| THIRD DIVISION 2003/04: PREVIEW OF SEASON |
| Elgin City Last season: 9th Manager: David Robertson Players in: John Mackay ( Cowdenbeath ), Neil McLean, Steven McCormick ( Albion Rovers ), Robert Coulter ( Stenhousemuir ), Willie Martin and James White ( Queen's Park ), John Allison ( East Fife ), Charlie McLean ( Albion Rovers ), Alex Bone ( Peterhead ) Players out: Steven MacDonald and David Mackay ( Clachnacuddin ), Craig Tully ( Stenhousemuir ), Russell McBride ( Fraserburgh ), Connor Campbell, Michael Sanderson, Ryan McMullan, Chris Love, Steven Rattray, Richard James, Graeme Grant Elgin seem to have settled into the rut of being an average-to-poor Third Division team and new boss David Robertson has the onerous task of changing performances and mentalities at Borough Briggs. While they resemble a Queen's Park old boys XI, it could have been worse had they tempted the likes of Danny Ferry, as well as Martin and White, to head north. Such attempts suggest that there is renewed ambition at Elgin, but perhaps also that the board are more prepared to push the boat out for Robertson than they were for his predecessors. Up front things should be significantly improved with the captures of Bone, McLean and Martin, but only if Robertson abandons the suffocating defensive tactics he experimented with at the end of last season. Like several other sides, Elgin will be a tighter, more dangerous outfit this season but whether they'll be any better than most of the other teams is doubtful. Prediction: 8th |
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| Gretna Last season: 6th Manager: Rowan Alexander Players in: Paul O'Neill ( Macclesfield Town ), Richard Prokas ( Workington Town ), Gary Cohen ( Scarborough ), Martin Cameron ( St. Mirren ), Danny Lennon ( Partick Thistle ), David Holdsworth ( Scarborough ), James Allan ( Queen's Park ), Richard Robb ( St. Mirren, on loan ) Players out: David Ormiston ( East Stirlingshire ), Brian Fairbairn ( East Fife ), Tommy Turner ( Johnstone Burgh ), Mark Dobie Usually, each close season provides a minimum of one absurd story, and this time round it was Gretna who did the honours. In breezed English businessman Brookes Mileson, whose first tasks were to use his contacts ( and cash ) to arrange the signings of the Holdsworth brothers, David and Dean. Club and media alike waxed lyrical about how much of a coup it was for such a small club to sign these two known-names; especially Dean. The result was that Dean signed for Wimbledon and the club, and Mileson especially, were left with their credibility shaken. Gretna had clearly not learnt the lessons of the past when clubs announced signings that failed to materialise. Or is it the case that manager Rowan Alexander, told by the chairman that second-place was the least he expected, was simply not kept adequately informed about what was actually happening with regard to the Dean Holdsworth transfer, and jumped the gun in assuming the player would sign for Gretna? There are worrying indications that the relationship between Mileson and Alexander could fail to get off the ground and that this will culminate in the inevitability of Alexander's exit. On the plus side however, the club has suddenly been radicalized to an extent that their rivals cannot match. David Holdsworth, Cameron, Lennon and Allan could, very realistically, be completely inspired signings, and with them augmenting an already potentially strong unit Gretna have a genuine chance of finishing champions. Mileson's ambitions will not stop there: he has plans for a 4,000-seat stadium - able to accomodate more than live in the town - that will one day host First Division football. Let the circus commence... Prediction: 2nd |
| Montrose Last season: 7th Manager: John Sheran Players in: Scott Michie ( Aberdeen, on loan ), Craig Smart ( Hill o'Beath Hawthorn ), Steven Narey and Neil Stephen ( Dundee ), Martin Wood ( Ross County ), Jamie Watt ( Deveronvale ), Craig Farnan ( Forfar Athletic ), Jim Butter ( East Fife ), Greig Smith ( Peterhead ) Players out: Ralph Brand, Colin McDonald, Grant Johnson ( Brechin City ), Gary McGlynn ( Alloa Athletic ), Mark Simpson ( Peterhead ) There seems to be some discontent among the supporters of Montrose at the way in which their club went backwards last season, and whether John Sheran is capable of lifting them back up the table again. Montrose are never the most entertaining of teams and they certainly lacked flair and fluidity last season; a dour one for the club. Scott Michie has the chance to toughen up and improve his sharpness while on loan, and Montrose could benefit from his abilities up front. However influential midfielder Johnson is a serious loss. What seems likely is that if Montrose do as poorly, or worse, this time around, Sheran will not survive it. Prediction: 9th |
| Peterhead Last season: 4th Manager: Ian Wilson Players in: Kieran McGuinness ( Dundee ), Robert Duncan ( Aberdeen ), Duncan Stuart ( Dunfermline Athletic ), Roddy Grant ( Brechin City ), Martin Bavidge and Iain Good ( Forfar Athletic ), Graeme Stewart ( Inverness CT ) Players out: Kevin Bisset and Scott Clark ( Fraserburgh ), Kevin Rennie ( Cove Rangers, on loan ), Greig Smith ( Montrose ), Alex Bone ( Elgin City ) Everyone's favourite 'unlucky' team, Peterhead, like Albion Rovers, narrowly missed out on promotion at the end of the last couple of seasons. Widely viewed as the best pure footballing team in the division last time, Peterhead have strengthened their squad, losing only peripheral players and bringing in ones of the calibre of Bavidge and Grant. Admittedly, Grant is almost 37 but then he has never relied on pace or running to get his goals. Ian Wilson has not tampered greatly with his squad; he never does, and he doesn't have to. The law of averages suggests that Peterhead have enough quality to again push strongly for the league title, but quite possibly to win it this time. They will have to earn the right though, and there are several teams who possess enough to challenge them throughout the season. Prediction: Champions |