retired_vedagiri

Good luck at the Spiders Wimb! Will you be trying to tempt your goalscorer Barwood to take the step up (or is that down?) with you?

retired_steffani

Thanks for the comments HD and HowDid hope you continue to enjoy! HowDid i'm not sure if Danny will be joining us as he is valued in the region of 60k and my tranfer funds are shall we say limited in terms of reputation and standard i think the clubs are on a par, but the prestige of QP is bigger plus its alot easier to climb through the divisions.

The Queens Park Era

26/1/07

I made my way up to Scotland sad to be leaving a club who had been so good to me in the last 18 months, but the chance to manage at Hampden is too good to turn down and so I headed Northwards to see what challenges awaited me. had already been informed that we had no money available to spend in the last few days of the transfer window and the club lay in 9th position in the league, with little chance of reaching the promotion playoffs.

I came to the clubs training ground and was greeted by the current assistant manager Gordon Hyslop coaches Craig Mulholland and Bobby Dickson Physio Robert Findlay and scout Jack Jolly

Having been used to a big team at Lancaster I immediately told Mr Wilson to place adverts in the national press for a new scout and some coaches and told Jack Jolly to immediately begin a 3-month scouting mission around the UK.

My first task when I got to the training ground was to meet with the reserve team. Of 18 names and the details I had received from scout reports etc it was clear that all 18 could go and I immediately transfer listed them all and informed them all that they could freely join any club. Despite this I told each one that an impressive run of form in the reserves could lead to opportunities in the future. As for the seniors I sat down and told each man that he would have to prove himself to me and that reputations counted for nothing. There would be little time to analyse the players before the game so I reserved my analysis for after the game with East Fife.

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East Fife (H) Bells Scottish League (BSL) Division 3 27/1/2007 W 2-0 Att. 289

Goal Scorers: Alex Walker, David McKenna
Red Card: Mark Robertson

Line Up: Blower, Ferry, Tulloch, Burke, McKenna, Walker, Downie, Robertson, McKenna, Teggart, Swankie


Well an eventful start to say the least, and just like my opening league game with Lancaster this one ended in a 2-0 victory. The first thing that struck me was how empty a 50,000 all seater stadium is with only 289 people in it. The giant axe was 25 times smaller but still had the same number of fans each week. Regardless of this disappointment I consulted with Gordon and picked a side to go and compete with 3rd placed East Fife. Unfortunately for me our Aussie Mark Robertson saw red for 2 quick bookings after just 35 minutes. I had to admit I did begin to wonder at this point whether leaving Lancaster was a wise move. In response to Robertson’s dismissal I brought on Bryan Hyland who slotted into a now 3 man midfield and his introduction proved a master stroke. After surviving till the break, in the second half we played more like a team of 12 men and soon David McKenna had scored the first goal under my reign and his first for the club. Then 20 minutes later Adam Walker put us 2-0 to the good and the few fans that had turned up were in raptures. For the rest of the match Fife rarely threatened and I savoured a win and a clean sheet in my first match in charge.


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The time after the East Fife game gave me time to reflect on my first team squad and I drew up the following notes

Goalkeepers

David Blower : Wal. 32y/o
Season to date: App 25(1) Avg Rating 6.69

A clear choice for the No.1 jersey the vetran Welsh keeper had been steady throughout the season and his experience puts him above David Crawford in the pecking order

David Crawford: Sco 21y/o
4 Aps. 6.75 Avg.

A good youngster who could well challenge Blower in the long run, have no worries about throwing him into a game if Blower is injured.


Defenders

Stephen McKenna: Sco 21y/o D, DM RC
4 Aps. 6.75 Avg.

Stephen looked like a very promising young full back and his versatility meant that he could quite easily cover a gap in the centre as he had done against East Fife. A player who should have a bright future here


Jonathan Carter: Sco 19y/o D LC
28 Aps. 6.82 Avg

The youngster had been rested from my debut due to tiredness at 19 he was already a first team regular and would continue to be so under my tenure


Scott Dornan: Sco 19y/o D L
2 Aps. 7.00 Avg.

