Football Season Guide

Brechin City

In


Lewis McMinn (Goalkeeper, Stenhousemuir), Ross Sinclair (Goalkeeper, St Johnstone, Season-long loan), Chris McLaughlin (Defender, Stirling Lions), Lee Duncanson (Defender, Partick Thistle), Luke Watt (Defender, NK Novigrad), Scott Reekie (Defender, Falkirk), Fionn McLeod Kay (Midfielder, Kelty Hearts), Jamie Reid (Midfielder, Lochee United), Kieran Inglis (Midfielder, Dundee United), Ross Brown (Midfielder, Berwick Rangers), Ryan McCord (Midfielder, Arbroath) , Sean McIntosh (Midfielder, Airdrie), Emile Ngoy (Attacker, Llanelli Town), Matthew Knox (Attacker, Livingston), Olly Hamilton (Attacker, St Johnstone, Season-long loan), Paul McManus (Attacker, Cove Rangers), Ross Crawford (Attacker, Sauchie Juniors)

Out


Graham Bowman (Goalkeeper, released), Craig Thomson (sp) (Defender, released), Euan Smith (r) (Defender, Berwick Rangers), Euan Spark (r) (Defender, Elgin City), Lewis Toshney (sp) (Defender, Dundee United, Loan ended), Michael Miller (Defender, Raith Rovers), Paul McLean (sp) (Defender, Stirling Albion), Ryan McGeever (sp) (Defender, Dumbarton), Sean Burns (r) (Defender, Forfar Athletic), Tam Scobbie (sp) (Defender, Dundee United, Loan ended), Aron Lynas (sp) (Midfielder, Albion Rovers), Callum Tapping (sp) Midfielder, Forfar Athletic), Giuiliano Morena (sp) (Midfielder, Albion Rovers), Jordan Sinclair (sp) (Midfielder, Edinburgh City), Kalvin Orsi (r) (Midfielder, Morton), Scott Robertson (sp) (Midfielder, Forfar Athletic), Andy Jackson (k) (Attacker, Forfar Athletic), Dene Shields (Attacker, released), Ross Kavanagh (sp) (Attacker, East Kilbride), Sam Jamieson (Attacker, St Mirren, Loan ended)

The downward spiral continues for Brechin City, who suffered back-to-back relegations after falling through the League 1 trap-door. Barry Smith was unable to arrest their slide following a winless season in the Championship and it is something of a surprise that the club have retained his services as they face life in League 2. It won’t get any easier having seen almost their entire squad leave for pastures new this summer. The loss of striker and leading goalscorer Andy Jackson to local rivals Forfar Athletic is a particularly sore blow. Defender Sean Burns and midfielder Callum Tapping have also joined Jackson at Station Park. Smith has had to completely rebuild his squad and there are concerns that he will have to rely more on quantity than quality. Midfielder Ryan McCord brings plenty of experience with him from League 1 Champions Arbroath whilst striker Paul McManus returns for a second spell at Glebe Park following a disappointing season with Highland League Champions Cove Rangers. Striker Ross Crawford will be hoping to continue his prolific goalscoring record after signing from East of Scotland side Sauchie Juniors but most of the new additions this summer are young, untried and untested at this level.

Target


Survival. Smith needs to bring some stability to City after two dreadful season. It will be a challenge to arrest their downward spiral.