THESE are heady days for East Stirlingshire. Previously the laughing stock of Britain, never mind Scotland, this was arguably one of the best results in their history. The joke was certainly on Livingston on Saturday night.
After finishing bottom of the Third Division for a fifth straight season in April 2007, the nation's whipping boys were offered little hope of a bright future, their membership status of the Scottish Football League under threat.
The investment
of wealthy English businessman Spencer Fearn has undoubtedly helped usher in a new era and consign those £10-a-week wages to history, but Jim McInally's input should not be forgotten either.
The ex-Celtic youth coach took a gamble himself dropping down the leagues, but with extra cash he has begun to mould his part-timers into a resolute, organised unit now very much on the up.
Perhaps the only disappointment for fans who raucously celebrated the final shrill of referee Craig Charleston's whistle was that much-loved Firs Park – now making way for a housing estate – had not hosted this triumph.
Still, at shared Ochilview, Fearn couldn't hide his delight. "It's unbelievable, what a great day for East Stirlingshire," the chairman beamed. "We're now on the map again. It's been a difficult period for the club, but this season we're kicking on. Jim is one of the best managers in the SFL, without a shadow of a doubt."
Now unbeaten in nine matches and chasing promotion, this victory had perhaps even been anticipated. If taking Livingston to extra-time in the Co-operative Insurance Cup in August offered Shire hope, Roberto Landi's squad was also ravaged by injury.
The non-appearance of loan signings Calum Elliot and Rocco Quinn – to avoid being cup-tied for Hearts and Celtic respectively – gave further reason to dream, even if Landi later vehemently questioned the loan rules.
But even he conceded the hosts were worthy winners, scoring two goals that deserved to grace a bigger stage.
Eddie Forrest's ninth-minute volley from David Dunn's corner was reminiscent of a Beckham-Scholes classic, while Brian Graham's second-half winner was executed superbly after he cut in from the left.
"Brian's goal was absolutely top drawer and for Eddie to score like that... I didn't know what I was watching," admitted McInally. A speculative Liam Fox 30-yarder had levelled proceedings before half-time, but despite valiant late efforts, Landi's makeshift team couldn't conjure a replay.
"When you play with a bad attitude and make mistakes, it's correct you lose the match," he bemoaned. "We only had one shot on goal. I apologise to the fans. It was rubbish."
While Livingston have denied reported financial problems, it appears the team are now being affected regardless. A record of one victory in their last eight speaks volumes.
Shire, though, are dreaming of a big pay-day in today's fourth-round draw. "Celtic would be lovely; we don't fear anybody," laughed Fearn.
The full article contains 507 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
