FM12 - Berwick Rangers (aka The Black & Gold)

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Berwick Rangers - The Black & Gold

Goal: To get Berwick to the Scottish Premier League.

A Brief Background
Founded in 1881, Berwick Rangers are a semi-professional English club currently playing in the Scottish Third Division. The club play their home games at Shielfield Park and possess fairly basic training facilities and basic youth facilities. The club also has average junior coaching and a fairly basic youth recruitment network. The club is affectionately known as The Borderers.

As a club which enjoyed its best spell of success during the 1970s and their last competition win coming as recently as 2007, The Borderers are a club with a growing history. Berwick won the Scottish 3rd tier for the only time in 1979 and finished second once, won the Scottish 4th tier for the only time in 2007 and finished runner-up on two occasions, and won the Scottish 5th tier in 1928 and 1947.

General Information
Nation: Scotland
Founded: 1881
Status: Semi-Professional
Reputation: Regional
Nickname: The Borderers and The Black & Gold
Fierce Rivals: None
Other Rivals: Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemeir
Estimated Value: $100K
Avg. Ticket Price: $16
Avg. Season Ticket Price: $224
Season Ticket Holders: 150
Media Prediction: 6th

Facilities
Name: Shielfield Park
Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed
Rent: $3K / yr
Capacity: 4,131 (1,366 seated)
Year Built: 1954
Stadium Condition: Average
Under Soil Heating: No
Roof: No
Surface: Grass
Pitch Dimensions: Length: 110 yds, Width: 72 yards
Field Condition: Perfect
Corporate Facilities: Fairly Basic
Training Facilities: Fairly Basic
Youth Facilities: Basic
Jr. Coaching: Adequate
Youth Recruitment: Fairly Basic

Staff
Chairman: Brian Porteous
Directors: Callum Porteous, Bill Parkin, Moray McLaren, Jeff Burnlees, John Bell
Manager: Cain Verdonk
Player/Asst. Coach: Robbie Horn
Coach: Max Walters
Player / Coach: Neil Mustoe
Physio: Jamie Dougall
Scout: Steve Ferrier

Senior Squad
Goalkeeper: Jamie Barclay, Kieran Beveridge, Gavin Sorley
Defender: Michael Deland, Robbie Horn, Andy McLean, Chris McLeod, Steven Notman, Arron Ponton, Elliot Smith, Stephen Thompson, Chris Townsley, Richard Walker
Midfield: Lee Currie, Ross Gray, David Greenhill, Shane MacGregor, Kevin McDonald, Fraser McLaren, Bryan Noble, Michael Robinson, Glen Stoker
Forward: John Ferguson, Damon Gray, Darren Gribben, Stuart Noble

U18 Squad
Goalkeeper: Grant Jack
Defender: Danny Cox, Jason Craig, Adam Gordon, Elliot Grieve, Paul Hecker, Gary Parker, Andrew Renton, Steve Ross
Midfield: Patrick Collinson, Muhammad Hussain, Kieran Lee, Dave Neilson, Tommy Walker
Forward: Trevor Laws, Brian Sheridan

[Grover]

That first paragraph looks like something I wrote

[Balldog]

Lol yes stealing your format but updating later

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Preseason Recap (1 of 2)

6/22/11

Verdonk takes Berwick hot seat
Berwick Rangers have unveiled Cain Verdonk as their new head coach.

Verdonk is said to be delighted at the chance to coach at Shielfield Park and the Borderers supporters will no doubt be hoping their new boss has what it takes.

Start of season expectations
Verdonk tells the board that he believes he can achieve a finish near the middle of the standings.

As a result, Verdonk's transfer budget for this season has been set at $0 and the payroll at $205K p/a.

The club is currently spending $141,274 per year on salaries.

6/26/11

Berwick adds Robertson on Loan
Ross Robertson joins Berwick on Loan from Ayr.

6/27/11

Berwick fans excited by Lochhead prospect
Berwick have signed young centre-back Kyle Lochhead on a free transfer.

Lochhead had been without a club for a while and is said to have welcomed the opportunity to get back into soccer.

Fans of Berwick are said to be delighted that head coach Cain Verdonk has shown good vision and ambition by deciding to bring talented youngster Kyle Lochhead to the club.

The 18-year old central defender has been singled out as a hot prospect for the future and could well become a key Berwick player in years to come.

Berwick signs Swanson
Berwick have signed young midfielder Louis Swanson on a free transfer. Swanson has the potential to be a great player for Berwick.

6/30/11

Goal glut for Berwick in Friendly demolition
Bellshill Athletic 2 - 6 Berwick Rangers (Friendly)

Berwick Rangers turned their possession into goals with a 6 - 2 win over Bellshill Athletic.

Things did not get off to a good start for Bellshill Athletic as striker Darren Gribben seized on an error by Craig Stephen to score a deftly executed finish. Centre-back Craig Stephen then summed up his team's performance by nearly gifting Berwick Rangers another goal in the 26th minute.

