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[FM22] The Lone Rangers | English Only Challenge


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February 2026

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4th February 2026 - Scottish Cup Fourth Round replay

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A spirited attempt at making it beyond the Fourth Round for the first time in my career comes to a proud end as we suffer a slender defeat to a decidedly relieved Motherwell.

Having largely held their own against the Championship side, a rare lapse of concentration just before the break is enough to end our run in the cup.

With only our deep run into the Trust Trophy remaining, we can now at least concentrate on closing that important distance to the leading clubs...

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7th February 2026 - League One

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...Not that it made too much of a difference.

A trip to playoff chasing Ayr proved to be a tricky one for the Borderers as we suffered a disappointing loss in almost the exact same format as our recent cup exit.

Scoring with their only shot on target, Ayr's fortunate goal just before the break once again proves to be just enough to frustrate our usually resilient squad.

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14th February 2026 - League One

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Thankfully the poor form is swiftly ended as we return to winning ways against bottom of the table Albion.

Scoring his first goal of his Berwick career, Ethan Robson curls home a stunning free-kick as the Borderers proceed to dominate possession on their way to a comfortable Two goal victory.

With Sam Bellis running rings around Albion's hapless team, he eventually frustrates a sorry looking defence into making a rash challenge as a blatant shirt pull see's the visitors reduced to ten men in a superb performance for the Wee Rangers.

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21st February 2026 - League One

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Having seen off seemingly relegation bound Albion Rovers, we instead turn our attention towards current League leaders Airdrie with the boys pulling off a carbon copy repeat performance.

Joe White is quick to swing the tie in Berwick's favour as his fifth goal of the season sends us on our way to what could well prove to be a season defining result for the Borderers.

With Bellis adding to his growing tally and another clean sheet for our near impeccable defence, we've blown the title race wide open in one fell swoop.

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28th February 2026 - League One

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With table topping Airdrie stunned, we repeat the feat against second place Cove Rangers as the Borderers mark their title intentions in convincing fashion.

Dominating proceedings throughout the entire match, it seemed we were set to frustratingly miss out on a crucial Three points, with even a firmly hit Fletcher thunderbolt only capable of rattling the bar.

With the clock clicking down, new arrival Ethan Robson took matters into this own hands as a largely hopeful floated shot from the edge of the area catches everyone off guard to claim a much deserved win for the Shielfield faithful.

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February 2026 - League One

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Welcome to Berwick.

Just over One month into his time with the club, midfield maestro Ethan Robson has wasted little time in making himself firmly at home on the North East Coast.

Having largely been expected to serve as a useful squad player this season, the Twenty-Nine year olds recent form has quickly seen him cement his place in the team and the hearts of the Wee Rangers fans.

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That's how to do it.

Having expected a fierce fight to even re-enter the race for the top Two, we instead make light work of the intimidating task as we humble both sides to barge our way into contention.

With Cove Rangers suffering a complete collapse in form, the only challenge now remains in pulling back determined League leaders, Airdrie.

Let's keep it going boys.

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March 2026

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4th March 2026 - SPFl Trust Trophy Quarter Final

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Our run in the cups comes to a respectable end as the club bows out at the Quarter-Finals of the Trust Trophy.

With both usual first team players, Seb Revan and the ever reliable Isaac Fletcher suspended for the tie, a largely rotated squad valiantly battles on before eventually falling victim to the ruthless Championship high-flyers.

Having kept the match largely competitive throughout, the club can remain rightfully proud of their run in the competition.

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7th March 2026 - League One

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With our focus now solely on the League, a well rested team emerges back on to centre stage as we secure a narrow victory over relegation battling East Fife.

Having opened the scoring just Seven minutes into the game with a route-one ball forward, a shock upset was briefly on the cards as East Fife looked to capitalize on a Bellis-less Berwick.

With our ever efficient-striker failing a late fitness test before kick-off due to a bruised ankle, his understudy Eden Elliott instead caps a thrilling fight-back for the Borderers with a thumped half volley capping a one-sided second half of football.

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14th March 2026 - League One

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We're unable to keep the momentum going in our pursuit of the leaders as we are held to a solid draw by midtable Edinburgh City.

Cutting in from the left, wingback Seb Revan makes a rare appearance on the scoresheet as he cheekily chips in an early opener, to send the Borderers into the break seemingly comfortably in control of the match

Heavy legs sadly eventually caught up with our decidedly small squad as a complete collapse in the second-half see's us eventually outplayed with The Citizens deservedly finding a way back into a game very much of Two halves.

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21st March 2026 - League One

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Our bad luck continues into the next match as an end to end match with Alloa see's us both share the spoils in a dramatic encounter at Shielfield Park.

With neither side able to come out on top in a back and forth first-half, we eventually find a breakthrough as towering defender Kyron Gordon is hauled down in the box, allowing Tom Crawford to calmly convert the resulting penalty. 

Sadly our good fortune soon runs out following our gifted opener as a rare poor clearance from the Borderers gifts the visitors with an undeserved late equaliser and an equally devastating injury to the in-form Ethan Robson.

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28th March 2026 - League One

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Thankfully we make a predictable return to winning ways as we add to a commanding Fourteen game unbeaten run against Clyde, with a narrow victory over the hapless home side. 

Despite finding themselves battling against relegation at this late stage of the season, Clyde still manage to strike first, converting an early corner to surprise the English flag waving Berwick fans.

Thankfully the goal proved to only motivate our determined squad as a pin-point Morton assist see's Seb Revan double his tally for the season, with a well worked passing move soon seeing Bellis seal the deal in reassuringly assured fashion.

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March 2026 - League One

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Despite going unbeaten in the League throughout the entire month, the gap has now grown to a disheartening Seven points.

With just Five games remaining until the end of the season, we can only hope Airdrie suffer the same collapse in form that has seen Cove Rangers spiral their way down to the edge of the playoff spots.

It's going to be a monumental task but unlike last season we thankfully aren't ones to shy away from a challenge...

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Thanks very much @ToMexico!!, hopefully we can catch that automatic spot at the death!

