Both draws

have been made since Wednesday, what do you think? A bye in the Challenge cup is fairly neutral I suppose, might even give us a better chance to get a "better" quality team in round 2. One things for sure it stops us going out in the first round! Don't know if there's much in it money wise. Then today's League Cup draw, Peterhead away. The only good thing about that is that they're not a team from our own division. Can't really say there's anything good in it. It's a fair distance and there won't be much of a crowd. I think I'm right in saying this tournament does have cash involved so there is an incentive there anyway. Only been to their place once, a league game a few seasons ago, and no not the 9-1 job!
Spoke to one of the lads that works at Shielfield today and he told me the work on the pitch is progressing well, all is going to plan which is certainly good news for next season.

Season just

over, not yet if your involved with one of the four play of teams this weekend, and speculation and interest turns to pre season friendlies. Our third one has just been announced, away at Stenhousmuir. Then tomorrow and Friday we turn our thoughts to the two cup draws being made on these days. Tomorrow afternoon its the turn of the Alba Cup, you know the one, the Challenge Cup one, the one for SFL teams only. The first round draw will be made tomorrow afternoon then Friday its the League Cups turn. The format for this one apparently is the 15 First Round winners, that's where we'll feature, the first round, being joined by the seven lowest finishing SPL sides from last season – Falkirk, Kilmarnock, St. Mirren, Aberdeen, Hamilton Academical, St. Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian in the Second Round. So you can see how important it will be to get through.
Finally what do you think about Livingston changing their stadium name for the proverbial bag of gold?

Not long

till the World Cup now, 11th of June my tele said last night. Now, as you'll be aware my team, you know who it is, have again elected not to take part, ye, I know, but we're not there again. Not good enough, needs changed etc but we're not again so those of us of the St Andrews persuasion may well end up adopting a country. The question which will be discussed at many venues is off course should we support England. Personal question to be addressed individually. I will be giving my support to our English friends. I'm not of the persuasion to see England get beat, well unless they're playing us, but at this tournament I won't mind seeing them put on a good show. The one thing I'll ask, nae plead, please don't mention that unmentionable from your history, you know what I mean, I'm not going to say it myself...... and that really is as magnanimous as I'll get!

Just been

reading about Shires plight now that their owner, I hate that title in football, has jumped ship. Another example of the dangers involved when an individual owns control of a club. We've had very painful experience of it first hand and Shire now have a problem on their hands as to what they do now. Can't say I know anything about their individual but I'm always a wee bit suspicions of the motives behind some of these guys. Shire now have some decisions to make and couple that with the fact they are homeless then they don't have their sorrows to seek. Apparently their Trust may be able to buy the shares. If so a good thing, but it certainly is not as simple as that, although it's certainly a step in the right direction. I've said it before but I'll do so again, individuals "owning" clubs is bad news.
Just watched a great play off final which saw Blackpool back into the top division, do you remember the last time they were there.....I do!
Champions League final tonight, bring it on.......

Our first

two pre seasoners have just been confirmed, confirmed by the SFL that is, the clubs having agreed some time ago. Don't the "suits" always have to have their say? It's becoming a rather boring trait in modern day football. Even at our level if you hang around the main door at Shielfield pre match on a Saturday you'll see half of Burton's going in. At the higher level in certain parts of the ground they're like the proverbial flies on a s****. Don't know about you, but if your any way like me and wear a suit etc all week the last thing I want to do on a Saturday is "dress for work"
Just read as well that Cowden are staying at Central Park next season. Good that their club is staying in the town but the footie public of the town will certainly be on trial now. Can they turn out in sufficient numbers to take the pressure off their club? How about the shock some of the First division "big boys" will get on entering Central Park? Gotta be worth a giggle.......

Not said

well done to the Loons or Blue Brazil yet, but well done to both. Forfar deserved their victory and should do well next season if they carry on as they are. And Berwick fans wont be unhappy to see the back of them after their clean sweep over us last season. Personally I like Station Park and will miss the trips there but at the same time Gayfield is an acceptable replacement, as long as its not during the months of November to say April! Similar sentiments to Cowden who if you remember only went up the season before last courtesy of Livingstons demotion and if you also recall they lost in the play off final to Stenny. So the new members of our "club" next season are Arbroath and Clyde who may well be the big guns in our division. You getting the itch already......

Just back

from a weekend in what for this weekend at least was the football hotbed of Angus and Tayside. Everything up there was tangerine yesterday and a great day at Hampden was hailed as a success in footballing and occasion terms. The thing mentioned time and again was the refreshing difference from one involving either of the old firm. And the thing most commonly mentioned was the lack of "foreign flags" and songs full of bile and hate.It must be good for Scottish football but I'd beg some of these 28000 United fans and 18000 County fans to go back next season on a regular basis. Football happens most Saturday folks not just cup final days. If only a percentage of you turn up it will make your clubs stronger and be better for Scottish football.
Finally we've signed another two players from last seasons squad. Things appear to be moving along nicely in what really are early preparations. Great stuff keep it up.

Did you

watch any of the Cowden Brechin match the other night. That place actually looks worse on the tele than it does when your there. They must have been disappointed with the crowd as well, as they must have been at Arbroath especially for a "derby" Do you remember our crowd in the play off final, substantially better than both of these, and I know its not their final yet, but we'll see. Crowds don't seem something that'll be a problem at tomorrows Scottish Cup Final. Apparently Dundee United have sold something like 27200 tickets, almost twice their ground capacity and Ross County have shifted about 18000, almost three times their capacity. Heading for a near sell out, who need the old firm eh. Breath of fresh air as far as I'm concerned.
Finally I see Stenny have released Scott Gair and Ian Diack, how about him and Brazil up front next season?

