Forfar are at full strength and ready for the start of their bid to write another exciting chapter in the club’s history.
It’s been a thrilling climax to the football season in Angus where the main focus of attention has been Arbroath’s first championship in the history of the Gayfield club.
With the Lichties’ job done, the focus has now moved over to their play-off neighbours at Station Park and Glebe Park and, with local rivalry matched in equal measure by mutual respect, there is plenty encouragement within the other Angus clubs for the two contenders to do well.
First division promotion for Forfar would represent a remarkable achievement for a side who targeted the play-offs as soon as they arrived in the second via the same route last season, and that experience may yet prove invaluable over 180 minutes this week.
It has also been a traumatic and emotional time for all involved with the club following manager Dick Campbell’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year, but “The Bunnet” has been determined to ensure the Station Park focus has remained fixed on the promotion aim.
Assistant and brother Ian believes the Loons are in as good a position as they can be heading into tonight’s home first leg.
“These will be two hard games there’s no doubt about it but there’s a coat of paint between the two sides,” he said.
Although the table shows the Honest Men ended the season ahead by a single point, there’s one stat that Campbell wants his side to keep at the forefront of their mind.
“We’ll give them every bit of respect, but we’ve beaten Ayr three times this season so we have to remember that,” he said. “There might be a tinge of disappointment that the second game is away from home, but that’s the way it is and you have to get on with it.
“It’s nothing in the scheme of things. All that matters is you approach both games in the right manner to give yourself the best chance of going through,” added Campbell. “We’ve had them watched again, and have a good training session under our belts so hopefully we’ll get a good crowd and put in a good shift.”
The assistant added, “At the weekend we made seven changes and the lads did really well as a team so, probably for the first time this season, we are at full strength for selection. That will mean that the bench will also be immensely strong and that’s a good position to be in.”
Campbell continued, “Dick and I have a lot of experience in this type of situation, including last year. It will be a great occasion for the club. Ayr might be favourites because they have finished above us but in that respect there’s more pressure on them.
“When you play down there you feel the pressure that is on them. We’ve a great team spirit here and if we can put in the right performance at Station Park that will be a big step along the way.”
Chris Templeman is available again after a two-match suspension while first team regulars Mark McCulloch, Martyn Fotheringham and Michael Bolocheweckyj could return after being rested for the last two games of the regular season.