Cheers @rmcf2017, Bellis has certainly written his name into Berwick history books already. Don't think I can ever bring myself to sell him! 

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April 2026

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4th April 2026 - League One

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The month starts with a tricky victory over Third placed Kelty Hearts, as the club secures a place in the playoffs in their first game of the month.

With the visitors making a late surge into the playoffs of their own, a run of Three games without defeat see's the visitors arrive at Shielfield Park without fear, as we struggle to find a breakthrough in a frustrating first-half of football.

With the pressure building on the Kelty's defence throughout the second-half, we finally break the deadlock as Tyler Morton finds a finish from the edge of the area to end the visitors run and keep our fragile title hopes alive.

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11th April 2026 - League One

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Unlike Anna, the boys thankfully remain fully focussed on promotion as we proceed to pick up the Three important points in the very next match, continuing a Seven game winning streak over the relegation battling Albion Rovers.

With the down-trodden Home side opening the scoring following a floated freekick and a powerful header, it took a spirited halftime team talk to turn things around for the Borderers as we left it late to snatch all Three points.

Another well converted Crawford penalty set the wheels in motion but it took a thrilling late surge from our ever reliable defence to truly turn things around as Revan and Brad Hills both combined to turn things around with just seconds left on the clock.

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18th April 2026 - League One

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A breathless game of football see's our winning streak comes to a potentially devastating end as we draw with an Ayr side previously winless in their last Seven games.

Having peppered Ayr's goal with shots in the opening half an hour, a route one ball forward see's the visitors take the lead against the run of play, as they head into the break dreaming of ending their torrid run of form.

An end to end Second half has Sam Bellis's Fifteenth goal of the season setting in motion a brilliantly furious end to match, as both sides trade blows right up until the final whistle with substitute Lewis Warrington sending Shielfield into raptures with his last second equalizer. 

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25th April 2026 - League One

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With just Two matches remaining a Six point gap leaves the Borderers needing nothing but a win in the penultimate game of the season against the League leaders themselves, if we are to have any chance of catching the ever determined table toppers.

A clinical vertical passing manoeuvre has the Borderers feed through the ever lethal Sam Bellis who duly converts with a superb neat finish sending us on the way to a sensational result for the English horde.

Joe White's fifth goal of the season sends a long-range curling effort into the Airdrie net, with goalkeeper Brad Young heroically flinging himself around the Berwick goal to ensure we hold on to a potentially vital Three points.

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April 2026 - League One

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Well....he's not wrong.

Having largely held faith with the Christmas Tree formation throughout the entirety of this season, I've been solely reliant on the sensational form of this potential filled squad.

With the Summer signings all pulling their weight and our once inexperienced and vulnerable young squad maturing into League One stalwarts, I've simply sat back and enjoyed their stunning performances.

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So it all comes down to this.

On the back of a thrilling month of football, the boys head into May with just one game to play and an all important Three point deficit to make up.

With our fate no longer in our hands despite a valiant effort from the boys, we head into the final game needing to secure all Three points and hope that Airdrie's poor run of form continues into the final game of the season.

This is destiny...

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May 2026

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3rd May 2026 - League One

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We’ve done our part.

In a high pressure fixture that would have broken lesser teams, Berwick emerged from the final game of the season with their heads held proudly high.

Needing nothing but a victory to potentially claim automatic promotion, the Borderers seal the deal in nerveless fashion as they see off high-flying Cove Rangers with ease.

With the game struggling into life at the beginning, it took a truly sensational goal from Joe White to put us within touching distance of the Championship as his Forty-Five yard scissor kick sent a deep free-kick straight into the back of the net in jaw dropping style.

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Injects Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand pounds into the finances and then returns with a potentially promotion winning wonder-goal.

Joe White could well have a statue built outside of Old Shielfield Park at this rate.

With one eye however firmly set on the Airdrie result, there’s little opportunity to relax for the Berwick faithful as they head into the half-time break still celebrating that once in a lifetime volley.

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All hope lies with Ayr.

With just a point separating both teams, one goal could very well swing the league title in either of these Two duelling teams favours as both sets of fans closely monitor the results, either side of Scotland.

With Isaac Fletcher adding a second to the tally for the Borderers, the Borderers fans all huddled around the radio as they closely listened into the results dribbling in from around the Country.

With the club going from the depths of the relegation playoffs, to within touching distance of their highest ever League standing could this truly be it?

 

Are the footballing Gods smiling down on the Borderers?

 

Is the English revolution back on track in sensational style?

 

Surely this is destiny...

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Or then again...Maybe not?

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May 2026 - League One

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With Airdrie finding a crucial second half goal, the table toppers hold their nerve to secure their place in the Championship next season.

Having come so close to breaking into the second tier of Scottish Football, the boys now have to dust themselves down and prepare for the playoffs as they look to salvage something from their resurgent season.

With a huge lead over the rest of the playoff contenders, it's surely time for the Borderers to claim their prize?

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6th May 2026 - Championship / League One Playoff Semi Final - First Leg

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With just Three games between their crunch final game of the season and the first leg of the promotion playoffs, a much rotated team suffers a narrow defeat to Kelty Hearts in the first of our all important meetings.

 With a make-shift defence leaving Austin unmarked in the box, a deep cross see's the home side take the lead as they proceed to take it to our ramshackle line up.

Only the heroic efforts of goalkeeper Brad Young manages to keep things respectable as we end the game fortunate to only be just the one goal behind.

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9th May 2026 - Championship / League One Playoff Semi Final - Second Leg

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Ouch.

Quick to make amends for the defeat in the previous leg, we send out a full strength side to turn the result around but it proves to be too little too late to save our promotion hopes.

Conceding with just Thirty seconds, a calamitous opening quarter of the game see's the visitors take a seemingly unattainable lead before the boys finally wake up.

A Tom Crawford neat finish offers a glimmer of hope as the Borderers begin to slowly take control of the match but despite levelling things up a heart-breaking finish see's the boys exit the playoffs in disappointing fashion.

