sherm

"I need to get out of this job Fiona. Its killing me, I just need a fresh new start. Money is not an issue, we are financially sound for years to come, but I just need to find a job in a business I love.....

"Nick, Nick, get in here. You said you needed a fresh start, well why not this one? Brondby have parted with their manager"


Breaking News:
Gretna manager Rowan Alexander has left the club. The reasons for his departure are as yet unclear, but the Division 2 club will look to install a new manager as soon as possible. It is thought that Alexander has left to spend more time with his sick mother, but updates will be brought to you when we have them


"I don't know Fi. It seems a little far-fetched. Why would they hire an unknown quantity like me?"

"Well you have a degree, you have knowledge of football because of your work with Sir Bobby(Robson) a few years back, why not apply. And besides, football is a business these days"

"Alright, I will apply for the post tomorrow"

sherm

i dont know why i wrote Brondby there, anyway, it should say Gretna....

sherm

15/07/05
Gretna has today shocked the football world by announcing the appointment of an unknown English manager. We have very little information on Nicholas Simpson, but we do know that the 37 year old moved to Scotland when he was 26. We are not really sure what sort of a profile he has in football terms, but the Gretna board was obviously happy enough with him. Simpson had this to say:

"I am delighted to be taking over a club like Gretna. I hope that I can prove myself to the fans and the board in the coming season with the one thing I am being paid to get - results. This is a club that has a big future, and I want to be a part of that

With the board expecting a mid-table finish and financial stability , Simpson will not have long to prove his worth as a manager. He does have some football experience however, having worked with Sir Bobby Robson for a couple of years while at University in England, when Sir Bobby was at Newcastle. This still bodes the question of whether he will be able to live up to the task of stepping into the managers shoes at the newly promoted club.

sherm

"I don't know Rob. there just doesn't seem to be any staff up to the standard that i'm looking for who want to come and work for us. I can't see why though"

Rob Campkin was one of my new staff members, a good reliable coach who would always give 100%. I had hired him on my first day in the job.

"Well I know a physio who's out of work boss, so I could have a word with him. He's of a good standard too; I can bring him in if you like?"

"Yeah, do that please Rob. I'm going to have another advertisement placed in the Echo for another coach"

Our first game was on my second day, a friendly against First division Dundee. I hadn't had much time with the squad so I picked what I thought was the best 11 players to start the game.

We gave a good account of ourselves against our more illustrious opponents. They had obvious class in their side which is why they came out on top, but overall I was happy with he fight and spirit shown by the team. Still need a few improvements though.

sherm

"......I know most of the staff at the club are Scottish so I'm going to have to speak to the board and see if they would object to me bringing a couple of new faces in. A new Assistant manager, a scout and a coach would be enough. What? Training? It's not too bad actually. There are some players who aren't really up to scratch so they won't get much playing time but there are a few good players. Anyway, I've got a board meeting in half an hour so I will give you an update later in the week"


"....Come on mate, do it for me. You were the best man at my wedding for crying out loud, of course I trust you. I'd trust you if you said night was day. Come on, after all I've done for you.....you're out of work and I need an assistant manager, what more do you need to hear? Good lad, you know it makes sense. Drive down to the ground tomorrow and I will draw a contract up. You are a lifesaver mate..."

sherm

GRETNA MAKE FIRST SIGNINGS

New manager Nicholas Simpson has set about bringing in fresh faces for the newly promoted clubs relegation fight. He has captured 5 new faces in all today, and they were paraded around Raydale Park. Wearing the black and white kit of Gretna this season will be Tom Heaton (on loan from Man. Utd.), David Raven (on loan from Liverpool) Kieran McAnespie (£1k from St Johnstone.), Brian McGinty (£1k from St. Mirren) and Scott Muirhead (£1k from Aberdeen). Simpson stated he was delighted to capture such talent at such knock-down prices,

MORE SIGNINGS AT RAYDALE.

Nicholas Simpson was today receiving the adulation of the Raydale Park faithful after securing the services of 2 stalwarts of the Scottish game. David Hannah and Derek Lilley will be joining up with the rest of the squad for training tomorrow. Lilley, the former Kilmarnock defender, had this to say: "I am delighted to be joining up with a club like Gretna. This is a club set for big things, and I am thrilled that I'm going to be a part of the new regime here"

chesterfan2

Nice start Sherm. I always sign Rob Campkin too. But then again doesn't everyone ?

sherm

"Nicholas, Sean McDowell here from the Gretna Echo. Its the eve of your first competitive game as Gretna manager, how are you feeling?"

"Well to be honest with you Sean, there are too many feelings going on to explain them all to you. All I will say is that apart from being nervous, I am confident that this club can be the surprise package of the season, as long as we play to our full potential"

"So you think you can get promoted?"

"I'm not making any sort of predictions like that, but I think that we certainly should stay comfortable in this division as long as we give 100%"

"Well the Gretna fans are still a bit dubious over your managing abilities, so what is your message to them?"

"All I can ask them to do is to get behind your team and give them your full support, because my team will give the fans everything. If they don't then there is no room for them on my team"

sherm

yeah chesterfan, i sign him everytime cos hes willing to come to me

sherm

thanks for the kind word. im getting the hang of this story posting now, althoughb im not quite in the class of faramir yet