Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme – vs. Kelty Hearts 06.01.24

vs KELTY HEARTS Saturday 6th January ‘24 • 3.00pm KO

BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of Balmoral Stadium Balmoral Comtec Balmoral Tanks Balmoral Business Park BLAZE Manufacturing Solutions Friends of ANCHOR www.balmoral‐group.com

01

vs KELTY HEARTS Balmoral Stadium • Saturday 6th January ‘24 • 3.00pm KO

Features

Edinburgh City Match Report

04

Montrose Match Report

08

Josh Kerr Feature

16

Connor Scully Feature

28

Regulars 02 12 14 20 24 31 34 35 37

Fixtures & League Table Season 23/24 Statistics Player & Management Sponsorship Captain’s Column View from the Dugout Club Partners Club Information Club Honours Today’s Team Lines

Match Sponsor

Matchball Sponsor

02 FIXTURES A

Tues 9th Jan, ‘24

Falkirk v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

A

Sat 13th Jan, ‘24

Hamilton Academical v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

A

Sat 20th Jan, ‘24

Brora Rangers v Cove Rangers

Scottish Cup

H

Sat 27th Jan, ‘24

Cove Rangers v Queen of the South

cinch League One

H

Tues 3rd Feb, ‘24

Stirling Albion v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

LEAGUE TABLE cinch League One

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Falkirk

18

14

4

0

44

11

33

46

Hamilton Academical

19

12

5

2

41

13

28

41

Cove Rangers

18

9

5

4

34

21

13

32

Montrose

18

7

4

7

27

28

-1

25

Queen of the South

19

7

2

10

27

32

-5

23

Kelty Hearts

17

6

4

7

24

25

-1

22

Alloa Athletic

17

6

4

7

21

26

-5

22

Stirling Albion

18

5

4

9

15

32

-17

19

Annan Athletic

18

2

5

11

21

39

-18

11

Edinburgh City

18

2

3

13

24

51

-27

9

50/50 WINNER The winning ticket number at the Edinburgh City game was 144880. The £500 prize was claimed by Jim Cartney.

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04 EDINBURGH CITY MATCH REPORT

MATCH REPORT

Cove Rangers Edinburgh City cinch League One Sat 23rd December ‘23 Balmoral Stadium

7 2

05 Cove Rangers romped to victory on a bizarre afternoon during which the team could easily have scored even more goals but might have trailed 2-1 in the first half; Nick Suman twice coming to the rescue and saving a penalty.

The win was however richly deserved, the side playing some outstanding football as they bounced back strongly from the previous week’s disappointment against Alloa.

The game would not have taken place but for staff and volunteers spending hours clearing snow off the pitch. Referee Ross Hardie delayed kick-off by half an hour to allow the work to be completed, after Inverurie Locos Chairman Mike Macaulay came along with his plough to finish the job.

Edinburgh kicked-off with the sleet blowing across the pitch, but it was not long before Cove took a grip on proceedings. Yule and Gallagher were prominent in the early exchanges and the latter had a twenty yard effort blocked by an already hard pressed visiting defence.

The breakthrough came soon after.

Gallagher played an inch perfect pass through for Rumarn BURRELL and the striker showed great composure as he rounded McNeil to roll home the opener.

Almost immediately, Edinburgh were level with a freak goal. From a free-kick wide right and some forty yards out, Robbie MAHON fired in a delivery which beat everyone, skidded on the sodden surface, and flew inside the far post.

There followed a succession of Cove chances.

Burrell had a ten yard effort blocked, Scully just failed to connect with an inviting Yule cross, then from a Doyle delivery Rumarn got the ball stuck under his feet at the back post and it was hacked to safety.

From another flowing move, Burrell headed home from a pinpoint Doyle cross, but had strayed just offside.

A succession of corners came to nothing and then, out of nowhere, City might have snatched the lead. Mark Reynolds’ pass was intercepted by Mahon who sped goalwards, his low drive brilliantly pushed behind by Nick Suman. And within seconds the big Aussie was again called into action. Will Gillingham tugged Fisher to the ground in the box and referee Hardie pointed to the spot. Offord’s penalty was low and well struck, but Nick dived to his right and held the ball.

