The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Red Lichties and Reds are in exclusive club
ARBROATH: Angus team and Liverpool UK’s only unbeaten sides
Arbroath chairman Mike Caird admits the fact his club and English giants Liverpool are the only teams in the UK yet to taste defeat in their respective leagues this season is “unbelievable”.
The Red Lichties are flying high at the top of the table, 13 points ahead of tomorrow’s opponents, Raith Rovers.
If the Angus side can win at Gayfield then it would be a brave – or foolish – punter who’d wager against them going on to clinch the League 1 title.
However, Caird, like his wily old manager Dick Campbell, is insistent that nobody at the club is getting carried away and the one-game-at-a-time mantra will continue no matter what happens against Raith.
When asked if this season so far had exceeded his expectations, the chairman replied: “Without a doubt. To be in the middle of December undefeated is unbelievable.
“We have certainly never had a run like it before.
“We are getting quoted along with Liverpool as the only two teams in Britain who are undefeated but as Dick has said, we are just taking it one game at a time.
“That is the attitude of the players and everyone at the club.
“We have been defeated in the cup but the week after, we have bounced back.
“It has exceeded (expectations), to be where we are with Raith behind us.”
Caird added: “It is a great compliment (being bracketed with Liverpool) and any publicity is good publicity.
“But we keep our feet firmly on the ground. I have been involved with the club for 20 years and we have had many ups and downs.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were second bottom of League 2, when we brought in Dick.
“We were hanging on to our league status at that point so we take nothing for granted and we just carry on.
“We are still looking over our shoulder, without a doubt. Our aim is to get enough points to finish top four and then take it from there.
“As Dick says, nothing is ever won at Christmas.”
The Red Lichties manager also often points out that he is part of the oldest coaching team in British football, with himself and his twin brother assistant Ian now 65, coach John Young turning 67 tomorrow and goalie guru Rab Douglas a mere slip of a lad at 46.
Caird believes they work really well together and he is determined to give them as much support as possible.
He said: “The board are 100% behind Dick. We work our socks off to bring income in and we have had great sponsors this season.
“The supporters have been right behind us and there has been a feelgood factor about the club which brings in extra income that helps Dick on the field.
“We are all in it together, good or bad, and so far it has been good times.
“I have said to the rest of the board, enjoy these good times as they don’t happen very often.
“But we will keep our feet on the ground and just look forward to the next game and Raith tomorrow.
“Rovers are obviously a big club who are full-time and they will be looking to bounce back to the Championship.”
Caird is hoping the Arbroath fans will turn out in big numbers to cheer on the team once more.
He said: “An extra 100 or 200 through the gate, week in, week out, the difference it makes is fantastic.
“The backing the team have had this year has been great so hopefully we will have a decent day and the wind doesn’t blow.
“They say it always blows at Gayfield but that’s an urban myth!
“Our hospitality is sold out so it is a great fixture to have right before Christmas.
“After Raith, we have Montrose and then Brechin so every game is a big one.”
We are getting quoted along with Liverpool as the only two teams in Britain who are undefeated but as Dick has said, we are just taking it one game at a time. MIKE CAIRD