Next up in our series of reflective interviews, celebrating the 145^th Anniversary of our beloved Club, we spoke with John Sheran about our inaugural Championship winning season of 1984/85.

Qu 1 – What are your abiding memories of the day you won the title?

Initially a bit of relief that we had finally got it done but after the final whistle it was pure joy everywhere and the celebrations went all through the town, both supporter’s clubs, the pubs in town finishing with a party at the town hall. It was an incredible night to see the whole town celebrating from the youngest fans all the way up to Chairman Willie Johnston who got the mouth organ out as usual.

Qu 2 – At the start of that season, how did you assess the squad around you and how well did you think it would do?

We had done better in the second half of the previous season, so we felt optimistic and the signing of Doug Somner was a big factor in making us competitive for the new season.

Qu 3 – What were the key moments/games in that campaign for you?

There were lots of twists and turns that year but after we had the six 1-0 wins in a row our confidence grew and then we drew with Dunfermline at their ground just before Xmas so we knew we could match them going forward. The manager had got the boys really fit and well organised and all of the other teams hated playing against us because we could run all day thanks to the runs behind the stand every Monday after we had trained for 2 hours. (Ray Charles loved them!!!)

Qu 4 – At what stage in the season did you start to think, we could win this?

We were in the top 3 from the beginning of October 84 so we knew we were good enough to beat anyone in the league at the time so after 3 wins in a row at the end of March 85 including beating Alloa followed by another draw at Dunfermline we knew it was in our hands.

Qu 5 – What are you most proud of from that season?

The team spirit that had been built by the manager Ian Stewart and his assistant John Smith along with the bond between the players and winning the league only using 15 players plus as a defender the clean sheets especially when we had 7 in a row. We had an incredible belief and determination to win and to prove the doubters wrong.

Qu 6 – How does it make you feel to know you were part of a successful period in the history of Montrose FC?

It’s hard to belief it’s 40 years ago, it still feels like yesterday especially when the boys meet up the banter is still brilliant even though we have heard all of Les Barr’s stories 1000’s of times. I am delighted and very proud to be part of the history of Montrose FC and being the first ones to win a league title in 105 years makes it an even bigger achievement for everyone who was involved with the cub at that time.

Read our previous interview with Aimee Ridgeway about Season 2021/22 https://montrosefc.co.uk/2024/10/30/in-their-own-words-season-2021-22/

Read our previous interview with Mark Haro about Season 1994/95 – https://montrosefc.co.uk/2024/10/28/in-their-own-words-season-1994-95/

All our interviews, plus much more will be published in a commemorative 145^th Anniversary souvenir matchday programme on Saturday 9^th November for our game against Arbroath.