Brechin City F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Brechin City Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The City, The Hedgemen | ||
| Founded | 1906 | ||
| Ground | Glebe Park, Brechin | ||
| Capacity | 4,123 (1,519 seated) | ||
| Chairman | Kevin Mackie | ||
| Manager | Patrick Cregg | ||
| League | Scottish League One | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish League One, 7th | ||
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Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team. It is based in the town of Brechin in Angus. The club started in 1906. It was formed by players and officials from two local teams, Brechin Harp and Brechin Hearts.
Brechin City currently plays in the Highland Football League. The team faced tough times recently. They were moved down to lower leagues three times in four seasons. This happened from 2018 to 2021.
The club's best achievements include winning the third level of Scottish football three times. Their most recent win was in 2004–05. Brechin City also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup once in 2002. They lost 2–0 to Queen of the South. Brechin's home ground is Glebe Park. It can hold 4,123 fans, with 1,519 seats. The stadium opened in 1919.
Contents
History of Brechin City FC
How Brechin City Started
Brechin City Football Club began in 1906. It was created by players and leaders from two local junior teams. These teams were Brechin Harp and Brechin Hearts. Football officials from the area suggested that Brechin should have one main senior club.
Brechin Harp stopped playing when the new club formed. Brechin Hearts continued as a successful junior team for a while. Brechin City won its first big local trophy, the Forfarshire Cup, in the 1909–10 season. Most of the players on that winning team were from Brechin. The club moved to its current home, Glebe Park, in 1919. This stadium is famous for the large hedge that runs along one side of the pitch.
Joining the Football League
The team joined the Scottish League in 1923. This was when the first Third Division was created. However, City struggled a lot. They finished last in their first season. The club left the Scottish League at the end of the 1925–26 season. Many other teams in that division also left.
Brechin City did not stay away for long. They returned to the League for the 1929–30 season. But again, the club finished at the very bottom. They continued to struggle in the lower half of the Second Division during the 1930s. The club then paused its activities during the Second World War.
After the War
Brechin City started playing again in the 1946–47 season. They joined the C Division, which was a mix of first teams and reserve teams. The club stayed in this setup until 1953–54. Their success in the North-East section of the division helped them rejoin the main League.
Their first season back saw them finish last again, but they were not moved down. Despite this shaky start, the club had a good period in the late 1950s. They finished in the top half of the league four times in a row. They also reached the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup in 1957–58.
The 1960s were tough for the club. They finished last several times, including two years in a row. This unwanted record was repeated in 1972–73 and 1973–74. Brechin City remained one of the weaker teams in Scottish League football during this time.
New Division Two Era
In the 1974–75 season, Brechin City finished 17th out of 20 teams. Because of a league change, they were placed in the new Division Two. This was the third level of the restructured League. The new setup did not help the club much at first. They stayed near the bottom of the league.
However, a mid-table finish in 1979–80 brought a change. The club started to aim for promotion for the first time as a full League member. With a new stand and lights added to Glebe Park, the team played with more ambition. They finally won their first title in the 1982–83 season. Under chairman David Will and player-manager Ian Fleming, the club won by just one point.
Brechin City in the 1980s
With good leadership, City found its place in the First Division. They played well in the 1983–84 season, finishing in a good fifth place. However, in 1986–87, the club was just barely moved down to a lower league. But they did not give up. They played strongly in the Second Division.
They won the title for the second time in the 1989–90 season. Again, they won by only one point, this time ahead of Kilmarnock.
The 1990s for Brechin
Brechin's return to the First Division was short. They were moved down right away. But in the 1992–93 season, they were promoted again, finishing second. However, they were moved down immediately once more. Things got worse as they faced two more moves down. They ended up in the new Third Division, which was the fourth level of League football.
But once again, things changed quickly. The club finished second in this division in the 1995–96 season. This meant promotion, making it five changes of division in five busy seasons. The club was moved down again after two seasons. They finished the 1990s back in the lowest division.
The 2000s and Beyond
In the new millennium, the club saw better times under manager Dick Campbell. They won the Third Division in the 2001–02 season. The team continued to do well the next season. They finished second and earned another promotion. Player Chris Templeman scored 21 goals that season. They also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup, but lost.
However, the First Division was too tough for the part-time players. They were moved down right away in 2003–04. But Brechin City's up-and-down journey continued. The very next season, they won the Second Division title again. This success was bittersweet as manager Campbell left. Without him, the team struggled even more in the First Division. They won only two games all season and were moved down again.
The club celebrated its 100th birthday. They played a friendly match against Ipswich Town and drew 2–2. Under manager Michael O'Neill, the team finished fourth in the Second Division in 2006–07. This allowed them to enter the promotion play-offs. However, they lost badly to Airdrie United.
The 2007–08 season was disappointing. City missed the play-offs. They were also removed from the Scottish Cup for playing two players who were not allowed to play. In 2008–09, O'Neill left to manage Shamrock Rovers. Jim Duffy took over and led the club to third place and another play-off spot. But they lost to Ayr United. Brechin made the play-offs again the next season, but Duffy resigned after they lost to Cowdenbeath.
