The Lone Rangers

[DerbyJack]

1st September 2015
Scottish Championship

Here it is, our first victory of the season as we pick up what is sure to be three valuable points over our fellow relegation candidates Morton. With both of us predicted to finish in the bottom two spots this season, it seems the two of us will be duking it out as we look to stay in the second tier.


5th September 2015
Ramsdens Challenge Cup - Third Round

Were on a run in the competition, the furthest we have ever got under my tenure in any cup and it comes courtesy of a thrilling game against Airdrie that saw Bia-Bi pick up his first professional hat-trick and veteran Pat Walker rifle in a winner deep into extra time in the most dramatic of fashion.


12th September 2015
Scottish Championship

Hamilton too are predicted to be in for a fight this season but this time there was little more we could as all three points sleep out of our grip as Hamilton pick up the victory with a goal eight minutes from time proving to be enough to finally break what was an end to end game.


19th September 2015
Scottish Championship

We were holding our own against one of the leagues best teams but a red card for one of our brightest prospects, goalkeeper Jordan Lowery put pay to our chances with Aberdeen giving stand in stopper Alex Mitchell no chance with three lethal goals to push us back down the table.


26th September 2015
Scottish Championship

We end a mixed month with a draw following another game that saw both sides throwing everything at one another in the first half. We're quickly learning that teams don't give in easily as we once again let slip from a commanding position but non the less another point is still very welcome.


September 2015
Scottish Championship

Not where we want to be. Its looking like its going to be a tight season and thankfully despite being at the bottom of the pile were still far from out of the running. A quick run of victories could soon find us battling it out for the play-offs rather then relegation but for now just getting off the bottom spot is paramount.

 

[FMLoyal]

Cracking story mate. Can't believe both Hibs and Aberdeen are in the Championship now.

How are Ross County doing? (My team)

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks loyal, yeah theres been a few fallen clubs from the SPL, its all a bit mixed up in the Scottish Football League.

Sorry to tell you but there struggling in the SPL at the minute.

​

3rd October 2015
Scottish Championship

​

Back to losing ways and our position at the foot of the table is looking ever more worrying. Despite it still being the early days of the season, it already seems that points are going to be few and far between for the Borderers, with our usually reliable strikers looking increasingly goal shy.

​

10th October 2015
Ramsdens Challenge Cup - Semi Final

​

Our fortune in the Challenge Cup however continues to grow as were gifted our way into the final following a routine victory over Arbroath. Striker Pat Walker might not be the free scoring poacher he was two seasons ago but he still did more then enough to help put us into the first ever final for the Wee Rangers.

​

17th October 2015
Scottish Championship

​

A much needed three points to our tally. Having been worried that the strikers weren't going to be finding the back of the net, all three of them soon prove me wrong each picking up a goal on our way to a hard earned victory against Queen of the South, having demolished us in our Championship debut it was welcome revenge.

24th October 2015
Scottish Championship

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Two victories on the bounce. Falkirk are struggling to make there way out of the league and were hardly helped by a disappointing defeat at the hands of the new boys. Striker Josh Morris scored the only goal of a tight game that saw the Berwick faithful celebrate our second home victory in the league.

​

31st October 2015
Scottish Cup - Third Round

​

It would be ****** Livingston. We've not exactly giving them much of a running in recent seasons and a cup draw hardly gave us the best chance of progressing in another cup competition but non the less, were atleast still in with some kind of chance following a lifeless draw that leaves us with an unwanted replay in an already busy start to the season


October 2015
Scottish Championship

​

Well the good news is were off the bottom and clear of the relegation playoff spot as well. Morton and Hamilton appear to be the two clubs most likely to be joining us at the foot of the table but for now were keeping up with the mid table runners, with the same points as Falkirk and Queen of the South following our victories over both.

 

[DerbyJack]

​

4th November 2015
Scottish Cup - Third Round Replay

Bogey Team? Nah. An away trip to Livingston had the potential to be a complete disaster for Berwick but sticking to their tradition of being pretty much completely unpredictable we walked all over them on our way to an easy victory with winger Jon Blake putting in a man of the match performance with a brace and two assists, as he help us towards a six goal victory and the Fourth Round.

