This year however, the feeling of anxious anticipation has been replaced by a sense of morbid curiosity. We all know that we are not going to Ochilview to witness the start of a sensational and successful season. Instead we will travel knowing that the team, composed of a few old hands and a bunch of promising youngsters, will need our support throughout the difficult times ahead.
The game kicks off at 7.30pm and entry will be a fiver for adults and two pounds for concessions. The Secretary at Stenny suggests that the entry price will be 'the best value of the season' for 'Well fans. He was able to dismiss talk of us playing 1860 Munich too. In a call to Terry Butcher - "I don't know where that one came from!" - he was reassured that we would be fielding the full first team squad.
I warn you now that I know next to nothing about Stenhousemuir and as such this preview will be even more one sided than usual. The Warriors are in the second division only because the Airdrie/Clydebank situation saved them from going to the Scottish football basement. They appointed John McVeigh as manager at the end of last season and he signed nine players from his old club, Albion Rovers. While we know all the old clichés about results not mattering at this stage, a loss here would be embarrassing and an ominous indicator of how we are likely to fare when the real action starts in a few weeks.
Stevie Woods will presumably start in goal and the defence will probably consist of Ramsay, Corrigan, Kinniburgh and Hammell. I’m not convinced that back line will be enough to keep out Stenhousemuir, never mind an SPL team. As for the midfield, much our season will rest on the shoulders of Scott Leitch. Although he missed the end of last year, he will need to be fit this time. He has not been mentioned during the close season and no one can be sure if he will take part on Tuesday night. Lasley and Pearson should be definite starters and they may be joined by McFadden and Adams. Dirk Lehmann will probably lead the line, with either any one of a number of partners. Adams and Faddy could play there, as could young David Clarkson. It is doubtful if we’ll have a full compliment on the bench for this mid-week game – bed time for the players is round about half time…
Making a prediction for this game is silly and pointless and could only result in me looking foolish. I’ll say 2-0 to the ‘Well then…