St Patrick’s FPs made it three in a row, as they were officially crowned Central Scotland Premier League champions for a third straight season.
Both Saints and closest challengers Lesmahagow had to wait for league officials to make a final decision on unplayed games, but last week, it was the Dumbarton side who were formally declared as league winners.
However, coach Zander Diamond admitted it some positive news at the end of a disappointing season for the club - managed by Johnny O’Brien - who suffered semi-final heartbreak in three cups.
He told the Lennox: “We set out every season to win the league. Which is great and an achievement. Especially with it being three in a row.
“But it’s definitely been a bit of an anti-climax after the cup semi-finals.
“The season as a whole could’ve been, and should’ve been, a bit better.
“In the league we did really well. But we are left with a lot of what ifs.
“Including the league we were in four competitions. We’ve won the league, but losing in three cup semi-finals is probably the biggest disappointment for everyone.
“With the standards we had set we did the hard work to get to the top of the league. But the manner in which we lost the cup games was really disappointing.
“It became an anti-climax in a way.
“We could’ve clinched the title on the park if we’d beaten Gartcosh.
“We were 45 minutes away from winning the title, and we lost 2-1, before results the following weekend meant that we were still top of the league.
“Winning the league is a great achievement, but it has got to be better next season. We can’t be feeling sorry for ourselves.”
The former Aberdeen and Northampton Town defender, who has one cap for Scotland B, initially offered to take a training session for Saints.
But now finds himself as a key member of the ambitious club’s backroom staff, and admits he’s loving every minute - even if his involvement has become a full-time role.
Zander laughed: “I initially came to just take one training session. Now I’m completely invested in what the future holds for the club!
“I’ve loved every moment. I went to the school and my uncle played for Saints, so my life has always run in parallel with the club.
“Personally, for me, to come back home and put everything I’ve learned into St Pats is very special. And I’m loving every moment of it.
“When we’re doing well we get a big support, and we’ve got a healthy gathering watching games every week anyway.
“It’s been brilliant to go from one or two training sessions to be there all the time.
“We want everything to be the best for the players; kit, training. Everything.
“I love getting my hands dirty and reshaping the whole club.
“We’ve got to progress the club, and it becomes like a full-time job.”