We did finally regain the lead in first half stoppage time following more excellent build-up play. Yule and Doyle exchanged passes, Rumarn BURRELL then laid the ball off, and when Blair’s low cross was halfcleared, the striker was there to net his eighteenth of the season from ten yards.

Cove started strongly after the interval, Burrell having a shot deflected over then Scully heading just wide at the back post.

The third eventually came soon after.

06 EDINBURGH CITY MATCH REPORT

“ The pressure was incessant, the players maintaining their high standards on the day...”

Burrell put Ewen under pressure, snatched the ball from the defender and raced towards the bye-line. His cut back ran perfectly into the path of Blair YULE and the midfielder’s shot squirmed under the keeper’s body.

It was attack after attack now, Edinburgh defending desperately as they held us at bay. Megginson had one shot saved and another bounced just wide, then out of the blue the visitors were back in it.

Mercer cut in and drove forward before unleashing a powerful shot which Ouzy SEE appeared to get a slight touch on to divert past Suman.

Mitch Megginson was again denied by McNeil who turned his powerful shot behind for a corner, but we restored our two goal advantage in the seventyfirst minute. Cameron Stewart pinged a superb fifty yard pass for Burrell to run on to and the striker squared for Blair YULE to hammer home his second of the game.

Brodie Devine, booked twice in four minutes for fouls on Burrell, was sent off, and down to ten men, Edinburgh faced an even tougher task. The beleaguered visitors were overrun in the closing stages as Cove ran riot.

Scully had a shot blocked and Tyler Mykyta one saved before both were involved as we made it 5-2. From Mykyta’s pass, Burrell cut the ball back

COVE RANGERS (4-4-2)

07

Suman; Doyle (Darge 69), Gillingham (Stewart 42), Reynolds, Jones; Yule, Sena, Gallagher (Connell 77), Scully; Megginson (c) (Mykyta 77), Burrell Substitutes Robertson, Williamson Goalscorers Burrell (6, 45), Yule (50, 71), Connell (85, 90), Scully (89) Booked Sena (53)

EDINBURGH CITY (4-4-1-1) from the bye-line and Kyle CONNELL gleefully pounced to net his first league goal of the season.

The pressure was incessant, the players maintaining their high standards on the day, and Mykyta – who made a big impact as a late substitute – fed Yule to set up another opening. Yule lifted his cross to the back post and Connor SCULLY rose highest to cleverly loop his header back over McNeil and into the net.

There was to be one more goal, Cove netting seven for just the second time since joining the SPFL in 2019, emulating the feat last achieved in a 7-1 win at Stirling in the final match played before the COVID shutdown in March 2020.

Sena, who once again impressed in midfield, stole the ball deep in the Edinburgh half and rolled it forward for Kyle CONNELL to finish in convincing fashion.

McNeil; Devine, Mercer, Fontaine (c) (Omojiade 54), Ewen; Pitt (MacNamara 46), Mahon, Leitch, Offord (Sambou 65); See (Anuka 77), Fisher (Peter 46) Substitutes Robertson, Khan, Mair, Conafrey Goalscorers Mahon (7), See (65) Booked Devine (76) Sent off Devine (80)

Referee Ross Hardie

Attendance 521

08 MONTROSE MATCH REPORT

MATCH REPORT Montrose 1 Cove Rangers 1 cinch League One Sat 30th December ‘23 Links Park

The players battled through horrific conditions to secure a point, Rumarn Burrell earning the draw as he cancelled out Kane Hester’s early opener. We might have snatched the win after creating some good opportunities, particularly in the second half, but also had to thank Nick Suman, the big Aussie saving a penalty for the second week in a row.

With Fraser Fyvie and Balint Demus ruled out, and Luke Strachan edging closer to fitness, Paul Hartley made two changes for the trip down the coast. Free from suspension, Josh Kerr returned in place of Mark Gallagher, and having come on as a substitute last weekend, Cameron Stewart started instead of Will Gillingham.

