2008–09 Scottish Third Division

Teams for 2008–09

East Fife as champions of the 2007–08 season were directly promoted to the 2008–09 Scottish Second Division. They were replaced by Berwick Rangers who finished bottom of the 2007–08 Scottish Second Division.

A second promotion place was available via a play-off tournament between the ninth-placed team of the 2007–08 Scottish Second Division, Cowdenbeath, and the sides ranked second, third and fourth in the 2007–08 Scottish Third Division, Stranraer, Montrose and Arbroath respectively. The play off was won by Arbroath who defeated Stranraer in the final. Cowdenbeath were therefore relegated. However, due to Gretna's expulsion from the Football League, an extra promotion place was awarded, thus Stranraer as losing play-off finalists were also promoted.

Annan Athletic, formerly of the East of Scotland League, were admitted to the SFL to replace Gretna, who resigned their league status on 3 June.) The SFL voted on the matter on 3 July, with 5 clubs having put forward applications. Annan, who like Gretna are from the Dumfries and Galloway region, were chosen above other applicants Cove Rangers, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Spartans.

Overview

Relegated from Second Division to Third Division

• Berwick Rangers
• Cowdenbeath (via play-offs)

Promoted from Third Division to Second Division

• East Fife
• Arbroath (via play-offs)
• Stranraer (losing play-off finalists, promoted due to Gretna's demotion to Third Division)

Newly admitted into SFL

• Annan Athletic

Stadia and attendances

Source: The League Insider

A.East Stirlingshire ground shared with Stenhousemuir.

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Teams play each other four times in this league. In the first half of the season each team plays every other team twice (home and away) and then do the same in the second half of the season.

First half of season

Second half of season

Top scorers

Source: The League Insider

Events

Main article: 2008–09 in Scottish football#Notable events

• 3 July – Annan Athletic, formerly of the East of Scotland League were admitted to the SFL, beating Cove Rangers, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Spartans. They replaced Gretna, who resigned their league status on 3 June.
• 13 November – A consortium led by Berwick Rangers Supporters Club agreed a deal to take over the club. Following a poor run of form, manager Allan McGonigal resigned at the same time saying "I made up my mind that when the current directors left I would move on."

Monthly awards

Main article: Scottish Football League monthly awards

References

References

1. (3 June 2008). "Gretna relinquish league status". [[BBC Sport]].
2. (3 July 2008). "Annan voted into Scottish league". [[BBC Sport]].
3. (28 March 2008). "Berwick Rangers 2-2 Peterhead". BBC Sport.
4. (3 May 2008). "Cowdenbeath 1-2 Arbroath (2-3)". BBC Sport.
5. (1 June 2007). "East Stirlingshire 0-3 East Fife". BBC Sport.
6. (10 May 2008). "Stranraer 1-0 Arbroath (1-2)". BBC Sport.
7. (29 May 2008). "Gretna demoted to Division Three". BBC Sport.
8. {{usurped
9. Shows position in table at time when manager departed.
10. (28 June 2008). "McCormack new Accies assistant". [[BBC Sport]].
11. (9 July 2008). "Martin is new Albion Rovers boss". [[BBC Sport]].
12. (8 October 2008). "Montrose job interests Donachie". BBC Sport.
13. (19 October 2008). "Montrose FC Latest News - October 2008". Montrose F.C..
14. (15 January 2009). "Tweed takes charge at Links Park". BBC Sport.
15. (13 November 2008). "Supporters head Berwick takeover". BBC Sport.
16. (26 December 2008). "Crease named new Berwick manager". BBC Sport.
17. (20 December 2008). "Elgin manager quits before match". BBC Sport.
18. (23 January 2009). "New Elgin boss has heady ambition". BBC Sport.
19. (10 December 2008). "Supporters head Berwick takeover". BBC Sport.
20. (9 September 2008). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards August, 2008". Scottish Football League.
21. (15 October 2008). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards September, 2008". Scottish Football League.
22. (11 November 2008). "THE IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards October, 2008". Scottish Football League.
23. (11 December 2008). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards November, 2008". Scottish Football League.
24. (12 January 2009). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards December, 2008". Scottish Football League.
25. (9 February 2009). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards January, 2009". Scottish Football League.
26. (19 March 2009). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards February, 2009". Scottish Football League.
27. (14 April 2009). "The IRN-BRU SFL Manager and Player of the Month Awards March, 2009". Scottish Football League }}{{dead link.
28. (26 May 2009). "IThe IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Manager and Player of the Month Awards April, 2009". Scottish Football league.