Football on

the tele tonight again, great stuff. Got no real allegiance but a wee leaning towards Blackpool. I remember the last time they were in the top league. Think it was 70/71 or thereabouts and went to see them at Bloomfield road not that many seasons after. They also played a pre season game at Shielfield around the same time so ye, I'll probably be hoping, just a wee bit. On televised football, the stay at home armchiarers, didn't I just say that I'm one quite regularly, will get a right culture shock tomorrow night if they, and you, tune into BBC ALBA as they're showing the Cowden Brechin first leg of the Play Off Final. It'll be quite strange seeing the Stadio Central Park on the box. Bet it looks worse than it does in reality, is that possible though. And finally for those of you that regularly look at Berwicks official site, its been down today, technical probs and all that, but should be up soon, might even be today.

Back after

a night out in Duns last night, ye, Duns. There used to be a group of us in the early/middle 70's who drank in the White Swan and went on holiday together etc so we decided to get together at the scene of our former exploits and try a few pints of "diesel" We ended up going round all the Duns pubs until the wee small hours so consequently today has been something of a right of. I've watched Chelsea take the title in some style its got to be said, with other things wrapped up yesterday one of which was Leeds scraping into the automatic promotion spots. As predicted as well its an all Angus play off final. Close one to call that, how about Forfar to scrap it. Ok need to go for another lie down, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The games

are fast running out but we still have enough tomorrow to satisfy the appetite. Personally I'm considering taking in the Eyemouth Vale game. The EOSL first division title will be decided tomorrow and on the off chance that Stirling slip up at Hawick Vale need all the points from Warner Park. After that there's a run of EOS finals, two of which feature Spartans which they may well add to their league championship. Been a great season from the team from Ainslie Park a place I've still to visit.
Also the third division play off second legs tomorrow. Should be Arbroath v The Loons but we'll see. Shire off course feature and I've asked before but I'm still wondering how long they can sleep on the couch at Stenhousmuir. Given the effort Spartans have put in Its about time Shire pulled their finger out.

Courtesy of

our local paper a question I asked the other day has been answered. That of just exactly who has now signed for next season. If your like me and lost track here's whose on board so far, and I have to say its a refreshing change to have this many tied up less than a week after the end of the season. Goalkeeper Mark Peat, Defenders Jamie Ewart and Andy McLean, midfielders Stevie Notman and Paul Currie and captain Stuart Callaghan, plus of course Alan Brazil and Fraser McLaren. So we have eight tied up already, who else do you hope we get sorted. I'd take a punt on Jay Shields. I know we need more height but I'd make an exception in his case.
On the play off front it looks like it might be an all Angus final after last nights results. Which off course is a good thing for both the clubs and more importantly great for the fans. Should be two reasonable crowds and both clubs picking up a useful cheque. Got to say last nights crowds were really disappointing, for all the play off games. Remember our crowd when we played Arbroath?

Last night

heralded the start of another Charities Cup tournament at the Stanks. Given the quality of the two opening teams I had to be present and made my way over after tea time. Unfortunately the weather, although remaining dry wasn't one to play ball as it turned out to be fairly chilly. The teams Real Ale Madrid aka the Pilot and FC Popplehoff aka Cooks mob let nobody down however and served up a nine goal thriller with the winner for the Hoff coming in the final minutes courtesy of a 20 yard screamer. There could have been close on 200 there to witness this gargantuan struggle with some of the biggest players around in the local scene, I kid you not. Great way to start the tournament and the victory means yours truly will be at least one more game this summer. Up the HOFF!

Two more

players have signed for next season at Shielfield, namely Fraser McLaren and Alan Brazil. I sincerely hope we can see the best from them both next term, especially Brazil, whom I personally think, if he stays injury free has more to offer, plus more goals, all in all two good players to have retained. How many is that now? I'll need to check up on this, does that make it seven have now signed on for next season? Another Berwick player, well ex, has made the news as well. Gary O'Connor has announced his retirement from football. You probably know he was the first player ever to sign for Berwick and lists our title win in which he was captain that season as his career highlight. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times and can truly saw he was a gentleman. He was inducted into our Trust hall of fame and I've copied from our site the wee bit about him.
GARY O’CONNOR
Fans favourite Gary had been around Shielfield since 1992and only left in 2008 in what can be described as unfortunate circumstances. Gary was granted a testimonial for his efforts against Celtic at Shielfield. Gary once replaced Scotland’s number 1 and Britain’s most expensive goalie Craig Gordon whilst at Cowdenbeath!
Cheers Gary......

Thats me

back after my bank holiday weekend. A weekend that saw us end on a winning note but still regretted our poor second half of the season. Lessons to be learned for next term though and it'll be interesting to see how the club puts things together over the closed season. Time for a rest however from things black & gold, can't saw I'm not ready, but hey, come July I'll be raring to go again, but in the meantime we have the various play offs and finals. I'm also keeping an eye on the great fight in the EOS first division. Two games to go and Vale and Stirling Uni are neck and neck fighting for the championship both having already secured promotion. Then there's the small matter of the Jules Rimet Trophy......