Mid-Season Review: A Message from the Gaffer

Mid-Season Review: A Message from the Gaffer

Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with Ratho Athletic a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes around.

As the lads take a well-deserved break, I want to express our gratitude to our sponsors, committee members, and, most importantly, the fans in the village for their continued support. Your backing means everything to us, and we’re proud to represent this community each and every week.

Reflecting on the first half of the season, it’s fair to say it’s been one of the most challenging periods the club has faced in many years. The opening two months couldn’t have started worse for us, suffering two heavy defeats 7-1 and 10-1 against teams we’d usually compete well with. Those results were tough for the lads to take, leaving them questioning their own abilities and whether the group had what it took to move forward.

After some honest conversations between players, management, and committee members, we collectively agreed to roll our sleeves up and give it everything over the coming weeks.

The turnaround since then has been remarkable. Results and performances have steadily improved, but for me, the biggest change has been the return of enjoyment. The lads are now looking forward to training and matchdays, and that’s made all the difference. To see the same group of players who endured those defeats step up, take responsibility, and turn things around shows the incredible character within this squad.

I couldn’t be prouder of the effort they’ve put in. As we head into 2025, the goal is clear: turn some of these hard-fought draws into wins and start climbing the table. The foundation is there, and the belief within the squad is growing with every game.

Off the pitch, the recent incidents at our home ground have been a huge blow, especially for the volunteers who dedicate so much time to maintaining the park. However, the response from the community has been nothing short of incredible. The £4,500 raised will go a long way toward repairing the damage and implementing measures to prevent it from happening again. We can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity and support during this difficult time.

The lads now have a couple of weeks off to recharge, and then we’ll be back at it, ready to tackle 2025 head-on.

Thank you again for your support!

Bradley Crane

Manager, Ratho Athletic