Scott had some potential and had survived my opening day cull but had not been selected for even the bench for the opening game. A player who would suffer from competition from established left backs and versatile players like Stephen and Jon. A possible transfer candidate over the summer if not before.


Stephan Tulloch: Sco 19y/o D L
24(3) Aps. 6.48 Avg.

Above Scott in the pecking order and the first choice leftback, Stephan can look forward to a long run in the team and a bright future.


Darren Burke: Eire 23y/o D C
28 Aps. 1 Goal 6.57 Avg.

Darren was the other strong first choice centre back, at least for the time being. He had put up some fairly average yet solid displays this season and would play for now with the possibility of being a solid squad player in the long run


Alan Trouten: Sco 21y/o D, WB R
1(1) Aps. 6.00 Avg.

A solid squad player Alan doesn’t pose much of a threat in the long run to Stephen McKenna or current RB Mark Ferry but usefull in a squad capacity.


Midfielders


Alex Walker: (On loan from Morten) Sco 22y/o DM, AM R
18(3) Aps. 1 Goal 6.52 Avg.

A quality winger who can also play the holding role Alex had starred against East Fife and I hoped he could do so for his entire loan spell and possibly even a permanent stay at Hampden.


Bryan Hyland: Eire 24y/o DM, AM LC, F C
28 Aps. 8 Goals 7.07 Avg

A highly versatile player who proved during the opening game what an asset he can be to the club. His ability to play in multiple positions means that he will rarely be out of the first team picture


Scott Downie: (On loan from St. Mirren) Sco 17y/o M L
2(1) Aps. 6.33 Avg.

Another loanee who despite his very young age looks like having a bright future in the game and at Queens Park. He dazzled in the Fife game and should be the regular starter on the left wing with Hyland or Leliuga filling in from time to time.


Mark Robertson: Aus 29y/o M C
24 Aps. 1 Goal 5.92 Avg.

A player who did not make the best impression on his debut sent off within the first half but everyone is entitled to a second chance and Mark would be no different. A talented and experienced MC I hoped he could help out some of the younger players, but he still has a lot to prove himself.


Rhytis Leliuga: LTU 19y/o AML
23 Aps. 2 Goals 6.52 Avg

A close season signing from English side Exceter Rhytis was already a Lithuanian international and the youngster should compete with Downie for a place in the Lineup. A slight niggle had kept him out of the Fife game.


Brian Blair: Sco 23/yo AM C
1(1) Aps 7.00 Avg.

A player who should fight with Robertson for one of the MC berths, the young Scot had plenty to offer the team and should be a good option for when we are chasing the game.

David McKenna: (On loan from St. Mirren) Sco 20y/o AM, F C
4 Aps. 1 Goal 6.50 Avg

Another hugely talented youngster from St Mirren, David had already endeared himself to me by scoring against East Fife and looked likely to regularly occupy the MC slot.


Forwards

Steven Fitzpatrick: Sco 19y/o ST
(yet to feature)

A youngster who is injured at present so I havn’t had much chance to look at him but from what the coaches tell me he looks no more then a fringe player at this stage in his development.


Gavin Swankie: (on loan from Dundee) Sco 23y/o ST
22 Aps. 9 Goals 7.09 Avg.

Solid performances throughout his loan spell established Gavin as a regular starter and his performance against Fife did nothing to change that. Unfortunately his loan spell ends at the end of the week but I wish him well and hope he considers a permanent move here one day.


Neil Teggart: NIR 22y/o ST
8(8) Aps. 3 Goals 6.13 Avg.

Neil was a player with buckets of potential yet his weight was a problem, he hasn’t had a regular run in the team and that could well wake him up.

So my initial assessment of the squad suggests cover in the centre of midfield and some power up front is required to haul us up into regular contention, I just hope Mr Jolly can deliver.


