Scottish Leagues For Next Season

[kompressaur]

Thanks for the info Steven. Invaluable. Ive always had an interest in Dumbarton from when i took Dumbarton on the handicap list season before last. After the great form after xmas they pipped Morton for 3rd place and i won my bet over Airdrie by 2pts. Lost the coupon and so did the shop but anyhow.

I'll be watching your team closely Steven. I reckon we could get them enough times at inflated odds over the season to keep us in cigarettes.

I'm gonna start looking at all the confirmed signings, add some fiendly results as i do put more importance on them than most especially from reading reports and then get the latest team news on the 1-2-3 thread this week.

DIVISION ONE
Airdrie
In: Gary Twigg, midfielder (Derby); Fraser Coyle, defender (Rangers)
Out: Alan Gow, striker (Falkirk, undisclosed); Marvyn Wilson, midfielder (Hamilton); Jerome Vareille, striker (Ayr); Kevin Christie, defender; Mark McGeown, goalkeeper (Ayr); Willie Wilson, midfielder; Thomas Hoey, midfielder; Michael Gemmell, midfielder; Barry Grant, midfielder; Kevin Barkey, midfielder

Brechin City
In: Gary Bollan, defender (Clyde); Darren Smith, winger (Berwick, undisclosed); John Hillcoat, goalkeeper (Ayr), David Craig, defender (Queen of the South); Craig McEwan, defender (Dumbarton)
Out: Jamie Smith, defender (Dumbarton); Roddy Black, midfielder (Arbroath); Chris Jackson, midfielder (Arbroath); David Hay, goalkeeper; Steve Vanderdeyl, goalkeeper

Clyde
In: Graham Roberts, manager; Joe Miller, forward/assistant manager (unattached); Alex Williams, striker (Morton); Paul McHale, midfielder (Cowdenbeath); Gordon Parks, striker (East Stirlingshire); Romauld Bouadji, defender (Carshalton Athletic); Neil McGregor, defender (Kilmarnock); Craig McEwan, defender (Dunfermline); Michael McGowan, defender (Dundee), Roddy Hunter, midfielder (Unattached); Stephen O'Donnell, midfielder (Boston United); Paul Jarvie, goalkeeper (Torquay United); Peter Cherrie, goalkeeper (Ayr); Chris Higgins, defender (Motherwell); Andrew Dick, midfielder (Falkirk); Billy Brawley, midfielder (selkirk); Steve Masterton, striker (Kilmarnock)

Out: Bryn Halliwell, goalkeeper (Dunfermline); Ian Harty, striker (Hamilton); Mark Gilhaney, striker (Hamilton); Alan Morrison, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Gary Bollan, defender (Brechin); Stuart Balmer, assistant manager/defender (Hamilton); Simon Mensing, defender (St Johnstone); Darren Sheridan, midfielder (St Johnstone); Jimmy Gibson, midfielder (Partick Thistle); John Potter, defender (St Mirren); Graeme Jones, striker (Hamilton); Paul Doyle, defender (Montrose); David Greenhill, midfielder (Alloa); Scott Wilson, defender (Raith Rovers); Aron Wilford, striker; Graeme McCracken, midfielder

Dundee
In: Jacinto, midfielder (Alaves); Gerry Britton, striker (Motherwell), Andy Ferguson, striker (Ayr, undisclosed); Adrian Madaschi, defender (Partick Thistle); Gavin Swankie, striker (Arbroath, undisclosed); Simon Lynch, striker (Preston).
Out: Steve Lovell, striker (Aberdeen, £250,000); Brent Sancho, defender; Fabian Caballero, striker; Jon Voigt, striker (Forfar); Michael McGowan, defender (Clyde)

Hamilton Accies
In: Billy Reid, manager (Clyde); Ian Harty, striker (Clyde); Marvyn Wilson, midfielder (Airdrie); Stuart Balmer, defender (Clyde); Graeme Jones, striker (Clyde); Mark Gilhaney, striker (Clyde); John Robertson, defender (Ross County); Tom Bennett, midfielder (Kidderminster); Brown Ferguson, midfielder (Alloa)
Out: Allan Maitland, manager; Colin Cramb, striker (Stenhousemuir); Mark Corcoran, midfielder (St Mirren); David Hamilton, midfielder (Stranraer); Todd Lumsden, defender (Raith Rovers); Derek Ferguson, midfielder (Raith Rovers); Paquito, midfielder; Scott Tunbridge, striker; Andrew Arbuckle, defender; Steve Convery, striker; Jean Philipe Javary, midfielder; Brian McPhee, striker; Marcel Mahouve, midfielder; Craig Murphy, defender

Queen of the South
In: David Craig, defender (Brechin); John O'Neil, midfielder (St Mirren)
Out: Emilio Jaconelli, striker (Raith Rovers); Joe McAlpine, defender (Stenhousemuir); Steven Bell, midfielder (Stirling); Tommy Lennox, midfielder (Albion Rovers); Stuart Cluckie, midfielder; Martin Cunliffe, midfielder; Craig Rudd, striker; Mark Whorlow, midfielder

