HALL GONE

Bye Henry
By Gary McKenzie
November 29 2005

Montrose have parted company with manager Henry Hall after a string of poor results and performances that leave the club in seventh spot, six points behind rivals Arbroath. Ian Gilzean takes over as caretaker while the club searches for a new boss.

Henry took over as caretaker manager from John Sheran in October 2003. His reign began with a 5-1 home thumping of East Stirlingshire. A draw with Peterhead and wins against Albion and Elgin secured the permanent post for the diminutive PE teacher.

Montrose went on to finish 6th, which was disappointing but we had shown enough to suggest we could mount a better challenge the next season.

Season 2004/5 saw us finish one place better, and with Gretna and Peterhead spending their way to the top, we approached this season with some optimism. However, the loss of key players - Wood, Sharp and Smart - affected the rhythm of the team, and this season has seen some poor performances, not least the recent defeat by Arbroath after leading 1-0.

There were some high points... performing well against Livingston in the Cup and losing by the narrowest of margins, that 5-1 Cup win over Forfar at their own patch, and the tight 1-0 victory over Arbroath at Links Park this year. However, there were many more low points. Successive recent defeats to Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir and that defeat to Arbroath, and the style in which they were lost, really saw off any hope Henry had of keeping his job.

So, who's next for the post? Will it finally be Dave Baikie, who has been linked with the job many times in the past? Will the board decide that Ian Gilzean should step up? There seem to be no ideal or obvious candidates. Watch this space!