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Brechin Board: Weir and McGowne right men for the job
LESS than a week after the departure of Jim Duffy, Brechin City have not just a new manager in place, but a new management team in the shape of Jim Weir and Kevin McGowne.
Both Weir and City chairman Ken Ferguson feel the move is one that will have the Glebe Park side competing in what is likely to be the toughest second division in years next season.
"It has been a turbulent few days and when I first got the phone call it was a real surprise, but a pleasant surprise," said Jim Weir.
"This has been a very difficult decision for us (Kevin and I) to make, there is no doubt about that."
"It's been well publicised that I have been here in this position twice before and always left the door open.
"I feel it's the right time to come to Brechin. I met with Ken Ferguson and Martin Smith on Sunday night and we had a very positive chat.
"It was a really tough decision and I haven't slept a wink in the last few nights.
"It's a crucial stage of the season, when everyone is trying to sign players. I felt it was important to give both sides (Arbroath and Brechin City) a decision fairly quickly.
"I finally made my mind up walking my dogs at 4.30 am on Monday morning.
"I had a fantastic time at Arbroath and I have nothing but respect for the group of players and the board of directors I worked with there and I do wish them all the best.
"The important thing for me now is to concentrate on doing my best for Brechin City.
"I want to build a team that produces the sort of football that supporters like, but also one that is capable of winning games in what will be a very difficult second division next season.
"I am looking forward to the challenge here. "In football there are times when you shouldn't burn your bridges and coming here previously that was exactly the case.
"Both occasions led to positive discussions and in football things happen for a reason.
"I didn't apply for the job this time round, but I am positive about the challenge we have here and I am looking forward to working with a new committee and a new set of players."
Weir went on to explain that he has worked with the likes of Craig Nelson, Mark Docherty, Neil Janczyk and Charlie King before.
"Having played Brechin three or four times last season, we (Kevin and I) feel we know what the strengths of the team are and what the weaknesses are.
"There are areas we need to strengthen and, with pre-season less than a month away, it is a very busy period for us.
"We are already speaking to players and we are already in the market for players and hopefully we can add to the squad in the near future.
"That's our first priority - to attract players and to build the squad up.
"The squad was a bit light here last year and we need to build a squad of players that's hard to beat.
"We have to remember also that Brechin took it to the last day of the season and only narrowly failed to make it to the first division. That will be a big challenge for us next year.
"We will be judged on results and nothing else here."
City chairman, Ken Ferguson added: "We feel Jim and Kevin were the obvious candidates having gone through the interview process on two previous occasions with them before. "We knew if he was available this was the man we wanted to talk to.
The committee did set criteria and Jim and Kevin ticked the boxes for that criteria.
"They are two imposing characters and it's important when managers come in that they get the respect of the players and we have complete confidence this will be the case with Jim and Kevin.
"We want to play entertaining football at Glebe Park and, while you can't do it on every occasion, the manager will certainly be given a remit to entertain."
There is plenty room at Glebe Park for new faces with just nine players left on the books. Docherty, Fusco, Janczyk, King, McAllister, McLean, Scott, Walker and Nelson.
Jon Seeley Stevie Canning and Terry Masson have all received "frees" and there are also a number of players who have returned to their clubs following loan deals, giving the new management team a real challenge in building up their squad.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
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