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October 2006

Full of confidence, we took on Aberdeen in our postponed League Cup game, and although the boys gave it a real crack, we were beaten by a far better side on the day.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/10 - Aberdeen 2 Thistle 1Scorers - Gethins 29 (Easton 17, Craig 23)League Cup Round 2</pre>

We then had a very long break from football as Gocha, Markus Paatelainen and Gary Dempsey were involved in the latest matches in qualification for Euro 2008. Due to the effect that their collective absence would have on our side, we successfully applied to have our league matches postponed during this period. However, the long period of time spent twiddling our thumbs had a negative effect as we got off to the worst possible start against Arbroath, and ended up getting our backsides kicked around the park. The trend continued in a second catch-up match later in the week.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/10 - Arbroath 3 Thistle 1Scorers - Gethins 65 (Swankie 1, 31 pen, Browne 15)League Position - 8th25/10 - Thistle 1 Raith 3Scorers - Gethins 26 (O'Reilly 43, 63, Coakley 84)League Position - 8th</pre>

We then put our season back on track with a great win against Brechin, who always seem to give us a tough game. Gethins and Dean Walker continued their own personal rivalry in the scoring race, each slotting a goal. The next day, we found we were heading to Peterhead for the first round of the Scottish Cup.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/10 - Thistle 2 Brechin 1Scorers - Walker 32, Gethins 33 (Hampshire 69)League Position - 7th</pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Stirling 25 +122. Raith 23 +63. Arbroath 20 +54. St Johnstone 16 +55. Dumbarton 16 +26. Stranraer 15 +17. Thistle* 14 +18. Brechin 11 -49. Peterhead* 5 -1310. Montroe 5 -15</pre>

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Challenge Cup Final
Edinburgh Thistle v Partick Thistle
Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir
November 5 2006

The 2006 Challenge Cup Final had arguably even more drama, highlights and emotion than the previous year's version, which is saying a lot.

Partick Thistle won a game which featured seven goals, and didn't lead until the 85th minute when Emmanuel Panther slotted the winner past Graeme Smith. Connor Gethins scored another two goals but ultimately Edinburgh Thistle fans would walk away unhappy.

"There are bigger fish to fry," I reminded the team on the way back home. "Even if we'd won the cup, I would be disappointed if we were to be relgated. We were beaten by a better side in one of the games of the season. There is no shame in that. You left everything on the pitch today and I couldn't be happier if we had won."

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/11 - Edinburgh Thistle 3 Partick Thistle 4Scorers - Walker 15, Gethins 28, 69 (McConalogue 22 pen, Hinds 50, Dowie 76, Panther 85)Challenge Cup Final</pre>.

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Just a request - can a moderator or someone else with similar powers please fix up the formatting in the 'August 2006' post? The page is far too wide otherwise and difficult to read. Thanks - B

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November 2006

Although the team played well in the Challenge Cup final against Partick Thistle, I was at a loss to explain our capitulation against 10th-placed Peterhead. Two days after the game, Michael McGovern returned from his loan deal at Clyde, where he had conceded six goals in three starts. Clyde made an offer of $20,000, which I was happy to accept.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/11 - Peterhead 2 Thistle 0Scorers - (Boylan 38, 46)League Position - 6th</pre>

With various international matches and European competitions, we did not have another game for ten days, during which I gave all team members four days off from training. For four days Sheena and I took the twins to London for a short holiday where we behaved like tourists - even to the point of having our pictures taken with the guards outside Buckingham Palace. Our batteries recharged, Thistle then proceded to produce the performance of the season thus far, with a Dean Walker double sinking St Johnstone, who would not have a single shot on goal all afternoon.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/11 - Thistle 2 St Johnstone 0Scorers - Walker 14, 89League Position - 4th</pre>

At Stranraer, it was a case of two players with very similar surnames making the news. Gary Dempsey controlled the midfield brilliantly all day, and scored the winning goal. However, we would lose the services of Mark Dempsie who fractured his ribs while going for a header. He will be out for roughly one month.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">25/11 - Stranraer 0 Thistle 1Scorers - Dempsey 59League Position - 4th</pre>

20-year old Marco Pelosi has been attracting plenty of positive press over the last month, with some media outles calling him a player of the future. Although his contract doesn't expire until the end of next season, I feel it is vital that we lock him away for as long as we can. Therefore, I've offered him a two-year extension of his current contract, with a $100 payrise.