Forward Jordan Collins ensured things went from bad to worse for Bellshill Athletic on 28 minutes with an embarrassing own-goal. Townsley scored with a tidy finish in the 40th minute to extend the lead further.

Forward William Douglas pulled one back for Bellshill Athletic after 43 minutes with a tidy finish. Young midfielder Michael Deland then added to the lead with a fine header from pointblank range in the 52nd minute.

Midfielder David Noble pulled one back for Bellshill Athletic after 75 minutes with an effort from the edge of the area. McLaren scored from the penalty spot after Gray gave away a penalty. Young midfielder Louis Swanson completed the rout with an effort from the edge of the area in the 87th minute.

Man of the Match: Louis Swanson (Berwick)
Attendance: 24

7/1/11

Verdonk Spotted at Trial Day

Verdonk was spotted at Central Park in attendance of the Scotland Trial Day. It is rumored that Verdonk is looking to sign a few players that appeared in the match.

7/3/11

Berwick show class to upstage Brechin

Berwick Rangers 4 - 3 Brechin City (Friendly)

Berwick Rangers came out on top on a fine summer's afternoon game at Shielfield Park against Brechin City.

Young midfielder David Crawford gave Brechin City the lead with a cleanly struck effort from close to goal in the 30th minute. Berwick Rangers' equalizer came through Ross Gray as he seized on David Crawford's mistake to score a shot from the edge of the area. Striker Darren Gribben put Berwick Rangers in front in the 55th minute with a tidy finish.

Striker Paul McManus then equalized for Brechin City in the 56th minute with a real poacher's effort. Full-back Mick Dunlop had a moment he will quickly want to forget about in the 60th minute when he contrived to score past his own goalkeeper.

Crawford equalized for Brechin City in the 62nd minute with a deftly executed finish. Young midfielder Louis Swanson then clinched a late winner on 92 minutes with a header.

Swanson's impact delighted the fans with his late goal.

Man of the Match: David Crawford (Brechin)
Attendance: 104

7/4/11

Drawings for Scottish League Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup Announced

Berwick draws 1st Division Morton in the Scottish League Cup with the match scheduled for July 30th at Cappielow Park.

In the Challenge Cup draw Berwick drew 1st Division Queen of the South. That match is scheduled for July 23rd at Shielfield Park.

Berwick Signs Stirling

Berwick have snapped up young Scottish midfielder Stephen Stirling on a free transfer after seeing him play in the Trial Day earlier this week.

7/5/11

Berwick Signs Trial Man of the Match

Berwick has signed English striker Fergus Bell after his impressive showing on Trial Day, with 2 goals and an assist.

Berwick Signs Love

Ally Love has agreed to terms with Berwick. Love is a defender from Scotland who is expected to compete for 1st team action.

7/7/11

Motherwell coast past Borderers

Berwick Rangers 0 - 3 Motherwell (Friendly)

The underdog Berwick Rangers never threatened to cause an upset as they succumbed to a 3 - 0 defeat at Shielfield Park.

Winger Omar Daley gave Motherwell the lead with a shot from eighteen yards out in the 16th minute. Young striker Gary Smith doubled Motherwell's lead with an incisive finish in the 55th minute.

Full-back Tom Hateley completed the rout with a screamer from well outside the area in the 74th minute.

Man of the Match: Tom Hateley (Motherwell)
Attendance: 1,299

7/14/11

Berwick Adds Scout

Berwick announces the addition to its staff in form of Scott Boyle, a 37 year old from Scotland.

7/15/11

Barclay, Currie, and Gribben Ink New Deals

Berwick has locked up Jamie Barcley, Lee Currie and Darren Gribben to long term deals.

Berwick Adds Coach

Berwick has announced that Billy McGhee has joined the staff as an assistant coach.

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Preseason Recap (2 of 2)

7/16/11

Bankies win battle of Holm Park

Clydebank 3 - 2 Berwick Rangers (Friendly)

Clydebank battled their way to a 3 - 2 victory in this evenly-matched contest between two hard-working teams. Two goals from Liam Dunn helped Clydebank to victory.

Young full-back Ally Love gave Berwick Rangers the lead with a real poacher's effort in the 12th minute. Centre-back Andy McLean showed a sign of things to come though as he nearly gifted Clydebank a goal in the 20th minute.

Forward Liam Dunn then equalized for Clydebank in the 23rd minute with a header. Dunn then added his 2nd goal of the game with a close range header in the 41st minute.

Bowden scored with a good header from just inside the six yard box in the 45th minute to extend the lead further. Striker Darren Gribben pulled one back for Berwick Rangers after 51 minutes with an accurate finish.

