Midfielders

On paper Berwick have eleven, yes, a whole team of midfielders vying for just 3, 4 or 5 places each week. Last season Berwick fielded a reasonably settled midfield. They were without Danny Swanson and Ian Little for most of the season too. They're back now and some new boys have been recruited so let's just say competition for places looks like it could be tough!

Stuart Fraser, Gary Greenhill, Ian Thomson and David Greenhill will be well known to fans who watched our Championship winning season. Gary Greenhill (pictured in Jan 2005) joined Berwick under Sandy Clark, having worked together at Dunfermline but for me really only started to show his best for Berwick last season where he played a key role in the centre of the park. Just 22, he does pick up niggly injuries but I expect Gary to be even better than last year in Division Two.

Ian Thomson starts his second season at Berwick. It's been quite a rise up the ranks for Thommo who came to prominence while staring for Spartans in their cup run of 05/06 which included dumping Berwick, Lossiemouth and Queen's Park out before taking St. Mirren to a replay in the year they got promoted to the SPL. Solid midfielder with a terrific workrate who contributes to the goals tally too.

Stuart Fraser has a terrific history that I wasn't really aware of until I started researching this. He was a defender at Luton Town back at the beginning of the decade, breaking into the first team, getting capped for Scotland U21s (pictured right) against Holland before breaking his leg playing in an FA Cup match in 2001. Ended up at Stevenage then Arniston Rangers before coming to Berwick last season. Clearly another hard worker and comfortable in midfield and at the back, was recognised with the Player of Year award by the Central Borders Supporters Club at the end of last season.

David Greenhill was another player signed just before the start of last season. Gained experience as a youngster at Clyde and Division Two experience at Alloa. Just turned 22, he's a skillful midfielder often used on the left where he's comfortable dribbling around a series of players before having a go at goal. Was pressed into striking duties at points last year, netting three goals.

In terms of starting places, of those players I fear most for David Greenhill and Ian Thomson this season but we'll wait and see.

Danny Swanson (left) will be desperate to confirm his talents once again this season after missing out on most of last season with a knee injury. Joined from Leith Athletic and excited the black and gold faithful with a number of star performances in 05-06. Just the one goal so far - against Stenhousemuir in April 2006.

Senior statesman of the side, player-coach Ian Little (right) also missed most of last season through injury. His career goes back to 1990 when he played for Meadowbank Thistle as a 16 year old. Ian showed he'd not lost his touch when he did come back towards the end of the season but I suspect he'll be a sub this season unless there is an injury cricis.

Two other young players who'll be looking to take any chance they can are Steven Noble and Scott Lucas. Left sided Noble seemed to be somewhat sidelined towards the end of last season, especially after McGroaty came to the club so will be interesting to see if he can push back into the team this year while Lucas, who made his debut against Arbroath back in February was largely used a sub in the centre of the park.

Returning to the club is Kevin McLeish (left) - one of the five players who left Berwick to join up with Paul Smith at Stenhousemuir. How will the black and gold faithful react to his return? Used largely in the middle of the park or on the right he netted ten goals in his last spell - including penalties. Not as prolific at Ochilview and I don't remember him particularly standing out when we played Stenny last season. Previously with Brechin, Raith and Ross County who are all in Division Two this year.

Also joining is Paul McMullan. Must be favourite to start on the left if Berwick play a 4 across the middle. Seems to come highly rated having played at a good level in albeit short spells for Raith, Hamilton and Stranraer since January 2005.

That just leaves Tommy Lennox, a right sided player joining from Albion Rovers where he was a big favouite with the fans. Clearly impressed John Coughlin too and could find himself at right (wing) back where he's started many of the pre-season friendlies.

So there you go - a bit of a marathon rundown - shouldn't be short of players even when suspensions and injuries kick in and with the the reserves side in place now hopefully players not immediately in the squad can keep match fit.

Next up - Strikers.

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.

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.

Grant McNicoll interview (Part 1)

Recently, through the photographs I take for theducket.com, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Grant McNicoll. I took the opportunity to see if he'd answer some questions and look back over his time at Berwick and this is the result.

I started off by asking Grant how it had come about that he came to Berwick in the first place and who were the people that helped him develop as a player when he arrived at Shielfield. "I joined Berwick after I left Hearts in 97, Paul Smith was the connection. He had not long left Hearts himself and had been a senior player at Hearts when I was there. I met Paul and the then manager Jimmy Thompson and we agreed terms.

There were a few experienced players in the first couple of years that helped in my progression and development e.g. Colin Campbell, Davie Watt and Graeme Fraser to name just three. There has always been, as long as I can remember, a good blend of youth and experience at the club and I've been fortunate to be both of those having come in as a youngster and left 10 years later.

"I feel I've been able to pass on valuable advice and experience to the younger ones breaking through in the last few years because I'm in the older category now!!"

Grant is grateful to a number of players and staff at Berwick who helped nurture him throughout his career and off the top of his head names more people that many of us will remember as class acts across the last ten years. "Paul Smith, Gary O'Connor, John Clark, Alan Neill (right), Innes Ritchie, Mark Cowan, Lloyd Haddow, Murray Hunter, Greg Shaw & many, many more." he tells me.

He mentioned John Clark in that list so I asked him what was it like playing alongside a legend like John? “Yeah, it was a privilege to play along side John, he was a fantastic player whom I respected highly and someone who brought vast experience to the team.”

