Grant McNicoll interview (Part 2)

I ended Part 1 by saying I'd asked Grant how things changed under first Sandy Clark and then John Coughlin. He told me, “Things changed quite a bit under both Sandy and John - Sandy came to Berwick with a lot of experience, he was a highly respected name in football and this was evident from the first training session he took, he varied things from day one and had many ideas both on and off the park. His training and coaching were second to none and he gave the boys who had never experienced full time football a taste of what it might be like. Unfortunately for Berwick, Sandy's arrival was too little too late and he was unable to save us from the drop and he later moved on to Aberdeen where he is still heavily involved in the first team and reserves.

“Like Sandy, John arrived at the club with alot of ideas and again he put them into motion almost immediately. John turned things around at Berwick quite quickly, with limited money and resourses he used his knowledge of the game to his advantage and in his first season in charge came very close to gaining Berwick their first major honour in almost 30yrs. The following year the club went one better winning the 3rd division title, a very special day for all involved."

Looking back on your time at Berwick, you've played against a number of SPL sides, what are your memories from those games. “I've been fortunate to be involved in many memorable cup games throughout my Berwick days, I think from the top of my head I've played against or been involved against - Celtic, Rangers, Hearts (x2 - Berwick at Tynecastle, right), Falkirk, Aberdeen and a few others. Playing against the 2 old firm teams was something I'll never forget especially playing against Henrick Larsson at Tynecastle. I was probably about 20yrs old and Larsson has just joined Celtic, if I'd have known he'd go on to be such a legend I'd have made sure I got a hold of his strip after the game! Playing at Ibrox was also something special, it was something you dream of as a youngster and to say I've been involved there in a competitive cup tie means alot to me.

"Despite having played against both Celtic and Rangers I'd have to say my most memorable cup tie was against Hearts, I grew up supporting them and served my apprenticeship there so playing at Tynecastle for Berwick against Hearts and man mountain De Vries would have to be my top memory, albeit we lost 2-0. Nonetheless a fantastic performance from the boys and a cherished day."

What about that 0-0 draw against Rangers in 2002 – you missed out on that game – that must have been disappointing. “I was very disappointed to have missed out on that game but that's football, you have to take the good with the bad and I hadn't featured much prior to that game through injury so I couldn't really complain being on the bench. Gary Wood played centre back that game having deputised there in my absence in the few games before so I think it was only fitting he kept the jersey, never the less it was great to be part of a team which will be remembered for a long time to come."

In Part 3 we'll hear Grant's opinion on whether Gary Wood should be playing upfront or at the back.