Man of the Match: Liam Dunn (Clydebank)
Attendance: 83

7/20/11

Port Vale held to draw

Berwick Rangers 2 - 2 Port Vale (Friendly)

Berwick Rangers will have undoubtedly been the more contented of the two teams after clinching a somewhat surprising 2 - 2 draw against Port Vale.

Goalkeeper Simon Pitts suffered the ignominy of scoring a calamitous own goal in the 26th minute on the clock. Centre-back Mark Jacobs then equalized for Port Vale in the 41st minute with a deflected effort from close to goal.

Forward Greg Sibley then put Port Vale in front after 49 minutes with an effort from the edge of the area. Centre-back Glen Hayward suffered the agony of putting the ball into his own net after 79 minutes to deny his team the win.

Man of the Match: Greg Sibley (Port Vale)
Attendance: 447

7/23/11

Match Report
Challenge Cup 1st Round
Queen of the South at Berwick

Berwick Rangers 4 - 1 Queen Of The South (Challenge Cup 1st Rnd)

The media is claiming a triumph of tactics for the Berwick Rangers head coach after defeating Queen Of The South 4 - 1. Two goals from Darren Gribben helped Berwick to victory.

Striker Darren Gribben got Berwick Rangers off to a flying start by scoring an accurate finish after just one minute. Gribben added his 2nd goal of the game with a real poacher's effort in the 15th minute.

McLean scored with a diving header from within the six yard box in the 17th minute to extend the lead further. Centre-back Andy McLean suffered the ignominy of scoring a calamitous own goal in the 23rd minute on the clock.

Things went from bad to worse for Queen Of The South as centre-back Chris Higgins earned himself an early shower for persistent fouling in the 58th minute. There were no prizes for guessing who completed the rout in the 70th minute as that man McLean popped up again with a close range header.

Man of the Match: Andy McLean (Berwick)
Attendance: 500

Berwick Rangers: D. Gribben 1, D. Gribben 15, A. McLean 17, A. McLean 70
J. Barclay, J. Walker, A. McLean, K. Lockhead, A. Love (R. Robertson 78), D. Greenhill, S. Stirling, L. Currie, R. Gray (M. Deland 30), D. Gribben , F. Bell (S. Noble 45)

Stats: Shots 9, On Target 6, Possession 47%, Yellow Cards 1

Queen of South: A. McLean 23 (Own Goal)
L. Robinson, C. Reid , J. Potter, C. Higgins , A. Reid, D. Carmichael (G. Reilly 58), S. Simmons (S. McLaughlin 64), S. McKenna, A. Johnston, K. Smith, T. Brighton (R. McGuffie 45)

Stats: Shots 12, On Target 4, Possession 53%, Yellow Cards 4

Gribben Quickest off the Mark
Darren Gribben's goal fifteen seconds into the match between Berwick Rangers and Queen Of The South is a new Scottish League Challenge Cup record for the fastest goal scored in a match.

The previous Challenge Cup quickest goal was Jason Crooks' strike twenty seconds into the match between Elgin City and Brechin City on Saturday 25th July 2009.

Berwick will host Arboarth in 2nd Rd

7/24/11

Berwick Signs MacLeod

Berwick have signed young midfield prospect Danny MacLeod to a Youth Contract. He has potential to play at a high level.

7/26/11

Berwick Signs another Prospect, Shaw

Berwick has signed young defensive prospect David Shaw. Shaw has the Berwick fans excited about the future.



Match Report
League Cup 1st Round
Berwick at Morton

Morton Ease to Victory

Greenock Morton 3 - 0 Berwick Rangers (League Cup 1st Rnd)

Berwick Rangers failed to cause an upset at Cappielow Park as Greenock Morton coasted to an expected 3 - 0 victory. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly a superb hat trick from Morton's Andy Jackson.

Striker Andy Jackson got Greenock Morton off to a flying start by scoring a tidy finish in the 8th minute. Jackson added his 2nd goal of the game with a well timed finish from close range in the 17th minute.

There were no prizes for guessing who completed the rout in the 81st minute as that man Jackson popped up again with a deftly executed finish.

Man of the Match: Andy Jackson (Morton)
Attendance: 1,058

Morton: A. Jackson 8, A. Jackson 17, A. Jackson 81
C. Stewart, K. McCann, S. McCaffery, M. Smith, R. Forsyth, W. Jansen, F. Bachirou (A. Campbell 72), M. Tidser (A. Burke 57), D. O'Brien, A. Jackson, P. Di Giacomo (P. Weatherspoon 53 )

Stats: Shots 15, On Target 6, Possession 56%, Yellow Cards 2

Berwick Rangers:
J. Barclay, R. Walker (K. McDonald 74), A. McLean, K. Lockhead, A. Love, D. Greenhill (M. Deland 74), S. Stirling, L. Currie, R. Gray (R. Robertson 74), D. Gribben, F. Bell

Stats: Shots 7, On Target 2, Possession 44%, Yellow Cards 0

Berwick receives $16,800 for participating in the Cup.