Within days we say goodbye to one of the transfer listed reserves as Louis Waters leaves to join Irish side Finn Harps. We also sign 2 new coaches Kevin Poole and Peter Williams

------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Young John Carter caps off a successful start to my time at the club by winning the young player of the month award and on top of that the club turns a massive £4 profit, so just enough for the chairman to buy me a drink. But the transfer window did slam shut leaving me this group of players until May.

retired_steffani

February 2007


St Johnstone (H) Scottish Cup 4R 3/2/07 L 0-2 Att. 2558

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Burke, S.McKenna, Ferry, Hyland, Blair, Leliuga, Teggart, Fitzpatrick


Well we were well and truly beaten and I had no complaints. Unable to field my loan players and with injuries and suspensions I didn’t give my team much of a hope. So in the end 2-0 was a pleasant surprise and I took great heart from the performance. The game was predictable in that St. Johnstone dictated play and we had few chances, so little said about it the better. Fitzpatrick did make his debut for us though in the game and had a reasonable game too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------

In the aftermath of the game we picked up £75k in prize money a very tidy sum for a club 144k in the red before the game. Elsewhere Mark Ferry would miss the next Scottish Cup game he was involved in due to suspension for 2 bookings and Adam Walker faced 2 weeks on the sidelines through injury.

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East Stirling (A) BSL D3 7/2/2007 W 5-1

Goal Scorers: Teggart x4 (10, 17, 30, 84) , D.McKenna (90)

Lineup:Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S. McKenna, Ferry (Leliuga), Downie, Blair, D. McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick (Hyland)

To be honest not sure where this result came from…. After the defeat to St Johnstone I had expected a tired side to gallantly lose away but the boys did anything but lie down. Instead Teggart scored more then he had done all season firing 4 goals to see us demolish East Stirling. David McKenna scored the other in a game which we led from just the 10th minute and never looked back. Carter slotted into LB due to Dornan being tired and played quite well but the sooner we get him into DC the better. Quite frankly displays like this were playoff form but I fear we have left it too late

------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

Midweek midfielder Stuart Kettlewell joined Finn Harps joing up with Waters who had also recently left to join the Irish club.

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Berwick (H) BSL D3 10/2/2007 W 2-1 Att. 379

Goal Scorers: Downie (38), Teggart (90)

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Dornan, Carter, S.McKenna, Ferry (Leliuga), Downie, Blair (Robertson), D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick (Hyland)


Wow 3 league wins from 3 games maybe the playoffs weren’t out of reach after all. We managed to beat the league leaders reasonably comfortably, the only change to the East Stirling lineup saw a tired Darren Burke replaced by Scott Dornan who fitted into LB which allowed Carter to return to CB. Berwick shot themselves in the foot today conceding a penalty which saw Gilderdale sent off for a professional foul on 37 minutes. Scott Downie stood up to take the pen but saw it saved, fortunatly he also found the rebound and cooly slotted home to give us the lead. Despite this setback the league leaders fought back and equalised before the break sending the teams into the HT interval level. At the break I made 3 changes and it seemed to rejuvinate the side as we forged ahead trying t win the game vs the 10 men of Berwick. Finally our pressure was rewarded when Teggart scored his 5th in 2 games in the 2nd minute of injury time to give us all 3 points and a perfect league record under my management.



Elgin City (A) BSL D3 17/2/06 W 2-1 Att. 435

Goal Scorers: Teggart (46), Fitzpatrick (75)

Lineup:Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna (Robertson) , Teggart, Fitzpatrick

Tulloch and Walker came in for Dornan and Ferry respecitvly as we went about trying to take apart Elgin a side just below us in the league. The playoffs were a mere 8 points away but with just 10 games to go time was rapidly running out for my new side. Even so a 4th straight win ensured that morale was sky high especially for young Fitzpatrick who scored the winner and picked up the MOM award for his troubles. I must admit I never saw him as a regular starter but his partnership with Teggart is proving deadly already and might be just what we need if not this season then next. Still as for todays game we once again played very well and created a few chances for our strike pair before Teggart finally put us ahead just after the restart. Elgin swiftly equalised but our new found determination saw us pour forward and grab a deserved winner thanks to young Steve Fitzpatrick 15 minutes before the end. So 12 points from 12, could we make the playoffs afterall?