Ross County
In: John Robertson, manager; Fergus Tiernan, midfielder (Aberdeen); David Cowan, defender (St Johnstone); Lionel Djebi-Zadi, defender (Luzern)
Out: Alex Smith, manager; Jamie McCunnie, midfielder; John Robertson, defender (Hamilton); Sean Kilgannon, winger (Partick Thistle); Chris Townsley, midfielder (Alloa, loan); Michael Bolochoweckyj, defender (Alloa, loan); Kerr Dodds, midfielder (Montrose, loan)

St Johnstone
In: Steven Milne, striker (Plymouth); Goran Stanic, defender (Livingston); Kevin James, defender (Falkirk), Mark Campbell, defender (Falkirk); Stephen Dobbie, striker (Hibernian); Simon Mensing, defender (Clyde); Neil Janczyk, midfielder (Hearts); Darren Sheridan, midfielder (Clyde)
Out: Paul Bernard, midfielder (Drogheda); Ian Maxwell, defender (St Mirren); Ross Forsyth, defender (Stirling); Stephen Fraser, midfielder (Montrose); Jordan Tait, defender (Berwick), Sean Webb, defender; Chris Hay, striker; David Cowan, defender (Ross County); Martyn Fotheringham, midfielder (Montrose); Blair Batchelor, midfielder (Raith Rovers)

St Mirren
In: Billy Mehmet, striker (Dunfermline); John Potter, defender (Clyde); Ian Maxwell, defender (St Johnstone); Mark Corcoran, midfielder (Hamilton);
Out: Ricky Gillies, midfielder (Partick Thistle); Mark Crilly, midfielder (Raith Rovers); John O'Neil, midfielder (Queen of the South); Laurie Ellis, defender (Raith Rovers); Stevie Woods, goalkeeper; Allan Russell, midfielder (Macclesfield); Stevie Woods, goalkeeper; Graham McWilliam, defender (East Stirlingshire); Alan Muir, midfielder; Brian Gordon, midfielder (East Stirlingshire)

Stranraer
In: Scott McLean, striker (Stirling); Leigh Hinds, striker (Partick Thistle); Barry John Corr, goalkeeper (Motherwell); Alan Morrison, goalkeeper (Clyde); Ian Ross, midfielder (Alloa); Alex Keddie, defender (Shotts Bon Accord); Craig Higgins, defender (Elgin); Paul Walker, midfielder (Morton); David Hamilton, midfielder (Hamilton); Andy Dowie, defender (Partick Thistle)
Out: Fraser Wright, defender (Kilmarnock); Paul McManus, striker (Raith Rovers, undisclosed); Kevin Finlayson, striker (Morton); Daniel Fox, midfielder (Walsall, loan ended); John Fraser, midfielder (Stirling); David Turnbull, striker (Stirling); Gary McCutcheon, striker; Paul Gaughan, defender; Graham Guy, defender; Martin McAuley, goalkeeper; Andy McCondichie, goalkeeper; Chris Cruickshank, defender; Thomas McAllister, midfielder; Martin McCauley, goalkeeper; Martin McGinty, midfielder

DIVISION TWO
Alloa Athletic
In: Jose Quitongo, forward (Waterford); David Greenhill, midfielder (Clyde); Fraser Forrest, defender (Sauchie); Chris Townsley, midfielder (Ross County, loan); Michael Bolochoweckyj, defender (Ross County, loan)
Out: Brown Ferguson, midfielder (Hamilton); Ian Ross, midfielder (Stranraer); Scott McCulloch, defender (Partick Thistle); Michael Bolochoweskyj, defender (Ross County, loan ended); Alex McMillan (striker); Michael Daly (midfielder); Michael Daly, midfielder; Barry Evans, midfielder (Sauchie, loan); Barry Foster, defender; Douglas Hill, defender; Alex McMillan, striker; Michael O'Raw, midfielder; Robert Tiropoulos, goalkeeper; Kevin Westwater, defender;

Ayr United
In: Jerome Vareille, striker (Airdrie); Mark Casey, midfielder (Portsmouth); Mark McGeown, goalkeeper (Airdrie); James McKinstry, defender (Dumbarton); Andy Essler, defender (Maryhill); Paul Hyslop, midfielder (Auchinleck Talbot); Martyn Campbell, defender (Irvine Meadow); Ian Cashmore, striker (Kilwinning Rangers); Chris Strain, midfielder (Troon); Raymond Logan, midfielder (Pollok); Chris Robertson, striker (Hurlford);
Out: Andy Ferguson, striker (Dundee, nominal); Ludovic Roy, goalkeeper (Livingston, nominal); Marc Smyth, defender (Partick Thistle, nominal); John Hillcoat, goalkeeper (Brechin); Peter Cherrie, goalkeeper (Clyde); Andy Cargill, midfielder (Montrose); Michael Dunlop, defender; Willie Lyle, defender; Robert Burgess, defender; Scott Chaplain, midfielder; Neil McVicar, striker; Steven Crawford, defender; Jamie Doyle, midfielder; Darren Henderson, midfielder; Paddy Connolly, striker; Stuart McGrady, defender; Darren Quigley, striker; Paul Templeton, midfielder; Robbie Weir, striker