On a miserable afternoon, with the wind and rain driving down the pitch, it was the home side who made the better start, forcing a couple of early corners. Stewart made a timely challenge to prevent Hester from running clear in the box, then after good work by Lyons on the right, Shrive shot over from ten yards.

We finally got up the park in the eighth minute, Yule’s crossfield pass finding Scully in the box, but Connor’s angled shot was blocked.

Montrose took the lead soon after on the counter-attack. Lyons got in behind, skipped away from a couple of challenges and passed to Kane HESTER. The striker,

09

free in the box, showed composure as he chipped the ball over the diving Suman into the net.

It might have been 2-0 in the seventeenth minute. Webster lifted the ball over our back line for Shrive to run on to, but Nick Suman was quickly off his line to save bravely at the midfielder’s feet.

With conditions worsening, Yule forced a corner down the right, and Scully’s delivery caused havoc in the home penalty area before the Montrose defence finally scrambled the ball to safety.

Mikey Doyle then made headway with a driving run before being brought down.

Scully swept in the free-kick, but it was cleared easily. Minutes later, Josh Kerr broke through and cut the ball back, Burrell cleverly laid it off, but Blair Yule’s shot was deflected over.

We very nearly equalised in our next attack. Mitch Megginson was brought down twenty-five yards out and it was Josh Kerr who stepped up to take the free-kick, his well struck effort whistling just wide of the far post.

And we came agonisingly close immediately after. Megginson fed Scully, who lifted his pass into the box and

10 MONTROSE MATCH REPORT

Burrell’s angled volley flew inches wide of the same upright.

The equaliser finally came shortly before the interval.

Suman cleared, the ball swirling in the wind, and when it finally bounced down, Yule flicked it forwards. Rumarn BURRELL took a touch in the centre circle and raced away from Quinn, driving into the area before sweeping his angled shot low past Gill. It was the striker’s nineteenth of the season.

The rain had thankfully gone off as Montrose got the second half underway, but the wind was still causing mayhem for the players. Despite that, we very nearly snatched the lead. Doyle clipped the ball into the box and Burrell got ahead of his marker to flick a shot goalwards. Gill saved, and as the home side half-cleared, Scully unleashed a twenty-yarder which was charged down.

Scully and Burrell both caused problems for Montrose in our next attack, and when the ball fell for Megginson the captain curled an inviting pass into the six yard box, Steeves heading it narrowly wide of his own post. The resultant corner was picked up by Reynolds and when he returned it into the danger area, Burrell spun and hooked his effort inches past.

Despite shooting into the gusting wind, Cove were dominating, and came close again after a flowing move. Scully, Megginson and Yule were all involved in the build-up, Burrell laid it off, and Josh Kerr fired goalwards, bringing a good save out of Cammy Gill.

Out of nowhere, the home side were handed a golden opportunity. Cameron Stewart challenged substitute Ben Hermiston and referee Duncan pointed immediately to the spot. Veteran midfielder Michael Gardyne stepped up

“ Despite shooting into the gusting wind, Cove were dominating...” to take the award, shooting low to the keeper’s left, but for the second successive week, Nick Suman pulled off a superb penalty save.

The rain was back on again now, the conditions making it increasingly difficult for the players, and free-flowing football was at a premium. We did put together one move, Doyle and Scully combining to find Burrell, but Rumarn was closed down before he could shoot.

With the game moving into its final ten minutes, the manager made his first switch, Scott Williamson on for Mitch Megginson.

We created another opening with just four minutes remaining. Scully set Burrell free down the left, but his cutback was just behind Yule. Kerr gathered and chipped the ball into the box, but Williamson’s looping header was grabbed by Gill.

There was an even better chance seconds later when Kerr curled a superb pass to the back post, but Williamson took a touch rather than shoot first time, and the keeper rushed out to smother the ball.

It was to be the final opportunity of a difficult afternoon, the players deserving great credit for seeing the game through and emerging with what could yet be a vital point.

