Hill happy to let others take the spotlight

Arbroath’s striking duo of Steven Doris and Gavin Swankie have received most of the media attention during the past year that saw the club clinch their first title in its 133 year history and Red Lichties goalkeeper, Darren Hill, would not have it any other way.

Hill said: “I do not mind that at all as goalkeepers only seem to get attention when they make a mistake so if people are talking about Steven and Gavin, that suits me. Everyone at the club knows how good they are.

“They were immense last season and Second Division sides will find out how good they are this season. The two of them spark each other off and Steven just seems to have this fantastic level of energy that allows him to run and run whereas 'Swanks', well he is just 'Swanks', and is a really gifted footballer.”

After picking up wins over Albion Rovers and East Fife, Arbroath are making a solid start to life after promotion with Hill saying: “We did an awful lot of hard work in pre-season and we have done okay so far. Beating Albion Rovers gave us a great start then we had a bit of disappointment when we lost to Stenhousemuir before seeing off East Fife.”

The Rovers game saw Arbroath win 6-2 in fairly unique circumstances as firstly the Coatbridge men lost goalkeeper Derek Gaston to a red card in the opening minutes and then his replacement, Chris Fahey, was dismissed in the early stages of the second half to leave defender Allan Dempsie to take over between the sticks.

Hill had sympathy for the Cliftonhill players saying: “It is always hard to see a fellow goalkeeper sent off as you get to know them all and we do have a bit of unity amongst us. The decisions looked harsh but the referee was closer than me.

“I never got the chance to speak to them after the game or Allan but I will catch up with them when we visit Clitonhill. Ironically, I missed a game there last season due to a suspension.”

Unlike the Gayfield club, winning titles was nothing new to Hill as he started his career off at Falkirk and was part of two squads that triumphed in the First Division in seasons 2002/03 and 2004/05 however, this success meant more.

Hill explained: “I signed for Falkirk when I was a kid and Alex Totten was my first Manager. Ian McCall then took over and we were on our way to the title when he resigned and John ‘Yogi’ Hughes and Owen Coyle took over.

“Owen was only joint Manager for a short period and it is great to see how well he has done since then.”

Promotion was denied to the Bairns at the end of season 2002/03 as their former ground, Brockville, did not meet the SPL stadia requirements however, there was no stopping them two years later as they left second placed St. Mirren trailing by 15 points to get their move up to the SPL.

Hill however, did not enjoy these successes as much as he did the Arbroath one as he explained: “I was a young kid and made mistakes with my career at that time. I was frustrated at not playing every week and I did not play as much as I would have liked in those two seasons.

“To be involved in Arbroath’s success through playing almost every week means a lot to me.”

Hill left Falkirk in the summer of 2006 and joined neighbours East Stirlingshire and his form there caught the eye of then Arbroath boss John McGlashan and he took him to the club in January 2008 in a bid to help their promotion push.

The 29-year-old said: “I had a short term deal at the 'Shire that had run out and I was in a state of limbo until John stepped in. He was great with me and I am glad he brought me to the club.”

McGlashan’s side made the Play-Offs after coming in fourth and they secured promotion alongside Champions East Fife with Play-Off wins over Cowdenbeath and Stranraer.

Hill said: “Winning promotion was a great success and I was pleased to play a bigger part than I had at Falkirk. We had won the first leg of the Final 2-0 at home to Stranraer and were doing okay in the second leg until big Craig Tully got himself sent off.

“Stranraer scored and it was a real backs to the wall performance after that. It was my first experience of winning a game and then seeing the fans do a pitch invasion. Thankfully, it was 200 or so good natured Arbroath fans and that added to the day as well.”

McGlashan’s side stayed up in the Second Division in their first season however, he decided to take a break from football early into the 2009/10 season and Arbroath ended up being relegated via the same Play-Off system that had seen them promoted two years before.

Paul Sheerin came in for last season’s campaign as Player/Manager with Hill saying: “It was like being back at Falkirk having a Player/Manager as that is what big 'Yogi' and Owen were during their short time in charge.

“I really enjoyed last season and being a large part of a successful team made it all the more worthwhile. This season some people will suggest that finishing eighth is the realistic target for Arbroath and staying up and of course, that would be great although I would like us to finish higher.”

Hill has his own personal objectives as well saying: “I want to play in every game that I can and be the best I can be. I had ten shut-outs last season and I now have one after the East Fife game and whilst Arbroath are not involved in too many goalless games, I would like to beat that total.”

The shot-stopper was asked how easy that would be when half the games are at the club’s Gayfield ground that is notorious for being blasted by North Sea winds and he said: “Weather-wise, I have found it not to be as bad as you would think it is going to be before you start playing. I have got used to it over the years and now know when to stay on my line and when not to. If a goalkeeper masters that then they will be fine.”

Hill cannot afford to rest on his laurels as he looks to keep hold of the number one jersey with Sheerin having brought in former Hamilton Academical, Dundee, Alloa Athletic and Dumbarton goalkeeper Michael White to compete for the gloves.

“Michael is a good goalie,” said Hill before adding, “and I do have a challenge on my hands but it is a challenge I welcome as I am sure Michael being here will make me a better goalkeeper. A bit like Steven and Gavin, we are good for each other and that must be good for the team.

“We have competition all over the pitch now as the Manager has brought in guys like Beau Busch and Graham Girvan in defence, Brian Kerr in midfield and Jordan Elfverson up front. Big Beau has been a wee bit unlucky with injuries but he came back last week and was really strong.”

Hill finished by saying: “The Manager knows a good player so it is all looking good.”