...That's going to sting for a while.

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2025/26 - League One

For the second season in a row the season ends in bitter disappointment for the Berwick faithful, for entirely different reasons.

However...

I did manage to come away with at least something to hold on to...

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I think the award panel merely felt sorry for me.

Glumly placing the biggest award of my career in the trophy cabinet, a Summer of thinking "what if" certainly awaits.

As we look to rally for yet another season in League One, there's still enough time to review the League standings.

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It's just painful to look at.

A commanding lead in second place and a defence head and shoulders above the rest of the League, has us narrowly missing out on promotion by the slenderest of margins.

With Kelty Hearts unable to rub salt into the wound, they fail to win their playoff final leaving things almost exactly as they were for next season.

Having assembled a team seemingly already more than capable of taking apart the majority of teams in our League, perhaps things aren't all that bad after all.

 

With my stalling career now in its fifth year, I thought it a good time to review how the Top Flight has panned out, as they patiently await our arrival...

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2025/26 - Scottish Premier League 

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Are Celtic fading out?

On the surface a rather predictable title history hides some underlying issues for one of the Nation's biggest clubs.

With just One title in the last five years, Glasgow's Green and White have not only seen their bitter rivals emerge as the powerhouse of Scottish Football but now they seem to be facing serious competition for their once guaranteed place in the Champions League.

With the only Scottish impact on Europe coming in the shape of a Europa Conference League Quarter Final appearance for Rangers Two years ago, things remain sadly dormant for our adopted Nation.

Perhaps it's time for a little English flair to take up the challenge?

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Before we can dream of European football and taking on conquering Scotland with our English invasion, theirs the small matter of escaping League One.

With the club now Three seasons deep into their stay in League One, fingers are firmly crossed as we look to finally take the next long stride up the standings.

Surely this is our time now? 

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Keep Calm and carry on.

On the back of a promising season for the Borderers we look to keep everything in place as we head into our Fourth season in League One.

With things in the League remaining almost exactly the same as last season, all we need to do is maintain our current shape and squad and hope for a bit more luck from the Footballing gods.

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With the budgets remaining healthy, we made few moves in a quiet window as we set about ironing things out for the season to come.

The first action of a quiet window see's us release just Three players from the ranks.

Having spent last season on loan, former West Ham prodigy Daniel Chester is released from his contract alongside former first-team members Lewis Warrington and Owen Moore.

With all Three struggling to adapt to life in League One, their departure had been on the cards for some time.

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Our only transfer out of the club comes in the surprising shape of striker Eden Elliott.

Having only arrived last Summer, the former Red Devil had yet to truly establish himself in a Berwick shirt but despite his lack of appearances it didn't dampen the desire of Championship side, Ross County.

With his head turned, the striker is quickly shuffled out of the club as we look to keep our close-knit squad together.

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With a paper thin squad behind us, we opt to bolster our midfield ranks with promising central midfield pass master, Oliver Turner.

Since being released from Tottenham Five years ago, Turner has struggled to break into the first team with Championship strugglers Blackpool. 

With his contract coming to a close with the Tangerines, he opts to salvage the remains of his career North of the Border.

With just five first team appearances in his entire career, the Twenty Three year old is going to have his work cut out for him if he intends to break into a midfield that rarely put a foot wrong last season.

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With Eden Eliott's surprise departure we enter the market for a new potential lead striker as we snap up Adan George following the end of his contract with Birmingham City.

Having made a handful of appearances for the Blues, the Twenty Four year old certainly has something about him but with the striker now barrelling towards his prime years, he's going to need to do a deal of developing to  thrive with the Borderers.

With Sam Bellis now firmly placed ahead of him in the pecking order, George's time in Northumbria could well prove to be a stop gap in his once promising career.

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We remain steadily above the now familiar quarter of a million pound mark as we enter another gruelling season of football in League One.

With the fans hardly flocking to Shielfield Park following our meteoric rise up the table and our wage bill growing steadily season on season, it remains to be seen if we can remain in this steady position.

With the prize money of the Cups and our lofty League finish pretty much providing the only significant income for the team, we desperately need to raise up the ranks if we are to grow both on and off the pitch.

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With Three players released, one surprise transfer and just Two arrivals, the restrictive transfer policy of England's loneliest club once again leaves us with a small squad ahead of the coming season.

That being said, having missed out on promotion by the skin of our teeth last season, a largely unchanged line-up now heads into this crucial season hungry to prove their worth to the growingly impatient Berwick faithful.

With fans so used to disappointment, it's going to take a deal of work to convince them that this isn't just a flash in the pan.

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2026/27 - League One

Surely this is our time to escape League One?

With the English revolution now in its Fifth year, we look to claim our Third promotion and resume the hunt to claim the Scottish Football Crown

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With still just one Secondary Nation in the entire team, the club remains completely English as we maintain the club's new found transfer policy.

Having been completely English from Top to Bottom for nearly Three seasons now, the club's stature is beginning to cause a real issue.

With the Team on the same standing as a lowly Non League side in England and with a wage budget to match, trying to grow our threadbare squad with our English policy is proving to be a real challenge.

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The 4-3-2-1 formation remains firmly in place.

With the Christmas Tree now becoming a trademark of my management style, we now look to prove its worth in a League that has previously taken it to pieces.

With the boys remaining on a positive mentality and with instructions that promote the control of possession in the middle and a slow build from the back, we look to systematically take teams to pieces and overload the midfield.

With only the most central of the midfield trio set to be a defensive playmaker, the rest of our team remains decidedly attacking as we throw our all into promotion.

With Captain Gordon leading a solid defence and ambitions to create a free flowing attack, we look to cement the club culture in place with an emphatic season for the Borderers.

Edited by DerbyJack
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July 2026

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11th July 2026 - Premier Sports Cup 

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The season gets underway with the Premier Sports Cup.

Championship side Kilmarnock narrowly avoided an early upset as a late comeback and the lottery of penalties salvaged the victory for the home side.