MONTROSE(4-3-3) Gill; Williamson, Quinn, Graham, Steeves (c) (Watson 74); Callaghan (Hermiston 65), Gardyne, Shrive (Waddell 74); Webster, Hester, Lyons (Brown 65) Substitutes Matthews, Craig, Dillon, Bradford, Batchelor Goalscorers Hester (10) Booked Graham (90)

COVE RANGERS (4-4-2) Suman; Doyle, Stewart, Reynolds, Jones; Yule, Sena, Kerr, Scully; Megginson (c) (Williamson 90), Burrell Substitutes Robertson, Gillingham, McGowan, Connell, Darge, Mykyta, Gallagher Goalscorers Burrell (42) Booked Doyle (54), Yule (90)

Referee Gavin Duncan

Attendance 617

11

12 SEASON 23/24 STATS Date

Fixture

Competition

H/A

Score

18/07/23

Clyde

VPC

H

5-2

22/07/23

Brechin City

VPC

A

3-2

25/07/23

Livingston

VPC

H

0-5

29/07/23

Hamilton Acad.

VPC

A

2-2

05/08/23

Hamilton Acad.

SPFL1

A

0-1

12/08/23

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

2-2

19/08/23

Montrose

SPFL1

A

3 -0

26/08/23

Queen of the South

SPFL1

H

1-2

02/09/23

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

A

0-1

09/09/23

Montrose

SPFL Trust Trophy

H

0-2

16/09/23

Kelty Hearts

SPFL1

H

2-2

23/09/23

Edinburgh City

SPFL1

A

2-2

30/09/23

Stirling Albion

SPFL1

A

2-2

07/10/23

Annan Athletic

SPFL1

H

3-2

28/10/23

Queen of the South

SPFL1

A

1-0

04/11/23

Hamilton Acad.

SPFL1

H

1-0

11/11/23

Kelty Hearts

SPFL1

A

1-0

14/11/23

Montrose

SPFL1

H

1-0

18/11/23

Stirling Albion

SPFL1

H

3-1

25/11/23

Stirling Albion

Scottish Cup

A

2-0

09/12/23

Annan Athletic

SPFL1

A

3-1

SPFL1

H

1-2

16/12/2023 Alloa Athletic

Name

Nick Suman

Balint Demus

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

7

0

GK

0

0

17

0

Jacob Jones

20

0

Jason Naismith

1

0

Michael Doyle

10

1

Will Gillingham

21

Arron Darge

15

0

Cameron Stewart

12

0

Mark Reynolds

18

Luke Strachan

Josh Kerr

Rio Phipps

Connor Scully

Mouhamed Niang

0

11

0

0 1

1

0

24

2

23

1

0

GK DF

DF

1

3 2

0

0

0

DF

0

0

DF

0

0

DF

3

1

DF

0

0

DF

1

0

DF

DF

2

0

DF

0

MF

2

MF

3

1

0

0

0

0

13 Date

Fixture

Competition

H/A

Score

23/12/23

Edinburgh City

SPFL1

H

7-2

30/12/23

Montrose

SPFL1

A

1-1

06/01/24

Kelty Hearts

SPFL1

H

09/01/23

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

13/01/24

Hamilton Acad.

SPFL1

A

20/01/24

Brora Rangers

Scottish Cup

A

27/01/24

Queen of the South

SPFL1

H

03/02/24

Stirling Albion

SPFL1

A

10/02/24

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

17/02/24

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

A

24/02/24

Annan Athletic

SPFL1

H

02/03/24

Edinburgh City

SPFL1

A

09/03/24

Montrose

SPFL1

H

16/03/24

Kelty Hearts

SPFL1

A

23/03/24

Hamilton Acad.

