Up or down

Having survived the nadir that was Threave Rovers, and come out the other side with my season ticket in one piece, I have witnessed the dramatic turnaround in our fortunes. Back then the woodden spoon beckoned, but only a few weeks later, and we are realistic promotion contenders. Obviously John Coughlin must take most (all?) the credit for this. I am amazed that a change in manager can have such a significant impact on any team's performance levels. The players are more or less the same, but they are simply playing much bettter. I don't doubt that a lot of this is down to fitness levels which did seem to be, shall we say, "an issue", but clearly there is more to it than that. Over on the forum there is talk about whether or not Coughlin is the "messiah" and whether we can get promotion. I wouldn't rule it out. Which got me thinking. What would happen next? Last weekend, Berwick, with Robbie Henderson marshalling the back line, were on the receiving end of a 9-2 drubbing. Iain Diack lead the line and scored two. This Berwick team, the one that looks like they are heading straight back from where they came, last season looked excellent. Admittedly they have made a few changes, not least of which is in the manager's hot seat. And where is their ex-manager now?? So, in the event that we get promoted via the plays offs, is this something we should we celebrate? In a few months time would we be the laughing stock of the league? What would we have to do to ensure that it didn't happen. For all Coughlin's good work this season, he didn't exactly set the heather alight at Berwick in Division 2? Would we have to spend a lot of money - money we don't have? There are still a number of full time teams in that league so while the idea of going up against the likes of Morton, Ayr, Raith Rovers etc is quite exciting, it also makes me ever so slightly nervous. But what's the alternative? 4 games a season ad naseum against The Shire, Albion Rovers and Montrose?