Looking Forward To The New Season!

 Campbell took some time out earlier today to give an update on his close-season thoughts before jetting off to sunnier parts for a week’s break. 

As reported earlier, a total of 11 players were released at the end of a very disappointing season at Ochilview “I felt we needed to clear the decks to a degree but in a sensible way; I’m sure most fans will agree that we have some very good and exciting young talent at the club who emerged towards the end of the season and I’ve not been looking to replace “like for like” as I consider the options open to me. The players released all go with my own and the Club’s best wishes and I’d like to hope that everyone recognises that they were given every opportunity to prove themselves over the period I’ve been in charge”. 

Of the out of contract players, only Craig Menzies has been retained for next season. Campbell explained his thinking…  “Craig is a versatile player who can play in a variety of positions. I felt he did reasonably well over the season but shaded towards the end as he was carrying a knock. His pace is an obvious asset and I look forward to working with him in pre-season and next term”. 

Campbell revealed that his aim was to ideally have 17 Senior Professionals on the books together with the youth squads at u-17 and u-19 level. “That will be my aim with a view to continuing with a standard 4-4-2 formation; however we switched to 3-5-2 during the Berwick game which worked well so I’ve an eye on maintaining some flexibility in who I sign.”
 

The New Signings

John Hillcoat

“I’ve known John for a number of years and he’s a solid dependable goalkeeper who has bags of experience at Senior level. He’ll also be involved in coaching our youth team keepers and I’m sure they’ll benefit from his knowledge”

John Dillon

“John is naturally left sided and a good footballer. He can play in defence or midfield and will be a great asset, I’m sure. As I said earlier, I tried to sign him during the transfer window in January, so I’m delighted to have him at the Club”

Thomas Murdoch

“Tam is a strong, athletic and aggressive attacking midfielder who at 6’ will give us a different option in the middle of the park. He played as a triallist in a bounce match against Shotts earlier in the season and I watched him play for Neilston against Petershill where he did really well. This will be his first senior club and he’s keen to do well, the desire is there and I’m sure he’ll be a firm favourite with the fans”

Steven Ferguson

“Stevie is well known around the club given his Community and Youth Coaching role and he’s an exceptional professional both on and off the park. He’ll be Club Captain next season and will bring leadership to the team as well as experience, hard work and aggression.” 

Ross Hamilton

“Ross is well known at Ochilview and locally, he’ll give us pace in wide right areas and will grab his fair share of goals. He’s only 26 but has bags of experience at this level and I’m sure he’s looking forward to returning to his first senior club.”

Steven Hampshire

“I’m really excited at the prospect of working with Stevie, in my opinion he does everything a good striker should. He holds the ball up well, he gets in behind defences and can finish. He’s very much a player’s player with bags of experience at a good level who’ll score a good few goals for us next term”

Jamie Smith

“I only signed 28 year old Jamie earlier today, he was offered terms to stay at Dumbarton but decided to join us instead. He’s 6’2” right sided centre back who I signed for a fee when I was at Stranraer. He reads the game well, is good in the air, decent on the ball and has reasonable pace.” 

The signings won’t stop there as Campbell revealed. “I’m still talking to a number of players and need goalkeeping and right sided midfield coverage as a minimum at this stage but there may be more ……” 

Pre-Season

There have been a couple of changes to our schedule:

· Morton (H) Wed 25th July.
· Dundee (H) Thurs 26th July.

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