I said to Grant that I felt in my time watching Berwick I'd never watched a finer player at tackling from behind within the laws of the game. He always seemed to get the ball. Did he need to practice that at training? “That's very kind of you, I feel heading and tackling are my best attributes on the field and I'm very fortunate that they both come naturally, so to answer your question.... no they're not practised on the training pitch.”

Early on in your career you played right-back, graduated to centre-back and then occasionally last year you were on the left side of a three. “Yeah I've played a few positions for Berwick in my time mostly along the back four but on occasion up front....... only the last few minutes of games though! I'm quite happy to play anywhere in defence as long as I'm on the field getting a game, I'm naturally right footed so would prefer to play there but like I say as long as I'm playing I'm happy!! I used to only use my left leg for standing on but having played on the left side of centre half for the last few seasons I feel as comfortable using that than my right......... many people will probably disagree though.....Ha ha!!”

I then asked Grant how things changed under first Sandy Clark and then John Coughlin and that's where we'll pick thing up in Part Two.

Defenders

So, on with the squad review and let's look at our Defenders.

Berwick go into this season of course without a certain G. McNicoll (left) in the squad. Released after 10 years service it's going to be odd when the team list for the Cowdenbeath game is read out at Shielfield and Grant's not on it. I'm a big Grant fan and it won't be the same at Berwick without him but you have to respect Cough for coming clean and stating exactly why Grant's no longer at Berwick. He did pick up injuries - although that seemed to be rather contagious for our centre backs last season - and last season they kept him out for several games at the start of the season and again in the crucial run in. However, when he was playing we regularly kept clean sheets last season. Good luck to Grant & thanks for your dedicated service over ten seasons and 250+ appearances.

So that leaves the club, according to the official website, with Robbie Manson, Chris McGroaty, Robbie Horn (right) and Jordan Smith as our men at the back. One new name this season is Michael Bolochoweckjy. A centre back by trade, he joins Robbie Horn and Jordan Smith at that position. 'Bolo' joins from Alloa, where he was not a regular by any means and playing in a team that conceded over 70 goals last season it will be interesting to see if he can force himself into the team. A look-a-like for Dr Who star David Tennent apparently, I guess it will depend on the formation (flat back 4 or a 5 at the back) that Coughlin goes with rather than whether he can exterminate the competition. Clearly has Division 2 experience and it also looks like he can play in a number of different positions - up front and at full back so he could be a useful utility player.

Horn and Smith need no introduction really but here goes. This is the start of Robbie's 4th season at Shielfield - although the Stats suggest he's yet to play 50 league games. Joining from Forfar he played understudy for a while before sitting most of 05/06 out through injury. He came back from that last year and very much established himself as a real fans-favourite. Got the odd goal last season too.

Jordan Smith (left) gets his first taste of Division Two football and from what we saw of him last year he's more than capable. Again, only managed 20 odd games last year so hopefully he'll pick up less knocks this year and can take the clean sheet habit into the much tougher arena of SFL2.

On the right Robbie Manson (right), who joined from Heriott Watt Uni last summer, established himself in that position after a while and provided Berwick with some good width. He seemed comfortable advancing down the right to set up Wood and Haynes for a strike at goal. With Bolo and another new man Tommy Lennox both able to play on the right Berwick will have better cover this year although I imagine Robbie will keep his starting place.

On the left Chris McGroaty must be the favourite to start. Now in his second spell at Berwick, he played briefly in Division 2 for Stranraer last year before moving to Shielfield in the January transfer window. Dependable and wily but not as likely to come forward as Manson. Watch for his free-kicks too. Steve Noble can deputise.

One thing you notice about Cough's squad is that there are relatively few one-trick ponies at Berwick - most of the squad can play somewhere else. Last year we saw Stuart Fraser deputising at the back and of course Gary Wood is just as good at the back but if we have to rely on him for that we're going to miss his goals.

Goalkeepers

There are plenty starting positions in the XI where it's not yet clear who John Coughlin will favour from the squad but I don't think Goalkeeper is one of them. Gary O'Connor is in his third spell at the club having originally joined on loan from Hearts in 1993. Now 33, he's played over 250 games for the club and is surely one of the best keepers the club has ever had. Reasonably reliable, and with a solid defence last season, Gary kept a remarkable 14 clean sheets on the way to a championship medal last season.

Chris Flockhart is our second choice keeper. He joined Berwick in summer 2006 from the Heriot-Watt university side where he'd played for them in the East of Scotland League. He looked out of his depth when thrown in at the deep-end last August, making his début in the Challenge Cup game at Hamilton. However later in the year, when called up to deputise again for O'Connor, he produced some fine saves and kept three consecutive clean sheets in December 2006.



Alex Connon is part of the management team. He's the club's goalkeeping coach but is also registered as a player which has seen him in the sixteen at times when either O'Connor or Flockhart is unavailable. Yet to play for Berwick in a first team game, probably much to his relief!

So assuming Gary stays fit and, given that keepers seem to be able to play on longer before retiring, then I can't see any reason why O'Connor won't be in goal for the opening game against Cowdenbeath in August.

The new squad

So, with the fixtures out, the players back in training, new strips available, friendly matches only days away and the unfurling of the Division Three flag at Shielfield only a month away I thought I'd start a review of the squad in the lead up to the first game.