Brechin City’s journey along the rocky road from the Highland League to the SPFL was never going to be a smooth one.
Many feared they would fall into oblivion, with dwindling crowds and leg-weary players, tired from fuel-guzzling trips across the Highlands.
Few could have reckoned that Brechin’s SPFL demise would lead to a rebirth, both on and off the park.
There’s a long way still to go and there are many obstacles in the way of their return to League Two.
But, as City celebrate an incredible 339 days without a league loss, here are five talking points about the Angus club’s revival.
Brechin City have been bold and brave
The date May 23rd 2021 is one many Brechin City fans would rather forget.
As the dejected players lay on the Glebe Park turf, the Angus side dropped out of league football for the first time in their then 115-year history.
The natural thing for Brechin to do at that point would be to lower ambitions and cut costs.
In the aftermath of the pyramid play-off defeat, player-boss Michael Paton claimed Brechin would ‘bounce back bigger, better and stronger.’
Few would have believed him at that point.
But, within days of the defeat, highly-respected local businessman Kevin Mackie took over as chairman and re-energised the club.
In the face of adversity, he developed an ambitious blueprint based around galvanising the local community’s support in the club’s hour of need.
He enlisted the help of experienced former Scotland boss Craig Levein – who offered his services for free.
The appointment of Andy Kirk soon followed and City then nailed down transport hire that would see their players travel to games in a luxury coach.
Keeping it local
Mackie is incredibly proud of Brechin, a place that was home to his family’s business for almost 50 years.
So while he’s astute enough to widen City’s net, he has made it clear he wants the club to shop local – where possible.
Former Dundee United youngster Marc Scott was the first local lad to arrive under the Mackie regime, with the midfielder living just a stone’s throw away from Glebe Park.
He has netted 24 goals and made 12 assists in 49 Highland League matches.
Dean Easton, Michael Cruickshank and Euan Spark soon followed.
Spark has opened the Maison Dieu Coffee Roasters business he co-owns with John Souttar in the town.
As well as investing in local talent, City have opened up their club to the community.
They have enhanced their links with Brechin Vics and backed Brechin City Community Trust.
They also have ambitious plans to open up Glebe Park as a facility to wider groups, aiming to invest in a 4G surface.
Brechin City success on the park
You have to go back to February 12 last year for a game that City have lost in 90 minutes.
It’s now 36 games since they crashed to defeat in a game that DIDN’T go to penalties – and they’ve not lost in the Highland League in 29 outings.
This term they have dropped just four points, collecting 50 from a possible 54, and are sitting pretty in what increasingly looks like a two-horse race between them and Buckie Thistle.
Summer signing Grady McGrath is averaging more than a goal a game with his 18 league strikes.
Growth off the park
A poignant banner was on display as City were relegated at home to Kelty Hearts.
It read: ‘We fall together, we rise together.’
The banner is still a regular feature at City games to this date, particularly with a bolstered travelling support.
City’s SLO Dean Walker describes the away support as the best he’s ever seen.
Three full buses were booked for the recently cancelled clash with fellow title challengers Buckie Thistle.
Commercially, the club has upped their game too with the recent appointment of Keith Haggart.
Haggart is Brechin’s first commercial director and he’s leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of increasing revenue streams.
Even the iconic Glebe Park hedge is now sponsored, for the first time in the club’s 117-year history, by CoelBrew.
Brechin have also harnessed the support of some famous fans, such as season-ticket holders John and Harry Souttar,
Ex-City boys club star Harry made a live video call to the club’s ‘World Cup party’ whilst preparing to star for Australia in Qatar.
Could Buckie Thistle be a thorn in Brechin’s side?
City dropped to second place last weekend when Buckie beat Nairn 3-1 away while City’s clash with Fraserburgh was postponed.
But they have led the way for most of the season and, with two games in hand, they’d be expected to overturn the two-point gap from Buckie.
Buckie have collected 52 points from 20 games and there’s no doubt that the rescheduled clash with Thistle will be pivotal in the title race.
The Highland League have yet to announce when that will be played but it will be a date with destiny for City.
Title success is only half the battle, though.
City would then face a play-off with the Lowland League champions, with Tranent Juniors, Spartans and University of Stirling all in the mix.
Then it would be down to City to condemn an SPFL side to the same fate they suffered almost 20 months ago by knocking them out of the league.
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