Congratulations to defender Ricky Little and Ryan McCord who have been named in the SPFL League 2 Team of the Year to cap of a tremendous season for both players.
It is perhaps a surprise and a bit unfortunate not to see more of their team mates alongside them in the SPFL League Team of the Year but for Lichties we are the SPFL Team of the Year!
Craig Fowler selects his League 2 Team of the Year, with Elgin City striker Shane Sutherland the star man for finishing top scorer.
GK – Blair Currie (Annan Athletic)
The 23-year-old had a terrific season between the sticks for the Galabankies, putting in a string of tremendous displays as they finished third in the League 2 table. He was a near unanimous vote for the club’s player of the year and he makes this team too.
DF – Ricky Little (Arbroath)
Another season, another fine campaign from the linchpin of the Arbroath back-line. The club’s rise to the top of the table, toppling rivals Forfar Athletic and eventually taking the League 2 crown, would not have happened without the stellar defensive showing. Little and co conceded only 36 goals across the campaign, making them by far the stingiest defence in the division.
DF – Thomas O’Brien (Forfar Athletic)
Even as Forfar limped towards the finish line, O’Brien continued to stand out at the heart of their defence. The 25-year-old has been excellent ever since signing for the club from Cowdenbeath, and he impressed again as Forfar got over their title loss to gain promotion through the play-offs. He even managed to net a highly impressive eight goals.
DF – Joe Mbu (Edinburgh City)
While Arbroath had the best defence in the league, you have to go down as far as seventh place Edinburgh City to find the second-most impermeable back-line. Veteran Mbu may not be the quickest of defenders, but he is still as strong and dominant as anyone in the division.
DF – Michael Bolochoweckyj (Montrose)
Considered contenders for relegation when manager Paul Hegarty left, the Angus club enjoyed an incredible turnaround under Stewart Petrie and finished the season in the play-off spots. He missed a few games but lower-league stalwart Bolochoweckyj was a defensive rock and used his experience to lead the club’s backline.
MF – Ryan McCord (Arbroath)
An odd omission from the Player of the Year nominations, McCord was excellent for the champions, particularly in the second half of the season. His creativity made him such a valuable part of the side, as he contributed both goals and assists as the Gayfield side overcame a big deficit to become champions.
MF – Brian Cameron (Elgin City)
The Elgin star proved himself to be one of the better midfielders in the division again, following up a tremendous 2015/16 campaign with arguably an even better one this time around. The 25-year-old netted 16 times from the centre of the park as City stayed in contention for promotion before falling away at the end of the season.
MF – Danny Denholm (Forfar Athletic)
Fourteen goals from midfield was a fine return for the former Livingston attacker who enjoyed a highly productive campaign on the wing for Gary Bollan’s men. His performances in the play-offs were particularly eye-catching, as he helped lift Forfar off the canvas after the blow of losing the league title on the last day of the regular season.
FC – Shane Sutherland (Elgin City)
It may have been Elgin, and not Arbroath or Forfar, ascending to League 1 if Sutherland hadn’t got injured. The striker had smashed in 24 goals in all competitions by early March, but the wheels came off Elgin’s season when he was injured, and they tumbled out the play-off places entirely. It shows how lethal he was that his 18 league goals was still enough to be the season’s top goalscorer mark, despite playing in only 24 league games. He is this season’s League 2 star man.
FC – David Cox (Forfar Athletic)
The Loons striker netted 12 goals and contributed nine assists in League Two as the Station Park side led the division for most of the season. He then went and netted again as Forfar hammered Peterhead in the second leg of the playoff final to take their place in the third tier.
FC – Peter MacDonald (Clyde)
Pre-season contenders for promotion, Clyde struggled badly. And while it may have been the goals of David Goodwillie that gave them the required boost for survival in the end, they may have already been cut adrift were it not for Peter MacDonald, who netted 17 times in the league despite limited service.
