retired_manpk1

Unlucky PM7.

I'm sure you can do it next year

shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by glamdring:


Are your achievements being recognised by the bookies yet or do they still have you as rank outsiders for the Champions League each season?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

25/1 to win it, we apparantly have little chance of winning, and will struggle against most of our opponents. Interesting....

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 24

It was hard to lift the players, the fans, the staff. It was a summer of utter despair for the club, and I could only wonder what effect such a devastating defeat would have on us in the new season. Yet football brings with it glory and tragedy, and we simply must rise above the Madrid tragedy, and prove that we have what it takes to finally lift that coveted prize.

Two players who wont be helping us though are Scott Gibson and Craig Campbell. Both of these players have refused to sign new contracts. Campbell, who has recieved no interest from other clubs, will remain in the reserves until we either recieve a sensible bid, or he signs a new contract or he leaves. Scott Gibson has already left, in a £750K plus 50% future fee deal to German side Hertha Berlin, and we wish him luck at his new club.

But of course their departures will simply open the door for someone else to make their mark on the team, in what promises to be a season in which we can show great character by bouncing back from cruel defeat. Surely this will be our season.....

Squad 2011-2012

Goalkeepers

Mark Williamson(20) (2 caps). Youth Academy 05. Hasn’t managed to add to his two caps, but another decent season between the sticks. (44 apps, 23 conc, 30 clean sheets, 1 MoM, 6.93) (Overall: 144 apps, 80 conc, 84 clean sheets, 12 MoM, 7.15)

Jimmy Ross(19) ( 3 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 07. Another season where Jimmy found himself filling for a period, and certainly hasn’t done his prospects any harm. (13 apps, 7 conc, 9 clean sheets, 1 MoM, 7.15) (Overall: 30 apps, 19 conc, 17 clean sheets, 4 MoM, 7.00)

John Murray(22) Youth Academy 05. Another season in the reserves, and with young Shearer looking good in the U-19’s, it seems unlikely that John will become a first team regular at Forfar, but I’m sure he can have a decent career with whomever he ends up with.

Kevin Smart (22) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 06. Managed just one appearance last term, which was actually his first in his keeping role for the first team. A keeper who would surely be in any other SPL line up. (Overall: 9 apps, 1 cs, 7.00) (8 as an outfielder)

Defence

Craig Campbell (23) (31 caps, 3 goals) Youth academy 04. Is now starting to think he is too big for the club, and with his contract up at the end of this season, he has so far refused to sign a new one. As a result, he finds himself playing with the reserves. . (50 apps, 3 goals, 5 assists, 7.46) (Overall: 245 apps, 6 goals, 26 assists, 3 MoM, 7.33)

Scott McKeown (17) Youth Academy 09. The refusal of Campbell to sign a new contract opens the way for Scott to step into the first team, and I’m sure he wont let us down.

Robert Hunter (22) (capped at u-21 level) Youth Academy 05. Despite the falling from grace of Campbell, I’m of the opinion that Robert simply isn’t good enough to be a regular, although he remains as a back up. (2 apps, 6.00). (Overall: 47 apps, 3 assists, 6.74)

Paul O'Neill (21) (10 caps, 2 goals) Youth Academy 04. Another good season for the left back. (54 apps, 14 goals, 11 assists, 3 MoM, 7.32) (overall: 209 apps, 34 goals, 31 assists, 7 MoM, 7.20)

David Barker(18) (7 Caps) Youth Academy 07. Completely exonerated by the club for his farcical sending off in the Champions League Final, which ultimately led to our demise. Still only a kid, and could turn out to be the best product from our youth system. (37 apps, 2 goals, 6 assists, 7.51) (Overall: 167 apps, 10 goals, 17 assists, 4 MoM, 7.33)

Tony Murphy (17) Youth Academy 09. A good competent season as he has fitted right in beside Barker, and the two have formed a solid defensive partnership. (103 apps, 6 goals, 4 assists, 2 MoM, 7.01)

