Montrose will back boss Petrie ‘to the hilt’

CHAMPIONS: Chairman and manager to discuss plans for League 1 after title win

Montrose chairman John Crawford insists the club will back manager Stewart Petrie to the hilt ahead of next season’s campaign.

The Gable Endies clinched the League 2 title and automatic promotion on Saturday against Elgin City at Links Park to the absolute delight of nearly 2,400 home fans.

Once the celebrations have finally died down, attention will turn to playing in a higher division.

To that end, the chairman will be meeting Petrie to discuss plans for the future later this week.

The manager’s stock is sky high after masterminding a remarkable turnaround in the Angus club’s fortunes but Crawford is confident the 48-year-old will be at Links Park for the foreseeable future and he will ensure that Montrose are not just going to League 1 to make up the numbers.

The chairman said: “Stewart wouldn’t let that happen and neither would we as a board.

“We will back him to the hilt and I think we will do all right.

“Stewart has been a revelation and we work well together.

“If he is a happy man here – and we will make sure of that – then it will be onwards and upwards.

“I will sit down with Stewart next week and we will have a good chat.”

As a lifelong Montrose fan, Crawford was absolutely delighted that the team secured the point required to become champions against Elgin.

Although he admitted his heart was in his mouth when the opposition scored the opener on the stroke of half-time before Jamie Redman netted what proved to be the vital equaliser.

Crawford said: “This means everything to me.

“I have been a lifelong supporter and it will probably take a while to fully sink in.

“We will enjoy the celebrations and then look to next year and build on that.

“My heart sank a bit when Elgin scored right on the stroke of half-time.

“We don’t concede many but it was some goal – an absolute cracker,” he said.

“However, I had confidence in the boys as they have performed really well all season.

“The boys played well in the second half and their keeper kept them in the game, to be honest.

“It was great to see so many fans at the game – it was like when I was a youngster.

“It is fantastic for the town as well.” nrobertson@thecourier.co.uk

Stewart Petrie, top, is assured the support of chairman John Crawford, above.