The Scottish League Cup begins this week and Derby fever will hit Angus where Arbroath play host to nearby neighbours Montrose.
Arbroath player/ boss Paul Sheerin has seen a few Derby games in his playing career that included stops at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ayr United, however the six all-Angus games he was part of in season 2010/11 are just as memorable as northern meetings with Ross County and southern clashes with Kilmarnock.
Sheerin was just a few months into his role at Gayfield when his side lost their first meeting 3-0 before suffering a Scottish Cup exit at the hands of the Links Park side in replay, however it was smiles all round as they won the next 3 games scoring 13 goals and conceding just 1.
The final meeting that season was more than memorable as Arbroath’s 4-1 success saw them secure their first ever trophy in front of their own fans as well as those of the Gable Endies.
Sheerin said: “At Inverness I played against Ross County when we were both in the Second Division and it is great to see how that game has grown in stature in recent years. When I was with Ayr I played against Kilmarnock in a CIS Cup tie in the season we reached the Final. I managed to get myself sent off but the boys held on to win on penalties.”
“Those games were always passionate affairs and meetings between Arbroath and Montrose are the same. It is not just the game that is a big as the week beforehand is huge as well. Players, fans and people associated with both clubs start getting excited in the days leading up to an Arbroath and Montrose game as local pride is at stake.”
“When you are first involved you perhaps do not expect the rivalry but winning this game allows the Chairman, the Board and the fans to walk with their chests out for a while. Getting the bragging rights over each other makes this Derby the same as the others I played in.”
Sheerin recalled the six meetings from 2010/11 starting with a day he would like to forget
Rest at: http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/six-of-the-best-from-angus-with-paul-sheerin/