Dumbarton
In: Jamie Smith, defender (Brechin); Danny Ferry, striker (Queen's Park); Kevin MacDonald, midfielder (Stirling); Scott Bannerman, defender (Morton); Graham Connell, defender (Berwick); Chris Gentile, midfielder (Kilsyth Rangers); Paul McQuilken, striker (Kilsyth Rangers)
Out: Craig McEwan, defender (Brechin); Barry Donald, midfielder (Forfar);Eddie Annand, striker (Raith Rovers); James McKinstry, defender (Ayr); Mark Bradley, midfielder;

Forfar Athletic
In: Colin Meldrum, goalkeeper (Livingston); Aaron Conway, striker (Dundee United); Jon Voigt, striker (Dundee); Barry Donald, midfielder (Dumbarton);
Out: Paul Shields, striker (Gillingham, £25,000); Mark Booth, midfielder (Elgin); Joe McAlpine, midfielder (Stenhousemuir); Martin Maher, midfielder; Hugh Davidson, midfielder (Arbroath); Jay Stein, striker (Arbroath); Mathu King, striker (Arbroath); Daryl McKenzie, defender; Darren Scott, striker;

Gretna
In: James Grady, striker (Dundee United);
Out: Gary Cohen, striker (Grimsby, loan); Marc Eccles, midfielder (Scarborough, loan); Brian Wake, striker (Scarborough, loan);

Morton
In: Derek Lilley, striker (Livingston); Andy McLaren, forward (Dundee United); Alex Walker, winger (Rangers); Kevin Finlayson, striker (Stranraer)
Out: Alex Williams, striker (Clyde); Craig Coyle, goalkeeper (Berwick); Paul Walker, midfielder (Stranraer); Scott Bannerman, defender (Dumbarton); Mark McCulloch, midfielder (Arbroath); Scott McLaughlin, midfielder (Livingston, loan ended); Alan Mahood, midfielder; Stephen Hamilton, midfielder; John Maisano, midfielder; Graeme Ballantyne, goalkeeper; Liam Mitchell, defender; Warren Hawke, striker (retired)

Partick Thistle
In: Jukka Santala, defender (Rangers, loan); Ricky Gillies, midfielder (St Mirren); Jimmy Gibson, midfielder (Clyde); Sean Kilgannon, winger (Ross County); Scott McCulloch, defender (Alloa); Marc Smyth, defender (Ayr, nominal); Stevie Nicholas, striker (East Fife)
Out: Kenny Milne, defender (Falkirk); Andy Dowie, midfielder (Stranraer); Leigh Hinds, striker (Stranraer); Jamie Mitchell, midfielder (retired); George Rowe, defender (retired); Adrian Madaschi, defender (Dundee); Jean Yves-Anis, defender; Scott Paterson, defender; Andy Ross, defender; Andy Dowie, defender; Stevie Fulton, midfielder; Willie Howie, midfielder; Juan Ramon, striker; Armand One, striker; Stefan McCurley, goalkeeper; Steven Pinkowski, goalkeeper; Frank McKeown, defender; David Wilson, defender; David Barron, midfielder; Matthew Shields, striker; David Barron, midfielder; Ian Cameron, midfielder; Emmanuel Panther, striker;

Peterhead
In: Calvin Shand, defender (Cowdenbeath); John McCaffrey, goalkeeper (East Fife);
Out: Shaun McSkimming, midfielder; James Seivwright, defender; William Steel, midfielder; Barry Thompson, goalkeeper;

Raith Rovers
In: Brian Fairbairn, striker (East Fife); Derek Ferguson, midfielder (Hamilton); Emilio Jaconelli, striker (Queen of the South); Todd Lumsden, defender (Hamilton); Mark Crilly, midfielder (St Mirren); Laurie Ellis, defender (St Mirren); Paul McManus, striker (Stranraer, undisclosed); Chris McLeod, defender (Arbroath); Scott Wilson, defender (Clyde); Eddie Annand, striker (Dumbarton); Alistair Brown, goalkeeper (Hibernian, loan); Blair Batchelor, midfielder (St Johnstone); Chris Silvestro, midfielder (Albion Rovers);
Out: Paul McMullan, midfielder; Anthony Bartholome (defender); John Martin, striker (East Fife); Anthony Bartholome, defender; David Berthelot, goalkeeper; John Boyle, defender; Sean Dennis, defender; Mehdi Eloujdi, midfielder; Paul McMullan, midfielder; Craig Malcolm, midfielder;

Stirling Albion
In: Steven Boyack, midfielder (Blackpool); Ross Forsyth, defender (St Johnstone); Steven Bell, midfielder (Queen of the South); David Turnbull, striker (Stranraer); John Fraser, midfielder (Stranraer); Andy Graham, defender;
Out: Scott McLean, striker (Stranraer); Kevin MacDonald, midfielder (Dumbarton); George Rowe, defender (Partick Thistle); Mark Cairns, goalkeeper (Arbroath); Kevin McDonald, midfielder; Mark Canning, midfielder; Craig Ferguson, midfielder; Barry Neville, defender; Robert Dunn, striker; Martin Glancy, striker;