With Sam Bellis flicking in a neat header in the opening minutes of the game, we at least showed signs that we can be equal to this level of opposition as we look to join them in Scotland's second tier.

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15th July 2026 - Premier Sports Cup 

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We pick up our first points of the Tournament as we eventually cruise past League Two's Spartans.

In a poor game for the Four Hundred fans inside Shielfield Park, we eventually find a breakthrough as Sam Bellis is dragged down in the box.

The ever reliable Tom Crawford smashes home the resulting penalty, with our ever reliable finisher joining him on the scoresheet with a late stunning volley putting a gloss on the finish.

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18th July 2026 - Premier Sports Cup 

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We continue our winning ways against last season's title holders, Airdrie.

Now in the Championship, the home side instantly humble the English faithful with a goal just seconds into the game.

With Sam Bellis wasteful in front of goal in our hunt for an equaliser, we eventually look to the ever hungry Ethan Robson to make the pressure count as his well timed run levels things up.

A lunging challenge from Crawford ends our hunt for a winner as we rely on Brad Young's heroics to claim a deal of revenge in the penalty shoot out.

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25th July 2026 - Premier Sports Cup 

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We round off the pre-season competition with a stunning victory over Premiership outfit Hamilton Academical.

Having sat top of the group it seemed the visitors were set to round off their tournament in style but an Ethan Robson belter from Twenty Five yards soon set the tone for a stunning victory.

A classy equaliser for the visitors proved to be the only highlight of their day as a Two footed lunge on Joe White and a second yellow card in the second half saw the Borderers handed a route to victory as our inform duo punished the lack of composure.

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July 2026 - Premier Sports Cup 

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With hopes of claiming a route into the knockout stages swiftly dashed, we miss out on a potentially money spinning run in the Cup.

Nonetheless it's been a promising start from the Wee Rangers as we humble Championship and Premiership teams alike to set our mantle down for the season to come.

The Boys seem determined to prove their worth this season following their heart-breaking tryst with promotion last season as we put the rest of the League on notice in stunning style.

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August 2026

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1st August 2026 - League One

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We get the season underway in the most lacklustre of fashions as we play out a bore-draw with last season's mid-table finishers Ayr.

With the home side welcoming a new manager in the shape of Scottish hardman Barry Ferguson, we welcome the former Rangers captain in dreary style.

In an astoundingly dull opening half of the football both sides struggled to make any moves on goal, with the Borderers slowly building to the fore in the second half but it all proved to be too little, too late.

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8th August 2026 - League One

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We move on from the opening day disappointment with a clash against this season's predicted promotion rivals, recently relegated Falkirk.

With the Bairns predicted to win the title, they soon set about showcasing their credentials as a towering header looped over a stranded Brad Young to open the scoring.

Struggling to break down some resilient defending, the Borderers are eventually handed a lifeline as Brad Hills is hauled down in a crowded box, with the inform Ethan Robson taking up penalty duties to coolly claim a deserved point for the Wee Rangers.

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15th August 2026 - League One

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We continue the pace as we face off against the returning Queen's Park.

Having swiftly made light work of League Two, the home side were eager to set about establishing themselves back in League one but having failed to pick up a single point all season, it seems the Spiders are already set for a relegation dogfight.

An understandably nervy first half is eventually followed by a dominant second from the Borderers as Sam Bellis runs rings around their defence with Joe White quick to shut down any attempts at a late fightback.

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22nd August 2026 - League One

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It's safe to say I simply love playing Clyde.

As we make it a monumental Fourteen games without defeat against the visitors , we push a hapless Clyde further into the relegation mire courtesy of a Man of the match performance from the ever reliable Joe White.

Capping a well worked move in the first half with a deft finish and coolly sending home a back-post header in the second, the Geordie attacking midfielder seems determined to kick start our push to the Championship already.

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29th August 2026 - League One

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We round off the opening month of the League season as we narrowly squeeze past a playoff chasing Cove Rangers.

With former defender Zane Monlouis leading a resilient Cove Rangers back-line, both teams showcased their defensive talents with only a well-timed Sam Bellis run beating the offside trap to open the scoring as he rounded the keeper in style.

The slender victory see's The Borderers make it Ten games unbeaten in a row in League Football. 

Invincibles?

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August 2026 - League One

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Despite a strong showing throughout the entire month, the real stand out performance of the season goes to a near faultless Falkirk.

As the only team to take a point off them in their opening Six games of the season, it seems the current League leaders are determined to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Perhaps our promotion push isn't going to be quite that simple after all...

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September 2026

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5th September 2026 - SPFL Trust Trophy Second Round

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We kick started our Cup campaigns for the season with a disappointing display against Lowland League side, Glenafton.

Having largely expected to run rampant over the Non-League opposition, we fielded a heavily rotated squad to hand an opportunity to some of our less used players.

Despite not allowing a single shot on target for the visitors, some woeful finishing of our own ensured only backup stopper Tom Smith emerged with his head held high, as his penalty heroics kept our cup hopes narrowly alive.

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13th September 2026 - League One

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A clash against the usually tricky Edinburgh City see's neither side capable of coming out on top as we are forced to settle for a solitary point.

Captain Kyron Gordon's bullet header at the back post proved to be the only true highlight of a dominant first half for the Borderers as we headed into the break wondering how we failed to score more.

Predictably our perennial bogey team soon punished our wasteful finishing as a Thirty Yard wonder goal kills the game dead just before the hour mark as we further drift away from commanding leaders, Falkirk.

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19th September 2026 - League One

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Well...that was entertaining.

Having opened the scoring with a breakaway goal, Alloa soon came to regret poking the Borderers as an emphatic fightback saw the Borderers smash home Six goals.

Making his first start in a Yellow and Black shirt, Adan George chips in with a much needed brace but it is the often doubted Isaac Fletcher that steals the show as his stunning hat-trick eventually kills off the ten-men of Alloa before Crawford hammers a nail firmly into their coffin.

Where was this kind of finishing earlier in the month?

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26th September 2026 - League One

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Despite the goal fest in the previous game, we are still forced to leave it late as we pick up a fortunate victory over second-placed Kelty Hearts.

