Vale of Leven Juniors boss aims for better start

Jul 10 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

VALE Juniors are back in action ahead of the new season, with a few new faces possibly on the way to Millburn Park.

Manager Hugh Hamill has managed to re-sign the vast majority of the squad who pulled off a remarkable escape from relegation last season.

And he hopes to lure more players to the club by inviting them to join in pre-season training, which has now started.

He said: “We just started back last week and had a good turnout of about 22 players, which included signed players and trialists.

“Just about everybody who played for us last year has turned out again, with the exception of David Grant who has decided to retire.

“There have been no new signings as yet, but there have been trialists from other junior teams as well as local amateur sides and our under-21 team.

“We have our pre-season schedule worked out and there are several places in Balloch where we can go and have some good workouts.

“We have had to start a week early because the SJFA brought the beginning of the season forward, but we have adapted well.”

Hugh is in no doubt about where Vale need to improve from last season, with a goalscorer the priority in the transfer market.

He added: “The priority is to get somebody in who can score many goals and match the tally of Mark Pawsey, who did very well in his first season last year.

“I’ve also asked former Dumbarton striker Stuart MacIver to come in and give us a hand with coaching the strikers.

“We finished last season really well, but I always knew we were capable of doing what we did. However, I am conscious of the fact that we need to start this season well.

“We don’t want to get into the same situation as we did last season, because the longer it goes on, the more it erodes confidence.”

Vale’s friendly matches away to Irvine Vics on Monday, July 20 and at home to Saltcoats Vics two days later have both been cancelled.

The Millburn men will now play Yoker Athletic at the Hermitage Academy Astroturf pitch on Wednesday, July 22 with an 8pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, the annual player of the year dance will take place at Vale of Leven Golf Club on Saturday, August 15.