The Spartans FC are Ferrari Packaging Lowland League Champions following a 0-0 draw with East Stirlingshire at Ainslie Park.
Dougie Samuel’s side went into the match a point ahead of their title rivals East Kilbride knowing that only a win would do against East Stirlingshire if Kilby were to pick up all three points at The Falkirk Stadium where they took on University of Stirling.
That made it a ‘Wee Car Saturday’ as League chairman Andrew Waddell sat at a mid point with the Lowland League trophy, awaiting news from around the grounds. It was a nervy occasion at Ainslie Park in front of a crowd of 700 who were hoping beyond hope that their boys could put the match to bed.
East Stirlingshire though were looking to break their unbeaten record and extend their run to 19 games and had no intention of lying down to allow The Spartans their win. It was an open game and as the sides went in for half time at 0-0 and it was still level at The Falkirk Stadium.
If things remained as they were, Spartans would be Champions.
The second half kicked off and things were beginning to open up at Ainslie Park as both sides went looking for the first goal. Five minutes into the half though and those in the crowd following the live scores service on slfl.co.uk would have seen a very interesting update indeed. University of Stirling 1 – 0 East Kilbride, Angus Mailer’s header giving The Spartans the advantage from 30 miles away.
Nerves were being shredded, teeth being gnashed, nails being bitten down to stumps at both Ainslie Park and The Falkirk Stadium as East Kilbride went on the attack and East Stirlingshire tried to do their bit to influence the title. Then on 77 minutes another update from The Falkirk Stadium. University of Stirling 2 – 0 East Kilbride. Rory MacEwan’s deflected strike had started the Ainslie Park party..
I Herd the news today, oh boy… pic.twitter.com/Psec6Pzy7X
— The Spartans FC (@spartansfc) April 14, 2018
Full time was a 0-0 draw but that didn’t matter to Dougie Samuel, Captain Michael Herd and the rest of the Spartans boys who celebrated their second Lowland League title well into the night.
Congratulations to everyone at The Spartans and much kudos to the teams who made it such a fascinating and exciting title race. Let’s hope for more of the same competition in 2018/19!
Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. May we present to you, the @OfficialSLFL 2017/18 Champions. A massive thank you to everyone who came along today and have been part of our journey throughout the campaign. #daretodream pic.twitter.com/8AwDuwK9hc
— The Spartans FC (@spartansfc) April 14, 2018
The Spartans will play Highland League Champions Cove Rangers in the SPFL League 2 Playoff. The first leg is at Allan Park on Saturday 28th April and the second leg will be at Ainslie Park on May 1st. The winner of that will go on to play SPFL basement club Cowdenbeath on 5th May.
Ferrari Packaging Lowland League 2017/18
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The Spartans | 30 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 64 | 17 | 47 | 73 |
| 2 |  East Kilbride | 30 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 76 | 23 | 53 | 71 |
| 3 |  Broomhill | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 71 | 27 | 44 | 65 |
| 4 |  East Stirlingshire | 30 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 67 | 31 | 36 | 64 |
| 5 |  Selkirk | 30 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 63 | 50 | 13 | 48 |
