Football Season Guide

Peterhead find themselves back in League One after several frustrating campaigns trying to lift themselves out of the bottom tier. They won League Two last term but made heavy weather of it given the investment that went into their squad. Nevertheless, Jim McInally, Scottish football’s longest-serving manager, will be hopeful that his side can establish themselves in the third tier once more. The squad has not changed significantly, although the loss of centre-back David McCracken to retirement and left winger Ryan Dow to Dunfermline are blows. Otherwise, they cut away only players they could afford to lose, including Shane Sutherland, who was an excellent addition on paper but proved a flop. To supplement the attack, which will, of course, be led by Rory McAllister, Ben Armour has joined from Morton, though he is an uninspiring arrival after a difficult campaign loan spell with Dumbarton last season. Otherwise, Peterhead have supplemented their squad only with modest League Two players, including Annan striker Aidan Smith and right-back Scott Hooper. Gary Fraser of Cowdenbeath is the other player to join up. Following the Montrose pattern, they signed numerous reliable veterans last season and will lean on them again. Among the players 33 years old or upwards are striker Derek Lyle, Willie Gibson, Nicky Riley and Jamie Stevenson. At their pomp, all were vastly better than this league, although it remains to be seen if their lack of legs proves to be a problem now. Scott Brown and Jack Leitch will provide energy in the midfield. In defence, there is something of a lack of depth, with just five players for the four positions. Jason Brown and Cameron Eadie are largely untested at this level, too.