Arbroath F.C.: The Prospects of the Scottish Premiership
If at the start of the Championship season, you were an Arbroath supporter, it would be wishful thinking to imagine that your club would be sitting top of the table halfway through the season.
Yet the Red Litchies season so far is nothing short of a fairy-tale with the Angus club currently three points clear in the automatic promotion spot.
If the part-timers were to gain promotion by being crowned champions or indeed through the promotion play-offs- it would rank as one of the most memorable moments ever to grace Scottish football in the 21st century.
Picture of Arbroath boss, Dick Campbell. Source -Getty Images
However, the prospects of the club in the Premiership is another thing entirely.
About the team’s performances so far this season, club secretary, Dr. Gary Callon said: “On a personal level I am still astounded. What has impressed me most is an absolute togetherness among the management and squad, even those who may not be featuring in the starting eleven. When Dick Campbell took over the reins, his vision was for us to become the best part time football team in the country and he has achieved that.
“Along with his brother, Ian, they have a great eye for a player and are infectious in being able to attract good players to come and play for us.
“It’s also important to note that we are proud of looking after and treating players well at the Club. There are several players who have now been at Gayfield for a few seasons which has helped to gel the team and particularly our defence which has been solid.”
For any professional football club it is important that they are financially stable and are able to thrive in whatever division they compete in, as well as have contingency plans in place for the possibility of promotion or relegation- a point that Dr. Callon was keen to address:
“Importantly the Club are on a sound financial footing which is largely down to a significant amount of work behind the scenes. This work has included significant ground improvements, an extension to our hospitality facilities and raising the profile of the Club in the community and beyond. Our season ticket sales have increased from around 500 to now over 1200, which is remarkable. Our community trust was also set up just over a year ago which is reaping rewards with the number of young people now attending games and subscribing to season tickets.
“We have an excellent Board of Directors, who all continue to have a role to play in our success, led by a strong Chairman in Mike Caird. We have also recently appointed a Commercial Director with a view to maximising income into the Club. We have a very popular management team who are loved by supporters and the community and their efforts on the field as well as those off the field have instilled a real feel good factor at Gayfield.
“This is evident from the Chairman, the Directors but right through all those who work and volunteer for us. We believe our hospitality experience at matches is the best in Scotland, as has been commented on by so many. All of this we believe puts us on a sound footing.”
All clubs in the Scottish Premiership are full-time and if Arbroath were to gain top-flight status, there would be conversations needed across all football operations at the club.
Dr. Callon continued: “Yes, that [full-time football] would have to be given serious consideration. There would obviously have to be discussions at board level along with financial planning and budgeting projections. Consideration would also have to be given to players contract status.
“It’s important to remember however that there are some players who prefer to be part time when considering the wage they earn at Arbroath FC and that from their own other careers. They may also prefer the part time football life. There would be a lot of things to look at and discuss but consideration would certainly be given.”
According to the 2022 Edition of the SFA Club Licensing Manual, the seating required in SPFL stadiums is at a minimum of 6,000 with a Gold licence, 1,000 with a Silver licence and 500 with a Bronze licence.
Gayfield Park has one stand and is predominately made out of terracing. When asked about how the club would accommodate large Premiership crowds, Dr. Callon referred to previous meetings as successful examples:
“Gayfield Park has a capacity of 6,600 with just under 900 seating. In recent years the Club has successfully accommodated large away supports for matches against Hearts, Dundee United, Dundee and St Johnstone as well as teams like Kilmarnock and Hamilton who were established teams in the top flight last season.
“We have also successfully hosted cup and league matches in the not too distant past against Rangers and Celtic.”
In addition, Dr. Callon highlighted how the attraction of old-fashioned stadia still remains and how he believes that is what sets the club apart from modern stadiums:
“We know that many supporters enjoy a visit to a traditional style football stadium with standing terracing and we believe that Gayfield is one of the best.
“The Club has also maintained its SFA bronze licence for many years which satisfies requirements.”
Picture of Gayfield Park, Arbroath’s home stadium. Source - Getty Images
The January transfer window is always hotly anticipated with football supporters as they look to see what players their club brings in to strengthen the squad for the second-half of the season.
Arbroath have acquired the loan signings of forward Craig Wighton and striker Jack Hamilton from Dunfermline and Livingston respectively as well as midfielder/forward Gavin Swankie on a contract extension.
Swankie is in his fourth spell with the Red Litchies, while both Wighton and Hamilton were previously on loan at the club, in 2020 and 2021.
On the club’s business so far, Dr. Callon concluded: “Dick and Ian always keep an eye out during and out with the window for players that may become available, however they only look to bring others in if there is a belief that they are better than what we have.
It’s worth also noting that Championship, League 1 and 2 sides can also take in players on loan during February. Arbroath runs what is the smallest squad in the Championship, so you can imagine that injuries can also be a factor in deciding to bring other players in.”