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Brechin City F.C. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Brechin City

Full name Brechin City Football Club Nickname(s) The Hedgemen, City Founded 1906 Ground Glebe Park, Brechin, Scotland (Capacity: 3,960 (1,519 seated) Chairman Ken Ferguson Manager Jim Weir / Steven Stewart League Scottish Second Division 2011–12 Scottish Second Division, 8th

Home colours

Away colours

Current season

Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Brechin in Angus. The club was founded in 1906 from the merger of two local clubs, Brechin Harp and Brechin Hearts. The club currently competes in the Scottish Second Division as a member of the Scottish Football League, having being relegated from the First Division in 2005. The club's highest achievements include winning the third tier of Scottish football four times, the last coming in 2004–05 as champions of the Second Division. The club has also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup, losing to 2–0 to Queen of the South in 2002. Brechin's home ground is Glebe Park with the capacity to seat around 1,500 spectators. The ground opened in 1919. The current co-managers of the club are Jim Weir and Steven Stewart. Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 Early years 1.2 Joining the league 1.3 Post-war return 1.4 New Second Division 1.5 The 1980s 1.6 The 1990s 1.7 The 2000s 2 Recent managers 3 Honours 4 Club records 5 Current squad 6 Notable players 7 References 8 External links [edit]History

[edit]Early years The club was founded in 1906 through the amalgamation of two comparatively successful local junior sides - Brechin Harp and Brechin Hearts. A deputation from the Forfarshire Football Association had met with representatives of the local game at the Temperance Hall in City Road and managed to persuade them that Brechin would benefit from having a single senior club. The club won their first important local honour, the Forfarshire Cup, in the 1909–10 season with a side that featured nine players from the town.[1] The club moved to their Glebe Park home in 1919, a stadium which currently has a capacity of 3,960 (1,519 seated) and is famous for the hedge that runs alongside one side of the pitch. [edit]Joining the league The team was admitted to the Scottish league in 1923 with the formation of the original Third Division. However City struggled, finishing bottom of the League in that first season.[2] The club failed to make any headway in the doomed division and disappeared from the Scottish League at the end of the 1925-26 season along with most of the other teams in the division.[3] The club were not away long however as they returned to the League for the 1929–30 season following the departure of Bathgate and Arthurlie the previous season. Once again however the club finished rock bottom.[4] The club continued to struggle in the bottom half of the Second Division throughout the 1930s before going into hibernation during the Second World War. Indeed so poor were the club at times that during the 1937-38 season the club were beaten 10-0 by three different clubs - Cowdenbeath, Albion Rovers and Airdrieonians.[5] [edit]Post-war return Brechin City returned to action in the 1946–47 season in the C Division, a competition which did not have full membership of the Scottish Football League and which contained a mix of first teams and reserve sides. The club remained in this set-up until their success in the North-East section (the division having been restructured into two separate competitions) in the 1953–54 season saw them return to full League membership. Their first season back however resulted in another bottom placed finish,[6] although they were not relegated. Despite this shaky return the club enjoyed a halcyon period of sorts in the late 1950s, securing four consecutive top half finishes (without managing to clinch promotion) as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 1957–58 Scottish League Cup.[7] The 1960s, however, saw the club struggling again, with yet another bottom place their fate for the 1961–62 season[8] and again the following season with a further two wooden spoon efforts before the end of the decade. The unwanted feat of finishing bottom two years in a row was repeated again in 1972–73 and 1973–74 as Brechin City continued to be one of the weakest sides in Scottish League football. [edit]New Second Division The club finished 17th out of 20 in the 1974–75 season and as such were placed in the new Division Two, which was the third tier of the restructured League.[9] The new set-up suited the club little better as they remained in and around the bottom. However a mid-table 1979–80 season[10] ushered in something of a change in fortune as the club began to challenged for their first promotion as full League members. With both a new stand and floodlighting added to Glebe Park[11] the club played with a new ambition until finally breaking their duck with a title win in the 1982–83 season. Under the chairmanship of David Will, the then Scottish Football Association Vice-President and a future Vice-Presidents of FIFA, and the player-management of ex-Dundee stalwart Ian Fleming, the club pipped Meadowbank Thistle to the title by one point.