- Berwick players signing for Stenny (Smith, McGroarty and Thomson, plus Noble and Haynes who are currently on trial)
- Stenny players signing for Berwick (Hamilton and Dillon)
- Players signing for Stenny having previously agreed to sign for Berwick (Motion)
- Players signing for Berwick having previously agreed to sign for Stenny (Lister)
It goes without saying that clashes between the two sides will be eagerly anticipated, and I hope our traditionally good-natured relationship with the Berwick support continues, notwithstanding the controversial transfers of Lister and Motion. Berwick's newly-appointed management team, of course, will be looking forward to their first visit to Ochilview, where they should receive a warm welcome. Alan McGonigal, their manager, hails from the Stenhousemuir area and served the Warriors well whilst on the coaching staff, whilst his assistant Martin Mooney will be especially fondly remembered by the Ochilview faithful, both for his goal against Hearts at Tynecastle and for his legendary tan. I remember meeting Martin shortly after he joined us in 1999, and being greatly impressed by his attitude to the game: here's hoping his Berwick side finish second behind the Warriors this season.
The inherent assumption in that assertion, of course, is that we have the capacity to claim the title. The season is long and hard, of course, but with the squad we have in place, we have every right to be confident. Two new goalkeepers will compete for the No. 1 spot, whilst the defence looks solid, with the likes Smith, McGroarty and fellow new boy John Ovenstone alongside the ever-dependable Craig McEwan. Promising youngsters such as Rhys Galloway and Gary Thom will also be keen to stake a claim for a first-team slot; I'm especially looking forward to seeing more of Rhys after his impressive start last season.
Competition will be fierce for the central midfield berths: Andy Brand will be a great asset bursting forward, whilst Ferguson, Tyrrell, Shirra and Thomson will each have a major part to play. Whilst neither Willie Lyle nor Graham Gibson are natural right wingers, both will be hoping to secure the No. 7 shirt, whilst new boy Kevin Motion should offer us an option wide on the left. With Alan Brazil joining the already-impressive front line of Dalziel, Love and Hampshire, meanwhile, our attack looks ever stronger.
At this stage, of course, it's all talk: we have been pre-season title favourites in two of the previous three seasons, with precious little to show for it. Yet John knows what it takes to win this league, having done so with Berwick in 2007. Two years on, who's to say he won't be celebrating again?
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