berwick-the-unbeatable

You don't half talk some bollocks, as illustrated by your desperate need to continue repeatedly making this point. The reality is that Lenny and Walla will be a piece of piss to get rid of. For fucksake, the SC has just released a statement that shows as much. It's clear on the other hand however that John believes he's the right man for the job still. He's still busy banging on about how he's got a sustainable plan and can't understand why fans are calling him out on plans so idealistic they verge on dangerous. He thinks the same majority of fans questioning it will be the same putting more money into the club next season. There's a clear disconnect that needs to be highlighted. And in any case as above, singing sack the board doesn't mean sack John. If you want to know why more frustration is aimed at John, it's because he's by far the biggest blocker to change at the moment. It's mental you'll happily defend any individual, but then you wear very similarly tinted glasses to those you'll happily accuse everyone else of wearing when it comes the pair you mention.

Jesus. It's happened again. I can't even be arsed to dismantle it. We're going down but don't worry everyone, you're all going to be putting more money in and so are local businesses. I bet you can't wait!

Grant McNicoll

I don't think that's what anyone has said.

Collide

It seems like the one thing we all agree on is a need for fresh people at the very top operating under a different structure. But who steps into those roles if that was achieved - can you really call for a younger generation, and entirely rule out people like Dom? I don’t disagree that he’s egotistical and nor do I ever think he goes about things particularly well, in fact I’ve made my feelings perfectly clear on him and he knows that, but ultimately times have changed and an understanding of digital marketing is the very minimum you need in such a role nowadays. In the space of about 2 paragraphs, Dom had outlined a better plan for attracting commercial sponsorship than the previous director responsible or the chairman-elect ever has. Certainly better than ‘400 commercial directors’ and a plan based on little more than the hope that goodwill exists towards a club that can’t keep it’s own fans happy, let alone the local community. Ruling out a person like Dom on the basis of ego would be indicative of how we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot. Half the reason Dom, I dare say myself and others younger go about things the way we do is because they’re actually suppressed when they do try to help - you’re invited to at the beginning but very quickly limited. The only way to drive improvement beyond that at the moment is to put your head above the parapet, and take making yourself look the w****r in doing so a simple byproduct of wanting more for your club. Under the current regime, Berwick Rangers Football Club hasn’t had a board that works together effectively. Indeed, factions have generally worked against each other. Think about some of the ‘successes’ of the decade. Matty’s efforts with the kids/community or the club being brought up to the 21st century with digital and social presence. They’ve been things led by ‘younger’, limited by ‘older’. If you want to know why younger aren’t stepping up to the plate, it’s because the structure doesn’t exist to do so and it’s because when they do they’re blocked. It’s because they have to force change, and when they do they find they have to ‘sacrifice reputation’ to achieve change. That sacrificed reputation then leads to being in a position where people will suggest we need fresh ideas and young people, but rule you out of the running because of ego. I believe the ‘younger’ would be more willing to work with each other; to put the needs of the club above their own and show more maturity in the boardroom than those who’ve occupied those places previously and currently. I think Dom can be a total p***k, but still think we could benefit from his experience and knowledge in the right areas if a structure was there to reign him in and ensure he was also showing awareness of the bigger picture. That said, there’s a need for diversity, experience, resources. But the point isn’t all about young or old, rich or poor, male or female. It’s ultimately about the existence of a structure and operational approach that encourages getting the best out of individuals in areas they’re best in, while ensuring that collectively, they’re pushing the club forward. As has been said, all we see at the moment is politics. Its prominence at board level encourages it amongst the support. Politicking about Dom, Rowan, whoever, is only going to keep us further away from genuine change. You might say until that structure is in place, it doesn’t matter who’s there anyway but nevertheless, the young can’t do it without the old, the rich without the poor, vice-versa and so on. One point I disagree on though is that Bell bears no responsibility for the Harvey debacle. At the very least its partial in that he was on Harvey’s side until the bitter end, and given the culture of boardroom factions against the absolute disaster and failure that was Harvey’s spell, I don’t know that I think people were on Harvey’s side as much as they might have been on John’s.