7th November 2015
Scottish Championship

Back to the league and back to a disappointing loss. Hibs are making hard work of getting back into the Scottish Premier League but a five goal demolition job put pay to our own hopes of keeping up with the mid-table sides and pushed us further into the relegation fight, with a Coultress red card doing little to ease our worries.


11th November 2015
Scottish Championship

Our fellow promoted side Dunfermline have taken to life in the Championship like ducks to water but when they came up against the Borderers they were given a real run for there money. We dominated the first half with veteran striker Pat Walker leading the way with a brace but a second half collapse saw the table toppers extend there lead with a stunning come back.

​

15th November 2015
Ramsdens Challenge Cup - Final

The biggest game in Berwicks one hundred game history has arrived as our unexpected march to the Challenge Cup final, see's us going up against fellow league strugglers Hamilton in the final. With both clubs hungry for some success following a poor start its sure to be a tight game...

...or a complete whitewash. ​

We annihilated Hamilton at the Meadowfield stadium with the travelling Berwick support celebrating from the half our mark, when the ever reliable Walker broke the dead lock before Scottish duo Morris and Dalziel combined to put a late gloss on the finish as we travelled back to the border with the biggest silverware in Berwicks history.

Not bad for a little team from Northumberland.

As the first English team to ever win a domestic cup competition outside of the country, its a sensational victory for Berwick and one that will certainly go down in the history books

​

21st November 2015
Scottish Championship

Having helped guide the team to the title Josh Morris then single handedly destroyed bottom of the table Morton in convincing fashion with a well earned hat-trick that pushed Greenock further into trouble and gave us some breathing space away from a team seemingly destined for League One.


24th November 2015
Scottish Championship

Having humiliated them in the cup final, Hamilton were keen on getting revenge and there Portuguese striker, Brandao who missed out on the final due to suspension, duly gave them it. A disappointing result especially at Shielfield Park and our position at the bottom of the table is again looking wobbly.


29th November 2015
Scottish Cup - Fourth Round

Our final chance at getting yet more silverware fro the cabinet ends in a defeat to Premier League side Motherwell. The game was effectively over by half time due to some sloppy defending but a spirited second half display at least put a slightly more positive spin on the scoreline.


November 2015
Scottish Championship

​

Morton are looking dead in the water already, occupying the automatic spot and leaving Berwick well and truly in a competitive race to try and avoid the relegation play off spot with Queen of the South and Hamilton looking like the two likeliest clubs to join us in the battle.

 

[DerbyJack]

5th December 2015
Scottish Championship

​

The defence has dramatically collapsed of late and Cowdenbeath were quick to take advantage with a five goal demolition job putting pay to Banjos equaliser as we completely collapsed in the first half of the game. Theres an alarming gap starting to grow between us and the rest of the mid table teams.


12th December 2015
Scottish Championship

We need to stop the rot and quick. Aberdeen should be running away with this league but following a sloppy start, the Dons are finally mounting a late push for promotion and a three goal demolition of the Borderers did them no harm as they brushed us off with ease.


15th December 2015
Scottish Championship

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We've stemmed the rot with a scrappy draw against Raith. A goal on the seventh minute suggested we were in for another rough ride but we rallied well and the constant saviour Pat Walker rifled home a deserved equaliser to give us a much needed point to try and drag us away from the relegation playoff spot.



19th December 2015
Scottish Championship

​

...and were back to letting them in. The three man defence is finally coming into question as four goals find there way past the helpless Lowery as Queen of the South took the game to us in the first half but the always reliable strikers fired us back into the game with Walker and Dalziel both finding the back of the net with only a Blake own goal cruelly snatching away all three points.


December 2015
Scottish Championship

Four points behind but with a game in hand were not quite being left for dead yet. A poor month see's us fail to take a singly victory as our record in league starts to take on a rather negative spin with just four wins and ten losses, seeing fifty one goals find the back of our net. Something needs to change.

 

[kitchin75]

unlucky mate but im sure you will turn it around

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks kitchin, keeping everything crossed, not sure of our chances if we are dragged into the relegation playoffs.​

So we're here again, halfway through the third season of my reign and for the first time, the January transfer window has probably never been so important. With the squad low on morale and deep in a relegation battle, some much needed strengthening is in order.

First order of business however is the departures, however this time it was a much more productive experience then the previous seasons.