[12] [edit]The 1980s Under Will's progressive leadership City found their feet in the First Division and challenged near the top in the 1983–84 season before finishing in a creditable fifth place.[12] However 1986–87 season saw the club narrowly relegated ahead of Queen of the South[13] although, undaunted, they challenged at the top of the Second Division before winning the title for the second time in 1989–90 season again by one point, this time ahead of Kilmarnock.[14] [edit]The 1990s Brechin's return to the First Division was to prove somewhat inauspicious as they were immediately relegated, although 1992–93 season saw them promoted again, this time as runners-up.[15] Again, however, they were relegated back down immediately and worse was to follow as they suffered consecutive demotions, dropping into the newly created Third Division, the fourth tier of League football. However once again there was an immediate change as the club finished second in this division for the 1995–96 season, ensuring promotion and five changes of division in five frantic seasons. The club were relegated again after two seasons and finished the decade back in the bottom division. [edit]The 2000s In the new millennium the club experienced a revival in fortune under Dick Campbell, winning the Third Division in 2001–02 season after a narrow miss the previous season. The push continued the following season as the club finished runners-up to secure a second consecutive promotion with Chris Templeman bagging 21 League goals for the club in a season in which they were also beaten Scottish Challenge Cup finalists.[16] However the First Division proved to much for the part-timers as they were immediately relegated. However the topsy-turvy existence of Brechin City continued as the following season they again won the Second Division title, although success was soured by the departure of Campbell to Partick Thistle. Without Campbell the team struggled even more than before in the First Division as they managed only two wins all season on their way to relegation under Ian Campbell, the twin brother of their previous manager. The mood was lifted somewhat by the club's centenary celebrations which included a prestige friendly against Coca Cola Championship side Ipswich Town at Glebe Park. The club, led by the management of Michael O'Neill and with the goal threat of Iain Russell, finished fourth in the following season's Second Division and under new arrangements this entitled them to a place in promotion play-offs, although a 6–1 aggregate mauling at the hands of Airdrie United put paid to any hopes of another immediate return to the second tier. 2007–08 proved somewhat disappointing as they missed out on the play-offs due to finishing sixth, whilst on 31 January 2008, they were thrown out of the Scottish Cup after fielding two ineligible players in their 2–1 fourth round replay win over Hamilton Academical. Hamilton Academical took their place in the fifth round.[17] 2008–09 proved a season of upheaval as O'Neill left on 15 December 2008 to take charge of Republic of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers,[18] although the experienced Jim Duffy followed him into the hotseat on 9 January 2009[19] and led the club to third place and a play-off place. Once again however the play-offs did not prove rewarding as Ayr United recorded a 5–2 aggregate win over the club to leave Brechin City in the Second Division for 2009-10.[20] Under Duffy Brechin made the play-offs again the following season but Duffy resigned after Brechin were beaten 3–0 on aggregate by Cowdenbeath.[21] For the 2010-11 season the club appointed Jim Weir as manager departing Arbroath at short notice, after leading them to relegation. That season, Brechin reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, where they drew 2-2 with SPL side St Johnstone at Glebe Park, resulting in a replay,[22] where they eventually lost 1-0 after a valiant effort. On the 14th of May 2011, Brechin beat Cowdenbeath 4-2 on aggregate, in the 1st Division play offs Semi-Final, to set up a final with Ayr United, in which the victors secured 1st Division Football for season 2011-2012. In the first leg at Somerset Park the match ended 1-1 however Ayr won the second leg at Glebe Park 2-1 meaning that Brechin stayed in the 2nd division. [edit]Recent managers

Frank Sandeman (1966–1971)[23] Charlie Dunn (1971–1978) Ian Stewart (1978–1979) Doug Houston (1979–1982) Ian Fleming (1982–1987) John Ritchie (1987–1993) Ian Redford (1993–1994) John Young (1994–2000) Dick Campbell (2000–2005) Ian Campbell (2005–06) Michael O'Neill (2006–2008) Jim Duffy (2009–2010) Jim Weir (2010-Date) [edit]Honours