Pat Kenny (21) (2 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 06. Still very much a fringe player, but with one or two youths looking to come through, Kenny will be struggling to have impact on the first team squad. (7 apps, 6.57) (Overall: 45 apps, 1 assists, 6.42)

Alan Kelly (23) Youth academy 04. Remains a squad player. (5 apps, 1 assist, 7.20) (Overall: 13 apps, 1 assist, 6.54)

Steven Hamilton(20) Youth Academy 07. Possibly forced into first team action too early, he is a player who is probably not going to be quite good enough anyway. (8 apps, 6.38) (Overall: 17 apps, 6.53)

Alan Lynch(19) Youth Academy 07. Managed five appearances this season, but still a long way from being a first team regular.. (5 apps, 7.00) (Overall: 12 apps, 6.83)

Midfield

Kevin McMillan (19) (12 caps, 2 goals) Youth Academy 07. Is wanted by both Betis and Celtic, and as he has a minimum fee release clause, there won’t be much we can do if he decides to leave. I just hope he doesn’t waste his career by moving to a Celtic side who are going nowhere fast. (42 apps, 3 goals, 22 assists, 4 MoM, 7.74) (Overall: 147 apps, 17 goals, 54 assists, 11 MoM, 7.51)

Scott Adams (24) (10 caps, 1 goal) Youth academy 04. Continues to provide quality on the left wing. . (44 apps, 8 goals, 8 assists, 3 MoM, 7.55). (Overall: 138 apps, 20 goals, 34 assists, 9 MoM, 7.46)

David Davidson (21) (1 cap) Youth academy 04. The new formation has seen David slip out of favour, and he has admitted he would like to be playing more regularly. Hopefully we can hang on to him, as he is still a very important squad player. (17 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoM 7.06) (Overall: 95 apps, 33 goals, 21 assists, 6 MoM, 7.37)

Peter Martin (22) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 05. Still very much a valuable squad player. (11 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, 7.09) (Overall: 74 apps*, 5 goals*, 6 assists, 2 MoM, 7.14) (*Incudes 8 games and 2 goals on loan at St Mirren in 2007/08)

Ross Kelly (21) (11 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. Has managed to find more first team time, and will surely do so more in the future. (29 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 7.17) (Overall: 53 apps, 2goals, 3 assts, 7.13)

Mark Parker (22) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 06. Remains a fringe player. (6 apps, 7.00) (Overall: 77 apps, 4 goals, 7 assists, 5 MoM, 6.83) ( Dundalk record: 62 apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 5 MoM, 6.79 2007-2009)

Mark Mitchell (19) (2 caps) Youth Academy 07. Another great season for Mark, and he has pushed his way onto the fringes of the full Scotland squad. (46 apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 4 MoM, 7.59) (Overall: 107 apps, 24 goals, 10 assists, 8 MoM, 7.47)

John Foley (17) (1 U-21 cap) Youth Academy 09. If McMillan leaves, Foley will surely be his natural replacement. (16 apps, 3 goals, 5 assists, 1 MoM 7.31) (overall: 30 apps, 3 goals, 7 assists, 1 MoM, 7.23


Attackers

Alan MacDonald (22) (4 caps) Youth academy 04. Looks like he has found his niche in the team, playing just behind the main two strikers, and has impressed so much, he even made the Scotland squad. (45 apps, 22 goals, 6 assists, 5 MoM, 7.42) (Overall: 211 apps, 73 goals, 44 assists, 14 MoM, 7.12)

Steven Murray(23) (17 caps, 9 goals) Youth academy 04. More misery for Steven as injury saw him miss the Champions League Final. Another decent season though despite his long lay off at the end. (34 apps, 21 goals, 17 assists, 6 MoM, 7.94 ) (Overall: 289 apps, 142 goals, 91 assists, 53 MoM, 7.72)

Scott Craig (17) (2 U-21 caps, 1 goal) Youth Academy 09. Great season for the youngster, which culminated with a brace in the Champions League Final, even if it was to no avail in the end. Winner of the SPFA Young Player of the Year. (43 apps, 25 goals, 21 assists, 12 MoM, 8.05) (Overall: 59 apps, 32 goals, 26 assists, 13 MoM, 7.93)

Stuart Murphy (16) Youth Academy 10. Managed five first team appearances last season, including the Champions League Final. (5 apps, 1 goal, 7.00)

John Ferguson(22) (2 caps) Youth academy 04. Another player wanted by Villarreal, but they will have to offer a decent price if they want him. (27 apps, 10 goals, 4 assists, 2 MoM, 7.44) (Overall: 89 apps, 32 goals, 20 assists, 6 MoM, 7.34)

Andy Fraser (19) Youth Academy 09. Finds himself promoted to the first team squad to replace Gibson.

