Cowdenbeath 27 -5</pre>

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February 2005

Well, what a month. For the most part, I feel we've been threading water, never looking like closing the gap between us and Gretna, but never being seriously challenged by the rest of the opposition.

One huge positive this month has been the spectacular form of Connor Gethins, who is finding the goal early and often, as the scores below would indicate. The supporters have also been over the moon with Connor's form, and there's even a core of supporters that chant his name all throughout the game - "We love Connor Gethins, Gethins, Gethins, yes we do...". Totally insane stuff.

It seems more and more obvious that we will be promoted into the Second Division for the 2005/06 season, a magnificent achievement for everybody associated with the club. The wider public also seem to be taking notice of our achievements, and apparently I have an interview with the British Football Weekly booked for sometime towards the end of the season. Should be interesting...

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/2Thistle 4, Stenhousemuir 0 Gethins 46, O'Donoghue 71, Horn 79, Walker 832nd16/2Albion 0, Thistle 2 Gethins 28, 472nd19/2Cowdenbeath 2, Thistle 4 Walker 5, 67, Gethins 53, 90 (Burns 84, Crilly 88)2nd26/2Thistle 3, East Stirling 0 Gethins 22, O'Donoghue 24, P.McManus 902nd</pre>

Table - February 2005 - 26 games played

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Gretna 68 +442. Thistle 58 +373. Peterhead 43 +114. East Fife 42 +3</pre>

retired_amyslack

This is very good Bowman - I particularly like the layout, clear and easy to read. No mean feat given the rudimentary formatting supported here.

retired_southdown

Cheers BobBev. Thanks for reading :thup:

I should just add now that because this is the FM2005 game, the promotion and relegation for the Scottish Leagues is a simple two-up, two-down affair, and not the playoff system which I understand is in force now.

******

March 2005

I've been impressed with Andrew Reid's dedication in training and decided to offer him a full-time contract beginning next season. He has returned to Ayr after his loan deal expired, but has promised to return bigger and better in the new season.

If we were threading water last month, then we seem to be slightly thrashing our arms and legs in the pool this month. Only three games possible this month due to scheduling issues, and I think the lads are getting a bit complacent. What else is there to play for, really?

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/3 Peterhead 1, Thistle 4 Skelton 33, Walker 45, Tully 54 og, Gethins 58 (Thomson 90) 2nd</pre>

On the way back from Peterhead, we received word that Gretna had won their fifteen successive game, a 2-0 affair against Queens Park, and had also secured promotion to the Second Division for 2005/06.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/3 Thistle 0, Queens Park 0 2nd19/3East Fife 3, Thistle 0 (McCheyne 5 pen, McStay 14, Nicholas 80) 2nd</pre>

On the way back from East Fife, we held an impromptu team meeting on the bus. "I'm not going to get angry this time," I promised. "Not like the other East Fife game. But I think it's time we discussed a few home truths.

"Football is a business. You are my employees. You work for me. If I'm not happy with the standard of work, then I have every right to not pay you..."

The bus erupted into a chorus of groans. Jamie Dolan stood up to have his say as squad captain. "Skip, that's hardly fair. We've tried our guts out there today and left everything on the pitch..."

"I know Jamie, and East Fife were the better team today. I just want to leave you all under no illusions of the task ahead of us. We have eight games left this season, gentlemen, and more than a few of you don't have a contract with us after June - yet.

"Now, we can either twiddle our thumbs until the end of the season, not give a ****, and let East Fife or Peterhead sneak up past us and take the fruits of our labour. A wasted year.

"Or, we can take the hard option. We turn up to training, we train like we play, and we go out there and splificate the opposition. If you don't want to take the hard option, I will be waiting in my office at the stadium and will gladly terminate your contract tonight.

"I'm announcing that from now until the end of the season, every player will get a thousand dollars for each goal they score. The goalkeepers will get five hundred dollars for every clean sheet. The choice is yours, gentlemen. If football is a sport, help me turn a profit."

