St Cuthbert Wanderers have announced their new manager.
Ian Clark, who was part of previous boss Josh Gardner’s management team last season, has taken on the role, with Raymond Gordon and Paul Hilston also part of the coaching set-up.
Clark, who has worked with Gardner at a number of clubs in recent years, said: “They asked me if I’d be interested and I think when you get asked to take on such a role it’s something you have a chat about.
“I did the travel last year, which is part and parcel of the game – I’m in Glasgow too, so it’s a three hour round trip. It’s something you consider but after chatting with the committee at Saints we had an understanding.
“What I would like to do and what they’re looking to do is aligned and our ideas met in the middle.”
Saints finished seventh in the South of Scotland League last term with a much changed squad to the one that lifted the title in 2022.
And it looks set to be another summer of change at St Mary’s Park.
Clark said: “We had predominantly central belt boys last year. I think we’ll retain one, maybe two at max, so it’s a full rebuild for me. We’ve spoken to a number of players and we’ve boys coming in for pre-season.
“I’m going about things quietly, we’re trying to do things the right way and getting the right boys in is important.
“We’re going to have an emphasis on trying to stay local and build a team that’s predominantly South boys. I think as a club it makes sense.
“I’ve got good guys around me at the club and will be relying on their knowledge of the players down there.
“I think a year down there has helped me identify potential players, I think I’m better set than my predecessor with Josh not knowing too much about the league whereas now I’ve an idea of how teams play and the players in the league.”
Last season saw Abbey Vale just pip Creetown for the title, with Lochar Thistle also in the hunt.
And things look set to be even more difficult with Dalbeattie Star dropping back into the league.
Clark added: “They’ll be coming down from the Lowland League and have good experience and their manager will be prepping them for a season of going for the league and cups.
“They’ll be competitive but with that comes pressure and everybody will be looking at them. We’ll do our business quietly, get the right boys in with the right attitude and take it from there.
“A lot of people have asked about our expectations for next year but we’ll build a competitive team with the right characters and work ethic and take it from
there.
“There is good quality and a good work ethic in some of the teams – Creetown were so well drilled, worked hard and fell just short.
“We’ll draw on teams like that, we’ll try to build a squad of quality but the lads will know it’s going to be hard work and they’ll need to make sure they put the effort in.
“I think that’ll fall into what the fans will hopefully be looking for.
“If they see them leaving everything on the park and trying to do things right, it becomes a little bit easier to take if they’re not doing so well.”
