The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stage set for Premier League’s new season
Juniors: How they line-up for challenge ahead
LOCHEE UNITED look well equipped to win back the Super League status they relinquished for the first time last season, even though they have lost Scott Gates to the champions Kelty Hearts.
New arrivals are Bryan Deasley (Montrose FC), Scott McComiskie and Reece Ritchie (North End), Dean Thomson (St Cuthbert Wanderers) plus James Cochrane (Amateurs) and Calum McHardy (Dundee).
VIOLET lost Stewart McConnachie, Adam O’Connor and Jake Mair to Broughty Athletic.
However, they signed half a dozen as they look to improve on last season’s eighthplace. Newcomers are goalkeeper Gordon Chalmers, defender Paul Baker and the experienced Martin Szpak, Gavin Hood, Ross Lunnan and Ryan Dignan.
FORFAR WEST END, who were 10th, have signed goalkeeper David Reid from North End, Josh Moncrieff (Dundee), Ron Bewes (Carnoustie) and Ian and Callum Petrie from Lochee Harp.
They fill the gaps left by the departure of Darren Scott, Gavin Tinley, Cameron Johnston, Derek Paterson, Mark McDonald and Gary Roberts.
MONTROSE ROSELEA are under new management after Ralph Brand
THORNTON HIBS
The North League champions Thornton Hibs finished last season strongly to gain promotion, and will be hoping that impetus continues as they negotiate their first ever season in the Premier League.
In preparation for it, there have been three additions to the squad – former Dundonald Bluebell duo Tommy Carr and Bradley Grieve, plus Greig Renton, who previously served Cowdenbeath, Lochore Welfare and Dalbeath Colts.
KENNOWAY STAR HEARTS
In what is only their third season in the Juniors, Kennoway Star Hearts make their debut in the Premier League.
It may only have come about by Downfield’s default, but manager Eck Davidson is relishing the prospect, especially as they have retained their key players.
Acknowledging this will be a big test, given that they have shown up well in pre-season he is optimistic they can make the step up. resigned last month. They have appointed Chris Simpson as manager with David Craig as his assistant. Completing the backroom team are experienced coaches Gary Munn and Alan Millar.
JEANFIELD SWIFTS finished in mid-table. Manager Ross Gunnion, who took over towards the end of the campaign, brought in several players.
They include goalkeeper Mark Mitchell, striker John Anderson who is also assistant manager, midfielders Daniel Kelly and Kevin Fowler all from Luncarty. Lewis Baker and Scott Mollison have also been recruited.
The two major departures from Riverside are goalkeeper Duncan Bruce and Aaron Whitehead.
DUNDONALD BLUEBELL looked like Super League contenders before their challenge faded, and finally finished fifth.
Mounting a promotion bid this season could be more difficult as they have lost Murray Carstairs, Tommy Carr, Bradley Grieve and Ian Lally and so far have only recruited Ben Anthony from Hill of Beath, Scott Lawrie from Kelty Hearts and Sean Keatings from Burntisland Shipyard.
OAKLEY only finished just above the drop zone last season but boss James Watt feels that he has a stronger squad at his disposal.
Although four players have left, he feels that has been more than compensated for by the arrivals of Kevin Brown (Crossgates Primrose), Daniel Hall ( South Shields) and Kerr Newbigging (amateurs).
And encouraged by their pre-season form, Watt is hopeful it will continue as they get down to the competitive side of things.