Returning to Bowmans Road Stadium, I went into my office and waited. The only person to walk into my office that night was the pizza delivery boy.

retired_southdown

Whoops, obviously I meant "If football is a business" and not "If football is a sport". Doh! :cool:

****

April 2005

Monday morning. Leaving Sheena resting at home, I took off early to get to the office to file some paperwork with the club before the start of training. Imagine my surprise when arriving at the stadium I found every place in the car park taken.

Bugger the paperwork, I thought, walking directly to the middle of the field. There I saw Jamie Dolan, Andy Paterson and Paul Harvey standing in front of the rest of the first team, leading what looked like a team meeting. [i]A player rebellion?[/b] I thought. This can't be right.

"What's going on?" I enquired.

[i]"Hello Skip," chirped Jamie. "You said you wanted your employees to put in their best effort, or something like that. We're here ready to work."

Breathing a little sigh of relief, I simply gave Jamie a playful punch on the shoulder and asked him to take the training session for the first 20 minutes whilst I sorted out administrative matters.

Walking away from the group, I swore I heard the boys begin the chant - "We don't lose to ******* Gretna because ******* O'Connor won't ******* let us!" It seems the old spirit is back in the club!

And didn't the results speak for themselves.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">2/4 Thistle 4, Gretna 2 McHale 7, Gethins 55, P.McManus 73, 90 (Tosh 10, Bingham 30) 2nd</pre>

Gretna's 17-game streak broken after we gave the Black and Whites a start and a beating. Another note (but no wine) from Rowan Alexander waiting in my mailbox after the game - We'll meet again

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/4 Montrose 0, Thistle 3 P.McManus 78, 90, Hagen 87 2nd</pre>

Montrose put up an almighty fight in this game, and played with ten men for over 70 minutes. In the end our superiority was rewarded with a handsome victory.

The result meant we required just three points from our last five games to secure promotion. Our largest crowd of the season thus far saw us take on the Blue Brazil, with nearly three thousand fans roaring their approval as Paul McManus placed us one ahead with eleven minutes to play. The supporters were sent into esctasy right on fulltime after Connor Gethins blasted a 30-yard scorcher.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/4 Thistle 2, Cowdenbeath 0 P.McManus 79, Gethins 90 2nd </pre>

PROMOTION!!!! The boys really larked up after the game, performing a group swandive in front of the main grandstand for the supporters - and causing more than a few issues for the drycleaners later in the week. No less than 25 bottles of champagne were waiting for us in the dressing sheds after the game, as I walked around the room and personally thanked all the players for their role in a memorable season.

After four days off training - partly to get over the hangover - it was back on the road again, to try and cut down Gretna's lead at the top of the table.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">23/4 Stenhousemuir 1, Thistle 3 Gethins 21, 52, Henderson 63 og (Collins 82) 2nd30/4 Thistle 4, Stenhousemuir 0 O'Donoghue 5, 85, Gethins 23, 49</pre>

Promotion may be secure, but the championship is still alive - barely - with Gretna holding a six point lead.

retired_southdown

End of Season - May 2005

Due in no small part to our giant-killing performance against Gretna, the Thistles landed the 'Grand Slam' of Third Division awards. Paul McHale got Player of the Month, Connor Gethins the Youth Player, and yours truly ended Rowan Alexander
s dominance of the Manager of the Month.

The last two games of the season were but a blur.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">7/5 East Stirling 0, Thistle 3 McHale 9, Horn 75, P.McManus 87 2nd14/5 Thistle 0, Peterhead 0 2nd</pre>

The last game was slightly disappointing as the lads couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. However, I was far from unhappy and told the team as such. Our first season was an unqualified success - from building a team from out of nothing, and bringing them to within eight points of the division championship in their very first season. It's surely something to put on the CV should I ever decide to return to Australia anytime soon.

