Annan prepare for change for 2009/10
Well, I have to say I am enjoying my holidays so far - and I'll be enjoying it even more on Thursday morning when I fly off to Magaluf with my mates for three nights.
We had been trying to organise a night out for long enough and it escalated into a three-night trip away, so happy days.
I must say, though - and the rest of the boys will back me up - it's the dearest holiday ever.
We have Marcus Thomson to thank for that - I'm sure he's booked us to go to the Maldives by mistake.
Right, enough about me and my jolly boys' outing.
It's the and I wish both Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir the very best of luck.
They are two sides I was impressed with over the season and it is very tight to call, so for that reason I'm sitting on the fence for this one.
I've read with interest the controversy surrounding and I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of anyone that might have been at the game.
Joining us in the Third Division next year will be Queen's Park. Now, without sounding disrespectful, I think the whole of Annan was hoping that would happen for obvious reasons.
I'm certainly excited about the prospect of travelling to Hampden Park and being part of a squad that has the privilege of playing at the National Stadium.
Steven Sloan has been talking about the possibility for the last three months and we were talking about it once again on Saturday at our end-of-season dance.
Speaking of the dance, the evening didn't get off to the best of starts when the chairman announced that there were no trophies for the senior players.
Apparently there had been a mix-up due to there being two different suppliers of the trophies and two persons responsible for collection.
The players were told their trophies would be with them soon and were handed a bottle of wine to make up for it!
The deserving winners of the player of the year awards were Kevin Neilson (players' player), Craig Summersgill (supporters' player), Graeme Bell (supporters' "away day" player).
Mike Jack also picked up the top goalscorer award. A good night appeared to be had by all and I hope the next order has been placed for apple sourz for the first do of next season!
It's going to be all change once again next year with the club applying to join the Scottish Football League reserve and Under-19 leagues.
I'm sure this will be a positive move for the club, but it will also mean that most of the reserve side from last year will be moving on.
It's never nice to see players leave when you have spent a good few years together, as I have, but that's just part and parcel of football and the club certainly have to be more ruthless as an SFL club.
It's already been confirmed that Steven Archibald, Liam Cusack and Jamie Dunbar will be leaving the club.
Whereas both Steven and Liam haven't been involved much over the season, Jamie has made a big impact at the club and will without doubt be missed.
He will be a great addition for another club and I wish him all the best, as I do everyone else that's leaving us.
Young Lewis Walker and Ryan Adamson are both leaving for America and Robert Campbell has returned to East Fife after his loan spell so the manager will be having a busy close season I would imagine.
That's it from me again this week - I'm off to pack my suitcase!
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 20th May 2009, phatal wrote:I noticed on Saturday that Final Score had Cowdenbeath v East Stirling as a play-off for the Scottish Second Division promotion place. They are still on the bbc website as a second division side. I would like to point out that both Cowdenbeath and East Stirling are in the third division.
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Comment number 2.
At 20th May 2009, NoGBfootball wrote:Unfortunately, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ sports website personnel would appear to be mostly English who don't seem to have any interest in the Scottish game. I truly wish they were engaged with the Scots football divisions because I love the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ website coverage and writing on the English leagues. Maybe base some of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports website department north of the border?
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Comment number 3.
At 21st May 2009, killielivvy wrote:Phatal. The playoffs are a second division competition. The Stenhousemuir v cowdenbeath game will be the Second Division playoff final. This will be why you are seeing these clubs mentioned as second division clubs because in the Scottish playoffs, unlike the english playoffs the tournament is held under the name of the league that promotion will be gained to as opposed to the league promotion will be gained from.
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Comment number 4.
At 21st May 2009, U13967209 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 5.
At 25th May 2009, robbiboy wrote:Hi Chris
Enjoyed yer blog all season hope you are back for next.
By the way the Cowden goal against East Stirling was over the line and thats from a Pars fan who was at the game :-)
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