SPFL1

H

30/03/24

Stirling Albion

SPFL1

H

06/04/24

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

13/04/24

Annan Athletic

SPFL1

A

20/04/24

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

27/04/24

Queen of the South

SPFL1

A

04/05/24

Edinburgh City

SPFL1

H

Name

Blair Yule

Iain Vigurs

Tyler Mykyta

Mark Gallagher

Fraser Fyvie

Paul McGowan

Mitch Megginson

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

2

0

MF

1

0

15 11

11

3 1

1

8

2

16

5

19

1

Rumarn Burrell

24

19

Dayshonne Golding

4

0

0

0

Kyle Connell

20

Scott Williamson

16

Milosz Ochmanski

0

Jack Robertson

Myles Gaffney

1

7

MF

0

MF

0

MF

0

0

FW

3

1

MF

MF

2

2

FW

0

FW

0

GK

0

FW

1

FW

0

DF

0

1

FW

2 1

0

0

0

0 1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

14 SPONSORSHIP

Advertising opportunities Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

1. Nick Suman

2. Jacob Jones

3. Michael Doyle

4. Connor Scully

5. Mouhamed Niang

6. Will Gillingham

7. Paul McGowan

8. Blair Yule

9. Mitch Megginson

Player Sponsors

Paul Hartley

Management Sponsors

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15 to organisations who are looking to share

marketing messages or build their brand.

To register interest for sponsorship, contact Angela Bruce: abruce@coverangersfc.com

10. Rumarn Burrell

11. Kyle Connell

14. Luke Strachan

15. Arron Darge

16. Iain Vigurs

17. Josh Kerr

18. Tyler Mykyta

19. Dayshonne Golding

20. Myles Gaffney

21. Balint Demus

22. Mark Gallagher

24. Fraser Fyvie

26. Mark Reynolds

27. Cameron Stewart

28. Rio Davidson-Phipps

29. Scott Williamson

CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities

16 JOSH KERR FEATURE

JOSH KERR As 2024 kicks-off with this afternoon’s encounter against Kelty Hearts, one Cove Rangers player in particular is hoping the new year brings him better luck.

Just when he was bedding in after signing a two-year deal, Josh Kerr suffered a broken ankle against Queen of the South in August which was to sideline him for ten matches. Having undergone intensive rehabilitation, Josh returned to the side in mid-November, but in just his third comeback game, got sent-off at Galabank.

That incurred a two match suspension, meaning he missed the pre-Christmas encounters with Alloa and Edinburgh City, before returning for the final game of 2023 against Montrose at Links Park.

“It’s been really frustrating in a number of ways. Firstly, I had the injury which kept me out for almost three months,

then when I got back fit and got a few outings under my belt, I had the sending-off at Annan.

“I watched it back, and it was a red, but there was no intent there, and that made it harder to accept. The good thing is, I’m fit again, but it wasn’t much fun training all week then not being involved on the Saturday. Hopefully that’s all behind me now.”

As one of the new faces, Josh had to settle into his new environment along with the rest of the summer captures, but he says it did not take him long to realise that he had made the correct decision signing on at Balmoral Stadium: “It’s been really good. Obviously, there were a few boys here from last year, but in the main it’s a new group and that did take time to gel. We had a bad start, but then had that eleven match unbeaten

17

run which showed how quickly things can change once you get used to each other.

“It’s not just about getting used to the gaffer and the coaches, and what they want you to do, or only about what happens on the pitch, it’s also about getting to know each other as people, and once you’ve done that, and struck up a few relationships, that can be a massive help.

“There are different personalities in our dressing room, just like every other one in the country. You’ve got the louder ones like Doyley (Michael Doyle), he has certainly added something to the changing room, and you’ve got the likes of Sena and Rumarn, who are more chilled out, a bit quieter, but you need that mix, and it really is a good group of boys.”

Following the massive upheaval last summer, and the introduction of fulltime football, it took a little time for the training schedule to be refined, Paul Hartley eventually settling on two evening sessions during which the whole squad could work together. Josh believes that paid an instant dividend: “That made a big difference, the manager was obviously feeling his way with the new hybrid set-up, but since that was changed, the results have improved, and it has helped us as a group.

“I know the league well, and you just can’t expect to have an off-day, turn up, and get the win, it doesn’t work like that.

You can be the nicest, prettiest football team, but if you don’t battle hard and have that hunger, teams can hang on

18 JOSH KERR FEATURE then hit you late, as we saw with the Alloa game last month. It’s a division where you have to be fully focused and determined for every single match.

