On Christmas Eve last year, Raith Rovers issued a video parody of popular film ‘Love Actually’ to herald another piece of good news.
Since then, the expected script at Stark’s Park has been ripped up and rewritten on multiple occasions.
It has been an incredible storyline in the ensuing 12 months following the sight of chief executive Andy Barrowman and assistant-manager Colin Cameron hamming it up on camera to announce a new deal for manager Ian Murray.
A year later and this festive period Raith are already seeking a replacement for Murray’s successor in the dugout.
And there were plenty of other ups and downs to grip observers in an incredible 2024 for Rovers.
Courier Sport has taken a look back at a remarkable year at the Kirkcaldy club.
New contract announcement
Raith dropped news of Murray’s new long-term agreement on Christmas Eve with a tongue-in-cheek parody of festive movie Love Actually.
It saw Barrowman copy a scene from the film with the offer of a three-year contract extension.
The skit climaxed with a sign that said: ‘To me, you are perfect’ and with Murray shaking hands with the CEO.
Unfortunately, within eight months the love had gone and Murray was sacked.
Title push and promotion bid
Raith entered 2024 sitting top of the Championship table following a 2-1 victory over rivals Dunfermline at East End Park.
The result preserved a three-point advantage over Dundee United at the summit.
In the end, it was the favourites from Tannadice who prevailed with a six-point lead and Rovers had to settle for an impressive second place.
They enjoyed a 14-point lead over Partick Thistle in third and subsequently held off the Jags in the play-off semi-final with a penalty-kicks triumph.
However, Ross County proved too strong in the final as Raith’s Premiership dreams were dashed.
It was an incredible effort from the Kirkcaldy club and one they could be proud of. But, ultimately, they came up short.
Ian Murray is sacked
The hopes were clearly that Raith would learn their lessons from their agonising failure to win promotion.
Experience was added to the squad in the form of Hibernian pair Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson, and Airdrie player-assistant Callum Fordyce.
But it was a slowish start to the season in the Premier Sports Cup, with wins over Stirling Albion and Stranraer followed by a narrow defeat to County in Dingwall.
A draw with Hamilton Accies left Rovers without qualification for the knock-out stages.
And the Stark’s Park board caused shockwaves through Scottish football when they axed Murray in the wake of an opening-day league defeat to Airdrie.
Directors’ concern was over a team they felt had regressed in the first half of the year.
But, even with Murray no longer at the helm, Rovers have spent the season so far in the bottom half of the table and failing to live up to last term’s promise.
Managerial hunt drags on
The suspicion was that Rovers had a replacement for Murray in mind and many thought a replacement would be appointed quickly.
However, in the end, it took the club 30 days to name Murray’s successor.
The net was cast wide, possible targets were spoken to and ruled out – by either Raith or the candidates themselves – and eventually David Healy was poised to take over.
But the Northern Irishman got cold feet and pulled out of the move, before landing an improved contract at Linfield.
When Neill Collins arrived to make a return to Scottish football for the first time in 20 years, it took most by surprise.
But the former Tampa Bay Rowdies and Barnsley boss was said to be Raith’s first choice all along.
Collins California Dreaming
After a rollercoaster spell that saw him preside over six wins, six defeats and three draws, it was announced last Saturday that Collins had departed.
Following a reign lasting just three months, it was another shock to the system at Stark’s Park.
With Sacramento Republic triggering a clause in his contract and the 41-year-old wanting to accept a return to the United States, there was nothing the Raith hierarchy could do.
But now they are back to seeking another new manager following a year that started with them appearing to have the stability of a long-term incumbent in the dugout.
It was just another reason why some connected with Raith would be forgiven for being happy to see the back of 2024.
Conversation