Francesc Fabregas

I think Adam Corbett's a smashing player and I was really disappointed to see him leave Stenhousemuir. He's a classy footballer - he's good in possession, he's quick off the mark and he can operate in central defence or at right-back, where he was probably at his best for the Warriors. He's also decent in the air and should score three or four times a season (as well as assisting the same number). One obvious drawback is that he's a little brittle and will probably miss a few matches with niggles and injuries. I think his lack of reliability was a big factor in him not being kept on. He can sometimes be pushed around a bit by bigger opponents, although he's become more assured the longer he's been in the SPFL. I think he's got a high ceiling and I'm pleased he's getting the chance to step up into League 1, albeit with a much-changed Kelty Hearts side. If, if , he can stay fit, he'll be a big success. Adam's a great guy and his family are really nice too, so expect to see them at most home and away matches.

I thought we'd done some good business last season by retaining our better players from the previous year but our transfer business wasn't too great - other than Matty Yates, I'm not sure many (any?) of our summer recruits did the business expected from them and have all moved on. It feels a bit different this time around - 12 months ago we signed Conor Brennan, this time we've brought in Darren Jamieson, a big step up in quality. There are some players I'm not too sure about (Matty Aitken, Jordan Kirkpatrick) but I'm very pleased and very intrigued with the others. Here's to narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the penultimate weekend once again!

Just in case anyone's lost count: GOALKEEPERS Darren Jamieson (signed from Kelty Hearts) Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson Jordan Lowdon Ross Meechan (signed from Darvel) MIDFIELDERS Mikey Anderson James Berry (signed from the University of Stirling) Adam Brown Jordan Kirkpatrick (signed from Darvel) Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Matty Aitken (signed from Forfar Athletic) Euan O'Reilly Ross Taylor (signed from Auchinleck Talbot) Matty Yates

Ross Meechan: CONFIRMED

I think Ross Meechan will be a smashing piece of business for the Warriors. We all know how good he is - he's very fit, rarely absent, defends well, resilient, can operate all across the back four (and in midfield if need be), supremely professional - but I think we're getting a better player than the one who left us in 2018, even if he has spent the past season in the West of Scotland League with Darvel. Jim Weir, who signed Meechan at Forfar Athletic, described him as "pound for pound the best player I'll ever sign", while Mick Kennedy has also spoken glowingly of him. I think he'll be installed as our captain. Meechan's one of my all-time favourite Stenny players. I remember when he first joined us under Scott Booth in 2014, where he looked reckless and out of his depth, but he grew as the season went on and was a stand-out as we won the play-offs to stay in League 1. I was really impressed with his attitude and how he dealt with adversity - I'll admit I lost my temper with some of his performances and wanted him out of the team, but ended up being bowled over by his application and determination. His final act in his first spell was to get us promoted back to the third tier. On top of that, he's a lovely guy too and someone who holds his time at our club in high regard. Adam Corbett is a better footballer with a higher ceiling, but Meechan's more reliable and never lets down his team. I'm really looking forward to seeing him back in action.

This is how the squad is coming together after our recent additions: GOALKEEPERS Darren Jamieson (signed from Kelty Hearts) Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson Jordan Lowdon MIDFIELDERS Mikey Anderson James Berry (signed from the University of Stirling) Adam Brown Jordan Kirkpatrick (signed from Darvel) Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Matty Aitken (signed from Forfar Athletic) Euan O'Reilly Ross Taylor (signed from Auchinleck Talbot) Matty Yates

Stenhousemuir have signed James Berry from the University of Stirling. I'm not sure if this guy's good but he comes highly rated from those who have seen him in action. Seems to have a good profile and should be a decent addition to our midfield. I'm wary about signing players from the Lowland League, especially since our "BSC Stenny" summer, but I'm looking forward to seeing him in action.

Hmm, I'm not sure what to make of this signing. Four or five years ago it would have been a tremendous bit of business but I'm a bit wary about bringing someone who's been unsuccessfully kicking around the West of Scotland League for three seasons. Like any player I've doubted, I hope to be proven wrong and I hope he can do us a good turn.

An update on our squad for the season ahead after today's news! GOALKEEPERS Darren Jamieson (signed from Kelty Hearts) Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson Jordan Lowdon MIDFIELDERS Mikey Anderson Adam Brown Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Matty Aitken (signed from Forfar Athletic) Euan O'Reilly Ross Taylor (signed from Auchinleck Talbot) Matty Yates

After two seasons and five dreadful, dreadful goalkeepers, we've finally signed a top-tier 'keeper, one who might be the best in the division already, and someone who should galvanise us. Darren Jamieson has been an excellent lower-league goalie for a number of seasons now and I'm delighted we've secured him. He's highly rated by supporters across the board and I hope he can give us that degree of security we've been badly missing. In other news, Jordan Lowdon has agreed a new contract with the club. I didn't think much of him over the past few months but he might do us a decent job over the next 12 months. I do hope we have someone lined up who might play ahead of him; Lowdon as first-choice left-back doesn't enthuse me.

What difference does it make if our goalkeeper's signed permanently or signs on loan?

