2006/07 Season Review

A serialised account of our season by our man who has been at every match home and away - Ewan Lithgow

Part Eleven - May

14th July 2007

The immediate issue facing the club in May was the question of a new manager and with the managerial merry-go-round in full swing, particularly in the first division, it was important to get the right man on board quickly. Ross County, Partick Thistle and Livingston were also looking for a new man at the helm, Gretna remained in limbo and before the end of the month Clyde would join the ranks of those changing manager. In the end the solution came quickly and from within, though it came as a moderate surprise as Gordon Chisholm had ostensibly departed the club already having completed his short term contract as McCall's assistant. The board though were sure he was the man to lead the club forward and negotiations were concluded within a week. "Chis" signed on a two year contract. Stevie Morrison would also be staying though Chisholm intends to appoint his own assistant and has offered the position to Billy Dodds. At time of writing though the position remains vacant. David Rae welcomes Gordon Chisholm to the managers hotseat - Photograph from Drew Geddes - Solway Press Services, Dalbeattie

The other big issue for the club to deal with arrived in the run up to the Scottish Cup Final when it was uncovered that Jamie Adams was ineligible to have played for us in the two Scottish Cup ties against Cowdenbeath and Hibernian as he had sat on the bench for Kilmarnock in the third round at Morton, albeit as an unused substitute. We were duly investigated by the SFA and fined £20,000 for the offence although again, at time of writing, an appeal has been submitted and is yet to be heard. Of course, on the playing front we had no fixtures in May having narrowly avoided the playoffs again so it was a case of the new manager sorting out his squad. Even before he had been appointed Graham Weir and Murray Henderson departed the club at their own request and Jim Thomson and James Baty agreed new one year contract extensions. Having settled into the manager's chair Chisholm very quickly added John O'Neill and Eric Paton to next year's squad by agreeing contract extensions with them also, the latter despite concrete interest from Dundee. Barry John Corr and Andrew Barrowman though join the ranks of those released whilst Michael Mullen, although offered the chance to return for pre-season, opted to make his loan move to Stranraer permanent. The manager also confirmed that he was talking to Kilmarnock and Hearts about potential loan returns for the two Jamie's, Adams and MacDonald, though nothing was likely to develop on that front until pre-season re-started for everyone. In the final week of the month Ian McCall was appointed as manager of Partick Thistle to no huge surprise which will mean a quick return to Palmerston for him in the new season. Also to no great surprise he quickly moved to sign Craig Hinchcliffe in goal for his new club and Ryan McStay for the midfield, both successful loan players in his time at Palmerston. There are also strong media hints that he too will be talking to Kilmarnock about both Jamie Adams and Stevie Murray so things could yet get interesting there. Meantime off the field Aero Leather Clothing were drawn out as the new shirt sponsors from an impressive entry of 148 in the 11th Annual Shirt Draw. The new shirts will be supplied by Stuart Surridge Sports who have won the contract off Nike for next season. Sean O'Connor and Andy Aitken show off the new shirt design at Palmerston.

Oh well, maybe next year I'll get that mundane season to write about…………. Ewan Lithgow

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