Following on from the “Great Escape” season of 2015/16, there was cautious summer optimism around the Glebe Park following as supporters looked forward to the coming season daring to wonder what Darren Dods’ second season in charge would bring. Enjoy this, the first in a two-part written sojourn through a season which would ultimately prove to be amongst the most memorable in Brechin City’s history.

JULY:

Aberdeen were the first pre-season visitors to The Glebe, securing a 3-0 victory. Comfortable though it was, it was a distance away from the 8-2 mauling dished out by The Dons one year prior. This was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Raith Rovers (they’ll crop up again) before encouraging victories over Dundee and a Hearts XI – and a devastating 5-0 romp for Ray McKinnon’s Dundee United in the Forfarshire Cup. The season commenced in slightly surreal fashion as, due to the introduction of the re-vamped sectional format within the League Cup, City started with a blank Saturday. This deferred start saw the season kick-off with a Tuesday victory over Stirling Albion thanks to a late winner from Alan Trouten who had re-signed for The Club after a year’s ‘sabbatical’ at Ayr United. A first City visit to Elgin City in some seven years, saw a deserved victory for the home side led by former City boss Jim Weir. A header from Andy Jackson looked to have secured a memorable victory for City over Premiership side St Johnstone, although the concession of a late equaliser saw the game go straight to penalties as part of the groundbreakingly new competition format. With The Saints hitting the post twice, it was left to Ally Love to slot home the winning penalty and secure the bonus point. It would prove inconsequential is so far as the competition was concerned – although winning a penalty shoot-out would ultimately prove to be a crucial and worthwhile Brechin City convention later in the season. City would exit the tournament at the group stage following a 2-0 defeat at the Falkirk Stadium in a match dominated by the hosts.

AUGUST:

The league campaign started with a 2-1 home victory over Stenhousemuir, secured through a late winner from Ross Caldwell. This was followed up by an equally welcome 2-0 victory at Albion Rovers – a venue which had not been a happy hunting ground for City in recent times. In another tournament revamp, the Challenge Cup saw a first competitive clash with Highland League Champions Cove Rangers. Despite conceding a first minute goal, City went on to win 4-1 in an entertaining game and would draw Dunfermline Athletic in the following round. Back in the league City welcomed Queen’s Park to The Glebe for the first time since 2009. The game would finish 0-0, this being the first goal-less draw in Darren Dods’ managerial tenure. The month ended with City in the lofty heights of second place, following a 2-1 win over East Fife in a game which saw the winner scored by newly recruited Fifer Finn Graham, after going ahead through Ross Caldwell with what would remain City’s fastest goal of the season. Off the pitch, but on the same day, a significant Club occasion took place - namely the Marquee on the Pitch event, which included the hugely memorable inaugural Brechin City Hall of Fame Dinner.

SEPTEMBER:

Any thoughts of a Challenge Cup run to Wales or Northern Ireland were brought to an abrupt halt with a thumping home defeat from The Pars, with the message coming out of The Club being “don’t worry – we’ll not face that level of quality every week”. Prophetic words as City would sit proudly at the top of League One only a week later, the result of a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Airdrieonians. Sadly, this would only be a temporary visit, losing 2-1 at Livingston the following week – Alan Trouten scoring City’s only goal against the runaway Champions all season. A late lob from Andy Jackson would then secure a barely-merited but hugely welcome 2-1 home victory against Peterhead.

OCTOBER:

The lengthy journey to Stranraer would see City return to the league’s top spot thanks to a solitary Andy Jackson strike, but a 1-0 home defeat in the first of six tussles throughout the season with Alloa Athletic would see City slip to second again as the first round of league fixtures drew to a close. A fine 3-1 victory at Ochilview saw City go top again as the League Leader slot seemed to change almost on a weekly basis. Normal service was resumed though when Livingston came to town and comprehensively beat the Glebe Park side to regain top spot, with the onset of a City injury crisis beginning to bite.

NOVEMBER:

City headed up the A90 to face Peterhead in a match played in quite horrendous overhead conditions alternating between a howling gale, bitter driving rain – or both. Given the ongoing absence of key players, others stepped up to the mark – none more so than Ross Caldwell who grabbed himself a hat-trick, City’s only treble of the season. A visit to New Broomfield would see City lose out 1-0 to a hugely controversial Diamonds penalty – a game notable too for a red card to skipper Paul McLean. With the onset of winter weather hurting the Glebe Park playing surface, the league game against Albion Rovers was postponed due to frost. The pitch was still frozen for the subsequent Scottish Cup Tie against Championship side Ayr United, with the re-arranged tie taking place ten days later. A struggling City side battled hard, but the visitors comfortably ran out 1-0 victors. No Scottish Cup progression for City for two successive seasons.

DECEMBER:

With a severely depleted City side struggling for form, the re-arranged match against Albion Rovers saw the Coatbridge side leave Glebe Park with a 2-1 victory – despite conceding one of the oddest goals of the season, with the ball hitting their goalie on the head and going in. BBC Alba then came to town for a live broadcast. Sadly, for the TV viewing public, the unusual 5.15 kick-off time did little to change City’s fortunes losing 1-0 in a truly wretched game which saw youngster Elliot Ford sent off. Despite five successive defeats the Glebe Park side somehow retained the final play-off slot. With some players returning to the starting line up (or at least the bench), City halted the slide with two victories in the lead up to Christmas. A 2-0 home victory against Stranraer was notable for a cracking goal and an outstanding debut performance for Aberdeen loanee Connor McLennan in what would be only three City appearances before returning to his parent club. An early kick-off to a Christmas Eve visit to Alloa resulted in a fine 2-1 victory for City, the only blot being a serious injury to the increasingly impressive Euan Smith. Despite this, the Glebe Park faithful would enter the festivities in fine spirit and looking forward to the 2017 part of the campaign.

Part II of the 2016/17 Season Review will follow……