​

The only departures from Northumberland see's two of our young fringe players head out back to the Scottish League Two for some first team football as the highly rated English duo of Ade Jennings and Alistair Hutchings both depart for 3 months to join Annan and East Stirlingshire respectively.

With both acting as backup for the first team its hoped the rough and tumble of the bottom league could bring them up to speed to develop into the fine players they have the potential to be.

With the exit door firmly shut we returned to the welcoming some new faces to the club. With the defence leaking goals in dramatic fashion there was always going to be one clear aim for this window...

Cost: Free
From: Airdrie

Been trying to sign Swinglehurst for ages now but with the introduction of our championship status and being Challenge Cup title holders (not to mention the new patch) we were finally able to land our man on a free. I was tempted to try and add some wide defenders to the mix to give us the option of four at the back but it seems Scotland is fresh out of any English wing backs so we remain with a solid three in the middle and for the remainder of the season, Swinglehurst is going to be right in the mix.

Cost: Free
From: Raith

If there's one massive gap we currently have in the team its on the right flank, with only make-shift right back Jon Blake able to operate in the position but the arrival of James Sinclair at least gives us some depth. He too might be primarily a defender but having been highly rated by Chief Scout David Seaman I was quick to bring him in, despite it seeming that Beckham doesn't rate him quite so highly. Quick fix.

Cost: 1k
From: Arborath

The final signing of the season is the first in my career that actually see's me spend any money. Despite desperately needing to save funds for our professional status, the opportunity to bring another long term target in the shape of Lari Yoa could not be ignored. With Coultress and Banjo's partnership in the middle looking increasingly shaky, its hoped Yoa could add some stiff competition and add some spark to the midfield.

Job Done. All in all pretty pleased with the transfer window, not entirely sure I've been able to say that before but for once there was no unwanted departures and it seems I've managed to bring in a fairly decent crop of players. Now all that remains is to see if they can give a much needed boost to our standing in the league.​

 

[DerbyJack]

2nd January 2016
Scottish Championship

With no victory in five games we finally pick up three points in the strangest of fashions as despite going a man down following the sending off of defender Jonathon Fairbairn after just seventeen minutes, striker Josh Morris netted a fine brace with a well taken goal in the second half and a penalty two minutes from time as we stunned a stricken Falkirk.


6th January 2016
Scottish Championship

No sooner have we returned to winning ways then were straight back to losing as we once again slump to a defeat at the hands of the league leaders Dunfermline. Despite a goal in his first game since arriving for right midfielder James Sinclair were powerless to stop Dunfermline from dominating as they romp to a comfortable victory.


9th January 2016
Scottish Championship

​

Having been beaten by the top club were back to winning ways courtesy of the bottom club as we cruise past the struggling Morton with Bia-Bi returning to the score-sheet to increase the distance between and the the seemingly doomed Greenock. At least we don't have to worry about automatically going down any more.


13th January 2016
Scottish Championship

Not exactly consistent at the minute. We're struggling to find any kind of form of late and another convincing loss did little to help us as the fallen club, Hibernian continue there late push for automatic promotion with a first half demolition job that saw them rifle home four quick fire goals.


16th January 2016
Scottish Championship

Keeping the current pattern of results we pick up a victory following a scrappy game against fellow strugglers Hamilton, with two goals deep into the closing minutes of the game, proving to be just enough to squeeze past Academical and give us another fighting shot at moving away from these relegation spots.


26th January 2016
Scottish Championship

And it carries on. We once again drop points following a thrilling game at Shielfield Park that saw both teams throw caution into the wind, with each club matching one another for goals through out the game with an unfortunate own goal from Oli Monguel proving to be the only difference between the teams.



30th January 2016
Scottish Championship

We round off a mixed month fittingly with a draw, with a tight game against Raith once again seeing us match the club goal for goal, courtesy of the returning Pat Walker. The striker has been in and out of the squad following a poor spell of form but marked his return to the starting line up with an encouraging performance.



January 2016
Scottish Championship

The new year see's us keeping just about in touch with our fellow strugglers, with Falkirk now dragged dangerously into the fight. Morton have already pretty much booked an unwanted spot in League One but were not out of danger yet with the playoff spot still keeping us in a firm grip.

 

[devilzal]

Where are you?

