The Final Thank You

Where does one start this morning after the drama of yesterday afternoon at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park.

The ‘Loons’ SPFL survival bid came to fruition by the narrowest of margins in a nerve jangling ninety minutes for all.

It was not a moment for champagne corks to pop, but undoubtedly a moment for a can of lager at least to enjoy the pure relief of the moment at the end of a season of to be frank full of disappointment but still coming to a conclusion with an air of hope!

Much of that hope stems from the management team and their backroom staff.  Since Jim and Gavin returned to Station Park in  late November there has been a different feeling around the club , despite at times the results not going our way on the pitch.

That has been echoed amazingly by increased home attendances and bigger followings at away matches, quite remarkable in many respects.

That enthusiasm for the ‘Loons’ cause alongside a bond that seems to have grown with the management team and players in recent times, culminating in a superb crowd of 995 yesterday has to be built on moving forward.

That bond was no doubt enhanced by the stirring words over the PA system from Jim at the conclusion of the match, so appreciated by all who had waited behind for the Player of the Year presentations and in his interview with FAFC TV.

So the first thank you today is to the amazing ‘Loons’ fan base for sticking with the club especially since the turn of the year.   It has we can assure you been so appreciated.

Thanks also from all of an Athies persuasion to Jim Weir, Gavin Price and their backroom team of Wayne Henderson, Mark Farrell, Mark Whatley,  Lara Jordan, Dr. Jane Crawford not forgetting kit man Martin Gray for their hard work and dedication to the cause.

Turning back specifically to yesterday’s contest, thanks yet again to Stuart McIntyre of Strathmore Potatoes who was our most welcome match sponsor.   Stuart has been a superb backer of the club for some years now and it weas good to see his party enjoying their day once again.

Danny Denholm was their popular choice as the ‘Loons’ Man of the Match.

Thanks also to all four parties in the main hospitality lounges, all on return visits and in fact in most cases regular supporters of the Station Park Hospitality Experience on the final day of the season for some years.

Well done to David Adam, Sandra Cargill, Keelan Deas and Gordon Patullo for organising their groups and trust you all got home safely.

Finally thanks to Alasdair Soutar originally from Kirriemuir but now based in Edinburgh and his mates from the Capital City who enjoyed the delights of the hospitality package within a very busy 1984 Lounge on the day.

The ‘curtain’ has come down on a season which did in the end have and we temper the phrase, a happy end with a last day scenario that no one involved in the club right down to the youngest fan would ever wish on themselves again.

For the management and players a wee rest before pre-season training gets underway in early June, the first competitive fixture of the 2025/6 campaign due in the Betfred Cup over the second weekend in July.

Enjoy the break and thanks to all who have supported the ‘Loons’ cause in many a different way over the past ten months of what has undoubtedly been a campaign of very contrasting emotions and that is probably an understatement!

C’mon the ‘Loons’