Mark Roberts reflected on Glenafton Athletic's great escape this season – and admitted their in-form squad deserved all the credit.
Glens were deep in relegation trouble three months ago when boss Ryan Stevenson and No 2 Roberts replaced Mick McCann in the dugout.
But the Loch Park side turned it on in the closing weeks of the campaign to secure West of Scotland League Premier Division football for next season.
There was controversy as their game at home to Blantyre Vics in mid-May was abandoned due to the South Lanarkshire team not having enough players to continue after turning up with just seven to start with.
Glens were 2-0 up at the time and a league management meeting was required to decide what happened next with the result eventually standing.
That ultimately clinched survival for the East Ayrshire outfit who are now in the process of building a squad to challenge at the right end of the table next term.
A delighted Roberts told Ayrshire Football News: "It's been the great escape for us.
"When we came in and talked to the board, it looked like six wins would be enough. It's probably been eight or nine wins to stay up. For us to have got ourselves into a position to get ourselves safe is great.
"Since we came in, we changed things. We've got fitter, we've had a structure, but at the end of the day it is down to the players.
"The way we reacted after the defeat at Largs Thistle, and we were terrible that night, has been different class."
Glens have re-signed players' player and supporters' player of the year Ollie Rowe, Craig Pettigrew, Alan Cairns, Hugh Kerr, Leon Murphy and Sam McKee.
Elsewhere in the West of Scotland League and two clubs will have new managers at the helm next season.
Kello Rovers have appointed Greg Gallagher as their new gaffer following the departure of Tony McNally.
Gallagher arrives from Lugar Boswell Thistle after McNally informed the Kirkconnel-based club he wished to take time out for "health and wellbeing" reasons.
A club spokesperson added: "We'd like to thank Tony for his efforts and commitment while involved at the club, and wish him all the very best in the future. Greg was a target the club identified as a replacement early doors and I'd also like to thank the other interested parties for there interest."
Squad-wise, Kello have signed up keeper Ryan Dunsmuir, Mark Armour, Chris Martin, Andrew Struthers, Declan Hill, Ewan Lawrie, Kieran Pagan, Aiden Lang, Ross Costello, Lori Johnson, Ally Smith and Robert Hampson for 2022-23.
Meanwhile, Lugar have replaced Gallagher with former Albion Rovers striker George Wallace, who has brought in ex-Troon chief Jonny Baillie as his assistant.
The Jaggy Bunnets began pre-season training yesterday as they look to make a fresh start following a challenging campaign.
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