Disc Potato

For the doubters, sorry but I wouldn't waste my time coming on a Dumbarton thread to spout rubbish. There are a few clubs disappointed by the list of applicants for the vacancies at the moment. I would be crediting your BOD for thinking outside the box and looking at alternative options. If this comes off and still an IF, be a great move for Dumbarton. I would be over the moon if Berwick had made the move for this lad, personally think he'll be a very good manager. Our board wouldn't know where to start with such matters.

Hearing Dumbarton likely to make an approach for a striker currently at an SPL club to become their next manager. Heard a lot of good things about him.

Absolutely gutted to see Robbie leave after the game on Saturday. I feel for him and as BM says he will bounce back when the time is right. He was the right man for the job but preparations for this season were not good with developments in the boardroom. The post below isn't meant to point the finger at anyone but more a look at how difficult the job of managing Berwick Rangers has become. We are reaching one of the most crucial periods in the clubs history and everyone needs to be together to see us through. The threat of relegation is real and getting closer by the day, the outcome of that is honestly not worth thinking about. Looking back at the last four managerial appointments, I believe all four were good decisions but the one common denominator was evident with the quartet and that was the struggle to attract the right players to the club. The four were all good coaches and tactically knew the game. I didn't agree with the way John Coughlin handled his exit first time around so I didn't entirely agree with bringing him back but certainly didn't doubt his managerial skills. During John's first spell as manager he had a good group of players with a solid backbone with the likes of O'Connor, Horn, McNicholl and Wood. We were able to compete in the transfer market back then and also match wages, the additions of Diack and McGroaty made a huge difference to the pool when joining in the January window. Both based in the west and didn't have a problem with travelling. I am not saying we had a massive playing budget but other clubs had similar amounts to spend at that time and we pulled out a few stops to attract players to the club. Since then our budget has remained at similar level but other clubs have seen considerable investment and as a result attracted better players. Edinburgh City is a prime example of this and while competing with players in the same catchment area, the lure of that extra £50 - £100 a week is the difference. The answer certainly isn't to gamble and throw money at players we can't afford, we need to be sensible. This makes the job extremley difficult for any manager. The biggest factor is money and players tend to go where they get the most. Ian Little, Colin Cameron, John Coughlin and Robbie Horn were extremely good managers and getting some-one better is going to be difficult for the reasons listed above. Yes it could have been so different and we should be looking at a totally different squad right now had we planned accordingly this summer. Robbie was first told a budget, then that figure was reduced and then returned to the orignal figure before being increased at the end of the window. The club weren't facing any immediate cash problems and that extra 20% from the outset would have brought a totally different outlook. Of course it's much easier after the event but thankfully the people involved in making such financial decisions are no longer at the club. Players Robbie targeted are listed below, he knew what he was looking for and knew where he wanted to be with his squad but couldn't compete financially with a few moving to clubs closer to their home as well. Josh Peters (Queens Park), Kris Renton (Cowdenbeath), Alan Smith, Blair Henderson, Danny Handling, Scott Shephard, Liam Henderson, Adam Watson (All Edinburgh City). Johnny Court (East Fife), Dougie Hill (Brechin City), Dean Brett and Alan Horne both decided to stay at Bonnyrigg, Peter Ramage (USA), Jamie Longworth (East Kilbride), Andy Little (not sure where he ended up). There will be many more I don't know about and have forgotten but just imagine how demoralising that was for Robbie. Knock back after knock back. Looking forward, I have been saying for a while that the SC and ST need to go public and put there shares up for sale in the hope they can find a buyer/invester to come on board. People keep saying there is nobody out there but it costs nothing to find out. After all we have a player in our squad right now that was part of a deal that offered to put 600k into a club in our league during the summer. We aren't we speaking to him or made an approach. I wish good health to Robbie and as a friend and supporter thank him and his coaching staff for their efforts. Good Luck to Lenny, John and the rest of the board this week with the task of finding a replacement. Personally I think there is a standout candidate in Johnny Harvey.

Berwick Rangers helped develop young star Jack Hamilton last season which has seen him progress to become a first team player. We are hoping to get another young Livi player on loan again this season and I am aware of the financial burdens in running youth teams at all levels. I was told that the charity funded West Lothian foundation who own your new pitch and could let the youth teams play for free this year, they still turned down the opportunity to take over the Livi youth system because they could not cover the projected season losses?

You asked for an explanation, I gave you a very honest view on my thoughts as to what has happened. This is best left here.