DIVISION THREE
Albion Rovers
In: Jim Chapman, manager; Ciaran Donnelly, midfielder (Aberdeen); Kevin O'Neill, defender (Hibernian); Steven Noble, midfielder (Hibernian); Graham McGhee, defender (East Stirlingshire); Thomas Franch, striker (Symington Tinto); George Wallace, striker (Auchinleck Talbot); Jamie Ewings, goalkeeper (Motherwell); Philip Creaney, midfielder (Falkirk); Tommy Lennox, midfielder (Queen of the South); Martin Bonnar, midfielder (Queen's Park); Craig Young, striker (Dalziel Juniors).
Out: Jimmy Lindsay, caretaker manager; Marc McKenzie, forward (Stenhousemuir); Jim Mercer, midfielder (Stenhousemuir); Kevin McBride, defender (Cowdenbeath); Chris Fahey, goalkeeper (Stenhousemuir); John Bradford, striker (East Fife); Jordan Smith, defender (Arbroath); Kerr Potter, defender (Musselburgh Athletic); Mark Peat, goalkeeper; Joseph Boyle, midfielder; Charles Connolly, defender; Wayne Gordon, striker; Mark Haddow, defender; Graeme McCaul, midfielder;

Arbroath
In: Jay Stein, striker (Forfar); Mathu King, striker (Forfar); Mark Cairns, goalkeeper (Stirling); Hugh Davidson, midfielder (Forfar); Chris Jackson, midfielder (Brechin); Roddy Black, midfielder (Brechin); Mark McCulloch, midfielder (Morton); Peter Cormack, defender (unattached);
Out: Gavin Swankie, striker (Dundee, undisclosed); Craig Coyle, goalkeeper (Berwick); Chris McLeod, defender (Raith Rovers); Greig Henslee, midfielder (Montrose); John Cusick, midfielder (Cowdenbeath); John McAuley, defender; John McGlashan, midfielder; Stuart McDonald, midfielder; Euan Donaldson, defender; Iain Diack, striker (East Stirlingshire); Steven Cook, midfielder;

Berwick Rangers
In: John Coughlin, manager; Chris McGroarty, defender (East Stirlingshire); Craig Coyle, goalkeeper (Arbroath); Robbie Arthur, midfielder (Livingston); Kevin Haynes, striker (Dunbar United); Jordan Tait, defender (St Johnstone); Bruno Di Silva, striker (unattached)
Out: Sandy Clark, manager to coach (Aberdeen); Darren Smith, defender (Brechin, undisclosed); Andy Seaton, defender (Penicuik Athletic); Graham Connell, defender (Dumbarton); Elliot Smith, defender (Montrose);

Cowdenbeath
In: John Cusick, midfielder (Arbroath); Kevin McBride, defender (Albion Rovers); Martin Grant, midfielder (Glenrothes);
Out: Dave Baikie, manager; Paul McHale, midfielder (Clyde); Calvin Shand, defender (Peterhead); Andy Campbell, defender (East Fife); John McKeown, defender (Stenhousemuir); Paddy Kelly, defender; John Paul Kelly, midfielder; Greig Lawrie, defender; Neil Gibson, defender; Kenneth Fraser, defender; Grant Killin, striker; Colin Reid, defender; Mark Rowbotham, goalkeeper; Corrin, goalkeeper;

East Fife
In: John Martin, striker (Raith Rovers); Marco Pelosi, midfielder (Hearts, loan); Euan Donaldson, midfielder (Arbroath); Andy Campbell, defender (Cowdenbeath); Stephen Fortune, midfielder (Livingston); John Bradford, striker (Albion Rovers); Craig Smart, striker (Montrose); Ross Graham, striker (Montrose); Paul Hampshire, midfielder
Out: Brian Fairbairn, striker (Raith Rovers); Stevie Nicholas, striker (Partick Thistle); John McCaffrey (Peterhead); Paul Gaughan, defender (East Stirlingshire); Les Byle, midfielder; Martin Dickson, defender; Fraser Duncan, defender; Ross Gardiner, goalkeeper; Michael Hall, defender; Stephen Tarditi, striker

East Stirlingshire
In: Ally Graham, striker (Queen's Park); Iain Diack, striker (Arbroath); Steven Dymock, striker (Harmony Ros); Paul Gaughan, defender (East Fife); Aaron Gillespie, goalkeeper (Stenhousemuir); Brian Gordon, defender (St Mirren); Graham McWilliam, defender (St Mirren); Stephen Blair, midfielder; Andrew Brand, midfielder; Grant Findlay, striker; Joseph Petrick, midfielder; Willie Stuart, midfielder; Barry Tulloch, striker
Out: Chris McGroarty, defender (Berwick); Greig Denham, defender (Stenhousemuir); Gordon Parks, striker (Clyde); Ross Donaldson, striker; Graham McGhee, defender (Albion Rovers); Anthony Mitchell, goalkeeper; Derek Rae, defender; Christopher Baldwin, defender; Kenneth Quinn, midfielder; Joseph Robertson, midfielder;

