Less than 11 months since Ian Little walked away and left the team without a manager and the absolute bare bones of a squad, it cannot be overstated what a phenomenal job Hunter and Gemmell have done, hopefully this is just the start of something good. They deserve so much credit and I hope they can enjoy the summer, though I'm sure in reality the hard work starts again first thing Monday morning. Couldn't be prouder of who leads our club.
On the players, if Musa is away he's going to be a big miss. He's prone to a gaffe, but if he wasn't he wouldn't be here. He's a great goalie who can pull off the spectacular and I can see him making the step up this summer.
Ryan Stevenson has had a great year after quite a difficult end under Max/Little, he provides such forward impetus from fullback and is a great attacking threat.
When we picked up Michael Travis from the Berwick fire sale I wasn't sure what to expect, but he's become an absolute rock at the back, knows when to play and when to lump it. Hope we've got him tied down. Captain material.
McArthur is a funny one. Really thought he'd excel this season but fell out of favour and every time he got a chance he'd repeat the same mistakes overplaying the ball. Frustrating as you know theres a great player in there. Goes with best wishes and good luck at a plummeting Edinburgh City, he'll certainly get a chance to play.
Hawkeye - Mr Reliable in defense, knows his role, his strengths and importantly his limitations and just does the right thing.
Kier Macaulay is a great left back and balances well with Stevo on the right hand side, when he plays Bo'ness are a better team.
Shaun Rutherford and Dan Irving have had stop start seasons and despite them being quite different in appearance for some reason I mix them up constantly, so I'm usually so confused about which one it is I miss their actual contribution. If either of you for some reason read this, apologies that's my bad.
Michael Gemmell - next season might be a season too many, but my god I love watching him smash into tackles and moan at referees. As long as he's assistant, give the man a shirt.
JJ Henderson has been a good signing, clearly managers man on the pitch and generally seems a great guy from his work at Raith Rovers to attending the BU kids training. One of those guys you love on your team and hate on the other.
Kyle Johnston has had a funny season. At times he's run games, but I don't think he's done it enough. That's part of having a young player though, I'd be happy to see him back again next year.
I unashamedly love Tom Grant. A classic Number 10 who plays with a smile on his face (or his tongue sticking out)
Kier Foster is now in Finland and absolutely fair play to him, great to see players take a leap of faith.
Ryan Porteous has flattered to deceive, but I've no idea where we'd be without his goals from left wing. Hopefully with this season under his belt he can progress next year, though even just keeping up the goals if we have a striker contributing as well would be very valuable.
Louis Kennedy blows hot and cold like most wingers, but can't fault him for effort plus a last minute winner over the hill and inspiring a great comeback away at Edinburgh Uni, can't ask for more.
Honourable mention for Lucas Stenhouse, electrifying at times early in the season and got us points early in the season when we weren't firing on all cylinders. Wish we could get him back next year but suspect Livi might keep him for off the bench in the championship with that pace.
Scott Dalziel has worked his creaking body to the limit this season, the lack of goals I'm sure disappoints no-one more than himself but he's worked so hard and created so many chances for his partners...
...which leads me to Fin Malcolm. Bit of an enigma, has everything that you want a striker to have, but can't seem to quite put it together. There's space for him at this level, but not leading the line yet and it's cost us.
Kieran Mitchell might well be that man for next year, that goal today just showed what he's capable of, he looks a player playing below his real level right now. Looking forward to seeing what he can do next year.
Why have I typed out all this? Who knows, I've never played proper football in my puff. I'm just a jobber who pays his £8 every week, so I know f**k all really. But it's the end of the season ans if there's not a time to type a lot of shite about a great bunch of lads who I've loved watching this year, when can you? Can't wait for next season to start already and to be back at Newtown with you all.
In Hunter we trust.