I'm not one for giving lengthy match reports for mediocre football, I leave that to my colleague. Needless to say that Livingston notched up another win with a last-gasp Andy Halliday header against Montrose and the standard of refereeing has meant that my blood pressure is yet to settle. We will certainly win the title in the next week. But where next?
I for one will not be celebrating the title with much vigour. With the players that we had and our full-time status intact, a comfortable championship was a minimum expectation. That we have done so is a credit to the players and fans, who have not deserved the poor standard of opposition we have had to endure this year. But, we were guilty of gross mismanagement and naivety to put our trust in a man who must now be so far beneath our contempt - the relegation, although unprecedented, was probably what was merited for the men in suits. No matter how much we complain (and boy have I had a good moan this year), we cocked up.
So let us learn from mistakes of the past. Instant SPL football is not the solution, it would be unsustainable and we would implode again, probably for good this time. Let us continue the good work of the youth system and produce outstanding talents with futures in the Scotland national team. So what if we have to sell them on in the end, as long as they leave their mark on Almondvale, I will be happy. It is like being given a second chance at life - do not overspend, do not aim too high too quickly but have a long-term vision and get there with prudence and style.
I do feel for other clubs in Division 3 - East Stirlingshire or Forfar would have cantered to promotion this year had it not been for the SFL's decision (although YouTube footage of Dick Campbell singing Derry's Walls does not endear him to me). All I ask is that they get off our case now. Yes, we mucked things up but that was a previous administration and merely paid for being over-ambitious. But that is no reason for Paul Martin and others to lead a witch hunt and try and kick our players six feet in the air every game - these guys are just honest pros who have stuck by a troubled club, credit to them. We are a friendly club trying to put financial troubles behind us.
Minimum expectations for next year: playoffs and at least 8 points off Dumbarton. But we can win that league too if things go our way. And if we get the players' wages in on time. 1st division football is the long-term goal - I'll be there no matter what. Congratulations boys on a job well done - the hard work begins now.
RM
I for one will not be celebrating the title with much vigour. With the players that we had and our full-time status intact, a comfortable championship was a minimum expectation. That we have done so is a credit to the players and fans, who have not deserved the poor standard of opposition we have had to endure this year. But, we were guilty of gross mismanagement and naivety to put our trust in a man who must now be so far beneath our contempt - the relegation, although unprecedented, was probably what was merited for the men in suits. No matter how much we complain (and boy have I had a good moan this year), we cocked up.
So let us learn from mistakes of the past. Instant SPL football is not the solution, it would be unsustainable and we would implode again, probably for good this time. Let us continue the good work of the youth system and produce outstanding talents with futures in the Scotland national team. So what if we have to sell them on in the end, as long as they leave their mark on Almondvale, I will be happy. It is like being given a second chance at life - do not overspend, do not aim too high too quickly but have a long-term vision and get there with prudence and style.
I do feel for other clubs in Division 3 - East Stirlingshire or Forfar would have cantered to promotion this year had it not been for the SFL's decision (although YouTube footage of Dick Campbell singing Derry's Walls does not endear him to me). All I ask is that they get off our case now. Yes, we mucked things up but that was a previous administration and merely paid for being over-ambitious. But that is no reason for Paul Martin and others to lead a witch hunt and try and kick our players six feet in the air every game - these guys are just honest pros who have stuck by a troubled club, credit to them. We are a friendly club trying to put financial troubles behind us.
Minimum expectations for next year: playoffs and at least 8 points off Dumbarton. But we can win that league too if things go our way. And if we get the players' wages in on time. 1st division football is the long-term goal - I'll be there no matter what. Congratulations boys on a job well done - the hard work begins now.
RM
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