With a Tom Crawford bar rattling shot the only highlight of a lifeless first half, it seemed it was simply not going to be our day as we struggled to break down a resilient Home side. 

A hapless one on one from Fletcher only furthered the feeling until Adan George gleefully claimed a measure of revenge for last season's playoff exit, as he eventually broke the offside trap to tuck home a winner in the final seconds of the game. 

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September 2026 - League One

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Continuing to make himself popular amongst the Berwick faithful, Ethan Robson's ever reliable performances continue to impress since his arrival last January.

At Twenty-Nine the midfielder is one of the most experienced members of our young team and with his lethal pass and relentless running, the former Blackpool man is certainly showing the whippersnappers how it should be done.

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We remain unbeaten.

The invincible Berwick of Scottish League One doesn't quite have the same appeal as Arsenal's run back in 2003 but we can make it work.

A late stumble from Falkirk throws the League wide open as Three teams emerge as the potential contenders at the top of the table.

With Kelty Hearts unbeaten streak only narrowly ended courtesy of our last minute efforts on the road and Falkirk still more than capable of packing a punch of their own, an all out brawl for the much coveted League One title awaits.

Have a great new year all!

 

 

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Thanks @RaySunshine! Hope its a good one for you too!

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October 2026

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3rd October 2026 - League One

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We head into October with a frantic start to proceedings against Ayr. 

With the visitors second from bottom at the start of the game, few would have expected them to open the scoring with a breakaway goal in the opening seconds of the game.

Thankfully the boys reacted well to the surprise setback as Adan George's impressive run of form sees him make it Four goals in Three games to settle things up within just Seven minutes of play.

The rapid start quickly saw the game fade out as only a pin point finish from Tom Crawford lit up an otherwise dull affair at Shielfield Park.

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10th October 2026 - SPFL Trust Trophy Third Round

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Our sluggish cup run is brought to an end before it can even truly begin as we fall down against Championship side, Partick Thistle.

Despite being handed the lead when Fletcher was pushed to the ground in the box, Tom Crawford's penalty proves to be the only Berwick highlight of the game as a harsh Red Card for Kyle John tips the tie on its head.

With the defence under-siege from relentless attacks, Brad Young is eventually beaten as a ruthless Home side make the extra man pay off with a convincingly dominant second half.

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17th October 2026 - League One

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We are not left ruing the Cup exit for long however, as we soon take at any frustrations on a hapless Albion Rovers.

With the visitors hot in the pursuit of a playoff spot few expected such a dominant showing from the Borderers but with our attacking midfielders leading some sensational free-flowing football, we soon sent a deafening warning shot to our League rivals.

Tom Crawford's Fifth goal of the season and a Joe White screamer from outside the box, continues to highlight the importance of our Two man setup behind our lone striker up top as we send the visitors packing with only a consolation goal for their efforts.

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24th October 2026 - League One

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In a battle of first versus Second, we are unable to gain any early advantage in the race for the Championship as we are made to work for a hard earned point at the imaginatively named Falkirk Stadium.

Having snatched the opening goal of the game courtesy of a glancing header from defender Brad Hills, we struggled to assert ourselves over the Home side, as the Two evenly matched teams resorted to kicking seven shades out of each other in the middle of the field.

With both teams remarkably still having Eleven men on the pitch, Falkirk eventually claim a deserved equalizer as a curling free-kick sees one of the many reckless challenges suitably punished in a bruising affair for both sides.

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31st October 2026 - League One

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We round off the month with a Halloween horror show against Fourth place Queen's Park.

In an end to end match between the two sides, it seemed we had all but stolen the victory when Adan George made a welcome return to the scoresheet with his tidy finish in the dying minutes of the game but it was to prove to be a false dawn for the Shielfield faithful.

With the match seemingly wrapped up, the visitors returned from the dead like a true Horror villain as a thumped goal-kick catches the entire defence unaware, giving them an ugly equaliser to stun the crowd into Silence.

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October 2026 - League One

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Having been an ever present source of goals since his arrival in Northumbria Three seasons ago, Tom Crawford is only just starting to receive the plaudits he so richly deserves.

Expertly slotting in as our Shadow Striker, the Twenty Seven year old has once again led by example this season as he sends us soaring up the standings on the back of his impressive displays.

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We've made it.

We climb to the top of the standings just Three months into the season as we continue our unbeaten season in efficient fashion.

Whilst I try to work out if we should sell copies of our season's matches in the Club shop, we cruise our way to the top of the standings with a healthy Four point gap over our League rivals already secured.

With the club seemingly blessed in front of goal and a defence rigidly determined to reclaim their title as the stingiest in the League we are living up to my hopes in rapid fashion.

Surely nothing can stop us now…

Edited by DerbyJack
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November 2026

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7th November 2026 - League One

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Of all the teams to end my unbeaten streak...

As we looked to make it fifteen games unbeaten against a struggling Clyde, we were instead stunned into submission by a snatch and grab victory from our usual whipping boys.

A thumped goal kick leads to some woeful defending as a missed header gifts the Home side the opening goal, as they resiliently cling on to their fortunate lead to deservedly end their torrid run of form against the English invaders.

 With no excuses for the disappointing defeat, we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of a Three game winless streak...

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14th November 2026 - League One

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...and it soon gets worse.

Having been unbeaten on Home soil for a monumental Seventeen games in the League, few expected to suffer another humiliating result on the bounce but another sloppy performance from the boys soon saw the fortress walls come tumbling down.

With the tone set by Morton tripping his man in the box within just Four minutes, a largely impotent performance from the Borderers resulted in our second defeat of the season as our slender grip of the title already weakened.

With the sound of thrown bottles echoing down the corridors of Shielfield Park, the Borderers faithful hoped for a return to form in the next game...

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21st November 2026 - League One

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For the love of...

I thrash my arms, assistant manager Micah Richards thrashes his arms, the entirety of Shielfield Park is a sea of thrashing arms as we languish our way to an infuriating Third loss on the bounce.

