The Minertaur Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Man, that was some game. That's the only time I've ever cried at the football. I remember being very anxious throughout the opening exchanges, and I almost passed out when big Jim Mercer opened the scoring with a flicked header. We looked as though we were going into half-time with the lead but Dougie Hill scored a curling shot from the edge of the area after we failed to clear a corner. If the first half had been pretty even then the second might have been one of the most one-sided 45 minutes of football I've ever seen. Liam Buchanan scored two minutes after the restart to win the game but the scoreline only tells half the story - it was 2-1 going on 22-1. We just couldn't handle Buchanan, big Armand One and David McKenna and they looked like scoring every time they went up the part. Chris Fahey had the game of his life that afternoon and I think he made two triple saves to keep the scores level. Right at the very end, God knows how it happened, Mercer got put through on goal and found himself one-on-one with David Hay. If he scored to equalise it would have been a tremendously unfair result; he whacked a candy-ass effort off the goalie's body and Cowden went on to win. I remember watching the Cowden players cool down after the match - guys like John Ward and Innes Ritchie - and they were waving and cheering at a bunch of fans on the top deck of a bus parked behind the ground. Man, what a gutter. At that point, I knew our title bid had collapsed. We were still top but Cowden had moved two points behind us with a game in hand, against a dreadful East Stirlingshire, an absolute gimme. When they drew 1-1 at Firs Park a couple of days later it was all back in our own hands but we took a 3-0 thumping at Berwick and then lost to Queen's Park the following week. It didn't matter that we won our final two game - the damage had been done. Although it ended in disaster, it was a brilliant season and the best I've had following the club. We played some outrageous football, scored some incredible goals and formed a genuine rivalry with Cowden and Berwick. I missed about two games all season; I don't think I've been able to muster the same level of support and enthusiasm since. Think I missed 2 games that season as well (1 being the East Stirlingshire game you mention) and it was just an incredible season. From utter despair at the start with us losing Dave Baikie as manager just days before the season started to losing to East Fife for the first time in forever to finding our form and rocketing up the league. The game at Ochilview is just a blur to me but I can remember doing the bouncy outside on the street after doing the easy chant inside the ground. Incredible scenes that I will always remember. We didn't even have Markus P playing for us that day! Stenhousemuir deserved to be promoted that season up until the last couple of months when all this shit hit the fan with Denholm etc. You guys got you revenge a few years later though Jay Stein needs to work on his penalties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince sinclair Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Can remember that like yesterday FF Thought we had fuvked it big time wen we were held at the shire Can still remember mercer getting played in and Davey Hay making the safe Happy days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kierkegaard Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Although it ended in disaster, it was a brilliant season and the best I've had following the club. We played some outrageous football, scored some incredible goals and formed a genuine rivalry with Cowden and Berwick. I missed about two games all season; I don't think I've been able to muster the same level of support and enthusiasm since. Yes, brilliant season. Stenny just imploded, and we just kept on going under the brilliant Mixu. The final game against Elgin was a cliffhanger, deep into injury time. Then the helicopter. Our first title in 67 years. Unbelievable. Innes Ritchie was an inspirational captain. Do you know what Colin Cramb is doing these days, Francesc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Oktober Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 Man, that was some game. That's the only time I've ever cried at the football. I remember being very anxious throughout the opening exchanges, and I almost passed out when big Jim Mercer opened the scoring with a flicked header. We looked as though we were going into half-time with the lead but Dougie Hill scored a curling shot from the edge of the area after we failed to clear a corner. If the first half had been pretty even then the second might have been one of the most one-sided 45 minutes of football I've ever seen. Liam Buchanan scored two minutes after the restart to win the game but the scoreline only tells half the story - it was 2-1 going on 22-1. We just couldn't handle Buchanan, big Armand One and David McKenna and they looked like scoring every time they went up the part. Chris Fahey had the game of his life that afternoon and I think he made two triple saves to keep the scores level. Right at the very end, God knows