Elated Eglinton boss William Shearer reckons the club’s election to the West of Scotland League can be the start of something special.
Ayrshire’s newest non-league side were accepted as members of Division Four at the league’s annual meeting last week.
They will play their football at Kilwinning Sports Club with just the width of a fence separating them from Buffs Park, the home of Premier cracks Kilwinning Rangers.
But Shearer isn’t ready to just settle for life in the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours.
He reckons this is just the beginning of a journey for Eglinton, who take their name from a former Kilwinning Junior side defunct since 1936. And he wants to take the people of Kilwinning along for the ride.
“We are starting right at the bottom of the pyramid, but we are ambitious,” said Shearer.
“It really has the possibility to be a classic romantic football story and what better time to get supporting us than right now.
“Eglinton were a very successful senior team before folding in 1936 and we hope, through time, to emulate that.
“It’s a tough challenge and a long road ahead, but one we’ll relish and learn from. God only knows where we’ll end up in 10, 20, 30 years time.
“It would be great to get the people of Kilwinning as well as Irvine and the Three Towns down to support us and let’s see where it takes us."
Shearer managed Kilwinning Rangers amateurs last season and imported his squad to get Eglinton off the ground.
He now plans to add some new faces ahead of next month’s big kick off.
He said: “A lot of players were uneasy about committing as we hadn’t been confirmed as a WOSFL team. Now the wheels can be put in motion in regards to signings.
"We’re looking to get a group of players together who are hungry to prove themselves at this level. We want to be competitive against whoever we play and see where it takes us.”
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