Striling Albion (A) BSL D3 24/2/2007 L 2-3 Att. 787

Goal Scorers : Walker (17) Teggart (90)

Line up: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick

A valliant quest for a 5th straight win came to an end away at new league leaders Stirling Albion. Despite Walkers superb opener, 3 rapid goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half condemed us to our first defeat under my leadership. Teggart was able to pull us close in injury time but it was a case of too little too late. In my head I knew that the playoffs would probably be beyond us but still the signs for next season were very positive.

---------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Days later I received some fantastic news as we swept the board at the February Division 3 awards. Neil Teggart took home the player of the month, John Carter the young player, and I won my first managerial award being named manager of the month.

My first full month in charge had been amazing, seeing us climb right up the league and put us in with a slight chance of sneaking a playoff spot. Neil Teggart had been a revelation and young Steve Fiztpatrick had broken through into the first team and made the second strikers slot his own.


February 2007 Review

League Record P4 W3 D0 L1 GS 11 GC 6
SFA Cup P1 W0 D0 L1 GS 0 GC 2


Leading Scorer

Teggart 10



Authors note : I'm away on holiday for the week so i don't know if i'll be able to update again until next Saturday. Thanks to everyone who has read so far hope you continue to enjoy it !

retired_mujerenforma

Excellent stuff Wimb!

retired_yolanda

KUTGW at QPR! :thup:

retired_steffani

Thanks very much for the kind words Luke and Gil (although im not at QPR Gil ;-) ) just back from a week away so will do my best to update as much as possible.

March 2007


Arbroath (H) BSL D3 3/3/2007 D 0-0 Att. 290

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick


A highly frustrating encounter which saw their keeper John Stark have an absolute blinder making 5 or 6 fabulous saves, and when he was beaten then twice had a defender on the line to ensure that we would not return to winning ways. Dissapointingly for us nobody really stood up and took charge of the game not even Teggart who had his first quiet game since I had been here. Still 8 points off the playoffs but only 21 points left to play for.


Albion Rovers (A) BSL D3 10/3/2007 W 4-0 Att. 281

Scorers: Fitzpatrick x3 (38, 40, 67), Teggart (48)

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter (Burke), S.McKenna, Ferry, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick


Well if I was beginning to think our season would quietly going to peter out nobody bothered telling the players who routed hapless Albion in their own backyard. Steve Fitzpatrick is growing in stature with every game and his hatrick was fantastic to watch. His display combined with Teggarts continued form in front of goal had me as excited as when I first saw Alex Taylor and Danny Barwood link up at Lancaster, I hope these two could be just as successful. The game itself was dominated by our strikers Fitzpatrick opening the scoring, doubling the lead and finishing things with Teggart scoring the third. With 6 games to go the playoffs were only 6 points away, could we yet make it afterall?



Montrose (H) BSL D3 17/3/2007 W 1-0 Att. 339

Scorer: Teggart (17)

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker (Ferry), Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick


Despite playing such appealing football still only 300 fans turned up to see us continue our late playoff charge. Those that were at Hampden saw us turn in a confident display and take away all 3 points thanks to Neil Teggart putting us ahead on 17 minutes. The points kept up the pressure on those above us and Dumbarton will be anxiously looking over their shoulders this weekend.

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Having been at the club for a couple of months I was now in a better position to decide whether certain players would have their contract renwed. In some ways I would have liked to have longer with certain players but I gave new contracts to Brian Blair, Neil Teggart, Mark Ferry and Alan Trouton got new deals. Brian, Mark and Alan all were given 1 year extensions whilst I rewarded Neil with a new 3 year deal. He had shown massive amounts of potential and could be a massive star for years to come, I wasn’t about to let him go on the cheap any time soon.


In other good news I was named 3rd in the monthly divisional managerial awards whilst Steve McKenna came 3rd in the player of the month vote. Such awards were welcome in lifting the profile of the club as we needed to show potential new signings that we could compete in this division and above.