The brilliant form of Allan McGregor during the last few games has caught the eye of a few clubs, particuarly the recently relegated Livingston. Although I'd love to have Allan around for a few more seasons yet - the lad is only 22 - economic realities must be faced. Sooner or later, a big offer is going to come through on that fax machine for McGregor, and it will be very hard to hold the kid back.

For our final position in the league, we were awarded $110,000 by the SFA. Better than a kick in the pants, I must say.

David McClune, Gavin Skelton and Robbie Horn voted were to the Third Division Team of the Year. Although he couldn't find a place in the selector's team, David Hagen was the runner-up for the Third Division Player of the Year, behind Gretna's Paul Tosh.

It was no surprise that Rowan and myself finished one-two in the Manager of the Year stakes. Probably a fair reflection of our teams fortunes, although our two wins against Gretna were very satisfying indeed.

Elsewhere in the soccer universe, Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 4-1 to win their first Champions League title since 1965. Schalke 04 beat fellow Germans Leverkusen 1-0 to win the UEFA Cup for the second time.

Closer to home, Dundee ended a 95-year drought to win the Scottish Cup, winning 3-1 in the final against Kilmarnock. The Killies have the unwanted distinction of losing both cup finals this year.

As well as Gretna, joining us in the Second Division in 2005/06 will be Arbroath, Brechin, Stranraer, Dumbarton, Alloa, Ayr, whilst Raith and Hamilton have been relegated from the First Division.

Falkirk will finally move into the Premier League in 2005/06, after being thwarted in the past due to stadium relegations.

The end of season gala was a night to remember, with Connor Gethins picking up the Fan's Player of the Year award. I gave a short speech thanking the players for their efforts and stated that I looked forward to further success in the more challenging Second Division in 2005/06.

2004/05 Scottish Third Division

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Gretna | | 36 | 28 | 5 | 3 | 88 | 30 | +58 | 89 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | Edinburgh Thistle | | 36 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 75 | 22 | +53 | 81 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | East Fife | | 36 | 17 | 10 | 9 | 58 | 46 | +12 | 61 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Peterhead | | 36 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 45 | 34 | +11 | 55 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Queen's Park | | 36 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 26 | 36 | -10 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Cowdenbeath | | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 34 | 54 | -20 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Albion | | 36 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 28 | 54 | -26 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Montrose | | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 42 | 54 | -12 | 34 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Stenhousemuir | | 36 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 25 | 56 | -31 | 32 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | East Stirling | | 36 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 33 | 68 | -35 | 28 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

And for the trainspotters, here is the 2004/05 Scottish Premier League table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Celtic | | 38 | 26 | 7 | 5 | 70 | 28 | +42 | 85 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Rangers | | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 64 | 36 | +28 | 77 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Dunfermline | | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 49 | 44 | +5 | 55 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Hearts | | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 56 | 45 | +11 | 52 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Dundee | | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 46 | 48 | -2 | 51 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Dundee Utd | | 38 | 15 | 6 | 17 | 49 | 59 | -10 | 51 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Inverness CT | | 38 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 50 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Motherwell | | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 54 | 56 | -2 | 49 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Aberdeen | | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 53 | -12 | 44 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Kilmarnock | | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 50 | 56 | -6 | 43 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Hibs | | 38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 42 | 55 | -13 | 39 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | R | Livingston | | 38 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 34 | 70 | -36 | 28 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_southdown

The Off-season - Part 1

With our first season behind us, I called an extraordinary meeting of all of my assistants. The meeting started at midday on the Monday after the presentation gala, and didn't finish until Tuesday night, with the Thistle administration buildings being turned into what we dubbed the 'War Operations' room.

A thorough review of each individual's performance during the season was conducted, and the general consensus was that we should strive to retain the vast majority of the squad, but try to pad out the depth with some new signings. Luckily for us, Bowmans Packages were happy to top up the transfer budget, meaning I'll have around $500,000 extra to attract players to Bowmans Road. I barely skimmed the top of the budget for last season, meaning Thistle ended well into the black on the balance sheet, as well as on the table.