A reshuffled line-up see's Bellis return to the team sheet but not even the Berwick favourite can stop the rot at the minute as our defence is once again picked apart by a relegation battling Edinburgh City.

With even the simplest of defensive duties now resulting in bum clenching calamities, our promotion push has well and truly derailed itself in utterly demoralising fashion.

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28th November 2026 - Scottish Cup Third Round

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Oh just f*** off back to Nairn. Wherever the hell that is!

Any hopes of restoring some much needed pride in the Cup are soon dashed as we are humiliated by the Highland League side.

With the entirety of Scotland now laughing at the English revolution taking place on their border, some terrible defending see's us booted out of the Scottish Cup at the very first hurdle.

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November 2026 - League One

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Do you ever have those months where you question why you even consider yourself a football manager?

Bruised, battered  and completely beaten we slog through a winless November with our tails now very much firmly between our legs.

With our time at the top already ended we now find ourselves flung back into a thankfully wide open race for the title as we look to rediscover our form before it's too late.

What little is left of my pride cannot survive a fifth season in League One!

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December 2026

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5th December 2026 - League One

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They dare turn on the Christmas Tree in December? Heathens.

On the back of a truly devastating run of form, we go into the month with a poorly timed clash between us and the current League leaders, Kelty Hearts.

With the visitors taking quick advantage of some passive defending  and another truly wasteful performance from our front line, it seemed we were set for another demoralising loss until we finally sprung back into life with just Two minutes remaining.

Picking up the ball on a rare break, Sam Bellis tucks home a rare opportunity for the Borderers as he kickstarts a late surge to see us snatch an undeserved draw courtesy of Ethan Robson's last second freekick.

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12th December 2026 - League One

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With the club in the midst of a Five game winless streak in the League, a hastily arranged team meeting before the game just about does enough to rally a despondent team.

Having missed a sitter in the first half and with Alloa controlling large portions of the game, it seemed we were set for another disappointing day on the road until a well worked corner routine finally broke the deadlock.

Despite the less than convincing display, the welcome relief of a much needed victory sends a sigh of relief rippling through Berwick.

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19th December 2026 - League One

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We start to get back into the swing of things as we cruise through Albion Rovers.

With the Borderers building on a Nine game unbeaten streak against the Home side, Sam Bellis continues to build on the growing tradition as his game spanning brace seals a dominant display for the resurgent Borderers.

Having volleyed home the opener from point blank range and tucking home a well crafted goal late on, Bellis continues to re-establish himself as the clubs first choice striker.

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26th December 2026 - League One

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We make it a truly Merry Christmas for the Borderers as we round off a resurgent month with our third straight victory in a row.

With Ayr winless all season and newly appointed manager Barry Ferguson on the verge of the sack, the downtrodden Home side proved to still have some fight about them as a game of few chances nearly bores the Shielfield fans into submission.

Thankfully with Heavy Legs and Christmas Dinner still weighing heavy, Sam Bellis marks his 150th appearance for the Borderers with a stunning effort from range to provide a dull game with a rare glimmer of class.

With the club returning to winning ways, a familiar offer arrives on my desk...

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 December 2026 - League One

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Having rebounded from November's horrific run of form, the club ends the year thankfully still well in the contention to claim the all important automatic promotion spot.

With even Premiership sides seemingly interested in my services, I must be doing something right despite some less than convincing performances.

With Falkirk currently the dominant force in the League, we still have some ways to go if we are to snatch the top spot from under their noses.

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Thanks very much @Ace40 I'm hoping so too!

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It's the New year, it's transfer time!

With the season still very much up for the taking, the club heads into the mid-season transfer window looking to simply hold on to their prospects as we close in on another attempt at promotion.

With a host of English clubs hovering around my players a mercifully quiet window see's us scrape through relatively unscathed...

relatively...

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Having been largely frustrated on the side-lines following the arrival of Seb Revan to the team, Finlay Armstrong receives a welcome escape route as he departs for Swindon Town.

As more of a defensive Fullback then the more attacking Wingbacks we utilise in our narrow formation, Armstrong was never quite happy in our line-up as our already small squad shrinks just that little bit further.

Time to bolster the ranks?

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The last time we turned to Norwich's young loanees to boost the team it resulted in the worst season of my career.

Thankfully this time, Drew Warburton is largely expected to merely add some much needed depth.

With Finlay Armstrong returning to the English Football League, The Young Left back could well find himself still making an impact in a Black and Yellow shirt come the end of the season.

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We return to the loan market as we snap up Forest's Nineteen year old attacking midfielder, Calvin Gosling.

The young advanced playmaker boasts the physical attributes of a seasoned athlete and with the Technical abilities already in place to challenge some of our more established players, Gosling adds some much needed competition to our ranks.

With both Joe White and Tom Crawford starting the season in sensational form, hopes are high that the arrival of the Forest youngster could soon get them back up to form.

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Remember when we signed Theo Walcott and Ashley Young?

Good times...

A less than exciting window from the Borderers may not have thrilled the Berwick faithful but with the club still poised to take on a title challenge, we can ill afford to tip the balance.

With Two young loan signings adding some much needed depth to the team and just the one departure of a rarely used defender played out of position, I think we can claim this window to be a success...

...albeit a boring one.

Edited by DerbyJack
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January 2027

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2nd January 2027 - League One

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The New year gets underway in demoralising fashion as we drop points to League leaders Falkirk.

With one simple back post cross beating the entirety of my stranded defence, a simple header proves to be all it takes to secure the victory for the visitors as they proceed to dominate the remainder of the game.

A disappointing start to 2027 see's a Five point gap now opened up between the Two teams as we struggle to lay down any kind of title winning form.

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9th January 2027 - League One

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Quick to make amends for the slow start to the season we return to winning ways with a much needed victory over playoff chasing Queen's Park.

With both sides going into this match desperate to pick up points, a suitably nervy first-half has neither of the Two sides capable of coming out on top as we head into the break seemingly devoid of ideas.

