The February Friendship Derby: Berwick Rangers v Clyde OKI

[berwick-the-unbeatable 1,161]

As we enter December, we can finally begin the build up to what is without doubt League Two's biggest fixture. Many criticise the SPFL, but they must be credited for getting this one absolutely spot on. What better way to celebrate the festive season than with a demonstration of great friendship between the league's two sleeping giants. 

At this point I'd like you to allow me to assure the excellent Clyde support that come the 23rd, they can expect a simply unbelievable display of affection. 

To celebrate and raise awareness of the occasion, Berwick and Clyde fans will collaborate to deliver an incredible advent calendar, marking some of the finest men to have ever have donned the fine colors of black and gold or white and red. 

Today we get under way with a man who has proudly worn both jersies, a true great.

December 1st:

Edited January 6, 2018 by berwick-the-unbeatable

[the_bully_wee 2,000]

I fucking love Berwick Rangers Football Club. Fucking love it. I am dripping wet with anticipation for this game. I am dreaming of a Christmas romance with an eligible Berwicker so anyone with a recommendation please give me a shout.

[The Clyde Man 232]

Look forward to my festive fish supper.

[DeanMck 168]

I flew back from Australia for Xmas purely for this fixture. Can’t wait ! Honestly can’t wait. Can’t see anything but a draw here. Who are any other team? 

[berwick-the-unbeatable 1,161]

8 hours ago, DeanMck said:

I flew back from Australia for Xmas purely for this fixture. Can’t wait ! Honestly can’t wait. Can’t see anything but a draw here. Who are any other team? 

Fantastic post, Dean. I'm very keen to see your efforts rewarded, so make sure you come see us Berwick fans on the 23rd for a well deserved reward. 

[The Clyde Man 232]

Sammy Reid. Whisper it, gers fans may be listening.

[the_bully_wee 2,000]

December 2nd:

Checking in behind door number 2 on our festive calendar is Berwick starlet turned Junior languisher Lee "Curry" Currie, who defied the Project Brave nemesis of video games to prove that munchie boxes can also ruin careers. A free kick maestro and midfield maverick, a trial with Hearts a few years back ultimately started his glorious descent into Junior football. An absolute baller for me on Football Manager 14.

 

[HibeeJibee 8,661]

Clyde "WELCOME TO THE HOME OF CUMBERNAULD COLTS FC" OKI, surely?

[shawfield shed boy 923]

Im naked

[berwick-the-unbeatable 1,161]

 

December 3rd:

Behind door three lies a real treat. Sweeney had a lot of impressive attributes to his game, though arguably none more so than his famed long throw. In fact, after his Annan side fell victim to Sweeneyball tactics, permaseething manager, undeserving ungrateful scumbag and all round arsehole Jim Chapman sealed his fate as Clyde boss way ahead of time by once bitterly describing Clyde as "Throw–in United". Incredibly, Sweeney credits Berwick Rangers vice chairman John Bell as the man who taught him the trait.  Source.

[bullyweehutch 494]

Pin this thread

 

 

[Barry Ferguson's Hat 1,713]

Will fans be allowed on the pitch at half-time to exchange gifts?

[the_bully_wee 2,000]

December 4th:

It's time to really ramp it up now. Three mere weeks to go until the anti-climax of the festive season (after the Derby - duh), the winter's chill starting to take full effect. But what could warm our collective cockles on this brisk winter's eve? Ah, yes. A man widely revered for his footballing talents in every Clyde fan's favourite home from home, Northumberland. 

The year was 2008, his parent club had quite magnificently popped its clogs and he had just been freshly released from serving the frankly inhumane sentence of a loan spell with Montrose when he was enticed to Shielfield Park by then-gaffer Michael Renwick. He served The Bandits with distinction, clocking up a hugely impressive three-figure tally of appearances with almost a half-century of goals in all competitions.  A thorn in the side of all Scottish Third Division/League 2 opponents over the next 6 years,  he was unceremoniously released by club legend Ian Little in 2013, at which point he dropped down a few levels to try and revive his career at Peterhead. He famously scored against Glasgow Rangers in 2012, only to see his strike rendered much less meaningful by an utterly shameful officiating conspiracy. 

You know who he is, but I'll tell you anyway.  Mr. December 4th is indeed Fraser McLaren, the man for whom the adage "flattered to deceive" was hand-crafted. Here he is being bodied by number 3 on our calendar, John Sweeney, in a barely-recognisable and frankly sad time when the Friendship Derby wasn't formally accredited and celebrated by the entirety of both clubs. 

 

 

[berwick-the-unbeatable 1,161]

 

December 5th: 

It's a five-star player for our 5th day ladies and gentlemen. 'The Celtic Shagger', Eddie Malone is perhaps best-known for quite unceremoniously bodying Glasgow Celtic right out of the Scottish Cup back in January 2006. A perhaps lesser known but even more glorious fact about Eduardo though, is that he absolutely detests Angus.

Twas September 2010 on a cold Friday night. Then Berwick manager Jimmy Crease was in the Black & Gold social club, delivering a rousing talk-in, focused around his plans to turn the club around during his 6th spell in charge. It was at that moment Crease would make a promise to the fans in attendance - that we'd get a result tomorrow, teasing an exciting new addition to the squad who was 'way above this level'.

The next day Crease was proven right, as Berwick absolutely bodied Arbroath, winning by four goals to one. It was the trialist left back who stole headlines on his debut. Providing a real sturdiness at the back and great prowess going forward, the full back chipped in with assists galore and seemed particularly pleased to have sent SimonLichtie back up the road wishing his team was defunct. 

Since that glorious day, it has of course became known that man was indeed Eddie Malone. Sadly Jimmy couldn't persuade Eddie to stick around at Shielfield Park, but it's no surprise that he remains both a Clyde and Berwick legend to this day.

As he enters the later stages of his career, Eddie has switched approaches from actively bodying Angus mutants himself to going behind enemy lines to ensure the demise of all Angus sides. He's currently doing an excellent job of this at Forfar Athletic, where he has heroically dragged them down into 9th.  Godspeed, Eddie. 

 

[JakeSAFC 1,501]

What a glorious thread.

[sammyreidloyal 92]

Best thread on here in some time..Open this before I go for my Ferrero Rocher Calendar in the morning#feelthelove

[Pride Of The Clyde 364]

I can't wait until tomorrow.

[DeanMck 168]

Hopefully we are all in agreement on who will be the final unveiling! Don’t want to ruin it by saying his name but I’m sure we are all on the same page 

[mo83 720]

I'm hoping it's Kevin Webster....Fingers crossed!

[Redcar 565]

This is class!