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December 2006

Gocha made a little slice with his first goal for Thistle - at 23 seconds, it is our quickest ever goal. His good work went to waste as we threw away a precious victory against a team higher than us on the ladder. With 14 games elapsed in the season, we are 11 points away from promotion.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">2/12 - Thistle 1 Stirling 1Scorers - Gocha 1 (Glancy 90)League Position - 4th</pre>
Playing an experimental side, we were able to easily advance past Peterhead in the Scottish Cup. Connor Gethins scored his fourth hatrick of goals for the club, whilst Fraser Logan and Cameron Bell had good games. The result was not good news for manager Darren Henderson, who is copping a battering from his own supporters despite getting them into the Second Division this season. After the game I commented to the local press that Henderson was a good manager, and even though Peterhead fans may be dissatisfied with his performance, there were many other managers who could not do what Darren had done. We face a trip to Arbroath in the second round of the cup.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/12 - Peterhead 1 Thistle 4Scorers - Gethins 45, 56, 88, Dempsey 89 (Michie 24)Scottish Cup 1st Round</pre>
Incidentally, we would face Arbroath in our next game, a crucial game in the context of the season with just one point seperating the two sides. Despite leading early, we were unable to press home the advantage and eventually lost, with any realistic hopes of promotion now in doubt.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13/12 - Thistle 1 Arbroath 2Scorers - Skelton 7 (Cusick 44 pen, Collier 50)League Position - 5th</pre>
Last-placed Montrose were never realistically in the game, having been blown off the paddock in the first half. Their demoralised fans began to leave at halftime, and missed out on a much improved second half performance.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/12 - Montrose 0 Thistle 4Scorers - Gethins 6, Walker 10, O'Donoghue 26, Skelton 83League Position - 4th</pre>
We earned ourselves a replay in the Scottish Cup after a gritty display at Gayfield Park.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">20/12 - Arbroath 1 Thistle 1Scorers - Paatelainen 13 (Miller 4)Scottish Cup 2nd Round</pre>
Dumbarton came away with a deserved win two days out from Christmas. Our forwards were quite wasteful, with only three straight shots on goal.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">23/12 - Dumbarton 1 Thistle 0Scorers - (Rodgers 48)League Position - 5th</pre>
The cup replay was never really in doubt, despite Arbroath's late goal. For the second time in three years, we were through to the third round of the Scottish Cup, with a realistic chance of progressing even further. As in 2005, our third round opponent is St Johnstone.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/12 - Thistle 2 Arbroath 1Scorers - Walker 34, Gethins 48 (Brazil 89)Scottish Cup 2nd Round Replay</pre>
A very busy December finished with our eighth game of the month. Gary Dempsey started in front of Gocha and scored the first goal in a brilliant individual effort. The three points were never in doubt from then on in.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">30/12 - Brechin 0 Thistle 2Scorers - Dempsey 5, Gethins 56</pre>
And so ended the year 2006. With Thistle entrenched in the top half of the season, still alive in the Scottish Cup, and several players having outstanding seasons, it seemed that our future was as golden as our uniforms.

Table - December 2006 (after 19 games except where marked)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Stirling 43 +202. Raith* 38 +143. Arbroath* 30 +64. Dumbarton 29 +65. Thistle* 27 +66. Stranraer 22 -37. St Johnstone 21 -38. Peterhead* 19 -69. Brechin 19 -910. Montrose 10 -31</pre>

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January 2007

Brechin dropped a bombshell on New Year's Day, departing company with their manager of six years, Iain Campbell. Despite being consistent performers in the Second Division for the past four years, being in the relegation zone was the last straw for Brechin fans, who demanded a fresh approach in the front office.

