The season is shaping up.

3 good friendlies at Shielfield have been arranged. Who knows what the results will be but it’s 3 tough opponents from the higher levels that have been lined up and I must say I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully the quality of the opposition will attract a decent crowd. The 3 games are in July. Hibs on the 4th, Raith Rovers on the 7th and St Johnstone on the 10th. I’ll be down in Berwick for the first week of July so will catch the first 2 easily. The St Johnstone game will be a midweek travel down from Fife but I’ll come down with my dad for that one. Afternoon off work I think and take him for a curry for his dinner.

Next up the Betfred cup.

the season will then start with the Betfred cup. I enjoy this cup, it’s heavily weighted for the bigger teams and a bit odd in its selection of teams in the North/South split. Hearts are in the North section this year with Edinburgh City and Spartans in the South. It’s also the cup where a draw in the group stage results in the game going to penalties with no extra time and the victor receives a bonus point. I’m hoping we can beat Annan and finish second bottom as a realistic goal. Doing so will net the club an extra £2000 based on last years prize pot. Could we finish third? If we could it’s a good chunk of change. But it’s probably one of the toughest groups for the smaller teams.
In 2017/18 at the conclusion of the group stage, fifth-placed teams received £17,000, fourth-place teams received £19,000 and teams finishing third took home £21,000. The four worst runners-up, who failed to reach the knockout round exited with £25,000 while those knocked out in the last 16 earned £35,000.

I’ll try to get to all the games and take my dad too. The only one that is a likely problem is Annan away on a Tuesday night. That’s probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours away so a bit of a trek midweek but I’ll no doubt go. Airdrie and Hamilton at home shouldn’t be an issue and Livingston away is fine for me too. All the games should be fine for parking too, my dad is 80 and not so good on his pins anymore. Motherwell away last season was dreadful for him. Quite a bit of walking from the parking to the away section and very unsympathetic stewards. Turns out there was loads of parking next to the away end but we were not allowed to use it. Miserable sods. I checked before we traveled too but everything I was told was either not true or they didn’t care for one 80 year old away fan. Still onwards and upwards and hope for a few points and a bit of cash in the bank for the club.