how it happened, Mercer got put through on goal and found himself one-on-one with David Hay. If he scored to equalise it would have been a tremendously unfair result; he whacked a candy-ass effort off the goalie's body and Cowden went on to win. I remember watching the Cowden players cool down after the match - guys like John Ward and Innes Ritchie - and they were waving and cheering at a bunch of fans on the top deck of a bus parked behind the ground. Man, what a gutter. At that point, I knew our title bid had collapsed. We were still top but Cowden had moved two points behind us with a game in hand, against a dreadful East Stirlingshire, an absolute gimme. When they drew 1-1 at Firs Park a couple of days later it was all back in our own hands but we took a 3-0 thumping at Berwick and then lost to Queen's Park the following week. It didn't matter that we won our final two game - the damage had been done. Although it ended in disaster, it was a brilliant season and the best I've had following the club. We played some outrageous football, scored some incredible goals and formed a genuine rivalry with Cowden and Berwick. I missed about two games all season; I don't think I've been able to muster the same level of support and enthusiasm since. It could be argued neither have we yes we have gone one to enjoy further success & some great days & achievements but have we built on the enthusiasm of that era I'm not sure we have which is not a criticism of the club just an observation. Sadly I think the enthusiasm & support for the Scottish game continues to decline at an alarming rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PELE Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 Can remember that like yesterday FF Thought we had fuvked it big time wen we were held at the shire Can still remember mercer getting played in and Davey Hay making the safe Happy days That game against the shire was torture. We were awful and didn't deserve the point we got in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Minertaur Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 That game against the shire was torture. We were awful and didn't deserve the point we got in the end. I was sitting in a restaraunt in Blackpool with CC barely able to speak. Think it was Paul McBride who nabbed a late equaliser and it was a wonderful moment to get a text from John Cameron to say 1-1. Crucial point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince sinclair Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Sure was Had we drawn with Stenny n beat shire, we wouldn't have won the league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 It could be argued neither have we yes we have gone one to enjoy further success & some great days & achievements but have we built on the enthusiasm of that era I'm not sure we have which is not a criticism of the club just an observation. Sadly I think the enthusiasm & support for the Scottish game continues to decline at an alarming rate. I suppose the lack of a real rivalry with any of the teams around us has dented my enthusiasm over the last few years. Back in 2005-06 we were shared a division with Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers, two very good sides with players and staff who brought out genuine emotions - guys like John Ward, Innes Ritchie, Markus Paatelainen, Kevin Haynes, Mark Cowan, big John Coughlin, guys who you respected and were pretty scared of. We also had four games against East Stirlingshire to look forward to (although the best games we had against the Shire were in 2008-09 during the Spencer Fearn years). Since we won promotion in 2009, we haven't really had anything like that. Sure, we've played against Cowden a couple of times but the matches don't really have the same intensity. We've been in the third tier alongside them for three years (2009-10, 2011-12, the current season) but they were streets ahead of us on the first two occasions, so there wasn't much of a challenge; this time around, we're more or less as bad as each other but there's no-one on the park to really stir the emotions. The only real "character" in the Cowden side is Dean Brett and that's probably more to do with his output on Twitter than what he does on the pitch. Similarly, guys like Stephen Stirling or Lewis Small or Alan Cook won't really get the juices flowing in the same way Colin Cramb, JP McBride or Paul McGrillen did. As for Berwick, they've been in perpetual decline since the day the won the league in 2007, while the Shire might not be around for much longer if they drop out of League 2. Chuck in stuff like getting older, having more responsibilities and realising that football's a bit daft and not really worth getting upset over in the grand scheme of things and, well, here we are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Minertaur Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I suppose the lack of a real rivalry with any of the teams around us has dented my enthusiasm over the last few years. Back in 2005-06 we were shared a division with Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers, two very good sides with players and staff who brought out genuine emotions - guys like John Ward, Innes Ritchie, Markus Paatelainen, Kevin Haynes, Mark Cowan, big John Coughlin, guys who you respected and were pretty scared of. We also had four games against East Stirlingshire to look forward to (although the best games we had against the Shire were in 2008-09 during the Spencer Fearn years). Since we won promotion in 2009, we haven't really had anything like that. Sure, we've played against Cowden a couple of times but the matches don't really have the same intensity. We've been in the third tier alongside them for three years (2009-10, 2011-12, the current season) but they were streets ahead of us on the first two occasions, so there wasn't much of a challenge; this time around, we're more or less as bad as each other but there's no-one on the park to really stir the emotions. The only real "character" in the Cowden side is Dean Brett and that's probably more to do with his output on Twitter than what he does on the pitch. Similarly, guys like Stephen Stirling or Lewis Small or Alan Cook won't really get the juices flowing in the same way Colin Cramb, JP McBride or Paul McGrillen did. As for Berwick, they've been in perpetual decline since the day the won the league in 2007, while the Shire might not be around for much longer if they drop out of League 2. Chuck in stuff like getting older, having more responsibilities and realising that football's a bit daft and not really worth getting upset over in the grand scheme of things and, well, here we are. Very well said FF. Back then I was living in Dunfermline but if we had the same team now that I'm living in Aberdeen I'd make a much bigger effort to head down. We've been beyond lucky over the last decade with the players we've had at Central Park. Markus Paatelainen, Morgaro Gomis, Liam Buchanan, Greg Stewart, Kane Hemmings and have had characters like Lewis Coult and Armand One to entertain us. No offence to anybody in the current team but there's nobody there to really look forward to seeing other than Spence or Brett. Stenhousemuir are a team I always admired but they seem to have hit a bit of a glass ceiling. Since we won the league to move to the Championship Stenny have finished 5th, 6th, 5th and 9th last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Very well said FF. Back then I was living in Dunfermline but if we had the same team now that I'm living in Aberdeen I'd make a much bigger effort to head down. We've been beyond lucky over the last decade with the players we've had at Central Park. Markus Paatelainen, Morgaro Gomis, Liam Buchanan, Greg Stewart, Kane Hemmings and have had characters like Lewis Coult and Armand One to entertain us. No offence to anybody in the current team but there's nobody there to really look forward to seeing other than Spence or Brett. Stenhousemuir are a team I always admired but they seem to have hit a bit of a glass ceiling. Since we won the league to move to the Championship Stenny have finished 5th, 6th, 5th and 9th last season. It's frustrating watching sides like Cowden, Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic scale the heights of the third tier and make relative successes of themselves in the First Division/Championship - if clubs of that size can do it, then why can't Stenhousemuir? Cowden play in one of the worst stadiums in the country and boast one the of the SPFL's smallest supports but they're able to uncover diamonds (both players and managers) on a regular basis and, as such, consistently punch above their weight? Dumbarton finished in eighth in the Third Division in 2007-08 and now they're the best part-time team in the country! In terms of our league finishes over the last couple of years, it's also been pretty trying. When Cowden won the league in 2011-12, we spent the majority of the season bobbing away in third place (some distance behind the eventual champions and Arbroath) before a dreadful collapse in form over the third quarter of the season saw us slip out of the play-offs entirely. Davie Irons' shift work with the police was cited as the reason behind their haphazard form (he missed training sessions with some regularity and even missed a midweek game at Albion Rovers) but it's something he denies. Martyn Corrigan was left with a solid side to compete in 2012-13 but he couldn't really push the team forward and eventually lost his job in January 2014. A lot of the players from that time believe if he'd been given a third season he could have put together a team to challenge for the title in 2014-15. Scott Booth came in and steadied the ship and saw the team finish in fifth in 2013-14. When Booth was appointed, I reckon the Stenny board had seen how well young guns like Colin Cameron, Ian Murray and Paul Hartley had performed with their respective clubs and believed he could go on to do the same at Ochilview. But Booth was a disastrous appointment and put the club back by about five years - he ripped apart a good group of players, signed a load of dreck to replace them, and he overspent his budget (in the most recent Pelé Podcast, Colin McMenamin said around £3000 was spent on a smartboard but it was only used once). Bomber Ferguson kept the side up and, until recently, has