--------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

A round of international fixtures meant that we were without a game for a couple of weeks that was frustrating, as we had just hit a great run of form. The race for the playoffs were hotting up and our next game was a make or break fixture against the team occupying the last spot Dumbarton.


March 2007 Review

League Record P3 W2 D1 L0 GS 5 GC 0

Leading Scorers:

Teggart 12
Hyland 8

retired_ruska

Wahoo an update!

Very nice read so far, keep it up.

retired_steffani

Thanks Heward its good to be back, glad you're enjoying the story as for now it's just a case of writing up my notes while i have the chance



April 2007


Dumbarton (H) BSL D3 4/4/2007 L 0-1 Att. 533

Lineup:Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick


Well the dream died with a defeat to the only team in catching distance Dumbarton. I don’t know what hurt more, Downie missing his penalty or their keeper being named MOM whatever the case I was in the ground an hour after everyone else had left. It could have all been so different if the young winger had slotted home from 12 yards; we would be just 3 points behind with 12 to play for instead of 6 and in with a real shout of the playoffs.


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East Fife (A) BSL D3 11/4/2007 W 2-0 Att. 565

Goal Scorers: Teggart (44), Walker (68)

Lineup:Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Hyland


On the surface our season looked to be at an end coming into this game. We faced the team 2nd in the league away from home and having lost recent revelation Steve Fitzpatrick to injury on the back of a home defeat. However football rarely goes according to script and we turned in a powerful performance to suddenly find ourselves back in playoff contention thanks to Dumbarton’s loss the same day. Admittedly we were helped today by the fact that East Fife were playing with 10 men for 60 minutes but even so both Teggart and Walker took their goals fantastically well as the team refused to give up the playoff dream.

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I was appalled to learn of Adam Walkers impending departure, whoever negotiated a loan contract to expire 2 games before the end of the season needs shooting, no wonder the guy was sacked :rolls:

Still it was all systems go and we needed to win every game to keep up the pressure on Dumbarton.


-------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------


East Stirling (H) BSL D3 18/4/06 W 5-1 Att. 353

Goal Scorers : Teggart 2 (2,72), Walker x3 (34,50,88),

Lineup: Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Walker, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Hyland


Another demolition job from my boys today as we emphatically routed bottom of the league East Stirling 5-1. Adam Walker said goodbye in the best way possible, smashing a wonderful hatrick and Neil Teggart kept us his wonderful run of form with another two goals. The momentum was building and now we found ourselves just 3 points behind with 2 games to play, but with a superior goal difference we still had a shout.


Berwick (A) BSL D3 25/4/2006 D 1-1 Att. 527

Goal Scorer : Teggart (66)

Lineup:Blower(c), Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna, Ferry, Downie, Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Hyland (Fitzpatrick)


We went to 2nd place Berwick knowing that a win was the only way to guarante that we stayed in the hunt, but in the end we came up agonisingly short. Despite the best efforts of Neil Teggart, who hauled us level, we just couldn’t overturn Berwicks ealry first half lead, and that combined with Dumbarton’s win, meant that we were mathmatically out of contention for the playoffs. The play was all Berwick, even when they were reduced to ten men they still outplayed us all over the pitch and even the return of Steven Fitzpatrick couldn’t change our fortunes. In the end I was pleased with the point, but so bitterly dissapointed that we had come up short of the playoffs.


------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- -------------

The coach ride home was a quiet affair. Since I had joined the club the players had all performed magnificantly and I was convinced that another 5 or 6 games would have seen us overhaul Dumbarton, but alas, it wasn’t to be. I looked at the faces on the team bus and knew that some of the weren’t up to standard and would have to leave, but in the eyes of others I saw the fierce determination needed to suceed. It was that look which in turn inspired me and I swore then and there that id get this club promoted before I left the club, I’d left Lancaster before the promised land but I wouldn’t do the same to Queens Park.