Yeah, Paddy Martin is someone I'd be looking for us to bring in. I was really impressed with him at Bonnyrigg Rose last season and the difference he made to their team was obvious. If Curtis Lyle is our #1 next season, that's it, I won't be back (for a week).

Here's how the squad is shaping with our two recent additions: GOALKEEPERS Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson MIDFIELDERS Mikey Anderson Adam Brown Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Matty Aitken (signed from Forfar Athletic) Euan O'Reilly Ross Taylor (signed from Auchinleck Talbot) Matty Yates There are strong rumours we're bringing in some boys from the Lowland League very shortly - watch this space!

I'm pleased to see Ross Taylor getting a decent write up from Talbot fans. Let's hope he can do us a decent turn at Ochilview!

Mr Matty Aitken is Stenhousemuir FC's first signing of the summer. What should we expect from the big forward?

We've made our first signing of the summer: Matty Aitken has joined from Forfar Athletic. Not sure what to make of this. I liked Aitken at Albion Rovers and thought he was a very useful lower-league striker, but he looked mince at Forfar and I'm sure their supporters will be delighted to see the back of him. Nevertheless, let's hope he can reprise his form from his spell at Cliftonhill.

He didn't "pick up a bad injury in his first game". He played for 20 minutes against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, looked fairly comfortable, and then just didn't come back the following week. Apparently the player has personal issues to overcome, and I wish him the very best in his recovery, but there was no physical injury.

Mikey Miller signed a two-year deal last summer and Adam Brown agreed a new contract months ago, so they were always going to be sticking around. I do agree with your overall point though - they're good players who have only flickered over the latter part of the season.

So here's how the squad is shaping up for 2023/24: GOALKEEPERS Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson MIDFIELDERS Mikey Anderson Adam Brown Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Euan O'Reilly Matty Yates There's a lot of work to be done. We need a new, undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, about five defenders, legs in the middle of the park, an attacker to play wide right, and two forwards. Fair play to Gary Naysmith and his team but they certainly have their work cut out for them.

Stenhousemuir have provided an update on the squad as we head towards the 2023/24 season: Conor Brennan, Jay Cantley, Adam Corbett, Sean Crighton, Ross Forbes, Dan Higgins and Tam Orr are all leaving the club (and Orr has already agreed terms with Stranraer). The loan players - Jacob Blaney, Gavin Reilly, Kian Speirs and Callum Yeats - have all returned to their parent clubs. The club have announced contract extensions for Mikey Anderson and Nicky Jamieson, and they're in discussions about a new deal with Jordan Lowden, for some reason. I wish the outgoing players well - they all seem like good lads and I've no doubt they'll get new teams very soon. I'm especially sorry to see Adam Corbett moving on. He was my favourite player in the team and someone I thought had a high ceiling. I'm sure he'll move on elsewhere and be a big success. I hope to see him and his family back at Ochilview soon. I'm also surprised to see us offer Jordan Lowden a contract. He did nothing in his short time with us to suggest he's worth pursuing. Nevertheless, we go again.

Having seen players like James Craigen and John Robertson leave the club, I've got a nagging feeling that FC Edinburgh are in for a horrendous season next term. Last season's squad looked pretty handy on paper and it felt some players were on wages that might have been unsustainable. With recent appeals for new funding and the chairman stepping down, it feels as though the next 12 months could be difficult.

Unless someone can correct me, here's the list of players signed up for next season: GOALKEEPERS Curtis Lyle DEFENDERS Nicky Jamieson (not officially announced) MIDFIELDERS Adam Brown Mikey Miller Nat Wedderburn FORWARDS Euan O'Reilly Matty Yates I've heard from a couple of people that Michael Anderson has also agreed terms (although, like Jamieson, this hasn't been officially announced yet). From the rest of the squad, the only other player I'd like us to retain is Adam Corbett - I appreciate he's a little injury prone but I do think he's got the ability to make it as a high-calibre full-back with Stenhousemuir. The rest can leave with my best wishes. They're generally a likeable group of players but we've had two years of failure so moving on the goalkeepers, Sean Crighton and Ross Forbes means we can start again and reinvest their wages elsewhere. I've no doubt Gary Naysmith has been thinking about the new campaign for months and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does.

That was a decent way to finish up a garbage season. A good laugh. Something for all the family. A bit Soccer Aid-y. Matty Yates took both his goals very well, Mikey Anderson had a good game, Ross Forbes almost scored from 40 yards, and it was nice to see Conor Brennan playing for the final 10 minutes after missing four months through injury. I'm not sure how seriously Annan Athletic were taking it - they finished up with Wullie Gibson playing in central defence (?) - but nevertheless, I think everyone who watched the game will have enjoyed themselves. Nicky Jamieson has agreed terms for next season. According to the player, this was done weeks ago but hasn't been announced by the club. Anyone who hasn't signed up for the new year will meet with the manager next week to learn their fate.

Ochilview's a class wee ground and a great place to watch football. There are many words I'd use to describe our ground but "ramshackle" isn't one of them. What a fool!

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