I've been quite contented to sit on the fence and watch from afar the constant swaying of negative and positive attitudes to ICT and the managerial staff. ICT's rise to the dizzying heights of the SPL surprised many pundits and supporters alike and after FIVE seasons in the Spl Caley thistle finally found themselves walking the plank and plunging back into first division football. Being the SPL club it was all to easy to suggest our quick return to the SPL with the squad we had and what (at the time some people thought) a superb manager. Things haven't turn out like this so far and already some of us are jumping on "The sack Butcher" bandwagon. But stop and ponder some of these interesting facts about the relegation of spl clubs and the fate of their managers.
(I decided to start my research from season 2000-01 as it was when the 12 team SPl league was introduced)
2000-01
St. Mirren(30 points) were relegated and then manager Tom Hendrie lasted one season in the first Division where St. Mirren finished 8th. Tom Hendrie was sacked in September 2002 after a heavy defeat to ICT. Livingston were promoted that season.
2001-02
ST. Johnstone (21) were relegated, Manager Billy Stark lasted 2 years before getting sacked, Partick Thistle were promoted
2002-03
Motherwell (28) were relegated but controversially Falkirk weren't promoted as their stadium didn't match SPL criteria
2003-04
ICT PROMOTED!!!! Partick Thistle (26) relegated Gerry Britton sacked in January 2005 (Caley allowed to groundshare with Aberdeen, much to the disgust of Falkirk)
2004-05
Dundee (33) relegated, Jim Duffy sacked after four games in First Division despite Dundee lying top. Falkirk finally promoted
2005-06
Livingston (18) relegated, JOHN ROBERTSON sacked April 2007, St.Mirren promoted
2006-07
Dunfermline (32) relegated, Stephen Kenny sacked 4th of December 2007, Gretna promoted
2007-08
Gretna (13) relegated, Hamilton promoted
2008-09
OH DEAR! ICT (37) relegated, St. Johnstone promoted
To Summarise:
Shortest length of time returning to the SPL: St. Mirren 5 seasons
Only three teams have ever returned back to the SPL: Falkirk, St. Mirren, St. Johnstone
Three teams have beeen relegated again after dropping from SPL: Partick Thistle, Livingston, Gretna
Shortest Managerial reign after relegation: 4 games Jim Duffy
Longest Managerial reign after relegation: 2 Years Billy Stark
I welcome any feedback good or bad, and any additional information you may have. Some of the information provided may be incorrect so please inform me if you have different info