John Morrison (22) Youth Academy 05 Again only three first team appearances. (3 apps, 6.33) (Overall: 11 apps, 1 goal, 6.55)

Under 19 Squad

Goalkeepers

David Shearer (17) Youth Academy 09.

.Defence

Mark Gray (17) Youth Academy 09.

Declan Lawless (17) Youth Academy 09.

Andy Duncan (17) Youth Academy 09.

Kevin Fraser (17) Youth Academy 09.

Scott Scott (16) Youth Academy 11.

Midfield

Craig Cameron (17) Youth Academy 09.

Gerry Walker (17) Youth Academy 09.

Gordon Paterson (17) Youth Academy 09.


Steven Cameron (17) Youth Academy 09.

John Ross (17) Youth Academy 10.

David Rae (16) Youth Academy 10.

Attackers


Paul Ferguson (17) Youth Academy 10.

Player Who Have Gone To Other Clubs

Scott Gibson (20) ( 8 U-21 cap, 10 goals) Youth Academy 06. Having refused to sign a new contract, we had no option but to accept offers for Scott, and he has gone to German side Hertha Berlin. It will be a huge challenge for the youngster, and we hope he can do himself, and us, proud. (29 apps, 6 goals, 8 assists, 1 MoM, 7.57) (Overall: 118 apps, 45 goals, 38 assists, 11 MoM, 7.61)

Youths who didn't make it

Paul King (19) Youth Academy 09. Has now moved to Irvine Meadow.

Mark Rooney (21) Youth Academy 05. Released and still without a new club.

Alan Mitchell (20) Youth Academy 06. Has joined Threave Rovers.

Gary McMillan (21) Youth Academy 06. Still at Inverurie Loco Works
.
David Martin (20) Youth academy 07. Failed to make any appearance for Airdrie United last season.

Colin Gray (19) Youth academy 07. Fringe player at Derry City.

Paul Thompson (22) Youth Academy 05. Still at Bathgate Thistle, where he is a regular.

Brian Miller (21) Youth Academy 06. Still at Maryhill, where he had decent enough season.

Andy Russell(19) Youth Academy 07. Has moved to Lossiemouth.

Kevin Scott (22) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Benburb.

Peter Breen (22) Youth Academy 05. Continues to be first choice at Derry City, who have just been relegated from the Irish Premiership.

David Black (21) Youth Academy 06. Has managed to become a regular at Cambuslang Rangers.

John Kavanagh (21) Youth Academy 06. Still a Fraserburgh, but surely a league club will pick him up soon.

Gary Dunne (23) Youth academy 04. Still hasn’t found his way back into football yet refuses to give up hope.

John Byrne(24) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Pollock.

David O'Reilly (24) Youth academy 04. Still at Buckie Thistle.

Martin Aitken (21) Youth Academy 05. Still at Benburb.

Paul Johnston (22) Youth Academy 06. Is now at Fort William

Coaching Staff

Manager : Billy Buchanan Career: 384 games, 219 wins, 100 draws, 65 defeats, 745 goals scored, 318 goals lost; 4 SPL titles; 2 SFA Cups; 2 League Cups; 1 SFL Division 1 title; 1 SFL Division 2 title; 1 SFL Challenge Cup (Incudes record with England_

Assistant Manager Reserves: William McStay

Assistant Manager U-19’s: Khodadad Azizi

Goalkeeping Coaches: Phil Harrington; Malcolm Thompson

Defensive Coaches: Mark Gavin; Eamonn Bannon; John Philiben; Billy Kirkwood; David O’Neill; David Bowman; John Ritchie

