News

Manager Paul Hartley spoke to the media after the 1-0 victory over Dumbarton at Balmoral Stadium that clinched the cinch League One title. 

Skipper Mitch Megginson scored in the 75th minute to see off the Sons and also secure promotion to the Championship for next season. 

Paul began by confirming he had privately set winning the title as the target before a ball had been kicked this term. 

He said: “I kept that between myself and the squad in terms of what our goals could be. 

“We always felt we had a squad good enough to challenge at the top end of the table. 

“We didn’t get off to the best of starts and then lost to East Fife (back in October). 

“But after that we went on a superb run that led to us securing the title. 

“I’m so proud of the team for what they have achieved. 

“I’m also delighted for the club because of where we have come from. 

“It’s been such a remarkable journey, to come from the Highland League to the Championship. 

“When I took this job three years ago, I sat down with the chairman (Keith Moorhouse) because I wanted to know what his plans were. 

“His ambition was clear, he wanted to get to the Championship within five years – and we have managed to do it in three. 

“Huge credit for that must go to the chairman, he’s a magnificent man. 

“It’s the same with the board of directors and all of the staff at the club, everyone has been unbelievable. 

“But most of all it’s down to the players. 

“They are the guys who win you games, so huge credit goes to them. 

“It’s a remarkable achievement for myself too. 

“You go through bad spells as a manager and when I lost my job at Falkirk I didn’t think I would get back into football. 

“Credit to the chairman, he gave the opportunity and it’s been a dream so far.” 

Paul applauded Mitch for getting the goal – his 22nd of the campaign – although he wasn’t overly pleased with our performance. 

He said: “I thought we were terrible. 

“We never really performed to the levels that we know we can. 

“But this season we have found ways to win when we haven’t been at our very best. 

“We didn’t have that last year. 

“We have found a resilience, there is a real spirit, desire and a hunger not to get beat. 

“That’s been the value of bringing more experience into the camp. 

“Then you have the benefit of a goalscorer like Megginson. 

“You know he will always pop up with a goal, even though he was absolutely dead on his feet. 

“It’s a fitting way to win the championship, when your captain scores. 

“Credit to him, but also credit to the whole team for the way they performed to get the result we needed.” 

Paul has now won four titles – and five promotions – as a manager. 

He ranks this latest triumph with us as the best of the lot. 

“The next one is always the best because you never know when, or if,  another will come,” he said. 

“I said to the lads before the game you are in football to win trophies. 

“Forget the money, that has never been the motivation for me. 

“You are in the game for days like this, ones you have got to make sure you enjoy to the full. 

“When you stop playing , or stop being a manager, maybe 10-15 years down the line, it will become a great memory. 

“The lads will find their careers go by in a flash, so they should really cherish this moment. 

“When they look back, they might never win another trophy or earn another medal, that’s the reality of football. 

“Some people are in the game a long time and don’t win anything, so we are going to enjoy celebrating this. 

“When they look back they will be able to say ‘we had a really good team at Cove, what an amazing day and what an unbelievable season we had.’ 

“We will enjoy tomorrow, the next day, the next two weeks, the next three weeks. 

“Your are in the game to experience these moments. 

“When you are up challenging at the top end it’s magnificent when you win a league. 

“But when you are down at the bottom and get relegated what do you have to celebrate? 

“Nothing. 

“It’s vital everyone at the club enjoys the next few weeks, makes sure they soak everything in. 

“Then they can come back ready to get fighting again next year.” 

Paul’s message to the Cove Rangers fans was the same, he said: “Thanks for being so loyal, now go and enjoy seeing your team winning the league. 

“Enjoy having been on the journey we’ve been on for a number of years now and prepare for what we know is going to be another exciting chapter in the club’s history.” 

Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to www.coverangersfc.com. 

Title Celebrations Gallery »