“We will just continue to tick off the games and hopefully pick up the three points. We can’t affect what Falkirk and Hamilton are doing, or the likes of Montrose and Kelty, who are in and around where we are in the table.

“ It’s a division where you have to be fully focused and determined for every single match” “We want to be in the play-offs as a bare minimum; that would have been the objective at the start of the season.

What we have to do is try to get as many points as we can from the games against our nearest rivals, get into the top four, then we’ll take our chances from there.”

• Arrival 1.5 hours prior to kick-off • Complimentary drinks • Sandwich platter pre-match • Reserved seating in the West Stand • Half-time tea, coffee and pie

• Full-time bar for 45 minutes after final whistle • Car parking • No dress code • One-off option or book for the season

20 CAPTAIN’S VIEW Happy New Year to all Cove Rangers fans, I hope you have enjoyed the celebrations over the festive period, and I’m sure you, like all the players, are looking forward to see what 2024 brings.

We rounded off last year down at Montrose, and the conditions that afternoon were among the worst I have ever played in, it really was pretty awful! Both sides are capable of playing good football, and we did put together some decent moves, but as the weather deteriorated, it just turned into a battle, and it certainly wasn’t pretty.

We kept working hard, did what we could in terms of keeping the ball down and trying to play it in behind.

We probably did create enough chances to nick it, but it wasn’t to be, and on the day a draw was, I guess, a fair enough result.

On a day like that, you just don’t want to lose, and the point kept the momentum going against a side which will obviously be among our promotion rivals.

It helped that Nick pulled off another penalty save, he’s a big presence in goal, had done his homework and chose the right way. He has been excellent for us since coming into the team, keepers love saving pens, and he was rightly chuffed afterwards.

Over the piece it was a really satisfying second quarter to the campaign. We hadn’t started as well as we had hoped to, so it was really important, and picking up seven wins and a draw from the nine matches was a great return and shot us right up the table.

The one loss, against Alloa, was disappointing, but we bounced back, and we’ve put ourselves in a good position going into the second half of the season.

Kelty are among the clubs that will be challenging us, and they’re a good side. We have already had

21

CAPTAIN’S VIEW

22 CAPTAIN’S VIEW

23

“ Over the piece it was a really satisfying second quarter to the campaign.” two tough games against them, and it was the first, when we fought back from two nil down to snatch a 2-2 draw, that really got us up and running.

We then went down there, beat them 1-0, and put in a strong defensive showing.

This time, we’re at home, and we want to impose our presence on the game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing in this league, you know you’re in for a tough test, and Kelty have done well, so we just have to make sure we are ready for the challenge.

When you are going head-to-head with the teams around you, first and foremost you just have to make sure you don’t lose the game, it’s important to pick up points, and to maintain the advantage you have over the sides below you.

Having got that foothold, then you press on and try to secure the victory.

We can’t do anything to affect those above us, other than when we’re playing Falkirk and Hamilton. It’s out of our control, so we just need to try to keep winning and hope they slip up, and we will see where that leaves us at the end of the season.

Whatever happens, it looks like being an exciting few months ahead, and we will be giving everything we have to make it a successful time.

Mitch COYC!

24 VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

PAUL HARTLEY I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2024, I hope it is a successful and enjoyable one for all Cove Rangers fans.

Last week’s draw down at Montrose came on what was one of the most difficult afternoons I have seen in all my time in football. The wind, the rain, the conditions were absolutely awful, so all credit to the players; they never stopped working, made some good opportunities, and given everything, I saw it as a decent point.

I would also like to say thankyou to all the supporters who travelled down on a miserable day, your backing was much appreciated!

It was a reminder down at Links Park that you always need to be thinking and ready to adapt to how the match is panning out. We’ve been very successful with the formation we have used in recent months, but it wasn’t working against Montrose, so we changed to more of a diamond in midfield, pushing Blair Yule to the tip of it, and that got us back into the game.

