Ambitious Arbroath FC board members have set their sights on a top-four spot in the second division next season in the wake of the club’s first-ever championship success.
Chairman John Christison and director Mike Caird celebrated promotion but turned their attention to next season with the club’s long-term ambitions going well beyond the second division.
Arbroath won the first title in the club’s history on Saturday with a comprehensive victory over bitter Angus rivals Montrose in front of a bumper crowd at Gayfield.
Goals from Steven Doris, Josh Falkingham, player-manager Paul Sheerin and Adam Strachan were enough to secure the third division title after Albion Rovers were unable to beat Queen’s Park at Hampden.
“If you look at it next year I think the second division will be more of a level playing field,” said Christison.
“I think all the teams are going to be part-time so from that point of view we have as good a chance as anybody.
“Are there ambitions to go up to the first division? Absolutely we’re ready to go to the Premier League if we could, but time will tell.
“The good thing now is we’re not in the play-offs so that gives us a two-week march on a lot of other clubs, so hopefully now Paul (Sheerin) can start speaking to players and maybe get one or two signed up.”
Arbroath returned to the first division for the first time since 1980 in 2001/2001 after finishing second to Partick Thistle in the league with former Hibernian full-back John Brownlie in charge.SufferedAfter two seasons the Lichties suffered back-to-back relegation.
Arbroath then won promotion to the second division in 2007/08 before being relegated last season.
Arbroath director Mike Caird added, “Our ambitions for next season are definitely top four.
“We’ll enjoy it and regroup with the season over and get some players signed and take it from there.”
On-form Gavin Swankie is one man they are desperate to keep for next year’s promotion push, but the striker has made no secret of the fact that he wants to be playing full-time football.
Swankie’s performances have led to speculation the former Dundee and St Johnstone man will step up a couple of levels when his contract is up at the end of the season.
Swankie was taken back for a third spell at his first senior club shortly after ex-McDiarmid Park team-mate Paul Sheerin was appointed manager.
After five years as a full-time pro at Dens and then McDiarmid, Swankie found himself a victim of economic circumstance when Saints decided not to offer him a new deal last summer.
He is, however, determined he will be returned to the full-time ranks as soon as possible.
Player-manager Sheerin is hoping he won’t have to lose his star man in the summer to bigger clubs.
“I hope that group of players will be here next season,” he said.
“Who knows what will happen? I’m sure they will have generated interest throughout the season, especially the forward players,” he added.