Thankfully the boys slowly built back into the game as they threw waves of attacks at the Home side's goal in desperate attempts to break the deadlock, with substitute Adan George eventually clinching the victory with a 25 yard blockbuster.

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16th January 2027 - League One

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With the club in dire need of a run of form, we instead instantly revert back to our losing ways as we are comfortably dispatched by midtable Cove Rangers.

With Adan George handed a start following his heroics in the last match, the former Birmingham prospect is instead rewarded with an afternoon of frustration as a game of few chances frustrates the watching crowd.

A 30 yard bazooka see's the game suddenly burst into life just beyond the break as only the ever reliable Brad Young keeps the score line respectable as a dominant second half from the home side see's out the rest of a disappointing afternoon.

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30th January 2027 - League One

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That's more like it.

Having gleefully ended our unbeaten streak in a horrific November, we resume our winning ways over Clyde with an eventually comfortable victory resuming our hunt for the title.

With Clyde now showing no fear following their previous victory over the Borderers, Joe White takes matters into his own hands as a thumping 30 yard piledriver opens the scoring before he calms a worryingly end to end match by volleying home a Revan cross to settle a worryingly end to end match.

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January 2027 - League One

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A mixed start to the year, somehow see's us actually bridge the gap to the current leaders as we now sit just Two points behind them with an all important game in hand.

With much of the season still remaining and the boys struggling to lay down any kind of convincing form, we can only hope to find some title winning form as we barrel towards the business end of the season

This could still very much go either way...

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February 2027

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6th February 2027 - League One

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We resume our hunt for the title by making light work of a relegation battling Edinburgh City.

Having just shocked Falkirk in their last game, the stage was set for another humbling against the usually tricky opponents but a ruthlessly efficient performance from the boys saw us instead glide to a comfortable Two goal victory.

With White and Revan continuing to combine well down the left flank to claim the lead, a rare goal from apparent Bolton transfer target Brad Hills settles the tie as he buries home of a commanding header from a well worked corner.

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13th February 2027 - League One

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We continue to wrack up the points as we dismantle former League leaders Kelty Hearts. With the 3rd place team now Thirteen points behind us, it seems ourselves and Falkirk are now set to battle it out for the top spot.

Tyler Morton's tap in just before the break saw the former Liverpudlian make a rare appearance on the scoresheet as the increasingly busy Brad Young kept a spirited Kelty at bay.

Continuing to make impressive inroads down the left, Seb Revan continues his impressive run of form as a floated cross gifts Adan George with a game-ending goal to seal our third Two goal victory in a row.

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20th February 2027 - League One

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Midtable Alloa are next to taste the wrath of the inform Borderers as we run rampant in a bitterly cold afternoon on the North East coast.

A slow building move from kick-off see's the Borderers work their way up the pitch with debutant Calvin Gosling thundering home a goal just Three minutes into his debut.

With Joe White wrapping up the points with a trademark shot from the edge of the area and a second half tap in, the Wee Rangers are seemingly gathering momentum at a rampant pace...

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27th February 2027 - League One

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...of all the times to arrange a fan day at Shielfield Park.

With Albion only kept off the bottom of the table courtesy of a hapless Ayr and Berwick in relentless form, the 638 fans inside the Berwick Stadium fully expected to witness a resounding victory from their beloved club.

It didn't quite go to plan.

A wasteful first-half saw the boys fail to capitalize on a wealth of chances, with the visitors quick to show them how it's done as they lash home a thunderous volley to silence the crowd.

With the English Invasion sending wave after wave of attacks in hunt of an equaliser, they are instead caught on the break as a last ditch challenge sees the ball fall perfectly to the feet of Watt who bangs home his second of the game. Hit and Run.

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February 2027 - League One

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Despite the failure of a fan day rounding off the month we still have plenty of reason to be celebrating in the Northernmost tip of Northumbria.

We are top of the League.

With Falkirk leaking points at an alarming rate, we are quick to take up the mantle of league leaders as we sneak ahead with an all important game in hand.

In the immortal words of England legend Stevie Gerrard, "This does not f***ing slip now"

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March 2027

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6th March 2027 - League One

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Potentially the most important result of the season.

Having failed to beat Falkirk in any of our previous Seven meetings, we finally got one over the Bairns when it mattered in a Five goal thriller.

With both teams proving their intentions within just Five minutes, it seemed the Borderers were set to be instantly removed from their lofty perch at the top of the table when a second-half chip deftly looped over Young to hand the home side the lead.

Thankfully in a show of true grit, the boys rallied in style as Adan George coolly slotted home before Ethan Robson held his nerve to send the traveling sixty Berwick fans home in full voice.

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13th March 2027 - League One

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We continue to build the gap over Falkirk as we make no mistake against a soon to be relegated Ayr.

With the visitors now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and with Barry Ferguson quickly sent packing, we introduce new manager James Orr to life in League One by rapidly securing a comfortable victory.

A coolly taken Ethan Robson penalty just seconds into the game and another Seb Revan, Joe White combo down the left flank saw the game done and dusted before even fifteen minutes as we showed no mercy to the sorry looking visitors.

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20th March 2027 - League One

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The goals are quick to dry up as we are held to a draw by a playoff pursuing Queen's Park.

With both teams keen to grab some potentially crucial points, they instead cancel each other out in a drab battle at Shielfield Park.

Striking the woodwork Three times throughout the course of the entire game, it seems the football gods had conspired for nothing more than a bore draw from this forgettable game.

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27th March 2027 - League One

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That's not supposed to happen.

With the boys looking to cement their place at the head of the table, they instead throw everything back into jeopardy as we succumb to a late loss over high-flying Cove Rangers.

With Captain Kyron Gordon looking to secure another impressive clean sheet on his Century of appearances for the club, he is instead let down by some wasteful finishing and some uncharacteristically poor defending.

Punishing our lack of cutting edge, the visitors strike with their first effort on goal of the game before Hughes hauls down his man in the box to end any hopes of a late fightback.

With arms wildly thrashing into the night, we end the month hoping this isn't the beginning of another winless streak. 