We built on that, Rumarn Burrell scored a great goal, and second half we had some really good chances; we could have scored more on the day. We did however have Nick Suman to thank again as he saved a penalty for the second successive game. He had taken a bad knock to his cheek in the first half, so fair play to him for keeping going, and that save was obviously crucial for us.

25

26 VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

27

“ We are in a good place and will be going all out to start the New Year with the full three points.”

We’ve got a hard month coming up, with some testing away matches, but we go into that in a confident frame of mind having taken twenty-two points out of twenty-seven in the second quarter. That’s a brilliant return, and the aim will be to match that in the next quarter and keep pushing up the table.

It’s Kelty next up this afternoon, and they are obviously among our challengers for the promotion and play-off places; they’re a good team.

Michael Tidser has done a fine job there stepping up into management. I’ve known him a long time and I’m not surprised how he has adapted to it. He has recruited well and his team plays some good football.

It was a tough one down there last time round; we got the early goal, but they had us under the cosh a wee bit second half, and we had to defend well to hold on for the points.

I have no doubt it will be another hard game, but we’re at home and we need to make the most of that advantage. We are in a good place and will be going all out to start the New Year with the full three points.

That would be the best possible way to kick-off 2024, and it would set us up nicely for a run of demanding fixtures which will see us away to Falkirk and Hamilton in the league and Brora Rangers in the Scottish Cup before we return to Balmoral Stadium at the end of the month.

Enjoy the game!

Paul Hartley

CONNOR

28 CONNOR SCULLY FEATURE

SCULLY

29 Having been with Cove Rangers since he was a teenager, midfielder Connor Scully has seen and done it all before with the club he loves.

A serial winner as Cove moved from the Highland League into the SPFL, and up through the divisions thereafter, Connor admits 2023 was a tough year, particularly the first half, when the side battled to retain its Championship status.

That ultimately ended in despair, and he acknowledges it was a difficult time for everyone at Balmoral Stadium: “You think back to the start of the year, we weren’t in a good place, it really was tough after being used to winning week in, week out, and then there was the heartbreak at the end of last season.

“There was also the change of manager twelve months ago, and a lot of new faces in January, and it just proved too tough a hurdle for us to overcome.”

Following that turnover at the start of 2023 when ten players arrived, a further twenty-one were signed in the summer, and Connor says it was inevitable it would take time for all that to settle down: “It’s like there has been two different changing rooms this year, and that took a bit of adjusting to given we’d had pretty much the same group for years. It was never going to happen overnight, we all needed time to bed in and get used to it.

“The last few months have seen a big improvement though, we’re looking a lot

“ The last few months have seen a big improvement though, we’re looking a lot stronger now...” stronger now, and it’s definitely much more enjoyable getting the wins on the board more regularly again.”

After the announcement at the end of the 22/23 campaign that the club was moving towards going full-time, the midfielder was even left wondering if he would still be here: “It was a strange time for the five of six of us part-time players, and I wasn’t sure what the future might hold for me, but the club stuck by us and made it clear they still wanted us to play a big part going forwards. I certainly expect to be here at least until the end of my contract.

“The experienced players like me, Mitch, Blair, Fraser and Mark know the club inside out, there’s a lot we can draw on to help the younger boys.”

So, how does it feel for Connor now being viewed as one of the old heads?

30 CONNOR SCULLY FEATURE “It’s a bit surreal to be honest! In my mind I still feel like a sixteen or eighteen year old and it’s been such a quick career, pretty much all of it obviously spent with Cove. There have been a few ups and downs along the way, that’s what happens in football, but it’s been a brilliant experience and I’ve loved it.

“I’m definitely not finished yet, I feel as if I’ve got as long way to go and will hopefully keep playing until I’m thirtyeight, thirty nine. It might not be here I guess, that will depend on what happens with the club looking to go full-time, but it’s been wonderful, and I’ll keep giving my all for as long as I’m asked to.”

With the second half of the season now getting up and running, and Cove very

much involved in the promotion shootout, Connor says he is excited by the prospect of what might lie ahead in 2024: “We’re in a decent place, we’ve shown a lot of good form and played some positive, attacking football, and we need to try to build on that as we move towards the run-in. It’s not an easy league, you can’t just turn up and expect to pick up the points; you need to work for everything you get.

