Smith’s not Brechin even after winless season
Graeme Smith admits Brechin City’s winless season has cost the players – both in sleepless nights and at the bank.
City were relegated from the Championship following last weekend’s defeat at Morton.
It has been a season to forget, without a win and with only four points in their account all season.
Keeper Smith always knew it would be tough af ter being promoted in a dramatic play-off that sent Raith the other way.
But he revealed his bank balance would have been better off if they had staying in the third tier.
Smith, who saved three spot kicks in that penalty shootout, said: “We’re out of pocket – we’ve not had a win bonus all year.
“We would have been better off financially as players in League One for that reason. The chairman is happy as the club have made extra money in the Championship. But it has been painful for players.
“They’re a good board who look after us. We were delighted to go up but knew it would be difficult.
“We didn’t get a win in our first half-a-dozen games and that set the tone. When you’re in a league and you’re so far adrift budgetwise it is going to be difficult. In 13 games we’ve been beaten by only one goal. Goals change games and that first goal is massive.
“We’ve been unlucky in that we never score the first goal.
“We’ve never been the team holding on to a lead. We’ve always been having to chase it.
“There are guys in our squad who can play at this level. And for them we need to just keep going until the end of the season.”