One of the most important weekends in the history of senior football in Angus gets under way today.
Up first at Links Park are Montrose FC who risk dropping into the Highland League if they fail to beat Brora Rangers.
The Gable Endies are 1-0 down from the first leg of the pyramid play-off and it is without doubt the biggest 90 minutes in the club’s history.
Montrose FC chairman Derek Sim said: “Playing on our own pitch at Montrose, I think we’ve got to go into the game with a lot of confidence about turning around the result and staying in the SPFL.”
A bumper crowd is expected to turn up as Paul Hegarty’s men attempt to avoid the doomsday scenario of Montrose losing its senior football team.
Montrose councillor David May said: “I am going to the game and would encourage as many people in the town to do the same to show their support for the team.”
The bad news for Montrose fans is that Highland League champions Brora have not lost a game away from home in the past two seasons.
Three bus loads, as well as a convoy of cars, will leave the village to head for Links Park.
Brora club sponsor Ben Mackay said: “We actually like playing away matches as it suits us more when teams take the game to us.
“I don’t think Montrose’s artificial surface, or the environment, will hold any fears for us.”
Just as big a game takes place tomorrow as Forfar Athletic look to return to Scottish football’s second tier for the first time since the 1991-92 campaign.
Dick Campbell’s side will take a two-goal advantage to the Indodrill Stadium where they face Alloa Athletic in the second-leg of the Championship play-off final.
The Loons won the first-leg 3-1 at Station Park and the return game will be shown live on BBC Alba on Sunday evening with a 5.30pm kick-off.
A Forfar spokesman said: “As has been said so often in recent weeks, the support the management and players have received in the run-in to the close of the league campaign and in the three play-off matches to date has been simply amazing.
“That certainly looks likely to continue on Sunday with nearly three official supporters coaches already full to capacity.
“Into the bargain it is rumoured that a couple of local hostelries are also looking at running coaches to the game, all great news.”