Stenhousemuir boss Gary Naysmith named Scottish League One Glen's Manager of the Season

Gary Naysmith has been named as the Scottish League One Glen's manager of the season after leading his part-time Stenhousemuir side to an incredible second-placed finish.

The Warriors, who won promotion two campaigns ago and also earned a play-off berth the previous season, managed to again defy the odds this term by putting up a genuine title tilt against full-time Inverness Caley Thistle. Naysmith’s team took the race down to the final day, only losing on first spot by two points. Over the course of the third tier campaign - Stenhousemuir only lost on five occasions. They won 18 league fixtures, drawing 13 times and managed to go unbeaten in four games against the Highlanders.

And promotion is still up for grabs for the Ochilview Park side after reaching the Championship play-off final following a hard-fought two legged success over Queen of the South in the semi finals. The Warriors visit Alloa Athletic on Wednesday night before welcoming the Wasps this Saturday evening with the winner of that tie earning a spot in next season’s second tier.

Gary Naysmith named manager of the season

Former Scotland full-back Naysmith, 47, will depart Stenhousemuir this summer for Ayr United having agreed last week to take on the top job at Somerset Park. He’ll be joined in South Ayrshire by assistant manager Brown Ferguson. Both will leave as club legends having led the Warriors to a first-ever league title and continued success on the park since.

“I am delighted to have been named as the League One manager of the year,” Naysmith said. “Although it is myself that receives the award, it is actually a reward for the whole club as without the help and support that I have received from the players, my backroom staff, the board and the fans, these types of awards wouldn’t be possible. It has been a really tough league and there would have been a few worthy winners so I’m honoured to have received the award.”

Colin Matthews, CEO of Glen’s owner the Loch Lomond Group, added: “The standard across League One this season has been extremely high but Gary Naysmith’s leadership, consistency and ability to drive performance levels at Stenhousemuir stood out to the voting panel. To guide the club to a second-place finish and maintain a sustained promotion challenge throughout the campaign is a tremendous achievement, and his three Glen’s Manager of the Month awards underline the impact he has had over the course of the season. Congratulations to Gary and everyone at Stenhousemuir on an outstanding campaign, and we wish them every success in the play-offs.”