The 3 directors that have left were seen to be operating as a board within a board and leading the club into obliviation. One a sheep farmer another that works in PR were turning up at training and criticising the coaching. They are nicely qualified to do this. Other ludicrous decisions have been made by them, such as removal of the stair lift and over turning decisions when other directors have left the country, this caused major unrest in the town. Their decision to leave has created vacancies on the board which will allow more able directors to be appointed and also bring harmony to the boardroom. This in itself should bring a lot more stability and guidance to the football club. The disruption has helped bring the two main supporters groups together which will also benefit the club moving forward. The management team may also feel a little more comfortable without big brother watching how they were training the players. Murray "missing" McLaren is the longest serving director on the board and invested a lot of time and money into the club. He has stepped forward with cash when the club have needed it most. He has also been responsible for finding previous shirt sponsors and bringing other revenue into the club through his business contacts. He's due a little more respect. 3 down, 2 to go, then it's time to start looking to the future with a little more optimisim.

Today is a good day.

Hearts v Cowdenbeath £10. A lot to play for. Berwick v Hamilton £12 meaningless fixture. Not doing much to keep a dwindling fan base interested.

Grateful Airdrie left their A game back in Lanarkshire. Positives :- Central midfield trio - Willis excellent with a solid pairing of Phillips and O'Kane behind. Todd and Wilson solid at the back negatives :- Jack Cook struggled with his positional play at right back. Olly Fleming just isn't a footballer. Orru struggled to get across the half-way line. Front two carried no threat. 3 senior experienced players could completely change this team and our season. Instead of telling the players to look out for a Green Bus, maybe our board could give the manager some direction in what is a crucial two weeks for the club.

The important factions could well lock together, that's all that matters going forward.

It's fair to say BRFC is not a happy camp right now. The last thing we need to see is Arthur Bell writing absolute shit. You had to leave the club because of your crimal activities, now f**k off.

In all fairness they are a decent team, plenty of credit due their way. Cowden only beat them 1-0. The gap has closed in recent years. Would like to see Cook retain his place in back three rather than RB but agree with you about his input this season. Great competition for No1 spot, impressed with both goalkeepers. Murphy could be a gem, already see him growing in confidence. Finds space well and glides past defenders. With a couple more additions, we can progress.

Wasn't as clear cut as the score suggests but a decent win on a tricky pitch. Murrell scored from the edge of the box with a lovely strike. Second was a deflected Healy shot. Two trialist's started but overall didn't convince. Excellent performances from Jack Cook (MOTM) and Gary Phillips.

Saddened to hear our long term commercial manager has left the club. This is the second member of staff that has left due to a certain director. So important to get behind Robbie and the players but the club really is in bad shape right now. Its reassuring to hear the son of our new director of football telling people his dad won't allow Robbie to sign anymore crap players. He nearly broke the club while he was manager and may just finish the job this time.

No need to panic, we've signed a great player from South Korea. Foo-kin Nay-one.

Was the trialist in the centre of defence Taylor from Huddersfield ?

It's a small world and players talk. Just maybe we were in for the same players. Fair play to you for showing ambition.

Many thanks for taking the time to write an honest reply. Agree that your income streams are likely to be on par with clubs like Berwick/Albion Rov/Cowdenbeath. The reason I asked was, those clubs listed above couldn't compete with EC in terms of what they offered players this summer. Players now getting paid over 52 weeks and not 42 not helping any of us. You've signed 4 players which equates to 50% of our whole budget. This wasn't a jealous post, I was just intrigued to see how this was being funded. Your directors/sponsors deserve huge praise for the big step forward you are taking, leaving other clubs well behind. Right now Peterhead/Stirling/Clyde/EC are top four for me. Thanks again, looking forward to our trips up there again next season.

Thinly Veiled, "I haven't a fuckin clue"

Out of interest EC fans, who is providing the financial support to the club? Someone has to be investing between 60-80k per year for you to be paying these wages.

Smith a great signing, thought you may have saved him until last instead of Blair Henderson. Given the money spent, play offs a must this season.

Carlisle very interested in Naysmith, returned from holiday and being interviewed today.

Because of his lack of talent, the Berwick support actually gave him some encouragement. It was usually our own players that ran out of patience with him.

Kieron Stewart was by far our worst player from last season. Shocked he got offered a new deal. Gives us some hope he has signed for a rival.

But he doesn't want to stay and his agent is touting him around everywhere.