Elgin City
In: Mark Booth, midfielder (Forfar); Martin Johnston, striker (Cove Rangers); Stewart Easton, midfielder (Stenhousemuir);
Out: Craig Higgins, defender (Stranraer); Willie Martin, striker (Montrose); John Allison, midfielder; Martin Harty, striker; David Hind, defender; Paul Kaczan, defender; Adam Neilson, midfielder; Martin Pirie, goalkeeper; Mike Teasdale, defender.

Montrose
In: Andy Reid, goalkeeper (Hibernian); Jamie McKenzie, midfielder (Hibernian, loan); Stephen Fraser, midfielder (St Johnstone); Martyn Fotheringham, midfielder (St Johnstone); Greig Henslee, midfielder (Arbroath); Kerr Dodds, defender (Ross County, loan); Elliot Smith, defender (Berwick); Andy Campbell, defender (Cowdenbeath); Andy Cargill, midfielder (Ayr); Paul Doyle, defender (Clyde); Calum Watson, striker (Montrose Roselea); Willie Martin, striker (Elgin)
Out: Craig Smart, striker (East Fife); Ross Graham, striker (East Fife); Daryn Smith, midfielder; Darren Spink, midfielder; Matt Slater, midfielder; Shaun Lannen, defender;

Queen's Park
In: None
Out: Martin Bonnar, midfielder (Albion Rovers); Danny Ferry, striker (Dumbarton); Frankie Carroll, striker (Stenhousemuir); Gavin Rushford, defender; Brian Blair, midfielder; Louis Watters, midfielder: Jonathan Whelan, midfielder;

Stenhousemuir
In: Colin Cramb, striker (Hamilton); Greig Denham, defender (East Stirlingshire); Marc McKenzie, forward (Albion Rovers); Jim Mercer, midfielder (Albion Rovers); Joe McAlpine, midfielder (Forfar); John McKeown, defender (Cowdenbeath); Chris Fahey, goalkeeper (Albion Rovers); Frankie Carroll, striker (Queen's Park);
Out: Stewart Easton, midfielder (Elgin); Keith Knox, defender; Greig McCulloch, defender; Mark Morrison, defender; Martin Lauchlan, midfielder; Ainsley Armit, striker; Kevin McKeown, goalkeeper; Jamie Craig, midfielder; Stuart MacKay, midfielder; Dino Vita, striker;

[kompressaur]

Albion Rovers

Last season: 9th
Manager: Jim Chapman
Players in: Martin Bonnar ( Queen's Park ), Thomas Lennox ( Queen of the South ), Thomas Franch ( Symington Tinto ), Philip Creaney ( Falkirk ), George Wallace ( Auchinleck Talbot ), Jamie Ewings ( Motherwell ), Graham McGhee ( East Stirlingshire ), Scott Houston, Kevin O'Neill, Ciaran Donnelly, Steven Noble ( Kilmarnock ), Gordon Lennon, Allan Creer ( Livingston ), Lee Sichi, Ian Chisholm, Craig Young.
Players out: Paul McManus ( Raith Rovers ), Chris Fahey, Marc McKenzie, Jim Mercer ( all Stenhousemuir ), Jordan Smith ( Berwick Rangers ), John Bradford ( East Fife ), Jered Stirling ( Clyde ), Danny Black, Andrew Selkirk, Gary Richardson, Garry Fleming, Chris Silvestro, Wayne Gordon, Ricky Patrick, Graeme McCaul, Matthew Carr, Neil Wallace, Shaun McInulty, Kerr Potter, Ian Douglas, Charles Connolly, Fraser Preston.

Since the near miss promotion campaign of 2002/03, things have gone from bad to worst for Coatbridge's finest. The past two seasons have seen them finish in 8th and 9th place respectively at the expense of the jobs of our friends messrs. Hetherston, McStay, McAllister and Lindsay. The Cliftonhill baton has now been passed to new coach Jim Chapman. Perhaps his championship-winning time with the Rovers during the late eighties will buy himself some extra time and patience from the fans should things go wrong this season, but even the most ardent of them cannot expect this season to be anything other than one to steady a club that is fast becoming the Lusitania of Lanarkshire. The mass exodus that took place towards the tail-end of last season has given Chapman a massive rebuilding project even before this season begins and realistically, even the consolidation of last season's 9th-placed finish would be seen as a reasonable achievement. In order to bolster the squad in time for the kick-off, Chapman has been trailing through the cast-offs , hoping to find something or someone who has been overlooked or who may be able to offer something at a lower level. The latter will be expected of recent Motherwell departee Jamie Ewings, a goalkeeper, while Martin Bonnar has been brought in to help fill the vacancy in the centre of the park left by Jim Mercer. Bonnar may not have had the most successful stint at Hampden but there was little time for him to make his name in the first XI with Queen's, and new faces and surroundings may bring out the best in the tenacious midfielder. But with all but two of last season's squad opting ( or forced ) to leave, and a much-reduced budget to replace them, Rovers could have difficulty overcoming a challenge from Shire to avoid finishing bottom of the Scottish pile.