Michael McGovern finally departed to Clyde, and proceeded to declare that he wanted to use his time with the Bully Wee as a stepping stone back to Celtic. The man has the morals of an alley-cat on heat, but at least he's not my problem any more.

With the transfer window opening again, I saw no need to rush out and buy a whole swag of players just for the sake of it. Above all, the good team chemistry that we had developed thus far this season should be preserved as we entered a very important phase. We only signed one player, but at least he doesn't need directions to get to Bowmans Road - David McClune returns from Falkirk, where he only made ten apperances, including none in the current season.

We gave a five-star effort against Raith, blowing the second-placed team off the park to the tune of three goals to zip. It is a massive result for us as it keeps our promotion hopes alive. Had we lost, the gap between us and Raith would have been 14 points instead of the 8 points that it is now.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3/1 - Raith 0 Thistle 3Scorers - Walker 30, Gethins 33, Dempsey 47League Position - 4th</pre>
Peterhead came, they saw, and they were promptly conquered.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">6/1 - Thistle 1 Peterhead 0Scorers - Dunlop 61League Position - 4th</pre>
David Murray was unveiled as the new boss at Brechin City and faces a challenge to keep them out the relegation zone. He will have to do it without his main striker after Stephen Hampshire dislocated his shoulder in training, keeping him out until April.

We advanced into the final 16 of the Scottish Cup after a dominant 2-0 victory away to St Johnstone, reversing the result in the corresponding fixture of the 2005 Scottish Cup. St Johnstone have not yet beaten us in the current season, and not since 2005. It would be a 'Battle of the Thistles', with Inverness Caledonian Thistle travelling to Bowmans Road Stadium for the fourth round clash on February 10.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13/1 - St Johnstone 0 Thistle 2Scorers - Walker 59, Paatelainen 84Scottish Cup 3rd Round</pre>
Straight after the cup victory, Preston North End filed seperate offers for Gavin Skelton and Marco Pelosi, both of which were rejected. Both players want to stay at Thistle, and the offering price is far too low in any case. Queens Park made a direct swap bid for Jared Stirling, which we were happy to accept. Jared has only played two games since joining the club and can utilise his talents better at Hampden. In exchance, we get another defender for our depth in Daniel Ferry.

A week later, we returned to McDiamind Park to face St Johnstone again. David McClune made his reapperance in the yellow and blue after 14 months with Falkirk but would last just two minutes before injury struck. Dean Walker also came off with injury, leaving us a man short for the last ten minutes.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">20/1 - St Johnstone 1 Thistle 0Scorers - (Stevenson 71)League Position - 4th</pre>
Fortunately, Arbroath drew and Raith lost, meaning we still remained only six points from promotion. During the week, Partick Thistle made an offer to buy Muray Watson, which we accepted, since the 20-year old was not expected to progress any further in his development, much less break into the strong we currently have.

Paul Hegarty became the first casualty of the season in the Premier League after Dundee United, sitting 10th, gave him the chop.

Stranraer were desperately, desperately unlucky not to walk away from Bowmans Road Stadium without at least one point, however Gary Demspey was the crucial difference in the end, kicking two goals in injury time.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/1 - Thistle 3 Stranraer 1Scorers - Gethins 9, Dempsey 90, 90 (McPhee 25)League Position - 4th</pre>
The end of the month saw Thistle still in touch with the group of teams pressing for promotion, and an important cup game against Caley Thistle to look forward to.

Table - January 2007 (22 games played)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1. Stirling 47 +202. Arbroath 42 +123. Raith 40 +104. Thistle 36 +115. Dumbarton 33 +66. Stranraer 28 -17. St Johnstone 25 -38. Brechin 22 -109. Peterhead 19 -1410. Montrose 14 -31</pre>

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February 2007

Gary Dempsey (Senior) and Marco Pelosi (Junior) fully deserved their personal victories in the monthly awards. For the first time this year, I was a finalist but finished behind Arbroath's Harry Cairney. Dundee United settled their manager issue by hiring Paul Sturrock, who had been with Sheffield Wednesday.

