Re-Signing News

Week 1 of player re-signing talks is now complete. It’s been a great opportunity for the Coaches and I to review, reflect on and bank some wins and learns from our first year at the helm.

Following on from the initial block of signings announced earlier this week, a further 4 players – Donal Henretty, Chris Anderson, Jack Beesley and Neil McCuish – have all re-signed for next season. Some of our players who finished the season on the treatment table returned to some light training and their own personal fitness plans today (in preparation for pre-season which starts on 2nd July).

Regarding new players coming in, it’s been quite amusing to hear and read about all the players we’ve tried to sign…the truth is a lot less exciting. Our list of summer targets was identified some time ago. I’m certain we will continue to be linked with players as other people look to manage their own agendas. Just now, we still have 1 or 2 players in the ‘undecided’ category…ultimately, their decisions will have a significant bearing on our dealings over the next 2-3 weeks.
Sammy

Following our King Cup triumph we held our player of the year awards at the Academy last night.

The winners were:

Seniors:

– Players player: Willie Bremner
– Coaches player: Gary Cennarazzo
– Supporters player: Gary Cennarazzo
– Malt and Hops winner of the most man of the match awards: Keith McLeod
– Goal of the season: Willie Bremner vs Tynecastle, league game at home to Tynecastle, March 2013

Juniors:

– Players player: Matty Cunningham
– Coaches player: Matty Cunningham

Amateurs:

– Players player: Robbie Laird
– Coaches player: Robbie Laird

Under 19:

– Players player: Brad Raiker
– Coaches player: Brad Raiker
– Top Goalscorer: Matt Underhill

Mr Spartans Ronnie Swan and Chairman Craig Graham we inducted into the Spartans Hall of Fame to complete a great night.

Reflections from Yesterday

The fat lady has not started to sing, however, right now ‘The Welfare’ have one hand on the Premier Division title. In our dressing room post match yesterday, the taste of victory we enjoyed a fortnight ago was replaced with feelings of disappointment and regret. In boxing terms, we did all the rounds in the gym, but in the fight itself (for lots of different reasons) we couldn’t land a punch of note on the day.

We can have no complaints about the result yesterday, the better side on the day walked away with all 3 points.

It was my decision to ‘take the wind’ first half yesterday. I knew that the 1st goal could be huge…on the back of the nature of their 3-1 defeat at Ainslie Park a fortnight before, going behind could have re-opened a wound within ‘The Welfare’ ranks. As it turned out, we struggled to play with the wind at our backs, we couldn’t find any rhythm to our play…in what turned out to be a real stop-start affair. Defensively Whitehill were excellent all game.

In 4 games vs. ‘The Welfare’ this season we have won 2 and lost 2. Dig deeper and you will find that over the 4 games we have won 4 x 45 mins, drawn 2 x 45 mins and lost 2 x 45 mins…in both games we have lost to Whitehill Welfare we lost 2 goals within minutes of each other, leaving ourselves a huge mountain to climb.

Our players can be proud of their achievements so far this season. It took a very good side to knock us off top spot (for now). In F1 terms, Whitehill Welfare are in pole position….however, the chequered flag is still under wraps and we won’t go down without a fight, starting this Wednesday at the home of the current Champions.