Arbroath

Last season: 9th in Second Division ( relegated )
Manager: Harry Cairney
Players in: Hugh Davidson, Mathu King, Jay Stein ( all Forfar Athletic ), Roddy Black, Chris Jackson ( both Brechin City ), Andy Reilly ( Dundee ), Jordan Smith ( Albion Rovers ), Peter Cormack.
Players out: Gavin Swankie ( Dundee ), Greig Henslee ( Montrose ), Euan Donaldson ( East Fife ), Iain Diack ( East Stirlingshire ), John Cusick ( Cowdenbeath ), John McGlashan, Timmy Woodcock, Chris McLeod, Stuart MacDonald, John McAulay.

Losing Gavin Swankie to Dundee at the very end of last season would have disappointed the Arbroath faithful. Jim Duffy made the promising winger his first signing of the close season, and since then Gayfield has also seen the departure of Greig Henslee to nearby Montrose. So it's been Harry Cairney's job to rebuild a squad for promotion and most would agree that he's managed this favourably. Winger Jay Stein, midfielder Hugh Davidson and forward Mathu King have all arrived from Forfar and all have decent pedigrees at a higher level. Roddy Black and Chris Jackson will add some steel and experience to the defence, while behind them there is a choice of two former Queen's Park goalkeepers, Neil Inglis ( already a Championship winner ) and Mark Cairns. It is in attack that they look stretched, with no established goalscorer in place, and Cairney may need to add a striker to ensure his squad is good enough to last the pace, for their aim must be to finish atop the table come the end of April. It may prove crucial how the challenging teams fare against teams in the lower half of the table, and slip-ups could prove fatal to a promotion campaign. Harry Cairney will be sure to bear this in mind when Arbroath travel to Cliftonhill on the opening day and Firs Park on August 20th.

Berwick Rangers

Last season: 10th in Second Division ( relegated )
Manager: John Coughlin
Players in: Craig Coyle ( Morton ), Robbie Arthur ( Livingston ), Kevin Haynes ( Dunbar United ), Chris McGroarty ( East Stirlingshire ), Bruno di Silva ( Farne Salmon & Trout )
Players out: Darren Smith ( Brechin City ), Andy Seaton ( Penicuik Athletic )

Who's to say that only Scottish clubs are in decline? The boys from just south of the border in Berwick have certainly slipped down the pecking order in Scotland and the buck has been passed to John Coughlin to turn things around after Sandy Clark's disastrous term in charge at Shielfield. Whether or not he'll be successful in doing so within the tight confines of the Third Division is a question only Berwick supporters are willing to answer, with other fans unsure of the Borderers credentials. Traditionally, the teams relegated from the division above are those tipped for promotion at the beginning of the new campaign, but there are certainly four teams capable of finishing above Berwick, thus denying them access to the play-offs. At this stage, the supporters optimism may be based more on hope than anything substantial. With that in mind, Coughlin has pulled off one or two potentially shrewd moves in the market but has kept most of last season's 2nd Division squad intact. Craig Coyle and Chris McGroarty should both be able to more than cut it in Division Three, and with Gareth Hutchison staying at the club, there seems to be a healthy goal threat. The unknown quantity in the squad is Portuguese striker Bruno di Silva, but if he can link up with Hutchison, they should possess enough quality to mount a promotion challenge.

Cowdenbeath

Last season: 3rd
Manager: David Baikie
Players in: John Cusick ( Arbroath ), Martin Grant ( Glenrothes ), David Hay ( Brechin City ), Kevin McBride ( Glenafton Athletic ), Robert Downes, John Ward ( both Tayport ), Dougie Hill ( Alloa Athletic ), John Allison ( Elgin City )
Players out: Paul McHale ( Clyde ), John McKeown ( Stenhousemuir ), Calvin Shand ( Peterhead ), Andy Campbell, Paddy Kelly, John Paul Kelly

Defeating Queen's on the final day of last season secured a third place finish for the Blue Brazil, and given the supremacy of Gretna and Peterhead, the 'Best of the Rest' title bestowed upon them by their fans would have been one Dave Baikie was happy to accept. But this time around will definitely see a difference, and Cowden will give themselves as good a chance as any of lifting the Third Division trophy come the end of April. Darren Gribben as much as anyone will be looking to put to bed any stories concerning him off the park, and finally deliver, fulfilling the promise he showed as a youngster with Hamilton Accies. Elsewhere in Baikie's squad, central defender John McKeown has left for Ochilview and this will mean that Innes Ritchie must step up to the plate and perform consistently throughout the year. They should have enough strength in depth and overall quality in the team to do what is expected of them and finish in the play-off positions, if not to claim the title for themselves. The opening fixtures are kind to Cowden, and see them playing East Stirling, Elgin and East Fife in the first four weeks of the season; three teams few would expect to challenge for key positions. If they can make the right start then they should have no difficulty making the play-offs. New signings John Cusick ( Arbroath ) and David Hay ( Brechin ) have both played in the Second Division and will believe they can return there with Cowdenbeath.

