After gaining promotion to the 1st division with virtually the last kick of the ball the previous season, Brechin were eagerly awaiting the 1st division to start. Brechin only needed a draw at New Douglas Park and Chris Templeman equalised in the 94th minute after going 2-0 behind to relegation threatened Hamilton.
Dick Campbell brought in 9 new faces over the summer to strengthen the squad for the step up, these players were Ally Mitchell (from St Mirren), Scott McCulloch (From Forfar), Marc McCulloch (From St Johnstone), Grant Johnson (From Montrose), Iain Davidson (From Sunderland), David White (From Cowdenbeath), Jay Stein (From Stenhousemuir) and Dene Shields. Two of these players were captains of their clubs so Brechin couldn't lack leadership.
Striker Chris Templeman knocked back a move to Morton in the summer, it was reported the Greenock side offered £75,000 for the player.
Brechin appointed Bert Paton as the new coach, he also worked with the Campbell brothers whilst at Dunfermline Athletic. Delson Contracts were also announced as the new sponsors, taking over from AP Jess, which was the sponsor for many years.
Brechin had a fairly successful pre-season, which included victories over Edinburgh United, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling Albion and Lochgelly Juniors, but sadly, couldn't break the deadlock against Montrose in a 0-0 draw. We were defeated by Peterhead and Dundee.
The first competitive game came against Falkirk in the Bell's Challange Cup 1st round, who were denied promotion to the SPL the previous season because of the 10,000 seater rule, much to Motherwell's delight. Brechin more than matched their opponents in the first half and deservedly took the lead through Charlie King mid-way through the 2nd half, a fantastic start to the season!
Then the league started, we travelled up to Dingwall to face Ross County, who had stuggled last year and narrowly avoided relegation. We travelled in confidence after our great display against Falkirk, only to be hammered 4-0, and to make matters worse, Ally Mitchell was sent off for a perfectly legal tackle.
We then had the perfect chance to put that defeat at the back of our minds so we could focus on our Bells Challenge Cup 2nd round game against 3rd division outfit Stirling Albion at Glebe Park. We started well and took the lead after 4 minutes through a Chris Templeman wonder-strike. We then made it 2-0 as Grant Johnson finished off a neat move. But things got worse, Scott McCulloch was sent off and Stirling Albion pulled a goal back as Scott McLean curled his free kick into the top corner. The bino's pushed for the equaliser but were caught on the counter attack when Anderson brought down Graham Gibson in the box. Kevin Fotheringham slotted in the resulting penalty.
Brechin then had their first home league match of the season against Raith Rovers, who were promoted as champions with Brechin last season. The gulf seemed to be huge, Raith were in control and a John Sutton hat-trick ensured Raith went home to Kirkaldy with all 3 points. Once again, Brechin had Derek Clark sent off, this was the 3rd sending off in 3 games.
Campbell felt changes needed to be made and he brought Dundee youngster Neil Jablonski in on loan until the January transfer window.
The signing proved to be a success as that man Neil Jablonski netted Brechin's first league goal of the league campaign after 4 minutes of the match against Clyde at Broadwood. But Clyde later equalised and then grabbed a winner in the last minute, just typical of our season.
Brechin were paired with St Johnstone in the Bell's Challenge Cup Quarter Final at McDiarmid Park. Brechin took a 2-0 first half lead with goals from Neil Jablonski and Kevin Fotheringham. Saints grabbed a last minute consolation but it was too late, Brechin were through to the semi final.
Campbell brought in another new face, but he was certainly familiar to the Brechin faithful. Derek Soutar was signed on loan from Dundee until the January transfer window, the Scotland U21 keeper was on loan at Brechin in the season where we were denied promotion to the 2nd division (00/01).
It was back to league business as we travelled to Perth again to play St Johnstone, the second meeting between the two teams in 5 days. This trip was not so successful, we slumped to a 3-1 defeat with Graham Gibson netting the only goal for City.
Later that day, Campbell announced another two signings, midfielder Kevin McLeish and striker Stevie Hampshire from Dunfermline, Sir Richard knew them well from his time at East End Park.
Daryn Smith left for Peterhead to enhance his chances of regular first team football. Daryn had spent his last few years with Brechin.
Brechin then challenged St Mirren in the league at Glebe Park, it was another great start for City as Kevin Fotheringham netted his 3rd goal of the season from the spot. But the lead was short lived as Ricky Gilles equalised 2 minutes later. The match finished 1-1, this was Brechin's first point of the season...
Then, the big match had arrived. The Semi Final of the Bell's Challenge Cup against 2nd division outfit Airdrie Utd at Glebe Park. Brechin were hopeful of reaching their second final in 2 years. David White scored a header in the first half and Airdrie were reduced to 10 men just before half time. But in the 2nd half the diamonds equalised and the game finished 1-1. But in extra time, Airdrie supplied the sucker punch as Alan Gow scored a spectacular solo effort in the last few minutes of extra time. It all ended in dissapointment.
Just as Brechin recovered from the shock in the cup, Inverness came calling at the Glebe in the league. Inverness were in full control from the start and returned to the highlands 3 points better off as they won 2-0.
We were drawn against Kilmarnock in the CIS cup at home, before this fixture, Brechin had never won against SPL opposition, could this be their night? Steven Hampshire opened the scoring in the first half and Brechin hung on to their lead, the team had created history by beating SPL opposition. Steven Hampshire was already a legend and he was bearly there for a month.
The next Saturday, we faced Ayr United at Somerset Park and the Ayr fans were congratulating us on beating their Ayrshire rivals. The honest men took a 2-0 lead, but Brechin fought back to 2-2, only to lose a goal in the last minute to Micky Dunlop, typical!