------ -------------- --------------------- ---------------- ----------------------------------------

Elgin (H) BSL D3 28/4/2006 W 2-1 Att. 454

Goal Scorer: Fitzpatrick x2 (44,81)

Red Card: Carter (32)

Lineup:Carwford, Trouten, Tulloch, Carter, S.McKenna(c), Ferry, Downie (Canning), Blair, D.McKenna, Teggart, Fitzpatrick

We finished the season in fine form defeating Elgin despite being down to 10 men after Carter was shown red for a professional foul. Despite that setback Steven Fitzpatrick managed to score twice to ensure a 5th placed finish. I had changed the team slightly giving recent retutning loanee Steven Canning a game on the bench and put David Crawford in goal. Canning came on and performed well and Crawford also looked good, despite conceding. So we ended my my season in charge with a flurry and we had to believe that next season we could really make a charge for promotion


So the season was over with a 5th place finish, not bad considering we were 9th when I took over. We had come so close to the playoffs yet our failure this year would help prepare us mentally for the year ahead. I now had little doubt that we could take on anyone in the division and have a good tilt at the title.


2006/2007 Final Table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Stirling | | 36 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 60 | 38 | +22 | 68 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | Pl | East Fife | | 36 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 46 | 44 | +2 | 56 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | Pl | Berwick | | 36 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 47 | 38 | +9 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | Pl | Dumbarton | | 36 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 49 | 44 | +5 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Queen's Park | | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 55 | 45 | +10 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Montrose | | 36 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 51 | 54 | -3 | 47 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Albion Rovers | | 36 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 45 | 49 | -4 | 46 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Arbroath | | 36 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 44 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Elgin | | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 46 | 52 | -6 | 40 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | East Stirling | | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 43 | 78 | -35 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>
In depth season review to follow tommorow

retired_steffani

Season In Review 2006/2007:


Personally i felt i had done well over the season both at Lancaster and Queens Park. On a managerial level i had helped build Lancaster's squad to a very healthy level and had taken Queens Park within a whisker of the playoffs. My old team had finished just outside the playoffs but i had no doubts that the talented group of lads down there could do the business next season. On a personal level my first house in Scotland was looking better and better everyday (despite the smell from next door)and even the dog was beggining to calm down....well a bit. I looked forward to a summer of scouting and rebuilding but first a well earned holiday to Florida awaited me.


Squad Review (Players at the club on last day of the season)

Goalkeepers

David Blower : Wal. 32y/o
App. 37(1) Avg. 674

Had performed well since I came to the club proving to be a dependable No1, should be around the club next season but with young David Crawford knocking on the door it should be a battle.



David Crawford: Sco 21y/o
5 Aps. 6.80 Avg.

Had only played once, and that was the final game of the season, his youth sees him stand a good chance of competing with Blower next season.


Defenders

Stephen McKenna: Sco 21y/o D, DM RC
17 Aps. 7.41 Avg.

I had intended to use Steve as a right back but injuries meant he moved to CB where he proved an absolute superstar and a player who I will build the defence around next season.

Jonathan Carter: Sco 19y/o D LC
40(1) Aps. 6.90 Avg.

A dependable figure across the backline who had impressed me with his solid displays. Once concern however was his fitness, which would need work over the summer.


Scott Dornan: Sco 20y/o D L
3 Aps. 6.67 Avg.

Another who made just one appearance for me, he was behind Carter and Tulloch in thepecking order so would be made available in the summer.


Stephan Tulloch: Sco 19y/o D L
36(3) Aps. 6.69 Avg.

Dependable without being spectacular Stephan would defiantly be in contention for a place next year and LB wouldn’t be a position I would be desperate to strengthen.


Darren Burke: Eire 23y/o D C
29(1) Aps. (1 Goal) 6.57 Avg.

Darren had not been as dependable as I had liked, and with the emergence of Stephen McKennna I didn’t know how long he would last next season.


Alan Trouten: Sco 21y/o D, WB R
14(1) Aps. 6.73 Avg.

Alan had also greatly impressed me since I had come to the club. His qualities both in attack and defence meant that like LB, RB was an area that didn’t really worry me too much going into the close season.


