Paul Sheerin reflects on historic season

May 31 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

EVERYTHING in the garden is rosy for rookie manager Paul Sheerin after he led Arbroath to their first-ever championship in his debut season.

But the Perth-based family man knows he can’t afford to rest on his laurels and already he is mapping out plans for blooming in the Second Division.

Last summer, Sheerin’s stay with St Johnstone came to an end and he parted company with admiring fans who voted the midfielder their runaway “Saint of the Decade” in a ‘We Are Perth’ website poll.

The Red Lichties presented him with an opportunity to embark on the managerial career he had been plotting towards the end of his time in Perth, where he enjoyed a taste of youth team coaching.

Yesterday, Sheerin (36), who combines his part-time Gayfield post with deliveries for Perth florists McIntyres, admitted his venture into management, combined with playing duties, had thrown up an array of challenges.

And after an anxious start to his fledgling career, he rounded-off the campaign with the title Arbroath fans had been denied for more than a century, a triumph made all the sweeter by securing the trophy by defeating bitter Angus rivals Montrose.

“It was incredible to think that the club had not won a trophy in their 133-year history, despite being up and down the divisions. It was an honour to lead the first squad of players to bring silverware to the club,” said Sheerin.

“It was a massive achievement for us. The fans were anticipating the Montrose game for weeks and there was a crowd of over 2000 in the ground. We were petrified of failure. But it was an amazing day. Beating our fiercest rivals made it even sweeter for the fans.”

But re-wind to the early autumn and Sheerin wasn’t quite as relaxed.

“The first quarter was disastrous,” admitted the ex-Saint, who clocked-up more than 30 games last term in the engine room. “We didn’t gel or get going until the second quarter when we went on a great undefeated run. Fortunately none of the other clubs had put daylight between themselves and the rest.

“We were third bottom at one stage and leaking four and five goals in games. I was wondering where we went from there.”

It was a testing time but Sheerin’s nerve and self-belief held and saw him through a potential crisis.

“It was a tough start to my career in management but we had pushed through a lot of changes and introduced some new ways that players had to get used to. I was always confident in the players we had enticed to the club over the summer.

“We got the balance right and went top beating Stranraer 4-3 when we were down to nine men for the last 15 minutes – and we never looked back.

“It was awkward at first combining management and playing.

“I signed as a player-manager and my intention was always to extend my playing career.

“But as a footballer you worry about your own performances.

“As a manager you have to look at the bigger picture.

“I decided to take a step back and put my playing head on during games and my assistant Stewart Petrie did more of the half-time talking.

“Stewart was recommended to me by Dick Campbell at Forfar when I was looking for an assistant. He was coming back from Australia and we have gone on to form a good partnership, and friendship, and goalkeeping coach Mike Cargill also played his part to the full in a great season for the club.”

At the SFL Irn-Bru awards night, Arbroath’s success was reflected with Sheerin picking-up the Third Division top boss accolade while Gavin Swankie was top player and Josh Falkingham was recognised as Young Player of the Year.