We wasted another two points against Dumbarton but it could have been much worse - James Walker was disallowed a goal in injury time after it was judged he was marginally offside.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3/2 - Thistle 1 Dumbarton 1Scorers - Walker 30 (McEwen 88)League Position - 4th</pre>
The next day saw three managers lose their job. Peterhead and St Johnstone from our division sacked Darren Henderson and Sandy Stewart respectively, whilst Stenhousemuir also parted ways with their manager after sitting ninth in the Third Division.

During the week, Markus Paatelainen had undoubtedly the finest game of his professional career, scoring two goals at Wembley in a shock Finnish victory against England.

Four days later he would be part of the first Thistle team to make the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. Despite the 2-0 loss to Inverness CT, the massive crowd of 8,948 were treated to a cracker of a game and could not be disappointed with the quality of play. The attendance figure was a record for the club, as was the $85,000 we received in gate receipts, and $150,000 in prize money.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/2 - Thistle 0 Inverness CT 2Scorers - Tokley 33, Chesnauskis 74Scottish Cup 4th Round</pre>
With second-place Arbroath six points ahead of us on the table, the next league game would be vital for both sides. Markus Paatelainen got us off to a dream start when he converted a place kick in the third minute of the game. We then proceeded to trounce the locals by three goals, giving the home fans a Valentine's Day present (of sorts), and closed the 'Promotion Gap' to just three points. Dean Walker kicked his 50th goal for Thistle, joining Connor Gethins in the highest echelon of goal-scorers. For Arbroath, it was their first loss in ten games.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">14/2 - Arbroath 0 Thistle 3Scorers - Paatelainen 3, Walker 50, Donaldson 77 ogLeague Position - 4th</pre>
On the same day, Ross County knocked out Rangers in the fourth round replay match at Dingwall, meaning that once again, the Old Firm would not make it to a Scottish Cup final for the third year running.

During the week, Stirling boss Allan Moore fired a salvo ahead of our league game by saying that Thistle stood virtually no chance at all of matching it with his side, currently clear leaders in the Second Division. After consulting with the staff, I decided to go on the front foot and talk up the game - although I'm sure Allan thinks I'm mad as a cut snake. Asked by the BBC if I had any words about the upcoming game, I looked deadpan into the camera and sincerely said that Allan was the best man to save Stirling from relegation, and that their fans should given him all the support required to lift his team out of the quagmire. The comment ran on all the news bulletins, much to the amusement of Sheena, who taped the segment and promptly sent it home to all our relatives in Australia.

During the week, working at the desk, I suddenly got a phone call.

"Hello. Dave O'Connor here."

"Hello David. It's me.

"Me? Who's me?"

"You know......it's me."

"Buggered if I know. 'Take me to the ballpark'? 'Me and Bobby McGee'? If you're playing another prank call, Connor, I'll cut your pay...."

"Me....Allan Moore."

"Oh." My demenaour suddenly changed. "Allan. How's things?"

"Yeah, pretty good. Really looking forward to tomorrow's game. I just wanted to let you know that I got a huge kick out of your performance on the BBC. I've been in this business for over five years now, and that's the first time that an opposition manager hasn't taken my bait before a crucial game."

"Haha, I must admit, I wasn't quite sure how you would react, to be honest."

"Yeah, well, all of my lads are now hellbent on avoiding relegation. Because, if Davie O'Connor says so, it must be the truth!"

"Hah! Well, all the best this weekend Allan. I'm sure your boys will be going straight back up next year."

"Thanks David. If I may say so, I believe Thistle will be heading that way too, perhaps sooner than you think."

And thus ended one of the most satisfying moments of my management career thus far.

The Thistle promotion campaign received a massive kick in what was inevitably termed ironically the 'Relegation Battle' by the local media, who were intrigued by the token Aussie manager and his strange ways. With scores level late in the game, it seems as if there would be no losers from the game. However, Gary Dempsey made an incisive break down the left side of the field and launched a cross into the box, where it was met by the head of Markus Paatelainen, who scored the winner. Twenty seconds later, the referee blew his whistle for full-time as the Thistle players erupted into cheers.