done a pretty decent job. Given that we're supposed to be operating on a reduced budget for next season, if we don't go down now we'll probably get relegated in 12 months, as pessimistic as that might sound. I think Bomber and his staff have put together a pretty handy group of players on a shoestring but I wonder how far it'll stretch next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecowden Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I've been supporting Cowden for well over 40 years now and the best 10 years have been the last 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Minertaur Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I've been supporting Cowden for well over 40 years now and the best 10 years have been the last 10. Feel sorry for my Dad who has supported us for 50 years and I've been about 15 years and seen some glorious moments! It's frustrating watching sides like Cowden, Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic scale the heights of the third tier and make relative successes of themselves in the First Division/Championship - if clubs of that size can do it, then why can't Stenhousemuir? Cowden play in one of the worst stadiums in the country and boast one the of the SPFL's smallest supports but they're able to uncover diamonds (both players and managers) on a regular basis and, as such, consistently punch above their weight? Dumbarton finished in eighth in the Third Division in 2007-08 and now they're the best part-time team in the country! In terms of our league finishes over the last couple of years, it's also been pretty trying. When Cowden won the league in 2011-12, we spent the majority of the season bobbing away in third place (some distance behind the eventual champions and Arbroath) before a dreadful collapse in form over the third quarter of the season saw us slip out of the play-offs entirely. Davie Irons' shift work with the police was cited as the reason behind their haphazard form (he missed training sessions with some regularity and even missed a midweek game at Albion Rovers) but it's something he denies. Martyn Corrigan was left with a solid side to compete in 2012-13 but he couldn't really push the team forward and eventually lost his job in January 2014. A lot of the players from that time believe if he'd been given a third season he could have put together a team to challenge for the title in 2014-15. Scott Booth came in and steadied the ship and saw the team finish in fifth in 2013-14. When Booth was appointed, I reckon the Stenny board had seen how well young guns like Colin Cameron, Ian Murray and Paul Hartley had performed with their respective clubs and believed he could go on to do the same at Ochilview. But Booth was a disastrous appointment and put the club back by about five years - he ripped apart a good group of players, signed a load of dreck to replace them, and he overspent his budget (in the most recent Pelé Podcast, Colin McMenamin said around £3000 was spent on a smartboard but it was only used once). Bomber Ferguson kept the side up and, until recently, has done a pretty decent job. Given that we're supposed to be operating on a reduced budget for next season, if we don't go down now we'll probably get relegated in 12 months, as pessimistic as that might sound. I think Bomber and his staff have put together a pretty handy group of players on a shoestring but I wonder how far it'll stretch next year. That smartboard story is absolutely mental! £3000 could have been put to much better use although I'm sure the board has been used a fair few times since Booth left? He seems to have been a disastarous appointment with ideas miles above his station. I forgot that in our league winning season that Stenny had been doing solidly only to drop right at the end. Did you not only miss out on the play offs by a point or so? One bad managerial decision sets you back years. Booth and Nicholl being kept on for us being prime examples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 That smartboard story is absolutely mental! £3000 could have been put to much better use although I'm sure the board has been used a fair few times since Booth left? He seems to have been a disastarous appointment with ideas miles above his station. I forgot that in our league winning season that Stenny had been doing solidly only to drop right at the end. Did you not only miss out on the play offs by a point or so? One bad managerial decision sets you back years. Booth and Nicholl being kept on for us being prime examples. No. I haven't seen it in action for a long time; it certainly hasn't been used since Booth was punted, that's for sure. I'd highly recommend listening to the second part of Colin McMenamin's podcast to get an understanding of what it was like to play under him. I've no doubt he had some good ideas but there was just no way he could incorporate it into a part-time environment. As for the 2011-12 season, we'd had a pretty good time of it up until Christmas, a time the team traditionally tends to slump. We'd gubbed Cowden 3-1 at Ochilview and were looking pretty good, without every really threatening to challenge for the title. Between Christmas and the end of