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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ross County relegated: How will it affect people and business in Dingwall?
Highland club Ross County's battle for survival in the Scottish Premiership fizzled out with a 4-2 defeat to Livingston on Monday night. Relegation has left the Staggies - and its home town of Dingwall - facing a potentially challenging season in the Championship, both on and off the pitch. Hotels and pubs have enjoyed a boost to takings from hosting large crowds of visiting fans from teams like Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen. Will a move into the lower leagues have an impact beyond football? Raffael Santos owns The Mallard - a pub on Dingwall Station's platform and a few minutes walk from the stadium. It is regularly packed out on home match days, with about 35-40% of business coming from visiting fans. But like many Ross County fans, he is hopeful their spell in the Championship is short-lived. "A lot of the town's businesses survive from big games like Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen," Mr Santos said. "We'll need to work hard to make the business keep going, but hopefully next year they are back into the Scottish premier league." Big games were also profitable for The Legion Club. Its chairman Mike Murray said: "We got coaches of supporters booked in - like Hearts, Aberdeen and Hibs. They'd tend to phone two-three weeks before a game. "We could have 150 to 200 supporters through in the function room, and a good Saturday was a boost to the club." Leia Stephen, co-owner of the National Hotel, is experiencing the effects of relegation for the first time. County was last relegated in 2018. Ms Stephen said home games have been helpful to the business during quieter winter tourist seasons. "Football fans usually just stay one night but sometimes make a weekend out of it," she added. "Our bar and restaurant host away and home supporters." The Championship is a highly competitive league, but experts say it will not match the financial benefits of playing in the big league brought to a small club. Kieran Maguire, a University of Liverpool football finance lecturer, said County will miss the revenue near-capacity attendances that visits by bigger clubs brought. He said the Staggies could lose at least £500,000 because of lower gate receipts, having fewer televised games and less prize money. And with an already tight wage bill, he warned there is "not a lot of fat to cut" to help make savings. But councillor Graham MacKenzie said one of County's strengths was that it was deeply rooted in the community. When he worked as a teacher he was impressed by how many young people chose the Staggies over a bigger club. "It's come as a bit of a blow to everyone," Mr MacKenzie said of relegation. "It's not so many months ago we had high high hopes we could finish in the top six." But he believes both town - home to about 5,500 people - and club have the resilience to cope with the coming season. Bruce Ritchie, one of many Staggies fans in Dingwall pondering the future outside the Premiership, said football was important to the town. "I'm really proud of the fact that we've been in the top division for so many years. "It's going to be a big miss." Other Staggies fans might be hurting, but they are far from sore losers. "I just felt Ross County weren't good enough, I'm afraid," conceded fan Panja Bethune. "It's a shame that they've been relegated. "Livingston were the better team on the day." George Meiklejohn agreed his club were beaten by a good, strong team. He added: "But they've bounced back once before and I'm sure they will again." Another fan, County Kebab takeaway manager Alex Toward, says regardless of where the club is in the leagues it should be proud. "This area is not big and not very well-known - yes, everyone knows of Scotland and the Highlands - but not many think of Dingwall specifically," he says. "I think the fact they (Ross County) are trying so hard to make a name for themselves and have come so far, they should be impressed and proud of their achievements." 'Red flags' as County face 'very tough' financial future County 'fell short' and will suffer 'financial hit' Martindale's belief rewarded as Livingston roar back to Premiership in play-off Ross County fans: We can't afford to lose the dream Ross County
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ross County must outline ambition to bounce back - and Don Cowie is the man to lead it, says Staggies podcaster
Ross County must quickly underline their ambition to bounce back to the Premiership. That is the verdict of Ross Morren, of the County Corner podcast, as the Staggies prepare for the reality of second-tier football next season. County suffered relegation on Monday following six years in the top flight, after a dismal run of 11 matches without a victory culminated in an aggregate 5-3 play-off defeat to Livingston. Meetings are ongoing this week to map out the club's strategy to attack the Championship, which they won at the first time of asking after they were last relegated seven years ago. With the play-offs delaying County's fate, Morren insists the Staggies have little time to dwell on the pain of the drop. Morren said: 'There has definitely got to be an ambition to get back up at the first time of asking. 'They were able to do it last time, but it was a much different Championship compared to what it is now. 'You look at St Johnstone who are making a couple of signings already, bringing in experienced, physical Championship players such as Jack Baird and Morgan Boyes. 'I look back to the season we were in the Championship, with guys like Callum Morris, Iain Vigurs and Declan McManus coming in having had good seasons in the league. 'It added a bit of know-how, alongside the experience we already had. 'There are definitely players in there to be had – it's just a bit concerning that because of the uncertainty about our own fate, has that put us behind other clubs?' Staggies boss Don Cowie indicated immediately after the Livingston that he believed he was the man to lead the club's charge to return to the top flight. Despite the dire end of season form, Morren would gladly see Cowie given that opportunity. He added: 'I would like to see Don lead it. 'That is based on the fact that after 29 games, we looked in a really strong position. 'If he can replicate that kind of form in the Championship, you would like to think he would give us a really good chance to get back up. 'Then again, there have been concerns over the recruitment which left an imbalance in the squad, and an over-reliance on certain players like Noah Chilvers. 'Roy MacGregor stuck with Malky Mackay after he didn't win any of his first 10 games, and he was rewarded with a top-six finish. 'On the other hand, in the past there have been managers who have been sacked for less than what has occurred at the end of this season. 'But I can see why the club would want to stick with Don, and show faith in him. 'Roy has invested a lot of time in him as a player, coach, assistant and now manager.' The Staggies finished in 11th spot for the third season running, but were unable to navigate a way past Livi following triumphs against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers in the last two seasons. Morren felt the Staggies' fate began to look increasingly inevitable as the campaign wore on, adding: 'With the fact we have just been keeping our head above the water, it felt like we could only circle the drain so many times before we went down it. 'Especially with the past record against Livingston, the physicality of them and the way they were playing, there was always a fear that this might just prove to be third time unlucky in the play-offs. 'Maybe it was just me, but there was a sense of preparation that this was going to happen, alongside the run of form we were on. 'Inevitability feels like the right word. It was a case of when, not if, the luck was eventually going to run out.'