 

[DerbyJack]

Sorry! Been busy with the whole Christmas thing. I've been playing though but apparently according to the woman, buying presents is slightly more important...who knew?!

​

2nd February 2016
Scottish Championship

Not exactly the result we needed to bring us out of the play off spot. Cowdenbeath are deep in their own battle in the middle of the table and duly gave us one **** of a battering as they look to claw there way to the promotion spots. A red card to Banjo hardly helped but that point in the game was already well out of our reach following a second half collapse.​

13th February 2016
Scottish Championship

The favourites to join us in the relegation spots find themselves keeping just out of harms reach but a dull draw against the Rangers, fortunately didn't allow Queen of the South yet more breathing room as we look to pull them back into the danger zone before the end of the season.​

20th February 2016
Scottish Championship

Hibs have struggled to adapt to life in League One but a recent turn around has brought them back into the promotion race however a resilient Berwick side were keen not to leave Edinburgh without at least a point with Scottish striker Jody Morris scoring an early opener that proved enough to hold off the former Premier League despite the second red in three games once again spoiling a solid point for the Borderers.
​

February 2016
Scottish Championship

Were not six points behind the closest team, with Falkirk now looking like the only club that we might just swap places with come the end of the season but truth be told Berwick is already preparing itself for what is certain to be a bitter relegation play off battle.​

 

[Conn]

What happened to the team ?
After beeing so consistent for so many seasons it seems they cant perform even the tad consistent now...
I realize you ain't got the best of squads, but all those goals leaked.... if its from crosses, try using a Half back infront of the 3man defence as he will cover the runs into the box.

I smell qualification, but im confident that next season will be total awesomness! good signings!

 

[DerbyJack]

A combination of no marque signings a lengthy season and being promoted far too quickly. In short we are out of our depth.

Mostly its out wide but one small problem is if I pull a man deeper were literally not going to score goals and that is the only thing keeping us off the bottom. Its pretty much going to be a case of out scoring everyone for the time being.

​

8th March 2016
Scottish Championship

​

Almost two months since our last victory but we've finally picked up all three points in a relegation six pointer against fellow struggler's Falkirk. Having lost the lead just before the break it seemed our fate was all but sealed but a second half team talk galvanized the squad and a spirited display saw us fight back to claim a welcome victory.


12th March 2016
Scottish Championship

​

With a victory tucked away any dreams of a run of form to end the season were quickly dashed when we came up against top of the table Dunfermline. An early goal from Pat Walker did little to to fight the tide as a rampant Dunfermline hit back in style with Doolan silencing the Borderers faithful with a deftly executed hat-trick to all but confirm there place in the Premier League and push us further towards a play off fight.

​

19th March 2016
Scottish Championship

​

Having started the season with a shot at getting out of the relegation play off spot we end it having all but condemned ourselves to duking it out to save our Championship status. Bottom of the table Morton already know that next season they will be plying there trade in league One and a ruthless display gave them the perfect opportunity to drag us down with them.


March 2016
Scottish Championship

Any hopes of avoiding the lottery of relegation playoffs now seems all but lost. With nine points now standing between us and the nearset teams it would take a massive improvement in form and a complete collapse from either Falkirk and Queen of the South to gift us with a way of confirming our status in the league.

 

[DerbyJack]

2nd April 2016
Scottish Championship

Our chances were slim but after just one game into our final month were condemned to a play off battle for survival following a convincing defeat at the hands of Aberdeen. The Dons controlled the entire game with a goal from the seasons most consistent performer Morris proving to be the only bright side of a disappointing afternoon.


9th April 2016
Scottish Championship

With little to play for this season any more, we welcomed Hamilton Academical to Shielfield Park, with the mid table side duly showing just why there well clear of the relegation battle with a ruthless display that saw Foley net a well earned hat-trick to cancel out a first goal for defender Steven Swinglehurst.


23rd April 2016
Scottish Championship

In the penultimate game of the season we managed to salvage some respect from what is building to be a catastrophic month with our Scottish striking duo picking up both the goals as we snatched a point against Cowdenbeath, courtesy of a red card early in the second half.


30th April 2016
Scottish Championship

Our season isn't over quite yet but we end the normal phase of it with a rare victory. Dalziel continues to make a convincing case for a starting spot in our play off battle with a stunning hat-trick that proved to be enough to see off Raith. With an important series of games still to come, having the Scot in form is crucial to our chances of survival.


