Devastated Thomson offers apologies to Rovers fans

Heartbroken Raith Rovers captain Jason Thomson has described relegation from the Championship as the darkest day of his career as he apologised to the club’s supporters for a dismal season.

The Fifers crashed into League 1 in humiliating fashion on Saturday after losing to part-time Brechin City on penalties at Stark’s Park.

It was the culmination of a disastrous season for Rovers, with the malaise beginning under Gary Locke before he was replaced by the ineffective John Hughes.

However, Thomson, who has been on the books of the Kirkcaldy club since 2012, insists the players are ready to hold their hands up for a catastrophic campaign. And he insists no-one should doubt the devastation in the dressing room.

“This is the lowest point I’ve experienced in football,” said a gutted Thomson. “There are no words to describe the feeling in the dressing room after that game and, even now, it still hurts. I just never dreamed it would come to this.

“It is an accumulation of so many things. From different managers, to the goalkeepers, the signings and a few other things that are probably best left unsaid. People can look at so many factors.

“But I’m not going to point the finger at any one person, or any one thing. We all need to take responsibility.

“This was never a squad that should have been in that situation, and we will take every bit of the flak we deserve.”

Rovers trudged from the field to jeers on Saturday as supporters vented their anger. Just 12 months have passed since the club were involved in the promotion play-offs.

“It is the supporters I feel really sorry for and can only apologise to,” Thomson continued.

“They deserved better from everyone. Nothing I can say will make amends, but all we can do is try to look to the future and come back stronger.”

Following board meetings on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Raith intend to remain full-time in League 1 and Thomson believes that could prove pivotal.

The 29-year-old believes Livingston should act as the inspiration, with the Lions bouncing back from relegation at the first time of asking.

He said: “I think it is important that the club are looking to remain full-time. You look at a side like Livingston – they did that as well and it meant there was a platform to rebuild and get back to the Championship. That needs to be the aim for Raith now.”