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ross County: Scott Allardice and James Brown to leave Staggies
Ross County have begun the process of preparing their squad for Championship football next season – with Scott Allardice and James Brown to leave the Staggies. County suffered relegation from the Premiership on Monday, following a 5-3 aggregate play-off final defeat to Livingston. County ended the campaign with a dismal run of 11 matches without a victory, with their last triumph coming at home to Kilmarnock on March 1. Manager Don Cowie indicated following relegation that he believes he remains the man to lead the Staggies' push to return to the top flight. A number of discussions are ongoing this week to pore over what went wrong for the Dingwall outfit this season, but also with a view towards setting foundations for next season. Two players who will not be part of the plans next season are midfielder Allardice and defender Brown, who have spent the last two seasons with the Staggies. Allardice joined County in 2023 following a three-year spell with Highland rivals Caley Thistle, however injuries have limited his impact to 39 appearances during that time. Allardice said: 'Whilst it was the worst possible ending, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at the football club from the fans through to the staff off the field. 'Whilst it has not gone the way I would have wanted over the last two years, I have always tried to have a good impact on and off the park. 'I hope the club gets back up at the first time of asking.' Irishman Brown was also brought to the club by Malky Mackay two years ago, after leaving Blackburn Rovers, and has gone on to feature 73 times for the Dingwall outfit. Brown said: 'I would just like to say thanks for everything the club and staff have done for me over the past two years. 'It is a shame how things finished with the relegation but I have no doubt the club will bounce back. I wish everyone nothing but the best going forward.' Seven players who were on loan at Victoria Park have now moved on, with Zac Ashworth, Jonathan Tomkinson, Nohan Kenneh, Will Nightingale, Jack Grieves, Eli Campbell and Kacper Lopata returning to their parent clubs. Along with that, defender Connall Ewan has joined Elgin City on a two-year deal, having previously had a spell on loan at Borough Briggs. In the meantime, we look at the remaining six remaining players who are not under contract ahead of the new campaign. Signed from Wycombe Wanderers in 2021 64 appearances Signed from Salford City in 2023 58 appearances Academy product 13 appearances Signed from Airdrie in 2024 11 appearances Academy product 6 appearances Academy product Yet to make debut
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
ANALYSIS: Ross County cannot afford to dwell on relegation - as efforts must quickly turn to Championship push
Ross County must today begin plotting out their plans for life in the Championship after their relegation was confirmed in Monday's play-off tie against Livingston. The soul-searching will have long begun, as the Staggies reflect on a miserable finish to the season which saw them fail to win any of their final 11 matches. That lack of momentum brought a crushing sense of inevitability that this was going to be one play-off too many for the Dingwall side to overcome. County have never truly been able to capitalise on the bounce from previous play-off triumphs against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers, in their efforts to push up the table. A third successive 11th placed finish left them increasingly vulnerable to the fate that ultimately befell them in their two-legged tie against Livi. Livingston celebrate Robbie Muirhead's goal against Ross County. Image: SNS Don Cowie held his hands up for the drop in form which resulted in their demise, since their last victory at home to Kilmarnock on March 1. At that point County sat handsomely in eighth position – two points adrift of the top-six – and seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Cowie up for challenge of getting County back to Premiership Cowie hinted in the moments that immediately followed County's relegation that discussions would be had about the way forward for him and his boyhood club – who he has served for a combined 16 years as a player, coach and now manager. Ross County manager Don Cowie following the play-off defeat to Livingston. Image: SNS He also underlined his unwavering belief that he remains the man to navigate the Staggies back to the Premiership. At the point of writing, Cowie remains the only club representative to have publicly fronted up County's relegation – with no players willing to make themselves available for press duties after Monday night's defeat. As yet, there has been no clarification on the future of Cowie, who took charge of the Staggies in February 2024 following Derek Adams' short stint in charge. It remains to be seen how Staggies chairman Roy MacGregor will have viewed the slump in form, but also the task that lies ahead of the club in the coming months. Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor. Image: SNS County have enjoyed a tremendous top-flight journey – where they have remained for 12 of the last 13 years since first winning promotion in 2012. During that same time period, Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United, Dundee and St Mirren have spent longer outwith the Premiership than the Staggies. Difficult task awaits in Championship The reality is that is now in the past – and they must now focus their efforts on how to navigate what is a notoriously competitive second-tier. Their last experience of the Championship proved to be a highly successful one, as they bounced back at the first attempt following their relegation in 2018. That should offer no guarantee it will be plain-sailing this time around, given a number of other clubs will have eyes on promotion. County are joined by St Johnstone in making the drop from the top flight, after the Perth side suffered automatic relegation. Simo Valakari has already benefitted from an extra 10 days to prepare for next season compared to the Staggies – who must now resolve the future of a number of out of contract players. St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari. Image: SNS Partick Thistle, Ayr United and Raith Rovers will look to build on promising campaigns, while Dunfermline will look to make a push under fresh ownership. While lessons must be learned from what contributed to County's demise, they cannot afford to spend too long dwelling on it – given the need to get off to a strong start next season.