April 2016
Scottish Championship

Predicted to come last, I suppose we can at least take some positives from the season but non the less its been a disappointing one for the Borderers. With a playoff spot finally confirmed, we can gear up for a fierce battle in the coming months as we look to try and maintain our Championship status against some of League Ones most determined sides.

Its not going to be easy.​

 

[DerbyJack]

From Promotion last season were now fighting for survival in the same play off competition with the plucky Stenhousemuir the first to face us from League One as we look to try and cling on to life in Championship.​

11th May 2015
Scottish Championship Relegation Playoff Semi Final - First Leg

A narrow and tense game, saw striker Josh Morris continue to impress. As one of only three Scottish players in the team he still remains influential, picking up a winning goal just two minutes after the break to send us back to Sheilfield Park with a slender advantage that we will do everything to cling on to.


14th May 2015
Scottish Championship Relegation Playoff Semi Final - Second Leg

It just wouldn't be Berwick without a little but of spice added to the game. A dominant first half saw us increase the lead to three goals courtesy of our in form Scottish duo, Dalziel and Morris but a collapse just ten minutes from time gifted Stenhousemuir with a way back into the game that they almost took advantage of, however a spot kick deep into injury time proved to be there only reward for a fierce game.

Having done just enough to make it into the final we were hoping for a relatively easy tie to secure our place but lone and behold were drawn up against a side that made our short time in League One altogether rather awkward, Livingston.​

17th May 2015
Scottish Championship Relegation Playoff Final - First Leg

It was all going so well until the final two minutes. Our inability to seal out a game has cost us again in the cruellest of fashions as a game seemingly destined for a well earned draw ended with Livingston taking a commanding lead back to there stadium, whilst Berwick stare directly down to the division below knowing that it will take one **** of a turn around to remain in the second tier.


21st May 2015
Scottish Championship Relegation Playoff Final - Second Leg

​

The game got off to a frantic pace with with both sides flying out of the blocks in an amazing display that saw Livingston lucky to draw level with just a minute of normal time remaining forcing the match into the dreaded extra time.
To add to our woes Livi then took the lead with ten minutes left of the game however the Wee Rangers were not done yet. Captain Jack Boyle netted the tenth of the evening to tie things up with the fan favourite Pat Walker fittingly rifling home a trademark goal four minutes from time to stun the home crowd and keep Berwick firmly rooted in the Championship.

I've never experienced something that tense in Football Manager before and hopefully I won't for a while yet but non the less, weve scraped through. Another season in Scotlands second tier awaits and hopefully a much more comfortable one for the Berwick faithful.​

 

[Safc-mad-scotty]

That last game must have been intense haha

 

[DerbyJack]

Not going to lie, I got a little to excited and punched my door. Knocked the panel clean out the middle of it. Still not entirely sure why?!​

Adapting to life in the Scottish Championship has seen the club survive an extremely steep learning curve but its to be expected following the clubs rapid rise up the league tables.
​

2015/16
Scottish Championship

Unsurprisingly there were to be no awards this season for the Borderers. The formation struggled with the increased pace and skill levels of the Championship as we shipped in a mammoth ninety three goals bringing our three man defence firmly into the spot light but with the dust finally settling on a traumatic season in Northumberland thoughts are already turning to what can be done to ensure were not put through the same drama again.

With just one solitary month standing between us and the pre-season the race is already on to bring the entire team up to speed.​

 

[DerbyJack]

As is becoming tradition at this point of the season its time to look over the squad at the end of the footballing year to see just how far this English revolution has come.

Weeding out the last few Scots is proving to be quite a stumbling block. With just three now remaining in the first team its fair to say they've had a massive impact upon our survival this season, with striking duties mainly being entirley reliant on Dalziel and Morris come the end of the season and the duo have certainly rewarded my faith.

Non the less the squad is vastly changed from when I took over. Having started my career in Berwick with just one English player, we now sit at the highest point ever achieved in Berwicks long history with a team held together by English might.

Despite a wobble in our rapid progress, we still have the likes of England Under-19's Jordan Lowery and Lee Armstrong to thank for ensuring a bright future for the club and making sure this revolution continues in full force.​

 

[DerbyJack]

Whilst the squad maybe settling down following a battering this season, things in the backroom continue to change as we look to strengthen for the coming season.


