Redcar

Ref's are shite mate. We had an absolute shocker last week. - blatant pen ignored by Specsavers & Co. Just saying that it's nice to be on the benevolent end for a change. Fuming when it goes against us, smiling when it's in our favour. I guess that goes for most fans, though

Finally something good happens this season. First 3 points in a reasonably comfortable win at Shire, with their fans whingeing about refs rather than us. Rated loanee Klimionek (from St Johnstone) got his first 45 minutes and Jamie McCormack is available next week after his long ban. And Pat Scullion got sent off at half time, for being Pat Scullion.

Terrible. Third of the team are excellent, third of the team are OK journeymen, third of the team are just utterly shite. So, we play each game with great gaping holes of uselessness somewhere on the pitch.

Over 400 there yesterday - better than in our last season in the SPFL. But 1 point from 9 is unlikely to have new fans queuing at the turnstiles anytime soon. Taylor was back yesterday and McCormack will be available in a few weeks, also a clean sheet and a better display generally. Some usually nailed on players dropped to the bench for being shite midweek too. That's all the good news, folks. We still pass like blind men, have nobody to support Buchanan up front, and have a bench that is as potent as a Chinese curry. As for the various social media outlets mentioned above, I think the Twitter feed on matchdays is excellent, though fan reaction is rare. Not many fans on here, either, as many migrated to Arsebook only to find that any critical comment is met with ridicule/vilification by people who, against all available evidence, are convinced that they are funny.

I get why Stevenson came in, but another baffling decision to bench Cummings. 6 points lost and it's not yet the end of July. O'Connor's loss is a massive blow, but if we hadn't signed perennial under achievers in the Baker's, Harris and Allan, we'd have a few more options. And now we have at least 2 more injuries to deal with. I was quitly optimistic, but in just 4 days It's all gone horribly tits up.

So important to start the season off well - and once again we don't. Groundhog Day - players unavailable, a long term injury to a key signing and a defeat. O'Connor will likely be missing till after Xmas (maybe all season), McCormack has an 8 game ban, Taylor has a 2-game ban, Stevenson is allegedly injured, Sinclair doesn't get a mention and we have no forwards to support Buchanan anyway. The team now picks itself with no positive changes possible from the bench. Need a big reaction on Tuesday.

Forgot to mention Cammy Graham as a forward option. Not an out and out striker, but he looked good against Sunderland.

703 there for Dennis's testimonial against a young Sunderland side. Thought we played well - certainly matched them for much of the game - but, predictably, we were really lightweight up front. You are not alone in wondering why either of the Baker's are still here. They are simply not good enough for this level. The jury has long since returned a negative verdict on Lewy Allen. He's had more than enough chances, and whilst he is a decent and strong hold-up man, he offers no threat in the box. (Though he was better than the trialist who came on in the second half). That only leaves Buchanan, the odd dart forward from midfield and set pieces. But, I think the defence and midfield have been seriously improved by Stu Malcolm for this season. Sneddon is excellent, Mackay looks good, McCormack has yet to appear and Ferguson is the best defender in the League. O'Connor looks good too - though he got a bad injury on Saturday - and generally I was impressed with the quality of our play, until it reached their box. Kev Dixon would ingratiate himself with the fans if he popped open his cheque book and signed a decent attacker. I think that is all that stands between us and a really good season. (injuries aside)

2nd friendly win for Berwick. 3-2 against Hibs B.

Absolutely agree. We are, according to the gaffer, still looking for a striker. But there can't be much money left in the piggy bank and proven goalscorers don't come cheap.

Berwick Rangers came to some sort of an agreement with Jamie regarding his absence for the first month of the season. Whatever that means. Perhaps he is waiving his wages or something.

Thought we should get up to date with a new thread. (Won't be much traffic on here, most fans still use the 'from the grove' page on Facebook). This is our squad, so far. Never actually saw any confirmation that Lewis Baker re-signed, but he is on the website so presumably has a contract. (Maybe he had a 2-year contract last season). It's a strong defence and a decent midfield, but really light up front. OUT Steven Anderson (to Crossgates Primrose), Dylan Orr (released), Jamie Pyper (to 'shire) SQUAD GK's Callum Antell, Thomas Kay DEFENDERS Blair Sneddon (in from Falkirk), Callum Mackay (in from Spartans), David Ferguson, Jamie McCormack (in from Bo'ness), Kyle Baker, Michael Travis. MIDFIELD Alex Harris, Cammy Graham, Drew Cummings (in from Tweedmouth Rangers), Graham Taylor, Grant Nelson, Jamie Stevenson, Jordan Sinclair, Kane O'Connor (in from Tranent), Lewis Barr. FORWARDS Liam Buchanan, Lewis Allan, Lewis Baker

Berwick Rangers. OUT Steven Anderson (to Crossgates Primrose), Dylan Orr (released), Jamie Pyper (to 'shire) SQUAD GK's Callum Antell, Thomas Kay DEFENDERS Blair Sneddon (in from Falkirk), Callum Mackay (in from Spartans), David Ferguson, Jamie McCormack (in from Bo'ness), Kyle Baker, Michael Travis. MIDFIELD Alex Harris, Cammy Graham, Drew Cummings (in from Tweedmouth Rangers), Graham Taylor, Grant Nelson, Jamie Stevenson, Jordan Sinclair, Kane O'Connor (in from Tranent), Lewis Barr. FORWARDS Liam Buchanan, Lewis Allan, Lewis Baker

Aye, fair comment.

They want 2 teams in the SPFL a) to give their reserves/youths better opposition and b) (Kerching!) To eventually get thousands of the faithful in through the gate every week, instead of every fortnight.

Callum Mackay has signed for Berwick. Any thoughts?

Absolutely agree. And it will only get stronger as it is easier to leave at the bottom than the top.

Berwick have strengthened in midfield and defence from last year, when we finished 7th after a poor 1st half of the season. Another striker or two to help Buchanan, and we'll be a good outside bet.

Big chance for some enterprising team in East of Scotland Div 3, to jump several tiers in one go.

Berwick Rangers will be voting against the Conference League Excellent statement from the Board, tonight. https://berwickrangers.com/berwick-rangers-to-vote-against-conference-league-proposal/

Berwick Rangers fans have voted 90% against the Conference proposals in a Facebook poll on a fans forum. (Amazes me that 10% think it's a cracking idea) The club itself engaged with members of their 1881 club, via Zoom and FB messages. It's been reported that there were no positive comments made about the proposals. But the club have yet to make a statement from the Boardroom.

How do Tranent fans feel about O'Connor's move? Being hailed as a major signing by the Berwick boss, who seems intent on playing him as a defensive midfielder rather than a centre-back.

Any fans from previous clubs got any comments?

If there are any cracks in the OF defence of the indefensible, the little people should try to exploit them. The B teams, the Conference League and the Lowland League are all warts on the same OF genitals. Club and league officials slavering to the men in suits at every conceivable opportunity, in exchange for a cup final ticket and a prawn sandwich, is not a pretty sight. But, given the current opportunities, any club would surely prefer to be in the Conference than the Lowland League. Principles aside (and they are in short supply), they will be one step nearer to the holy grail of the SPFL in the Conference than in the Lowland League. Seems clear to me that there are so many good clubs wallowing away at Base Camp, the obvious answer is a 20-team 4th tier in the SPFL, which (gulp) would have to include B teams. 3 up, 3 down and some compromise in funding and politics, but surely a better bet than the shite we have now and the proposed shittier alternatives.

Monkey tennis?