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March 2027 - League One

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Despite the mixed month we remain standing at the top of the table courtesy only of Falkirk's equally horrendous form.

With neither side seemingly determined to run away with this League title, the chasing pack are beginning to bridge the gap as a potentially wide-open end to the season awaits.

Having seen promotion slip out of our fingers twice in the last Three seasons, Berwick's beleaguered fans will be watching the Five remaining games of the season with firmly gritted teeth.

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April 2027

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3rd April 2027 - League One

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With the club potentially just a handful of points away from claiming a long awaited promotion to the Championship, they instead put on one of the most dull displays of the season thus far.

The usually reliable Joe White struggles to lay down any of his previous form as the ball spends the majority of its time being lumped from one end of the pitch to the other in a display more akin to our time back down in the Lowland League.

As points remain at an all time premium, we can only hope this lifeless draw doesn't come back to haunt us.

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10th April 2027 - League One

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With the Club in dire need of points, the ever reliable Berwick whipping boys welcome us to Cumbernauld with a typically comfortable victory.

Continuing to prove his worth in a Yellow and Black shirt, Adan George opens the scoring with his deft finish essentially killing the game off after just Thirty minutes of action.

Controlling the remainder of the game with relative ease, Ethan Robson rounded off an impressive display from the Borderers with a goal just before the Final whistle.

With nearest challengers Falkirk seemingly enduring a torrid run of form, the footballing gods are finally favouring the Wee Rangers.

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17th April 2027 - League One

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We've finally done it!

Four seasons in the making and an ill-tempered game in deepest darkest Clackmannanshire finally resumes the clubs climb up the standings.

Having seen a Two footed challenge snap the unsuspecting Ethan Robson seemingly in half, few expected the experienced midfielder to dust himself down and curl home the winning goal of the game, as a now resilient Borderers barge their way to the title.

With the league done and dusted, a bruised and battered invasion can resume its march to claim its place atop the throne of Scottish football...

 

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24th April 2027 - League One

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...well that's one way to send a shockwave through the Championship.

With the season wrapped up, I opt to field a largely second-string side for the final Two games of the season and am duly rewarded with one of the worst performances of my career.

Still clearly feeling the effects of last week's celebrations, a bleary-eyed squad is routinely taken to pieces with only veteran midfielder Gary Gardner capable of mustering any fight against the one-way traffic.

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April 2027 - League One

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If one man sums up the promotion season for the entire team, it's our midfield powerhouse, Ethan Robson.

Having seen his own career flounder with both Sunderland and Blackpool, last season's January arrival has made a huge impact in the club, adding some much needed backbone to a decidedly wobble young squad.

Another impressive month from the now Thirty-year old box to box midfielder see's his popularity grow throughout the entire town.

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Well would you look at that...

Its a thing of pure beauty.

With Falkirk completely bottling their attempts at reclaiming the top spot, the title and place in the Championship all but fell into our laps in the penultimate month of the season but we certainly aren't going to begrudge some much needed good fortune.

Having endured both the highs and lows of this incredibly unpredictable League, we proudly march into the Second tier of Scottish Football at the Fourth time of asking.

With one game of the season remaining, it simply remains to bow out in style...

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Getting old isn't fun.

Legs feel heavier, reactions get slower, energy reserves lower. Body parts ache, limbs stiffen, joints creak.

This is the harsh reality for anyone entering their latter years but its even more brutal for those elite few playing the beautiful game.

Any player merely entering their early thirties is typically referred to as someone who is in their "twilight years", "past their best", "over the hill".

Written off when most are just entering their prime, replaced by a flashy wonderkid from South America at the drop of a hat and sent to far away lands to retire into insignificance. 

As someone whose now been playing Football Manager longer then they care to remember, I feel the need to make a change.

It's time for the old boys to take one last stand...

...and where better to do it then with a beleaguered club, down on their luck and on the verge of obscurity.

 

oldham.png.e8aa96b18239eef5ccf2d76b3ac77afe.png

 

With Oldham clinging on to life in the depths of Non-League Football, the goal of this career is to take the Latics back into the Top Flight with one simple philosophy.

We will only be signing players over the grand old age of 30. 

Avoiding the temptation to build a team of teenage future stars, we will instead turn to those who have seen and done it all before as we grind our way back through the Football League.

This is an ode to those not yet ready to fade out of the limelight.

Those players that drive to squeeze every marginal gain out of some of football's oldest legs. 

The defenders who throw bruised bodies into every crunching challenge and the strikers who know that every goal could be their last.

This is how to get Oldham disgracefully.

_______

Rule 1: All player signings must be over 30 years old.

_______

With the aim of this career to return Oldham to the very top, there are some very clear steps to take.

1. Have the squads average age over 30

2. Return to the Football League

3. Climb up to the Premier League after 30 long years

4.  Become the oldest average age team to win both the Premier League and FA Cup

5. Become the oldest average age team to lift the Champions League

Edited by DerbyJack
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oldham.png.b1763bee999abe331cd767ad4d5850ae.png

 

The Latics were part of the first Premier League season in 1992-93, before being unceremoniously dumped from the top flight just two seasons later, with the club spiralling ever down-wards over the span of Thirty painful years before an inevitable exit from the Football League capped off one of the most dramatic declines in English football.

Now finding themselves in the Vanarama National League, the days of rubbing shoulders with their Mancunian neighbours are a long distant memory, as the club dusts itself off following their bruising exit.

Thankfully, with the club now under the welcome new ownership of local business man and flat cap enthusiast, Frank Rothwell, the Latics can finally begin to build some much missed optimism within Boundary Park as they attempt to crawl their way back into the limelight.

Having taken the time to introduce myself to the sole reporter of the Oldham Times, I quickly set about reviewing this beleaguered squad...

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27.72

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Edited by DerbyJack
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Great story and you’ve done really well.  It sure looks to be a difficult challenge this year with the lack of available money and the lack of revenue.  Hopefully the club will surprise and you can claim some of that prize money, but not be on the same field (financially and status wise) is going to be tough

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