The 2010s and Recent Times
For the 2010–11 season, Jim Weir became manager. That season, Brechin reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup. They drew with St Johnstone before losing in a replay. In May 2011, Brechin beat Cowdenbeath in the play-offs. This set up a final against Ayr United for a spot in the First Division. Brechin lost the final and stayed in the Second Division.
In June 2015, Darren Dods became player/manager. His first season was tough, with the team at the bottom of League One. But they won eight of their last ten games, moving away from the relegation zone. Dods' second season was much better. Brechin stayed in the top four and won promotion to the Scottish Championship for the first time in 11 years. They beat Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic in the play-offs.
Moving Down the Leagues
Brechin's return to the second level was short. They did not win a single league match. They were moved down on March 24, 2018. Brechin finished their Championship season with no wins, four draws, and 32 losses. They became the first Scottish team in 126 years to not win a single league game in a season.
In the 2018–2019 season, Brechin was expected to be promoted. Instead, they ended up fighting to avoid moving down again. They finished last in League One and were moved down for the second year in a row. The 2019–20 season was also a struggle. They were at the bottom of League Two when the league stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They avoided moving down because the league was ended early.
Out of the SPFL
On May 23, 2021, Brechin lost to Kelty Hearts in the play-offs. This meant they moved down to the Highland League. It was the first time in 67 years the club was not in the national leagues. In June 2021, Andy Kirk became the new manager. In their first Highland League season, they finished in a good third place.
The next season, they won the Highland League title! They beat their closest rivals, Buckie Thistle, 2–0 on the very last day. On May 6, 2023, Brechin lost a penalty shootout to The Spartans in the play-offs. They won the game 3–2, making it 3–3 overall, but lost on penalties.
The 2023-24 season was another close race for the title between Brechin and Buckie Thistle. It came down to the final day again. Brechin lost the title to Buckie Thistle by goal difference. Both teams had 81 points. Buckie Thistle was supposed to play in the promotion play-offs. However, they could not because of licensing issues.
Club Rivalries
Brechin City has several rivalries with other clubs from Angus. These include Arbroath, Forfar Athletic, and Montrose. Games between these teams are known as Angus derbies.
Recent Managers
- Frank Sandeman (1970–1971)
- Bobby Methven (1971–1972)
- Ken Dick (1972–1974)
- Charlie Dunn (1974–1978)
- Ian Stewart (1978–1979)
- Doug Houston (1979–1982)
- Ian Fleming (1982–1987)
- John Ritchie (1987–1993)
- Ian Redford (1993–1994)
- John Young (1994–2000)
- Dick Campbell (2000–2005)
- Ian Campbell (2005–06)
- Michael O'Neill (2006–2008)
- Jim Duffy (2009–2010)
- Jim Weir (2010–2012)
- Ray McKinnon (2012–2015)
- Darren Dods (2015–2018)
- Barry Smith (2018–2019)
- Mark Wilson (2019–2020)
- Michael Paton (2020–2021)
- Andy Kirk (2021–2023)
- Gavin Price (2023–2024)
- Patrick Cregg (2024–)
Club Achievements (Honours)
- Second Division
- Champions: 1982–83, 1989–90, 2004–05
- Runners-Up: 1992–93, 2002–03
- Play-off winners: 2016–17
- Third Division
- Champions: 2001–02
- Runners-Up: 1995–96
- Highland League
- Champions: 2022–23
- Challenge Cup
- Runners-Up: 2002–03
- Forfarshire Cup
- Champions: 1909–10, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1996–97, 2008–09
- Scottish League Division C
- Champions: 1953–54
- Scottish Qualifying Cup
- Champions: 1950–51
- Keith Tournament
- Champions: 1982–83
Brechin City Club Records
- Biggest win: 12–1 vs Thornhill F.C. on January 23, 1925–26
- Biggest loss: 0–10 vs Airdrieonians, Cowdenbeath, and Albion Rovers in 1937–38
- Highest home attendance: 8,122 vs Aberdeen on February 3, 1972–73
- Most league games played: David Watt (459 games)
- Record goal scorer: Ian (Pink) Campbell (131 goals)
- Most goals in one season: Ronald McIntosh (26 goals) in 1959–60
Club Staff
Board of Directors
- Chairman: Kevin Mackie
- Vice-chairman: Grant Johnson
- Secretary: Gary Robertson
- Treasurer: John Littlewood
- Directors: Kevin Mackie, Grant Johnson, Grant Turriff, David Hamilton, Paul Ritchie, Peter Carmichael
- Commercial Director: Darren Taylor
Coaching Staff
- Manager: Patrick Cregg
- Assistant Manager: Logan McConachie
- Sports Scientist: Shaw Grant
- Goalkeeping Coach: vacant
- Kitman: Allan Grieve
- Physio: Anna Davidson
Current Squad
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Players on Loan
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Notable Players
This list shows players who have played at least 100 League games for Brechin City. The numbers show league games and goals scored. Players still at the club are in bold.
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See also
In Spanish: Brechin City Football Club para niños