East Fife

Last season: 8th
Manager: Jim Moffat
Players in: John Martin ( Raith Rovers ), Marco Pelosi ( on loan from Heart of Midlothian ), John Bradford ( Albion Rovers ), Craig Smart, Ross Graham ( both Montrose ), Euan Donaldson ( Arbroath ), Andy Campbell ( Cowdenbeath ), Shaun King, Paul Hampshire
Players out: Brian Fairbairn ( Raith Rovers ), Steven Nicholas ( Partick Thistle ), Michael Renwick ( Stenhousemuir ), Les Byle, Stephen Tarditi, Fraser Duncan, John McCafferty

East Fife know what it takes to get promotion from the Third Division, and we know that this season they haven't got it. Jim Moffat's job this year is shaping up to be an extremely difficult one, more so than last time around when 6 teams were all roughly on a par. East Fife find themselves likely to be outwith the chasing pack again, and the boycott of New Bayview by a section of their support this season will further restrict the club, financially and otherwise. Whatever the situation behind the scenes is in Methil regarding Derrick Brown, the supporters must know that by staying away from home games they will be holding back a side that already looks set to struggle. Losing Brian Fairbairn and Steven Nicholas has thoroughly depleted their attack, meaning that the signing of Craig Smart from Montrose - and he is likely to chip in with a few goals - does not strengthen their squad. Little is known of Marco Pelosi and John Martin, two of the other summer arrivals, but John Bradford has been there and done that as far as playing every week in this league is concerned and he should provide some stability. The lack of quality in comparison with other squads though will mean that East Fife will have to play above their level to achieve anything better than a dismal lower-half finish.

East Stirlingshire

Last season: 10th
Manager: Denis Newall
Players in: Ally Graham ( Queen's Park ), Iain Diack ( Arbroath ), Paul Gaughan ( East Fife ), Aaron Gillespie, Steve Blair, Brian Gordon, Steven Dymock
Players out: Greig Denham ( Stenhousemuir ), Chris McGroarty ( Berwick Rangers ), Graham McGhee ( Albion Rovers ), Gordon Parks ( Clyde ), Tony Mitchell

We're at the start of yet another season, and the Shire again are favourites to finish rock bottom. Looking back over last season, very little progress was made during 2004/05, and Newall's task of finishing off the bottom is again looking difficult. One plus point that they can take from last season was the calamitous decline of Albion Rovers, and it is a mark of the situation Shire find themselves in that their only hope of finishing anywhere other than 10th lies outwith Firs Park and relies heavily on the major collapse of another team. Chris McGroarty, who bagged nine goals for Newall's side last season from midfield has opted for a move to Berwick Rangers, and they have had to look elsewhere for someone to give them a goal threat up-front. They have just signed Ally Graham. Actually in all fairness, despite his descent into total immobility towards the end of last season, Ally had a mostly successful spell at Queen's, including his goals against St. Mirren, Caley Thistle, Forfar and the hat-trick against East Fife at Bayview. Six goals he bagged last season; that many this time around would prove him to have been a more than worthwhile signing, Ally always being more a provider than a scorer. But there could be a hidden context to the Graham signing: should things go wrong for Newall this season, except Ally to be a strong contender for the managerial chair at Firs Park.

Elgin City

Last season: 6th
Manager: David Robertson
Players in: Stewart Easton ( Stenhousemuir ), Martin Johnston ( Cove Rangers ), Patrick Scullion ( Dunfermline Athletic ), Mark Booth ( Forfar Athletic ), Chris Gardiner ( Heart of Midlothian ), Alan Muir ( St. Mirren )
Players out: Willie Martin ( Montrose ), Craig Higgins ( Stranraer ), John Allison ( Cowdenbeath ), Martin Harty

Elgin will take some heart from taking Raith Rovers into extra-time in their first round Challenge Cup tie, and although Davie Robertson will be disappointed with the result, it will give the players confidence going into their opening league fixture at home to Montrose. Their start to the season is a difficult one, though they do have two home games ( Montrose and Cowdenbeath ) sandwiching a very tricky journey to Championship hopefuls Stenhousemuir. In all honesty they will be lucky to get a win from the first few games, before they play Queen's at Borough Briggs on September 10th. With Willie Martin leaving for Links Park, Elgin will be doing very well to better their highest-ever finish of sixth last season, although Martin Johnston may well prove to be a successful signing. After leaving Peterhead, Johnston kept up his prolific ways in the Highland League, and he will be keen to continue scoring goals on his return to league football.