So you're telling me we need a manager who has a 5-0 victory over Cove under his belt?

Wanted to leave it a day till commenting and probably the right decision as I spent yesterday morning in particular seething. Some of the comments on here have surprised me - one player in particular being given passmarks who for me couldn't have made it any clearer he'd given up. Some who played were trying, but blatantly lacked the quality to compete. Others with slightly more quality simply hiding, putting in 50% and letting those around them down entirely - let alone the decent, vocal and supportive fans that made the journey. That said, I thought the Barr spat at the end was pretty disappointing. Him and Cook both should have started, but came off the bench and were the only two with the bollocks to actually front it up. I echo what has been said - the tie might be over but Brownlie and Yano need to pick a better team and take a different approach this weekend - and yes, this is entirely indicative of why waiting so long to shift Harvey was idiotic. I dread to think what the result would have been with that c**t in charge. In all, a deserved pummelling and relegation. To fans offering condolences thank you and to those ripping the piss, fair play - it's give and take. For me, the manner in which all this has came about leaves a fairly bitter taste, but now focus needs to switch to finding the right way forward as dwelling on the 'what could have beens' will not change a thing. I don't think it could be any more blatant that the right way isn't going to be under the current structure and leadership, but the longer such uncertainty goes on, the more damage we do. While our new Lowland competition are already announcing decent signings, we don't even know who's going to be in charge of the team. Our best chance to return to the league is going to be in Year 1 - after that we are extremely vulnerable financially. As for what L2 fans can expect, I thought it was a decent little day. It's a bit 'plastic' - goals that were winning them promotion to league football seemed under-celebrated etc, but the folk were sound to speak to. Stonehaven was a great stop en-route and the bar at the ground decent enough too. Perhaps it's just because it's 'something new' but it wasn't as bad as folk made out, and I can only imagine it's shite if you don't take a decent group up - then again, the bus probably helped. We won't miss out though, there'll be plenty of chances for us to see something new next season.

Doesn't look like the kind of place that can accommodate 'ends', mind

Don't believe I've met you but all credit to you for putting as much in as you have - it's been noticeable and I wish it felt less as though it was going down straight the pan. Without wanting to continue dragging the same patter up with the games now so close, a large frustration of mine has been the club's naivety regarding the loyalty of the support. If people like yourself are even admitting you'd cut back, it has to be a concern. We will all still support Berwick Rangers if we go down, but with the manner in which this situation has came about I think most will do so in a different way. There has to be a point where fans stand up and demand the club show some ambition and effort. It's almost as if we've seen a growth of the opposite. Anyway, on to Saturday. Up the fuckin Gers.

I cordially invite fans of Cowdenbeath FC to be Berwick Rangers fans for the day. Come one, come all, we are all one against Cove. Muzza is one of the boys and we'll be celebrating victory with Vince in Bedrocks till the wee hours.

Unfortunately, I can't put it as politely as the_bully_wee. Annan will absolutely destroy Stenny on their own turf this evening and much like our game come Saturday, the tie will be over after the first leg. It's little wonder the bookies are pricing it up as they are, Annan are absolutely streets ahead in every department. A post like the above can try cover every outcome all it wants, but there's only one here.

Lee Currie <3

Elector for me. I fucking hate flat racing

An overdue decision that may still come too late to achieve anything but certainly reenergises the majority of the support. I don't think anything can be worse than Harvey at the point we'd reached and more than happy to give these two a go - and we certainly aren't in any position to be fussy. For all Yano had his faults first spell, his style of play was exciting, we attracted decent players and he's the only person to have led us to the play-offs. By the sounds of it Brownlie has been in the Scottish game in more recruitment-focused roles throughout the years he hasn't been managing, so it sounds an interesting dynamic. It's still time to cross your fingers and hope for a miracle, but at least now there's been action there's a semblance of hope - not just for the immediate future, but next season too.