Thistle were now just one point away from promotion, with eleven games left in the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">17/2 - Stirling 1 Thistle 2Scorers - Walker 16, Paatelainen 90 (Glancy 41)1. Stirling 51 +202. Raith 44 +103. Thistle 43 +154. Arbroath 43 +7</pre>
Ross O'Donoghue signed a new contract with the club, keeping him at Bowmans Road until the end of the 2009/10 season.

We survived an early (and late) scare from Montrose to keep our dream alive. Raith drew with Arbroath, meaning that we moved into the promotion slot. The very next day, Paul Smith surprisingly retired as manager of Raith after just under two years in the job.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">24/2 - Thistle 3 Montrose 2Scorers - O'Donoghue 48, Walker 52 pen, Paatelainen 74 (Brown 39, Baird 85)1. Stirling 52 +202. Thistle 46 +163. Raith 45 +104. Arbroath 44 +7</pre>
Dean Walker would be out of our vital game against the now-manager-less Raith after spraining his wrist in a training exercise.

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March 2007

Despite our brilliant form, we couldn't land a single award - player or manager - during the last month.

The match against Raith would go a long way to determining just who would go up in 2007/08. In front of one of our largest league crowds, we seized the early initiative and hung on for a thrilling victory, with the Rovers throwing everything they had at us in the last ten minutes.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3/3 - Thistle 2 Raith 1Scorers - Gethins 30, Paatelainen 38 (Halley 75)After 27 games1. Stirling 53 +202. Thistle 49 +173. Raith 45 +94. Arbroath 44 +6</pre>
Although I should have realised it, it was still a shock to hear that we now had a four-point break on third-placed Raith. Talk about a huge victory! Ross O'Donoghue was mighty for us once again, and it was no surprise to hear that more than a few Premier League teams had been taking notice of his form.

During the week we re-signed Gocha, Kieren McAnespie and David Bagan to new contracts. All three players have certainly played their role during this season, and will continue to provide the depth in our midfield.

Brechin City provided their usual gritty challenge, but were ultimately brought undone by Gary Dempsey.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/3 - Thistle 1 Brechin 0Scorers - Dempsey 83After 28 games1. Stirling 56 +222. Thistle 52 +183. Arbroath 47 +94 Raith 45 +8</pre>
Peterhead played out of their skins to retain a point at home.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">17/3 - Peterhead 0 Thistle 0After 29 games1. Stirling 56 +202. Thistle 53 +183. Arbroath 47 +84. Raith 46 +8</pre>
Gocha sustained a calf strain whilst on international duty with Georgia and will miss the next two games.

On the last day of the month, we cemented our position as a team on track for promotion into the First Division with a shattering 3-1 win against St Johnstone.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">31/3 - Thistle 3 St Johnstone 1Scorers - Bagan 2, Walker 39 pen, 77 (MacDonald 48)After 30 games1. Stirling 57 +202. Thistle 56 +203. Raith 49 +94. Arbroath 47 +7</pre>
The same afternoon, Gretna skipped ahead to be four points clear at the top of the First Division, and the team most likely to gain promotion to the Premier League. I quickly rang Rowan Alexander to congratulate him on the good work thus far, and all the best of luck in possibly winning an unprecedented three straight division titles. Who's to say he won't win a fourth in 2007/08?