February, however, we lost seven games out of nine and had gone from play-off certainties to looking over our shoulders. Before the final day of the season, we'd won three games on the bounce and went into it knowing all we needed to do was beat Forfar Athletic and hope that Cowden (who had won all their home games that season, I believe) got the better of Airdrie United. And what happened? Stenny jobbed, and Airdrie got the point to push them into fourth. I would agree with you in terms of bad managers but isn't the lower end of the third tier probably Cowden's level? As onecowden says above, the last 10 years have been extraordinary for a club who were previously perennial back markers, and maybe this is them falling back to where they "should" be? It's happened to Alloa Athletic and might happen to Dumbarton too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aberdeen Cowden Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Feel sorry for my Dad who has supported us for 50 years and I've been about 15 years and seen some glorious moments! That smartboard story is absolutely mental! £3000 could have been put to much better use although I'm sure the board has been used a fair few times since Booth left? He seems to have been a disastarous appointment with ideas miles above his station. I forgot that in our league winning season that Stenny had been doing solidly only to drop right at the end. Did you not only miss out on the play offs by a point or so? One bad managerial decision sets you back years. Booth and Nicholl being kept on for us being prime examples. My grandfather used to rave about the Cowden team in the late 30's you never know what's coming. Inverness and Ross County both have shown what wee teams can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Pit_Owns Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 As for the 2011-12 season, we'd had a pretty good time of it up until Christmas, a time the team traditionally tends to slump. We'd gubbed Cowden 3-1 at Ochilview and were looking pretty good, without every really threatening to challenge for the title. Stevie Murray ripped Kyle Miller to pieces at right back that day. I'm sure Makel came in for Cameron and we really saw how much of an influence Mickey still was on the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden316 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 I've been supporting Cowden for well over 40 years now and the best 10 years have been the last 10. Take a bow 40 years following Cowden is admirable mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden316 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 My grandfather used to rave about the Cowden team in the late 30's you never know what's coming. Inverness and Ross County both have shown what wee teams can do.Exactly.Just because Cowden are small does not mean we cannot achieve big things.Look what has been achieved in 10 years for a club our size. Okay we will never be in the champions league but there could be a successful cup run or a season in the top flight.It all comes down to ambition from who runs the club and passion and commitment from its fans. I remember the chairman stating in the Fife Times 3 years ago that the aim was Cowden to get to the Premiership and then going on to say we will get there.Statements like that shows vision and that's what you need ok it looks entirely unrealistic at this stage but when he made that statement we had the likes of Hemmings and Stewart where you could argue we should have perhaps been in the Premiership playoffs that year. I'm looking forward to beating Stenny on Saturday whilst also looking forward to next season where I think we will put in a better performance than we have this season and reckon we will have a real promotion push Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Pit_Owns Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I remember the chairman stating in the Fife Times 3 years ago that the aim was Cowden to get to the Premiership and then going on to say we will get there.Statements like that shows vision and that's what you need ok it looks entirely unrealistic at this stage but when he made that statement we had the likes of Hemmings and Stewart where you could argue we should have perhaps been in the Premiership playoffs that year. It shows insanity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowdenPhil Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 It shows insanity! I'd settle for the ownership situation resolved with the Brewsters gone and then plans can be made for a decent stadium. This is vital for the club's long term future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden316 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 I'd settle for the ownership situation resolved with the Brewsters gone and then plans can be made for a decent stadium. This is vital for the club's long term future. Me too. You should have seen the amount of Cars parked in Cowdenbeath on Saturday night for the world championship stock car race.If only that revenue was going to our club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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