With a thread bare staff team doing just about enough to get the team through the season in some form of fitness, we were quick to ensure that we would not be left short handed again, continuing the fine Berwick tradition of recruiting former England players as welcomed back two familiar faces to Sheilfield.

​

Having left us during a period of massive upheaval for the team, we were quick to forgive and forget, with former Under-19s assistant manager Kieron Dyer now taking up the role of Head of Youth Development and my assistant manager for the first two seasons, Micheal Owen now taking up the reigns of the Under-19s manager post left vacant by the promoted David Beckham.

I still genuinely think If I could get them to play, my backroom team would absolutely walk this entire league with ease...one of these days.​

 

[DerbyJack]

With a disappointing season behind us, the pre-season transfer window looms into view and the Borderers were quick to leap into action to try and strengthen their hold in the league

No fewer then nine players are shipped out of Shielfield Park as the club goes through its biggest exodus of my career.
​

The main departures this year was that of a number of failed young talents with the likes of Williams-Mitchell, Leigh, Blake, McMath and Washburn all failing to live up to expectations in there short time of the club. With no room for failure in this cut throat league we took a ruthless approach releasing all of them.

Joining the youngsters through the exit where both of our left sided midfielders, Jack Boyle and Scot Kenny O'Brien, with neither having made much of an impact in there tenures at the club. Goalkeeper Alex Mitchell and midfielder Ricky Burke also suffered the same fate as the squad reshuffle saw them fail to make the grade.

The remaining departures saw four of our finest youth talents all leave on loan for the remainder of the season as we look to jump start our youth products to give a needed internal boost to the squad.

Having shipped out the majority of the deadwood at the squad the team was in dire need of strengthening and having maintained our Championship status and picked up the Ramsdens Challenge Cup it appears we've finally got some form of pulling power.

​

Cost: Free
From: East Fife

Our leaky defence caused us no ends of troubles over the course of last season so the main target of the window was to bolster our 3 man back wall, with young Macaulay Gillesphey the first to add some much needed physical power. The rapid twenty year old will look to shut down any dangerous attacks that happen to slip past our rigid defence.

​

Cost: Free
From: Cowdenbeath

Returning to the club comes defender Travis Gregory. One of my first signings at the club he guided us to two successful promotions as a solid member of our former resilient defence before seeking a professional contract with Cowdenbeath. However an entire season sat on the sidelines, see's the still young defended eager to re-sign to the club that gave him his first tastes of the Scottish Football League

​

Cost: Free
From: Out of Contract

A bit of a mix up this one. David Seaman reported that former Colchester Winger, Medy Elito was more then capable of adding some much needed talent to our left flank, however upon signing him to our club it appears Beckham does not agree with his former team-mate and its fair to say a-side from a turn of speed, Elito isnt going to be adding much to the team.

​

Cost: Free
From: Out of Contract

With Elito's arrival not having the intended impact, we turned to baby faced Alex Whittle, with the former Dunfermline player much more suitable to David Beckhams eye. With the same turn of speed as Elito, yet still actually possessing the ability to cross a ball, Whittle is a shoe in for a starting spot in the first team for the coming season.

Cost: Free
From: Out of Contract

Having just left the club a fort-night ago, we welcome Alex Mitchell back to the club having failed to find any form of English goalkeeper who was more capable between the sticks or more importantly willing to join us. The stopper has been forced out of the squad by Youth prodigy Jordan Lowery some time ago but is still more then willing to deputize for the future star re-signing for another season.

Cost: Free
From: Out of Contract.

The biggest signing in Berwick's entire history.​

The man, the powerhouse, the legend that is Emile Heskey is now Berwick Ranger's key striker. Having been signed by Hearts last season the striker kept up his remarkable strike record netting nine times....in forty one games, which unsurprisingly led to Hearts relegation and his release however, He's still got an important role to play this season. Despite being Thirty Eight he's our main hope for finding the back of the net in the season to come.

And with that the window was done. Nine departures, two returning players and the one and only Emile Heskey all make there way through Shielfield Park as we gear up for another season in the Championship.​

 

[MatthewElphinstone]

IT'S HESKEY TIME :3