Brechin then went on to lose their next three games against Queen Of The South, Falkirk and Raith Rovers, the scores? 0-1, 0-3 and 1-2 respectively. The only good point about the month of October is that we defeated our Angus rivals Forfar in the Forfarshire cup. The game finished 3-3 in normal time as Brechin fought from 2-0 down. The match went straight to penalties where Forfar were edged out.
After the win against Kilmarnock in the previous round, Brechin were paired with Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the next round. But only to be hammered 5-0 in front of a good travelling support, it was a very dissapointing performance as we travelled in high hopes after the great performance in the match against Killie.
Then, at last! The first win in the league came against Ross County at Glebe Park on November 1st. It looked to be another defeat for Brechin as County took the lead inside the first minute, but Davie White equalised from a header. Graham Bayne restored the visitors advantage just before half time. But in the second half, Davie White scored his 2nd goal of the game from another header, then Brechin took the lead through Jamie Smith. Kevin McLeish rounded the game off with a superb solo goal and the match finished 4-2 to Brechin. A sigh of relief for the Brechin fans.
Brechin then won a point at Love Street against St Mirren in a 0-0 draw, things were on the up! But sadly, the following week, we lost 1-0 to St Johnstone at Glebe Park, Peter McDonald netted the only goal of the game.
The second win of the season was again at Glebe Park against relegation threatened Ayr United. It was one way traffic all game and the match finished 3-1 to Brechin, Steven Hampshire netted his 3rd goal of the season and Kevin McLeish added to his goal against Ross County.
Brechin were brought back down to earth the following week as they were hammered 5-0 by Inverness CT at the Caledonian Stadium, Paul Ritchie was the star of the show.
The day before the home fixture against Falkirk, Dick Campbell brought in two youngsters from Dundee that were released from Dundee. Gavin Beith and Colin Boylan signed short term deals.
Brechin were cheated out of three points against Falkirk at Glebe Park. Brechin took the lead early on as Ally Mitchells thunderbolt found the net, while Marc Millar converted a penalty. Falkirk got a perfectly legal goal back in the second half, but no-one could say the same about Jason Lee's equaliser in the second half. It was clear that he shoved Derek Soutar before nodding into the empty net. The next week, Brechin were narrowly defeated by Queen Of The South at Palmerston Park for the second time, the score was once again 1-0 to the Doonhammers.
Later that week, Campbell once again took advantage of the realeased players at Dundee and brought in another youngster, Stevie Vanderdeyl.
City then couldn't gain a point in the next two games, they were defeated 2-1 by Ross County at Victoria Park and 3-1 by Clyde at Glebe Park. Graham Gibson was harshly sent off in the Clyde match, Brechin later won the appeal. Brechin gained a point against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park a week later, we were 2-0 down at half time but goals from Ally Mitchell and Steven Hampshire rescued a deserved point for City.
Campbell felt the strikeforce needed strengthening and signed youngster Darryl Duffy from Rangers, he also completed the signing of Scotland U21 captain Andy Dowie a week later from the Glasgow club.
It was Scottish Cup 3rd round time for City who wanted to continue their love affair with the cups against Inverness CT away from home. Brechin were again thrashed by the Highlanders, this time it was 5-1, slightly better than the 5-0 scoreline in the league.
City then turned their attention to the league and defeated St Mirren by 2 goals to nil at home, but the next week, Brechin were AGAIN thrashed by Inverness, and once again, the scoreline was slightly better, it was 4-2 with new boy Darryl Duffy netting a double for City.
Then the most important win of the season arrived for City at Somerset Park against Ayr United. Brechin defeated their relegation rivals by two goals to one, Marc Millar and Charlie King netted for City while Graeme Browne grabbed a goal back for Ayr. Brechin finished the game with 9 men.
Brechin defeated Queen Of The South 2-1 at Glebe Park, this was the first time Brechin had won two games in a row all season. Charlie King and Darryl Duffy netted the two important goals for City.
Just as City had hit form, they were hammered 5-0 by Falkirk at Ochilview, before this, we looked likely to stay up.
Then another crucial match came along, against Raith Rovers at Glebe Park, who were also struggling at the wrong end of the table. Antonio Calderon netted in the first half but Darryl Duffy equalised for Brechin in the second half with a glancing header into the corner.
Brechin signed Craig Winter from Cowdenbeath as a "joker".
Then back to back draws against Clyde and St Mirren away from home lifted City's hopes, but it was starting to look too late.
The two matches against both St Johnstone and Ayr United at home ended in dissapointment. The Saints won 2-0 and Ayr somehow won 3-0 when Brechin were planning seige on their goal in the first half.
Once again, Brechin improved on their performances against Inverness CT, City only conceded 1 goal in a 1-0 defeat. The goal came from Barry Wilson from the penalty spot, and the decision was very harsh.
City were narrowly defeated by Falkirk at Glebe Park, Russell Latapy scored the bairns only goal with a spectacular volley. The following week-end, Brechin salvaged a point against QOS after going from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
Then, the sad day for all supporters arrived, despite winning 1-0 against Ross County, Brechin were officially relegated to the Bell's Second Division.
In their last two games of the 1st division, Brechin visited Raith at Starks Park in the 1-1 draw and played host to Championship chasing Clyde at Glebe Park, the game finished 5-2 to the Bully Wee but Inverness were crowned champions.
Chris Templeman finished top scorer for Brechin with 7 goals, a lot fewer than the 24 he netted the previous year.
Charlie King was voted Player's Player of the Year and Supporters Player Of The Year, Steven Vanderdeyl picked up the Young Player Of The Year award.
Just before the season finished, Brechin made the signing of Paul Ritchie from Inverness, he finished top scorer of the 1st division in all competitions.
City-Mad looks forward to reporting the matches once again next year and hopefully we can return back to the 1st division as it's where we want to be.