| BELL'S THIRD DIVISION: SEASON PREVIEW 2005/06 |
| Berwick Rangers Last season: 10th in Second Division ( relegated ) Manager: John Coughlin Players in: Craig Coyle ( Morton ), Robbie Arthur ( Livingston ), Kevin Haynes ( Dunbar United ), Chris McGroarty ( East Stirlingshire ), Bruno di Silva ( Farne Salmon & Trout ) Players out: Darren Smith ( Brechin City ), Andy Seaton ( Penicuik Athletic ) Who's to say that only Scottish clubs are in decline? The boys from just south of the border in Berwick have certainly slipped down the pecking order in Scotland and the buck has been passed to John Coughlin to turn things around after Sandy Clark's disastrous term in charge at Shielfield. Whether or not he'll be successful in doing so within the tight confines of the Third Division is a question only Berwick supporters are willing to answer, with other fans unsure of the Borderers credentials. Traditionally, the teams relegated from the division above are those tipped for promotion at the beginning of the new campaign, but there are certainly four teams capable of finishing above Berwick, thus denying them access to the play-offs. At this stage, the supporters optimism may be based more on hope than anything substantial. With that in mind, Coughlin has pulled off one or two potentially shrewd moves in the market but has kept most of last season's 2nd Division squad intact. Craig Coyle and Chris McGroarty should both be able to more than cut it in Division Three, and with Gareth Hutchison staying at the club, there seems to be a healthy goal threat. The unknown quantity in the squad is Portuguese striker Bruno di Silva, but if he can link up with Hutchison, they should possess enough quality to mount a promotion challenge. Predictions Paul: 3rd Joe: 5th Martin: 2nd Alex: 5th |
| Cowdenbeath Last season: 3rd Manager: David Baikie Players in: John Cusick ( Arbroath ), Martin Grant ( Glenrothes ), David Hay ( Brechin City ), Kevin McBride ( Glenafton Athletic ), Robert Downes, John Ward ( both Tayport ), Dougie Hill ( Alloa Athletic ), John Allison ( Elgin City ) Players out: Paul McHale ( Clyde ), John McKeown ( Stenhousemuir ), Calvin Shand ( Peterhead ), Andy Campbell, Paddy Kelly, John Paul Kelly Defeating Queen's on the final day of last season secured a third place finish for the Blue Brazil, and given the supremacy of Gretna and Peterhead, the 'Best of the Rest' title bestowed upon them by their fans would have been one Dave Baikie was happy to accept. But this time around will definitely see a difference, and Cowden will give themselves as good a chance as any of lifting the Third Division trophy come the end of April. Darren Gribben as much as anyone will be looking to put to bed any stories concerning him off the park, and finally deliver, fulfilling the promise he showed as a youngster with Hamilton Accies. Elsewhere in Baikie's squad, central defender John McKeown has left for Ochilview and this will mean that Innes Ritchie must step up to the plate and perform consistently throughout the year. They should have enough strength in depth and overall quality in the team to do what is expected of them and finish in the play-off positions, if not to claim the title for themselves. The opening fixtures are kind to Cowden, and see them playing East Stirling, Elgin and East Fife in the first four weeks of the season; three teams few would expect to challenge for key positions. If they can make the right start then they should have no difficulty making the play-offs. New signings John Cusick ( Arbroath ) and David Hay ( Brechin ) have both played in the Second Division and will believe they can return there with Cowdenbeath. Predictions Paul: 4th Joe: 2nd Martin: 3rd Alex: 4th |
| East Fife Last season: 8th Manager: Jim Moffat Players in: John Martin ( Raith Rovers ), Marco Pelosi ( on loan from Heart of Midlothian ), John Bradford ( Albion Rovers ), Craig Smart, Ross Graham ( both Montrose ), Euan Donaldson ( Arbroath ), Andy Campbell ( Cowdenbeath ), Shaun King, Paul Hampshire Players out: Brian Fairbairn ( Raith Rovers ), Steven Nicholas ( Partick Thistle ), Michael Renwick ( Stenhousemuir ), Les Byle, Stephen Tarditi, Fraser Duncan, John McCafferty East Fife know what it takes to get promotion from the Third Division, and we know that this season they haven't got it. Jim Moffat's job this year is shaping up to be an extremely difficult one, more so than last time around when 6 teams were all roughly on a par. East Fife find themselves likely to be outwith the chasing pack again, and the boycott of New Bayview by a section of their support this season will further restrict the club, financially and otherwise. Whatever the situation behind the scenes is in Methil regarding Derrick Brown, the supporters must know that by staying away from home games they will be holding back a side that already looks set to struggle. Losing Brian Fairbairn and Steven Nicholas has thoroughly depleted their attack, meaning that the signing of Craig Smart from Montrose - and he is likely to chip in with a few goals - does not strengthen their squad. Little is known of Marco Pelosi and John Martin, two of the other summer arrivals, but John Bradford has been there and done that as far as playing every week in this league is concerned and he should provide some stability. The lack of quality in comparison with other squads though will mean that East Fife will have to play above their level to achieve anything better than a dismal lower-half finish. Predictions Paul: 8th Joe: 7th Martin: 8th Alex: 8th |
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