Making Kilwinning Rangers great again – that’s David Gormley’s one and only focus.
The Buffs Park boss is getting set for his first season in charge after joining towards the end of last season.
The club missed out on West of Scotland Cup success after losing to Hurlford United in the final but Gormley won’t settle for second best this season.
There has been plenty of change to the playing personnel this summer and although it will take time, he still wants to get the campaign off to a flying start.
He told the Irvine Herald: “Everyone is looking good so far, we’ve brought a lot of boys in so obviously the turnover is massive.
“Getting everyone bedded in to what we already have takes time, but the adrenaline and buzz is there just now.
“It’s when that starts to dip that we need to be there to pick it up, but everyone is riding on a high just now.
“I’ve put my own stamp on the team, that’s the biggest thing I wanted, and I am glad I was able to do it the way I wanted in terms of bringing players in that I know and trust.
“The players I’ve kept; I know they can do the job I want them to, they have upped their game as well.”
Gormley continued: “I am very excited ahead of this season with the opportunity I have.
“You probably don’t realise how big a club it is until you get down to Buffs Park and see the environment and infrastructure.
“Then the fans talk to you and you see how die-hard the committee members are. There’s a full-time kitman, you start to feel how big the club is.
“It’s a massive job for myself and the coaching staff but it’s one we are thrilled to take and we will grab it with both hands. I kept an eye on things last season. Kilwinning started off well but they fell away a bit.
“Ultimately it’s up to me, we want to be better than last year and we want to be successful. I crave success as a manager.
“We need to make sure the players have that mentality too, trying to get that winning formula is the job we have in front of us. This is a massive club, the fact they’ve not had much success lately is criminal.
“My first task will be to bring some sort of success here, whatever form that comes in I’m not sure. But we need to get something positive across the line.”
It doesn’t get much harder than a West of Scotland League Premier Division derby-day opener against Irvine Meadow – and former Auchinleck Talbot star Gormley is no stranger to these occasions.
He said: “It’s a juicy start, having played with Auchinleck I thought the derbies out that way there the only real derbies.
“I didn’t realise there was a big rivalry with Irvine Meadow and Kilwinning, but I found that out quite quickly when we played them in a friendly and I was quickly told, ‘there’s no such thing as a friendly against them’.
“My derby experiences over the years can only help me when managing them, I know what’s expected in these games.
“First and foremost you need to win the battle and then the football can take care of itself.
“But it’s just natural you up things a wee bit for a game like that, there’s no better way to kick off the season. it’s setting up to be a special occasion.”
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