Having shown a real improvement in the latter half of March with encouraging performances away from home against Lochee, Whitburn and Dundee Violet, Rose returned to Prestonfield for a Super League match against Glenrothes. Injuries were really starting to bite – particularly in central defence but there was little excuse for the performance Rose served up in this match. They were awful and procured their first shot on goal after 86 minutes. Burnett saw red along with 2 Glens players and Rose were grateful to Brian Carrigan for his 92nd minute leveller which gained them a scarcely merited share of the points.

Typically in a season where supporters now had no idea which Rose team would turn up, Rose faced up to Livingston United in the Dechmont Forklift cup in their first midweek match of the spring and destroyed them 8-1. Sean Grady helped himself to 4 and Danny Smith was given a huge ovation on his return to the team after his horrendous leg break.

A ravaged squad now prepared for a tough weekend as they squared up to Carnoustie on league business before tackling Falkirk the following day in Danny Smith’s thoroughly merited testimonial.

Carnoustie turned out to be a new low for the Rose as the home side, favourites for relegation along with Oakley, coasted to an easy 4-1 victory. For those who watched the game it was painful to recall that on this day a year earlier, their favourites had been involved in a slightly different 4-1 outcome as they hammered Arthurlie in the Scottish Junior Cup semi final. How times had changed!

Danny’s testimonial pitched Rose in against a strong and quick Falkirk team containing a host of first team players. It was very much one way traffic and Mark Bradley’s strike was a mere consolation as Falkirk helped themselves to 6 at the other end. However, for once, the result was far less relevant than the occasion. This was a great day for Danny which Falkirk respected through the selection of such a strong team. Falkirk acknowledged the superb condition of the Prestonfield playing surface and facilities by seeking permission to play their reserve SPL fixtures in Linlithgow.

Elsewhere, it turned out to be a great weekend for Linlithgow’s Scottish Cup conquerers, Queen of the South as they beat Aberdeen 4-3 in a cracking semi final at Hampden. Queens were subsequently guaranteed their place in Europe when Rangers won the other semi final. Congratulations to the Doonhamers – their 4 lucky breaks in January were worth a lot more than even their most optimistic supporters might have dared to dream!

While Queens’ supporters were daring to dream, Rose fans faced up to the end of the most successful era in the club’s history when Jim Sinnet tendered his resignation.

Sinnet had considered his future after the club won the Scottish Junior Cup the previous season but had been enthused by the prospect of leading Rose into the Scottish Cup for the first time.

After a horrendous run of injuries and loss of form in the period from January, Sinnet was clear that he needed a break from the game after 17 years in management.

Having been successful wherever he had managed, he really raised the bar to a new level for any successor. His trophy haul was incredible but pride of place went to the 2 Scottish Junior Cup wins and the 2 Super League titles secured by Linlithgow under his leadership.

Jim Sinnet exited the doors of Linlithgow Rose with his status of ‘Legend’ secure. Whatever short term disappointments the Rose faithful may have suffered this season will surely pale into insignificance when the dust settles. His achievements will be remembered with great fondness. He gave Rose their pride back, instilled a winning mentality in his players, never backed away from a challenge, was forthright in his opinions, had great self-belief and you knew that his teams rarely failed through lack of ‘bottle’.

Many older Rose supporters who thronged The Cross in June 2002 and again in June 2007 may have concluded that 1965 was to be their one and only chance of cheering the team through the High Street. Jim Sinnet changed all of that and everyone associated with Linlithgow Rose owes him a huge debt of gratitude for those special nights.

Time stands still for no man though and Gordon Rae took charge of team selection as Rose were pitted against Hill o’ Beath in a midweek league match at Prestonfield. The game was a subdued affair where Rose showed a bit more steel but little punch up front as both teams settled for 0-0.

Oakley were next up and Rose swept them aside in blustery conditions as they cantered to a 4-0 victory.

After a horrendous season of injuries, Greig Denham called time on his playing career. Greig had been a tremendous influence on the Rose team – particularly through the 2006/07 campaign. There was no doubt his leadership would be missed on the field.

Near neighbours Bathgate pipped Pollok in the Scottish Junior Cup to secure a place in the final for the second time in 3 seasons. On the other side of the Flints, Bo’ness secured their promotion back to the Super League.

Rose finished a traumatic month with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Haddington and a slightly more tense 2-1 league win over Bonnyrigg at Prestonfield.

A bag of mixed results was of far less relevance to Rose fans than the debate that now raged about the future direction of the club. A host of managers’ names were banded around as speculation mounted but for the moment the committee were content that Gordon Rae, having played a huge role in the development of the team that did so well in 2007, represented an extremely safe pair of hands.