Second Division Champions: 1982–83, 1989–90, 2004–05 Runners-Up 1992–93, 2002–03 Third Division Champions: 2001–02 Runners Up: 1995–96 Challenge Cup Runners-Up: 2002–03 Forfarshire Cup Champions: 1909–10, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1996–97, 2008–09 Scottish League Division C Champions: 1953–54 Scottish Qualifying Cup Champions: 1950–51 Keith Tournament Champions: 1982–83 [edit]Club records

Record victory: 12–1: vs Thornhill on 23 January 1925–26 Biggest league loss: 0–10: vs Airdrieonians, Cowdenbeath and Albion Rovers 1937–38 Biggest home attendance: 8,122: vs Aberdeen on 3 February 1972–73 Record for league appearances: David Watt 459 Record for goals in one season: Ronald McIntosh (26) 1959–60 Record for all time goals: Ian (Pink) Campbell 131 [edit]Current squad

As of 1 February 2012 Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Position Player GK Craig Nelson GK David Scott DF Scott Buist DF Mick Dunlop DF David McClune DF Gerry McLauchlan DF Paul McLean DF Ewan Moyes MF Garry Brady MF David Crawford MF Gary Fusco No. Position Player MF Bryan Hodge MF Craig Molloy MF Barry Petty FW Derek Carcary FW Andy Jackson FW Charlie King FW Jim Lister FW David McKenna FW Paul McManus FW Michael Potter For recent transfers, see Brechin City transfers in 2012–13 season. [edit]Notable players

This list contains the players who have made at least 100 League appearances for Brechin City (figures indicate league appearances and goals scored whilst bold type indicates a player still at the club).[24] Bobby Aitken (149/3) Ray Allan (129/0) Richard Baillie (127/0) Kevin Bain (123/24) Roddie Black (200/19) Ralph Brand (174/43) Alex Brown (120/0) Bobby Brown (444/33) Harry Cairney (355/3) Dick Campbell (157/7) Ian Campbell (282/125) Graeme Christie (129/7) Doug Clark (145/5) Frank Conway (200/7) Andy Dow (100/7) Charlie Dunn (223/22) Alex Edmiston (127/0) Charlie Elvin (225/19) Craig Farnan (102/7) Ian Fleming (132/15) Graham Gibson (100/18) Ralph Gillespie (112/29) Steven Hampshire (123/31) Bisset Harrier (208/15) Hugh Hill (118/4) Jimmy Hodge (227/3) Steve Kerrigan (111/19) John Kidd (103/2) Charlie King (297/54) David Lawrie (166/0) Gordon Lees (203/41) Ray Lorimer (107/7) George Mackie (118/15) James McKellar (148/15) Duncan MacLeod (124/3) Tom McLevy (236/0) Billy McNeill (128/17) Marc Millar (123/25) Jim Morton (124/22) Derek Neilson (244/0) Craig Nelson (209/0) Archie Paterson (142/1) Ian Paterson (256/65) Brian Reid (432/43) John Ritchie (128/0) Paul Ritchie (179/60) Ronnie Robb (136/30) Sandy Ross (120/40) Frank Sandeman (128/12) Doug Scott (414/18) John Sime (164/1) Greig Smith (103/0) Jamie Smith (100/11) Peter Smith (141/5) Les Sneddon (157/43) Stuart Sorbie (118/23) Bobby Stewart (113/19) Ian Stewart (116/14) Clark Sutherland (104/7) Chris Templeman (129/55) Willie Tocher (159/15) Scott Walker (128/0) Bobby Warrender (200/83) David Watt (459/3) [edit]References

^ The Formative Years ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 104 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 106 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 108 ^ J. Rollin, The Guinness Football Fact Book, 1993, p. 113 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 117 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 119 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 121 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 128 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 131 ^ Scottish Football League Review 1983-84 ^ a b M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 133 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 135 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 136 ^ M. Robinson, Football League Tables 1888-2003, p. 138 ^ G. & J. Rolin, Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2003–2004, p. 643 ^ "Brechin ejected from Scottish Cup". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008. ^ "O'Neill exits Brechin for Hoops". BBC Sport. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2008. ^ "Duffy confirmed as Brechin boss". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008. ^ Ayr United 3-2 Brechin City (5-2) ^ "Jim Duffy resigns as Brechin City manager". BBC Sport. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010. ^ "Brechin 2-2 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011. ^ Managerial stats ^ List of Brechin City appearances [edit]