Mid/Attacking Coaches: Chris McAllister; Mark Watson; Craig Kennedy; Karel Lukes; Eddie May; Mario Stanic; Fran; Craig Burley

Physios: Brian McNeill; Alistair MacFie; Hugh Allan; Paul Greene; Jim Peacock; Don Hutchison; Henning Berg; Nuno Capucho; Winston Bogarde; Jerome Morel; Ryan Giggs

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 25

Any thoughts I might have had that the Champions League defeat would affect us adversely were soon swept away, although an early defeat at St Johnstone did sow a few seeds of doubt. Neverthless, that turned out to be our only league defeat before the New Year, and we ended 2011 as we had begun it, top of the SPL. And with a 20 point gap, our 5th successive title already looked to be in the bag.

The League Cup though would not be staying at Station Park, as we bowed out in the Quarter Finals away to Dundee, going down 3-1. It wasn't our best performance of the season, obviously, but as we've always said, this tournament is the least of our priorities and its not a great loss.

The Champions League groups saw us drawn with Real Sociedad, Monaco and Brondby. It was certainly a group we could expect to come through once more, but a first match 2-1 loss on Spain wasn't quite the start we had hoped for. We got back on track though at home to Brondby with a comfortable 2-0 win, and 2-0 up away to Monaco after 15 minutes thanks to a brace from Mark Mitchell things were looking great once more. Monaco though are no mugs, and they came bounding back to grab a draw. Worse news for us was an injury to Mitchell that would keep him out for at least four months.

The home match with the French side started badly as we fell behind to a 34th minute goal, and it was starting to look as if we might not even make the 2nd round if things stayed like this. Of course, things didn't stay like that and on 56 minutes, Scott Adams pulled us level. We weren't playing overly well, but towards the end we did show what we were capable of, and with seven minutes left Steven Murray grabbed a valuable winner.

Our 5th match was the return against Sociedad, and a 29th minute goal from Adams gave us half time lead. Four minutes from half time, the Spanish side recieved a huge blow as they were reduced to 10 men, and we took full advantage as Scott Craig and Steven Murray hit braces each and we strolled to a five nil win. The final group match saw us lose 1-0 in Denmark, but we still ended up group winners on goal difference, and in the last sixteen we will play Shaktar.

Scot Craig's season though was ended on the 3rd of December as a cruciate ligament threatened to rule him out for nine months, but it seems he might well be back in five thanks to an emergancy op. Scott McKeown has come in at right back, and he has done very well indeed, leaving us not missing Craig Campbell at all.

On the International front there was sensational news. Scotland had failed to make Euro 2012, and such was the expectations these days, that George Burley found himself sacked. I imediately resigned from the England side I had guided to Norway, and just a few days later was installed as the new Scotland boss. It may have seemed crazy to some, but this is where I belong.

retired_pahuja_satish

Keep going PM, it must be really satisfying to see all of these players grow up and playing CL football.

retired_mellnet

Are you buying other fabulous youth or are they coming all from your youth academy?

Any who, interesting idea and story.

shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by maollelujah:
Are you buying other fabulous youth or are they coming all from your youth academy?

Any who, interesting idea and story.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope haven't bought anyone, apart from bringing a guy back who had left, for four and a half seasons now. The whole squad is 'homegrown', and will remain so at least until we win the CL, although tbh we haven't had that many youths in the past 2 seasons which is mibbe a bit worrying long term.

Thanks for reading

retired_mellnet

I was going to emulate you guys at Swansea, but But I've only got about 5 players in the past few seasons and none of them command a place in the U19s let alone the first team.

retired_bbcarr

this is top stuff, pm inspired me to have a go with hearts having edited myself a nice shiny new academy :cool:

retired_marcias

I've just started a new game with Hibs and Aberdeen (I like to manage two teams for added spice sometimes!) and decided to give every team in the SPL and Div 1 a youth academy to be fair I always try to use the youth when I manage Hibs, but have never made it the foreground aim quite like this