Grant McNicoll interview (Part 3)

So, where were we? Oh yes, Gary Wood. Highly regarded at this level as both a striker and centre back so I asked Grant, if he was in charge, where would he play Gary? “Play him anywhere as long as it's not centre half as he's a moany Bas£**d!! No, definitely striker!”

It was rumoured this time last year that you'd be off, along with a good number of colleagues – any truth in that? “To answer that honestly - Not even close because my heart always belongs to Berwick.

“The Berwick black and gold army are by far the best travelling support in the lower leagues, they followed us through thick and thin and were always supportive and especially vocal, they never criticised me as a player and encouraged me from day one so I'd like to thank them all very much! (That includes all supporters from both home and away games).”

I asked Grant if he could single out one player that he felt was his best partner at the back. “I can't single out one player as they all have different attributes but here are some of the guys I've been partnered with at the back - John Clark, Graeme Fraser, Colin Campbell, Innes Ritchie, Alan Neill, Dale Gray (left), Keith Brown, Robbie Horn, Mark Cowan, Jordan Smith, Gary Wood, Stuart Fraser and again probably many more - Some old and some new but all good guys!!”

So now your time with Berwick has surprisingly come to an end what are your plans. Do you feel you've something to prove to John Coughlin? "I've got nothing to prove to anyone, I've played at this level for ten years and I know I could still easily play for at least another 6-7 years. I'm gutted yes but don't see any point in going into detail."

"I have many many memories of my time at Berwick some bad but mostly good. Berwick was like my second home having been there for so long and working with characters like pee (Ian Oliver - right) and Robert Johnston on a weekly basis always put a smile on my face! I did have some ups and downs in my time there but I think most players would say the same regarding their careers. I am proud to say I always gave 100% at all times for the club and made some everlasting friends both on and off the park and to bow out of Shielfield after ten years with a third division winner's medal meant the world to me. I thought I'd be at the club until I retired and could no longer kick a ball but obviously it's not to be."

Football-wise, Grant doesn't have any immediate plans “I'm just going to keep my options open, take some time out and enjoy life for the time being, I'll re-assess the footie situation in the near future. I can't see myself being a manager or coach. When I stop playing that'll be me I think! I've a few coaching badges from my days with Hearts and also started a sports coaching course at Telford some time back but it wasn't for me. It'd be too frustrating being a manager, I'd want to get on the park and kick every ball so probably won't venture down that path."

Finally I asked Grant what his lasting memories would be and it's clearly going to be the people at the club that he'll miss most. “There are many people from my time that I will remember and also miss, here is a short list of people associated with myself and Berwick – Pee, Robert Johnston, Muriel (Pee's wife), Jaqueline (Robert's wife), Ross (Groundsman), Connie, Dennis, Marc Anthony, Gary O'Connor, Colin Campbell, Robbie Horn, Dale Gray, Murray McDowell, Murray Hunter, Davie Watt, Sean Smith, Steven Ramsay, Paul Forrester, Graeme Fraser, Alan Neill, Innes Ritchie, Kenny Rafferty, Loyd Haddow, Mark Bradley, Martin Neil, Kevin Maggee, Craig Findlay, All of last years squad, Paul Smith, John Clark, Greg Shaw, Davie Murie (right), and many many more!”

Good luck Grant & thanks for your time.