“This is a strong group, we’re all focused on bringing success back to the club, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the next few months.”

CLUB PARTNERS Principal Club Partner

Official Club Partners

31 Principal Stadium Partner

Cllr Richard Brooks has been a voice for Aberdeen for over 20 years. He is now one of your local councillors

Richard has pioneered work with charities, community hubs, befriending and foodbank groups, raising over £200,000 in the last 24-months to help worthy causes and individuals facing challenging times.

If you would like an opportunity to meet with him and discuss any matters that you feel he can be of assistance with, please contact Richard on 07977 399 537 or email rbrooks@aberdeencity.gov.uk

34 CLUB INFORMATION Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens, Aberdeen AB12 3JG

T 01224 392111

F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com

Twitter

Facebook Instagram @coverangersfc

Honorary President

Alan McRae OBE

Directors

Keith Moorhouse - Chairman

Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman Darren Anderson John Sheran Grant Moorhouse Willie Young

Safety Officers

Graeme Anderson, John Morgan

Committee

Michael Coull, Richard Forbes

Football Manager

Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager

Gordon Young

Fitness Coach

Tam Ritchie

Goalkeeping Coach

Derek Soutar

Coach

Gary Hake

Performance Analyst

Rhys Sutcliffe

Physiotherapist

Charlotte Clarke

Kit Manager

Ian Sellar

Club Doctor

David Fowler

Commercial Manager

Angela Bruce

Club Secretary

Davey Byrne

Head of Media & Communications

Richard Gordon

Digital Media

Andrew Jamieson

Club Photographers

Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes

Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer

Kate Dean

Club Chaplain

Dougie Simpson

CLUB HONOURS

35

Scottish League 1 Winners

Scottish League 2 ‘21-’22

Winners

‘19-’20

Highland League Winners Runners-up

‘00-’01, ‘07-’08, ‘08-’09, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16, ‘17-’18, ‘18-’19 ‘89-’90, ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96, ‘09-’10, ‘11-’12, ‘16-’17

Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01

Runners-up

‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04

Highland League Cup Winners Runners-up

‘94-’95, ‘99-’00, ‘04-’05, ‘14-1’5, ‘16-17, ‘18-’19 ‘90-’91, ‘92-’93, ‘95-’96, ‘97-’98, ‘05-’06, ‘07-’08, ‘11-’12

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners

‘01-’02, ‘10-’11, ‘18-’19

Runners-up

‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘16-’17, ‘17-’18

Aberdeenshire Shield Winners

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘17-’18

Runners-up

‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16

Aberdeenshire & District League Winners

‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘10-’11, ‘11-’12, ‘12-’13, ‘14-’15

Runners-up

‘06-’07

Aberdeenshire Centenary Cup Runners-up

Inter-League Trophy ‘86-’87

Winners

‘01-’02

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TODAY’S TEAM LINES

37

Cove Rangers

Kelty Hearts

Manager - Paul Hartley

Manager - Michael Tidser

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 14 15 17 20 21 23

Nick Suman Jacob Jones Michael Doyle Connor Scully Mouhamed Niang Will Gillingham Paul McGowan Blair Yule Mitch Megginson Rumarn Burrell Kyle Connell Milosz Ochmanski Luke Strachan Arron Darge Iain Vigurs Josh Kerr Tyler Mykyta Dayshonne Golding Myles Gaffney Balint Demus Mark Gallagher Jack Robertson Fraser Fyvie Mikey Milnes Mark Reynolds Cameron Stewart Rio Davidson-Phipps Scott Williamson

Kyle Gourlay Adam Corbett Jamie Walker Tam O’Ware Jason Thomson Tiwi Daramola Reece Lyon Craig Johnston Ross Cunningham Stefan McClusky Michael Tidser Botti Biabi Lewis Owens Billy Owens Liam Campbell Scott Cameron Lewis Moore

Today’s referee - Stewart Luke Today’s assistant referees - Andy Milne & Brian Christie Team lines sponsor