Midfielders


Bryan Hyland: Eire 24y/o DM, AM LC, F C
32(3) Aps. (8) Goals 7.11 Avg

He had played all across midfield and attack since my arrival and had excelled in just about every role. Bryan could look forward to plenty of action either in the starting lineup or from the bench next year.


Scott Downie: (On loan from St. Mirren) Sco 18y/o M L
14(1) Aps. (1 Goal) 7.07 Avg.

Despite his fantastic displays he will forever be remembered for that penalty miss which cost us a penalty berth. I was hopeful to secure him on loan or permanently for next season.


Mark Robertson: Aus 29y/o M C
24(2) Aps. (1 Goal) 5.96 Avg.

Made only 2 substitute appearances after his red card on debut. Mark didn’t have the right attitude or quality to be considered a sound long-term investment. Still I was in no hurry to sell so he could well find a place in the squad next year.


Rhytis Leliuga: LTU 19y/o AML
24(2) Aps. (2 Goals) 6.50 Avg

Defiantly still an enigma, hadn’t featured much but if he was good enough for a national side he was worth another shot and that combined with a good positive attitude would see him hopefully here next year, especially of Downie decides against returning.


Brian Blair: Sco 23/yo AM C
14(1) Aps 7.27 Avg.

He had easily seen off Robertson and made the centre of midfield his own. With Dave McKenna not expected to return he would be even more crucial next season

David McKenna: (On loan from St. Mirren) Sco 20y/o AM, F C
16 Aps. (2 Goals) 6.88 Avg

David had performed well here but already expressed his desire to return to St Mirren. All at the club wished him well for his contribution telling him he would be welcome back anytime.

Steven Canning: Sco 24y/o AM L
Apps 3(3) Avg. 6.50

Had made a few games having come up from the reserves and proved useful cover. At 24 he was old compared to most of the squad and would have to prove himself in pre season training to assure himself of a place in the squad.


Forwards

Steven Fitzpatrick: Sco 19y/o ST
10(1) Apps. (6 Goals) 7.27avg.

Like Neil Teggart, Steve Fitzpatrick came out of absolutely nowhere to show his talent on or tremendous charge for the playoffs. His work rate and his poise in front of goal meant that he would defiantly be in my thoughts in terms of striking options for the coming season.


Neil Teggart: NIR 22y/o ST
(when I joined) 8(8) Aps. (3 Goals)
(since I joined) 13 Aps. (13 Goals) Total Avg. 6.79

Neil was an absolute sensation after I came to the club. His 13 goals in 13 games was sensational and if he had performed like that from day 1 the club would have a championship in the trophy cabinet right now. DEFINATLY part of next years plans.

retired_steffani

May 2007

Once back from riding Space Mountain at Disney World I returned to the day to day business of managing Queens Park. We faced a busy summer as I was determined to make my own mark on the club and would use the summer transfer window to do so.

To my delight I found we had received £40,000 in prize money which was a tidy sum for a club our size and would go some way to improving the finances of the club. We were around £150,000 in the red and so I wasn’t expecting any transfer funds for some time.

On top of that I was delighted to receive a second manager of the month award, Steve McKenna took the young player, and Brian Hyland got runner up in the overall player of the month.

Rangers won the SPL, Manchester United the EPL, Milan Serie A,Barcelona the Premier Liga, Aberdeen won the Scottish FA Cup, Chelsea English FAC, Porto the UEFA Cup and Manchester United the Champions League.

Our financial situation meant that we couldn’t afford to retain any youngsters who didn’t have outstanding potential and so I released Johnny Whelan, Gavin Rushford, Steven Reilly, Tony Livingston, Tony Quinn, William Mollou, Denis Boyle, Ross Clark, Olan Flanagan, Paul Harvey, Stephen Lynch

I was trying to tempt new scouts to work for the club but as much as I tried nobody was available unless i paid compo to their current clubs. As a result it fell on Jack Jolly to scour the UK to identify possible targets ahead of the new season.