Not so Blue Brazil

Those of us who want our football measured against fairytales and romantic epics were left disappointed yesterday at Hampden.

Our fault, we were looking in the wrong place.

Cowdenbeath today sealed promotion to the First Division with a 3-0 win at Brechin.

It's the first time they've reached the second tier in 20 years.

That would be an achievement in itself.

But there is more to this story. Cowden only reached the Second Division thanks to Livingston's relegation to the Third Division.

They've also managed to get promoted with no money. Not just a bit skint. Totally potless. Impecunious to the point of disappearing.

Somehow Danny Lennon has managed to galvanise his players against that bleakest of backdrops and they've responded in the best possible way.

Remarkable really.

The money questions won't disappear, Spartans might still be waiting in the wings, a takeover bid prepared.

Let's hope not. In their own way Cowdenbeath are an iconic name in the Scottish game. They've shown resilience in turning a season that was all about survival into a season that brought success.

Sadly many of our clubs now fight their biggest battles in lawyer's offices and banks rather than on the pitch.

Thanks, then, to the Blue Brazil for showing that football can still provide some salvation.

Brechin 0 (0) v 3 (0) Cowdenbeath - Mbu 17, Wardlaw 25, 45

Around the web:

BBC
STV

Elsewhere: Martyn Fotheringham and Bryan Deasley gave Forfar a 2-0 win against Arbroath to clinch a spot in the Second Division.

Promotion and relegation

First Division

C: Inverness Caledonian Thistle
R: Airdrie
R: Ayr

Second Division

C: Stirling Albion
P: Cowdenbeath
R: Arbroath
R: Clyde

Third Division

C: Livingston
P: Forfar