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Don Cowie believes he is right man to lead Ross County back to Premiership - after Staggies relegated in play-off against Livingston
Don Cowie believes he is the right man to lead Ross County back to the Premiership after the Staggies were relegated following their play-off defeat against Livingston. County suffered a 5-3 aggregate defeat to Livi, to end their six-year stay in the top-flight. With the sides locked at 1-1 following the first leg, County made the ideal start to go two goals to the good through Josh Nisbet and Ronan Hale inside 24 minutes. Livi pulled back a lifeline through Lewis Smith in the dying stages of the first half however, before they turned the tie on its head through quickfire goals from Danny Wilson and Robbie Muirhead in the space of two minutes just before the hour mark. After relinquishing their leading position the Staggies never truly recovered, with substitute Tete Yengi adding a further goal in stoppage time. It proved to be a play-off tie too many for County, who have retained their top-flight status by winning ties against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers in the last two seasons. A devastated Cowie, who has been in charge at Victoria Park since February 2024, hopes to be given the chance to lead the Staggies back to the top flight at the first time of asking. Cowie said: 'It's obviously raw right now – really sore. 'We'll need to have those conversations, because we've been waiting to see what league we're in. 'But what I do know is, as much as I'm hurting right now and as sore as it is – and I accept the last few months have not been good enough – I've got huge belief in myself and motivation that I can get this club back to the Premiership. 'David Martindale is a prime example of that. This time last year, getting relegated with Livingston and responding by winning the play-offs this year. 'Those conversation will take place. It is really raw and sore, but the support I've had in this really challenging spell from the chairman Roy MacGregor and chief executive Steven Ferguson has been incredible. 'And also my family because it has been a tough time. 'I've been in football a long time and it can be tough, It makes you stronger, more determined and more resilient.' It all started so brightly for the Staggies, who took the lead after just six minutes. Nohan Kenneh played in Hale down the left flank, and he drove the ball across goal to pick out the late run of Nisbet, who guided home a fine first-time finish. The Dingwall men put themselves into an excellent position on 24 minutes though, after capitalising on slack defending from the visitors. Former Staggies midfielder Stephen Kelly took a heavy touch as Livi attempted to play the ball out from the back, with Hale quick to pounce before going clean through on goal and sliding a composed low finish past Jerome Prior. Livingston secured a lifeline just five minutes before the break however, as they pulled back a timely goal to breathe new life into the encounter. It came courtesy of an excellent solo effort from Smith, who glided into the box down the inside left-channel past four Staggies defenders, before darting a low strike across Amissah into the far corner. Boosted by the timely goal, Livingston pulled the tie back level again on 57 minutes when Muirhead powered a low free-kick goalwards which Amissah did well to parry and even better to keep out Wilson's follow-up, but the defender reacted quickest to bundle home at the second attempt. The goal was ruled to be onside following a VAR check, however, further damage was to be done just two minutes later when Muirhead picked up the ball on the right flank before angling a sublime curling strike beyond Amissah. Having made such a strong start on the night, the Staggies now had to chase a way back into the tie to remain in the top-flight. They pushed for a leveller, with Ashworth seeing an effort blocked and Connor Randall denied by Prior. County made a number of attacking substitutions but Livingston increasingly snuffed out their efforts, with a big late chance never really arriving for the home side. In the dying seconds, Yengi wriggled free of Eli Campbell to thump home a fifth goal for his side across the tie, bringing an end to a bitterly disappointing campaign for the Highlanders, who must now regroup for life in the second-tier.