Montrose

Last season: 5th
Manager: Henry Hall
Players in: Greig Henslee ( Arbroath ), Andy Cargill ( Ayr United ), Martyn Fotheringham ( St. Johnstone ), Willie Martin ( Elgin City ), Paul Doyle ( Clyde ), Andrew Reid ( Hibernian ), Stephen Fraser ( St. Johnstone ), Jamie McKenzie ( on loan from Hibernian )
Players out: Craig Smart, Ross Graham ( both East Fife ), Daryn Smith, Darren Spink, Matt Slater

Henry Hall has been steadily improving things at Links Park, and with the division this season the most open it has been since his arrival, he will fancy that these next 10 months will give him a good chance of steering his Montrose side out of Division Three. And with signings of the calibre of Martyn Fotheringham and Willie Martin, they probably have a squad capable of reaching the top four and hence the play-offs. Realistically there are three, perhaps four sides who I would rule out being able to challenge, but Montrose find themselves in the top bracket, the remaining six sides who are all more than in with a chance. If they are to be successful this season, then they'll have to improve their form in front of their home fans, having lost half of their matches at Links Park last season. Any team that can get off to a good start will stand a chance, and with Elgin, Rovers and East Fife to face in their opening fixtures, who is to say they won't have the maximum nine points going into their local derby against Arbroath on August 27th?

Queen's Park

Last season: 4th
Coach: Billy Stark
Players in: none
Players out: Ally Graham ( East Stirlingshire ), Danny Ferry ( Dumbarton ), Frankie Carroll ( Stenhousemuir ), Gavin Rushford, Brian Blair, Louis Watters

Last season saw Queen's best finish for 17 years, discounting the Championship season of 5 years ago. Overcoming what could have been turmoil following Kenny Brannigan's chaotic departure, Stark essentially picked the side up where they had left off, coaxed some memorable performances from them, and on the whole played a damn lot of good football. The age-old Queen's Park problems of finishing consistently were still evident, but at least in Frankie Carroll a prolific scorer had been found, the best since Brian McPhee. With the introduction of the play-offs for this new season, the logical step would be now for Queen's to qualify and ensure an exciting end to the season. But have our chances been compromised by the absence of any new faces at the park this summer? Losing Frankie Carroll doesn't just mean the loss of a guaranteed goal supply; his effort, stamina and heart will also be missing, and there is no ready-made replacement available. Richard Bowers is as fast as it gets and could be the best youngster seen at Hampden in years, but his impact may be diluted by the absence of a tall, imposing frontman in the mould of Ally Graham. In defence and midfield, the side appears strong, but we lack quality in the wide positions, and fielding Kettlewell and Clark in these areas only intensifies the problem. These players have found form difficult enough to come by over the last few months without being played out of position. All of this is to concentrate on the negatives; there are plenty of good signs as well. Bryan Felvus impressed me pre-season and could be finally ready to establish himself alongside Bowers; Harvey is still going strong and will be expected to dictate the play; Agostini, Reilly and Sinclair are all completely reliable in defence and have a fine, if madcap, goalkeeper behind them in David Crawford. Couple these with the returns of Tony Quinn and Jonny Whelan to strengthen the midfield, and the spine of the team looks fairly secure. This year's slew of youngsters may not be as plentiful as the last two years, but Liam McCann is one to watch. Billy Stark seems to believe his squad is good enough to meet the challenges of the season ahead; I honestly believe that we need a couple of signings, a wide player and a big striker, in order to secure that play-off spot.

Stenhousemuir

Last season: 7th
Manager: Des McKeown
Players in: Colin Cramb ( Hamilton Academical ), Greig Denham ( East Stirlingshire ), Frankie Carroll ( Queen's Park ), Michael Renwick ( East Fife ), Chris Fahey, Marc McKenzie , Jim Mercer ( all Albion Rovers ), John McKeown ( Cowdenbeath ), Joe McAlpine
Players out: Stewart Easton ( Elgin City )

After failing to bounce back and deliver immediate promotion following their descent into Scotland's lowest tier coach Des McKeown will know that nothing but promotion will be good enough for Stenhousemuir in the upcoming campaign. The busiest of all the Division Three managers close season, he has been keen to secure the contracts of players who have experience of a Third Division promotion push, and this could prove invaluable. Frankie Carroll for one, who bagged 14 league goals last season, as well as contributing heavily to Queen's Park's championship-winning season, will partner either Paul McGrillen or Joe Savage in what is shaping-up to be the most potent strikeforce in the division. Marc McKenzie, the tricky winger pinched from Albion Rovers, could also make his way into the first team and if not will certainly provide reliable cover. In goal, McKeown will probably reward Willie McCulloch's form last season with the no. 1 jersey, but Chris Fahey's arrival from Cliftonhill should provide a pleasant dilemma for the coach. John McCormack was also expected to be a key figure at Stenhousemuir, albeit behind the scenes, but his departure to a more prominent role in the Stagecoach Super League Premier with Bellshill has opened the door for Paul Smith to step in as McKeown's right-hand man. The ex-Berwick manager is well-known, especially amongst the Queen's supporters, and the chances are that Smith will again be there or thereabouts at the end of the season as far as honours are concerned.

from http://www.queensparkfansite.cjb.net/

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