We decided to bid farewell to Michael Hall, Andy Paterson and Alan Mahood. With just a combined 18 apperances between them, and all over the footballing landmark age of 30, it was agreed that some new blood should be brought in. All three players were released on free transfers, and only Alan had any success in finding a new club, signing for Albion.

A short biographical piece on the players we did sign.

To my immense delight, the shoddy training shed has been torn down and replaced by a new facility paid for by Bowmans Packages. The quality of the facilities, I'm told, is of Premier League standard, and should improve our prepardeness for matches in what should be a more challenging division.

A gentle reminder of the brutality of football management on June 12, with the axing of Alex McLeish from the Rangers job. Given Celtic's dominance in the SPL, and the Gers' failure in every cup competition they entered, it was probably unsurprising to most pundits, but as a second-placed manager myself I could only thank the football gods that my position at Thistle is rather more secure than what poor Alex's was. Despite taking Dumfermline to their best SPL position in forty years, David Hay couldn't bolt out of the joint quick enough, and he will take on the position at Ibrox, whilst Gordon Strachan takes his old job at East End Park.

We've signed our first two academy players into the youth squad, two lads by the name of David Black and Stuart Milne. Under the guidance of U19s manager John Dennis, their progression will be interesting to note, to say the least.

retired_southdown

The Off-Season - Part 2

Just prior to the start of pre-season training, Airdrie Utd made a bid for David Hagen, who had played in every league game for us thus far. Considering his age (32) and the opportunity presented by playing in a division higher than ours, I was more than happy to let David join the Diamonds. An offer of $22,000 for Allan McGregor came from Dortmund - of all places - but I was far from happy to lose my number one goalkeeper.

The very next day, a staggering offer came in on the fax machine from Partick Thistle for Allan. I had to personally ring manager Dick Campbell just to get confirmation for what I was reading - an offer of $1,000,000! However, I feel I let my selfishness get in the way, as I tried to get Dick to swing two players towards Thistle in exchange for Allan, as well as the cold hard cash. The last thing Campbell said before he hung up was to say that my business acumen wasn't what he thought it was.

However, it seems that Allan McGregor's reputation has spread south of the border, as Blackpool faxed through an offer of a million. I learnt my lesson and confirmed the deal straight away, but not before calling Allan into the office to personally thank him for his efforts during the season, and extending an invitation for him to return at Bowmans Road anytime he wished.

The draws for the League Cup and Challenge Cup were held in early July on my first annivesary of being appointed Thistles boss. We would face Dumbarton at home in the Challenge Cup, and travel to Raith for the League Cup in September. All in all I'm happy with the draw.

The accountants at Blackpool should be looking for alternative employment any time soon after the Allan McGregor deal fell through at the eleventh hour due to lack of money (i.e. they had none). Whilst I'm slightly disappointed we won't land the windfall from the transaction, I'm more than happy to have Allan back - or should that be 'still' - at the club. Even so, we have signed ancient keeper Andy Gorman from Dumbarton. Having played for Scotland on 43 occasions, Andy should help Allan and David Hay immensely, although at 41 his best days seem to be past him - well and truly.

On the home front, things are coming along just fine. Sheena's parents have flown over from Brisbane and have rented out an apartment in Edinburgh for the next four months to help with the babies when they arrive. There is a bit of banter from the relatives - mock horror, even - that they'll soon have a pair of Scottish relatives. One of Sheena's aunts has even sent over a pair of booties with the design of St Andrew's flag on them. In the meanwhile, Sheena has developed an insane appetite for apricots and crossiants, and has spent most of her time - when she's not watching scouting videos on my behalf - talking to the growing mass that is her pregnant belly.

And now we move into the second season....how many seasons will I remain in this job? I seem to be doing okay so far...