Oooo lah, lah. The foreign legion of Whitestone Park were soundly defeated this afternoon on the battlegrounds of Innerleithen. Unfortunately for Eck Currie, Ken Brown and co...the Vale weren't the conquerors...but the mighty regiment from Lothian Thistle.
There are plenty of Peebleans who will smugly take some satisfaction from the Alex Jack Cup final result. Behind the scenes at Whitestone Park there is a lot of disquiet...resignations have been posted and the club is on the brink of crisis. Why? Because 18 out of the squad of 20 players come from up the road.
Peebles Football Club was formed last year to satisfy Dougie Anderson and to gain a photo-copied certificate from the SFA saying they are now a Quality Mark club...the kids are supposed to prosper under all the fantastic changes. Instead, if you have a Peebles post code you now go down to Innerleithen to play for Vale.
Lamb and Pagget know what they want...and that is success. They want to make a name for themselves on the East of Scotland scene. They recruited a group of players that came through the Leith kids ranks and failed to make it as pros. They are good players...certainly capable of winning the First Division. But it all will come at a cost. Lamb and Pagget will walk either this season or next...and the foreign legion will march with them. Where does that leave Peebles? Stuart Robertson could be left on his own. The committee at Peebles will have to put some sort of contingency plan in place...or tie up their management team on a long-term contract.
*****THIS WEEK'S GOSS*****
David Beattie has been shown the door at Whitestone Park and looks certain to return to Spartans.
Steven Tait will start for Kelso United for the first time this season against Berwick Rangers Reserves.
Selkirk have signed a young left back from Dalkeith Star...Mulvin?
Berwick Rangers have made an approach for Selkirk winger Chris Anderson.
Vale of Leithen captain John Sanders is set to join Haddington.
GOOD WEEK...BAD WEEK
good - Robin Aitchison, manager of Eyemouth...admitting on the radio that he gets his players pissed to help with morale.
good - Peter McNulty, unbeaten manger of Coldstream...picking up four points from his first two games in charge.
bad - Mark Lamb, manager of Peebles...watching his costly squad being soundly in the cup final beaten by the Premier League's worst team.
bad - Rob Shiell, manger of Hawick Royal Albert...watching his son open the scoring before his hapless defence concede five against CSS.
