TRUE FAITH: HOW TO WIN THE FIRST DIVISION

 TELL HIM HE'S PELÉ

At the top of Dingwall’s High Street lies a fairly unremarkable area of town. Fast food outlets outnumber other types of commercial premises and surround a pedestrianised precinct – it is generally only flooded by school children during weekday lunchtimes but otherwise can be humdrum until the weekend. Beside a Chinese takewaway – and facing across from another – is the local newsagents, which in many respects is typical of any other across the country. At the back of the shop, beyond the rows of magazines, convenience groceries and the Post Office counter, is an out-of-bounds stock room and nondescript office.

The plain, utilitarian look and feel of the hidden part of the building could not better mask the distinction of a playing career of one of the Scottish lower leagues’ most explosive and decorated footballers of the last 15 years.

It is here where I meet Barry Wilson, a partner in the shop and current manager of League 2 side Elgin City. Wilson ended his playing days at Elgin only three seasons ago – at 40 years old – before becoming manager at Wick Academy and then replacing Ross Jack at Borough Briggs in October 2013.

As a winger, Wilson was blessed with brisk pace and a particular eye for goal quite unlike the majority of wide midfielders around Scottish football during his career. After starting at Ross County, Wilson enjoyed success just about everywhere he played, winning league titles and experiencing European adventures with a host of clubs.

It is the Livingston side that won the First Division that we get together to talk about. Wilson arrived at Almondvale in the prime of his career, having enjoyed four successful seasons with Inverness Caledonian Thistle during which they gained promotion through the bottom two divisions. He transferred in the summer of 2000 for a reported fee of £100,000 and won promotion to the Scottish Premier League in his first year with the Lions.

Read the full article at www.tellhimhespele.com/true-faith-how-to-win-the-first-division/