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April & Early May 2007

Stranraer suffered a setback to their preparation for their match against us when manager Gerry Britton walked out to take the main job at Partick Thistle. 34-year old Chris Steward, who was signed as assistant manager only a matter of days before, is now the acting manager. Despite the instability, the locals were able to walk away with a point from the game at Stair Park.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">7/4 - Stranraer 0 Thistle 0After 31 games1. Stirling 58 +202. Thistle 57 +203. Raith 50 +94. Arbroath 47 +4</pre>
The lead-up to the match against Stirling lacked the comedic rivalry that defined our previous clash, but that didn't mean we didn't take the match seriously. At stake was the leadership, if not eventual ownership, of the Second Division. Adopting a 'wait and see' approach to the tactical battle, it seemed that Allan Moore was also taking the same defensive mentality. The last fifteen minutes was a mad scramble for the winning goal, but both teams would end up disappointed. Stirling keep their slender one-point lead at the top of the division. The same afternoon, Gretna's challenge for the Scottish Cup after a 3-1 loss to Kilmarnock at Hampden. The Killies will face defending champions Motherwell after a 1-0 win against Hearts.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">14/4 - Thistle 0 Stirling 0After 32 games1. Stirling 59 +202. Thistle 58 +203. Raith 53 +114. Arbroath 50 +6</pre>
During the week we signed Craig Molloy, a good young midfielder from Stirling. Craig will be with the Thistles until the end of the 2009/10 season and should provide some good competition for spots in the top side. We have also offered contracts to Robbie Horn and Paul McHale for an additional year.

Despite our fast start, we failed to secure the three points against Dumbarton. A consolation was Connor Gethins' 27th goal of the season, a new Thistle record.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/4 - Dumbarton 2 Thistle 2Scorers - Gethins 1, 21 (Rodgers 42, Gold 72)After 33 games1. Stirling 62 +242. Thistle 59 +203. Raith 56 +134. Arbroath 50 +3</pre>
Stranraer resolved their manager situation by hiring Darren Henderson.

With just three games to go, we were on the cusp of promotion, although Raith could sneak in under our noses and steal away our spot if we were to suddenly slip up. Therefore, total importance was placed on our game against Arbroath, who were still clinging on to their slight hopes of promotion. With another Connor Gethins goal, it seemed we were well on our way, but a period of compalcency let Arbroath back into the same and let them share the points.

Raith's 3-0 demolition of Stirling meant that the Second Division was heading for a photo finish.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/4 - Thistle 1 Arbroath 1Scorers - Gethins 23 (Swankie 66)After 34 games1. Stirling 62 +202. Thistle 60 +203. Raith 59 +15</pre>
Although Montrose were already relegated, I wasn't content to treat them with kid gloves. Instead, I wanted blood on the pitch, and for our team to make a big statement to our rivals. Instead, we suffered the huge embarrasment of Montrose scoring three first-half goals, and despite a halftime rant that could have peeled paint, our performance did not improve in the second half. For the first time I can remember, our own supporters booed us off the pitch.

Raith were held to a scoreless draw by Arbroath, meaning they were now level on points with us. After next Saturday, one of us would be in the First Division, and the other team would have their hopes and dreams cruelly taken away from them.

Nice business, this sport.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/5 - Montrose 5 Thistle 1Scorers - Dempsey 72 (Baird 20, Sharp 33, 77, Smart 38, Kerrigan 88)After 35 games1. Stirling 63 +202. Thistle 60 +163. Raith 60 +15</pre>

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Super Saturday

I didn't have to say a single thing on the bus trip back from Montrose. I didn't have to, as the boys all knew their performance was terrible. There was no music, no laughter, no singing, just stunned silence and 22 vacant faces starting out at the dreary, damp landscape.

The next day, I called around at the home of Graeme Smith, my goalkeeper. Graeme was obviously unprepared for any visitors, as he answered the door in his boxers. "Sorry Skip, come right in," as he put the kettle on and searched in the sink for the two least-dirty mugs to make some tea.

Sitting in his longue room, I opened the discussion at least. "What did you think of yesterday?"

"Honestly Skip, it was terrible. I just felt smaller and smaller out there. I haven't felt so embarrased since I farted in my maths exam in junior school. I can assure you it won't happen again."

"Graeme, you're my number one keeper, and I'm not going to give up on you now. Cameron Bell is underdone, David Hay has been in reserves all season, so you're it. I need you to know that you have my total confidence."

Smith visibly relaxed on the couch. "Gee, thanks Skippy. That's really important to know. For a while, I thought I might be looking for alternative employment next year.".

Being a Sunday, I decided to take a stress off Sheena's mind and do a spot of babysitting, taking Callan and Sam to the office while I planned for the Raith match. A reporter from the Edinburgh Evening News was waiting as I arrived.

