Thom & Gerry

As I said a pretty sparsely populated area

I have a pretty good idea of what my own teams budget and income streams are. I don’t see Annan having a big money backer or having any different income streams than us. I don’t see a lot of players from England clamouring to play for you, Berwick, QOS or Stranraer. Perhaps they prefer the Northern leagues in England. My own team have an Academy with teams at all age levels. There are a few local (north Scotland) based players in the team but only two first team players, who have been in the team for 10 or more years who have come straight from the Academy. We have seen some younger ones go to Aberdeen, ICT and Ross County. As someone who was involved in youth football for a number of years I can assure you that it is a big step from u20 football to League 2 first team. The manager is also under pressure, to first of all keep the team in the league and from punters, dare I say, like yourself, so there may but a reluctance to chance younger players. Only my opinion, based on my years of observing the football world.

I’ve no idea what your budget is but I’m pretty confident there are at least 6 teams in the league with larger budgets than you, including my own team. As for location, a bit like us, you are a bit off the central belt beaten track and a lot of players not willing to travel out with their area. This makes recruiting quality players from out with your area difficult.

I would say, looking from afar, that’s a pretty decent return given your location and budget. I have always been impressed with him and surprised he isn’t a target for so called bigger clubs.

Try again in January you will be in with a good chance then.

They certainly have fans from a large area but a sparsely populated area.

Jamie Masson I heard!

I’m sure the club knows who has been betting on their own clubs results and if the rumours are true some are already signed, so to get rid you would have to pay up the remainder of their contracts. Agree that we need an influx of decent players and it is worrying when you see other clubs signing players but as you say it’s early days. I’m sure we will be speaking to players and making them offers. I’m sure Elgin is not the number 1 destination for a number of these players who will have offers closer to home.

The Elgin team that took 9 points off Stirling Albion

Defo the correct path for me.

That has been on the cards for a while. Sorry to see him go, a good solid signing for Brechin, if he can stay fit.

Yeah he is still contracted. Has struggled the second half of the season partly with injury. The court case hanging over him may put potential suitors off. IMO he is not good enough for higher league teams but would obviously hope he stays. No chance Shane will be leaving ICT either. On another player, before you ask, Ross Draper, he has returned to Cove, I was pretty scathing when he first appeared for Elgin but when he went back to centre half he put in some decent performances and by all accounts was good in the dressing room. You can see he is carrying is dodgy knee and is finished at your level but would happily see him back at Elgin for another season. Not that we could meet his probable wages mind. Jevon Anderson also looked decent in his few appearances for us but I don’t think he would be a regular starter in the Championship.

A few ambitious signings there. Is Considine nae looking for 150k a year!

True but I think it will be a couple games suspension or fines only.

Yep. Said at the start of the season I thought we punched above our quality last season and we were no better than a mid table team. This year we have been unlucky with injuries to key players which has affected us but still say we are a mid table team at best. I hope the management realise this as the table doesn’t lie. I think there is a nucleus there but need at least 4 decent quality players in, in key positions.

With the results New Elgin have had these last few years you wonder why bother with another junior team in Elgin!

Trial has already started several months ago but adjourned to a later date.

Peterhead had big backers in the Oul Industry. They are starting to struggle financially due to the oil downturn and the emergence of Cove. Agree things are a bit stale.

You got inside knowledge of his trial?

I think they have been trying to get a more local core. In previous years the wages paid to the better HL players was inflated and out of Elgin’s budget. Nowadays I think they are more affordable but a lot of them are comfy in the HL and don’t want to be travelling to Stranraer, Annan etc. Not sure there are that many good enough HL players but was disappointed when Jack Brown went to Peterhead. I thought he was ideal for Elgin. I think the nucleus is there but need 3 quality players to compliment then. The likes of Soapy needs better players to play off. We definitely need the input of some central belt players as they are generally more street wise than us northerners. Definitely a big season for Elgin next year. Another season like this and we will be in trouble.

I personally think the club is pretty vibrant. A thriving social club, youth academy and there seems to be a higher profile commercial activity. All this in comparison to what I see at the majority of clubs at this or even higher level. It is too simplistic to say a clear out from top to bottom. Clear out for who? What Elgin need, like every other club at this level to get out of this league, is a major financial backer. If such a person/company out there exists, I’m sure that they would be welcomed. Without the investment we will find it difficult to attract that better quality player, which is more difficult for us, given our geography. We all want to move upwards but it’s easy to rant and rave after a shit performance/season.

Think I would have a look at the players. It makes a big difference to the club financially whether they finish 7th 8th or 9th but not the players, they get paid all the same. As far as the were concerned there was nothing to play for. Severe lack of quality unless addressed its going to be a real struggle next season.

I also fancy Cowdenbeath to stay up but I personally think it’s better to go into the play offs “battle hardened” rather tinkering with the starting eleven in the lead up and I can assure you that Fraserburgh and I assume Bonnyrigg have already watched Cowdenbeath several times.