Sammy’s Soundbite : “It’s time to grasp this opportunity with both hands”

Posted on Friday, July 12th, 2013

Saturday will see us make our competitive debut in the Ramsdens Cup, in doing so we will make a small piece of Spartans history.  In a season with so much to look forward too, it’s the perfect start to the new campaign. 

Both Clubs know a tie vs. the current Ramsdens Cup holders Queen of the South (away) awaits the winner of our double-header.  It’s a huge incentive for both sides and an early opportunity to achieve something meaningful before the new Lowland League season starts. 

Both games vs. Threave Rovers provide us with an excellent test and preparation in advance of the start of new Lowland League.  With a new league on the horizon and new challenges lying in wait, it’s an exciting time to be at Spartans.  For everyone associated with the ‘Spartans family’, we have seen the dream of being able to play ourselves into the SFL become a reality.  Of course, this is where the hard work really begins as we enter a new era for our Club and Scottish football as a whole.

In all my years in the game, I cannot remember playing a competitive game so early in the pre-season schedule.  Having finished last season so late on 1^st June, but on a real high (following our King Cup success) it was important for us to provide our players with adequate rest and recovery time, with a chance to re-charge (both physically and mentally). 

The players have come back looking refreshed, there’s a real sense of excitement at the prospect of playing in the new Lowland League.  As stated earlier, fresh challenges against the likes of Threave Rovers, Dalbeattie Star and East Kilbride await, along with battles against more familiar faces, teams such as WWFC, ‘The City’ and Stirling University, all of whom like ourselves have been looking to strengthen their squads over the summer months. 

For our part, the re-shaping of our squad was driven by several key objectives such as (a) to create a better balance in the squad by recruiting left sided players and (b) to inject more pace and penetration into our attacking play by signing players with the ability and potential to deliver just that. 

Overall, I’m delighted with the make-up and balance of the new squad, all of our new signings have settled in well, whilst our experienced players have come back in good nick and are setting a great example.  Everyone is working hard.  Just now, Cloudy is having an extended break and Willie Bremner working abroad, which when added to John Grant’s knee injury, means our 1^st team squad is stretched at little at this time.

Just like other Clubs, it will take time for our players to hit top form.  It takes time for a new group to build and develop trust, a sense of togetherness and compassion. 

Potentially, we’ve been given an opportunity to fast forward that process a touch, it’s an opportunity we hope to grasp with both hands.

Sammy