"The new secret weapons for the Thistle forward line?" the reporter asked in jest, pointing at my sons.

"Connor and Dean can sleep easy, these lads won't be debuting for another seventeen years or so." I laughed.

[i]"Dundee United have been relegated to the First Division and Paul Sturrock's position as manager is in some doubt. DO you harbour any aspirations to manage in the First Division?"

"I can state without a shadow of a doubt that I would love to manage in the First Division next year, but I intend to do that with Edinburgh Thistle."

"You face Raith in the most important game of the season. Do you have any words for manager Billy Stark?"

"I've only met Billy once, and I'm sure he's a gentleman. I must warn Billy though, that the team is really hungry, and I feel we deserve our promotion spot more than the Raith Rovers do. We are a better team from a year ago, and I feel I have improved from last season. We're going to make it very, very tough for our opponents. Thank you."

With the twins playing with a soccer ball in the corner of the room, I put on a Living End CD and settled down to assign training drills for the coming week. Gocha in particular required a lot of physical work in order to be fit for the very important game. My concentration was suddenly shattered - literally - by a cascade of glass exploding in the office.

I leapt across the desk and grabbed the twins, crying and in shock but otherwise unharmed, and ran out the door of my office. "Take the boys, take the boys," I yelled at the secetaries, and then ran back into my office.

There, on the ground barely two metres away from where Sam and Callan had been playing, was a brick wrapped in a Raith Rovers jersey. I ran out of the office and stood in the street, looking in either direction for a possible suspect, but the streets were deserted.

The subsequent police investigation would not find the culprit, although the incident did leave a nasty taste in the mouths of the management of both clubs, with Raith's chairman comdemning the action in the strongest possible terms. The incident took its toll on Sheena as well, and for the first time I was forced to hire a security guard to stand watch outside our home in case of a repeat incident.

Although the issue of promotion was not settled in the other two lower divisions, our division was the only one to feature a direct clash between the two main candidates, and therefore we received a higher exposure in the local media. The fact that there was an attempted attack against my flesh and blood only added to the drama and anticipation amongst football fans. Billy Stark started the mind games by saying that Thistle looked like a shadow of their previous dominant selves. I replied in kind my saying that dear Billy wasn't fit to be a manager in the Third Division, let alone be a candidate for promotion into the First Division.

Billy then continued the games by saying that we were collectively one of the most unfit sides to compete in any division this season, and that our lack of fitness would be the utlimate decider on Saturday. He even went to the extreme lengths of producing an edited highlights video of our fitness - consisting largely of Connor Gethins and Gocha with their hands on their hips after the 5-1 loss to Montrose.

The boys thought the video was simply hilarious. "You know that this means, Skippy?" John Dennis asked me. "Starkie is shitting himself. He knows he doesn't have the team to beat us, so he's just trying to drive a wedge in our camp."

"So what do I say in return?" I asked.

"Take the Sargent Schultz defense - 'I knows nutzhin', and let Billy flounder in the media all by himself."

Saturday, May 17 2007 dawned just like any other day. Wake up at 6:30, play with the twins on the carpet, breakfast with the gorgeous Sheena, shower and shave, pack the lunches (chicken and egg sandwiches, no butter), pack the car, drive to Bowmans Road Stadium at 9:00am to meet with the coaching staff and players, board the team bus to Kircaldy.

On the way, I spent around five minutes talking with each player individually, to calm the nerves of the younger crew, and to focus on the role of the senior players. By the time we arrived at Stark's Park, every Thistle player knew his role.

The players spent another thirty minutes dressing themselves in the sheds, and then went on a final warm-up with John Dennis on the main field during halftime of the reserves game. A final tactical discussion, with a smattering of quotes from luminaries such as Winston Churchill, and it was time to take the field. As Gavin Skelton took the boys onto the field, I felt sure that in the previous six days, there was nothing more that I could have done to prepare Thistle for the game.

The equation was simple - a win or draw would mean promotion. Lose the game, and we lose our slot.