Bright start by Rangers’ new board
Berwick Rangers’ new board kicked off a fresh era in the club’s history with an upbeat meeting attended by 50 supporters and press at the Magdalene Fields Golf Club prior to Saturday’s home victory over league leaders Cowdenbeath.
This was a radically different experience to some of the meetings with supporters held in previous years, with new chairman Brian Porteous and his fellow directors eager to engage with supporters and willing to listen to new ideas and suggestions. Demonstrating a canny knack for springing good news on an unsuspecting public, Brian used the meeting to announce the appointment of Jimmy Crease and Ian Little as Rangers manager and assistant manager for next season. The duo have transformed Rangers’ form and their appointments are thoroughly deserved. In contrast to the disappointment of the Renwick & McGonigal spells in charge, Crease and Little have galvanised a disorganised, dispirited bunch of players into arguably the most competitive and committed in the league, an achievement embellished by a hard fought but merited win over Cowdenbeath by virtue of Steve Bonar’s 51st minute strike from close range.
If the management team can sustain the quantum leap in team spirit, then their ambition of a play-off place next season should be within reach.
The other key issues arising from Saturday’s meeting included:
· The development of plans for improvements to Shielfield Park in conjunction wit the new speedway promotion and Northumberland County Council, who will assume ownership of the stadium after the demise of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council on 31st March
· Confirmation of a new strip deal with Diadora for the next 2 years, with supporters invited to choose their favourite design for the away strip from a selection (subject to league approval)
· Confirmation that JB Site Investigations of Wooler have been signed up as main shirt sponsors for the next 2 seasons, and that Ideal Carpets have signed up as short sponsors for the same period
· Contract talks have been entered into with key players for next season
· Like all clubs, Rangers are facing a more challenging financial position than ever next year and sponsors are being sought to help meet the club’s running and other costs
· The new board will consider innovative approaches to the pricing of season tickets in an attempt to give greater choice to supporters
· The new club website, being provided by the Trust’s
· Relations with the new speedway promotion are excellent and both clubs will continue to work together – some work has already been completed on improving directional signs to Shielfield
These are early days for everyone but the initial impression is that at long last, after years of conflict, Berwick Rangers finally have an enlightened and forward looking board in place, composed of people who care about what’s best for the supporters and the local community and fully understand the importance of a well-run and successful senior football team to that community.j
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