Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Rae says Rovers can hold on to club's rising football stars
DEFIANT Ardrossan Winton Rovers chairman Dougie Rae says he is confident of holding on to their highly rated young players, despite promising left back Keir Milliken heading for the big time by signing for Stagecoach Super League Premier Division side Irvine Meadow.
And the club supremo who revealed that former Dalry Thistle goalkeeper Willie Rankine had signed up for next season says they are looking for two highly experienced players who could finally help them achieve promotion after tow years of near misses.
Meanwhile off the field the club are also making major progress with a new hospitality suite and gym both set to open later in the year.
Rae told Sportscene on Tuesday "We would have liked to hold on to Keir, but I suppose it's a good opportunity for him at Meadow and we wish him well. He knows the door is always open if he wants to come back."
"The squad is being strengthened and it's good to have Willie Rankine on board but we are also looking to add in two more players who could make the difference between securing promotion, which has to be our aim next season and missing out."
"We are on the lookout for a defender and a midfielder, one ideally who has leadership qualities and are looking around. Other than Keir, Jamie Paton is the only player who is moving on and that is by mutual consent."
The chairman is also delighted with the progress being made off the field.
He said "We have almost finished work on the hospitality suite which is in the rooms below the stand and that should be up and running for the start of the season. We also hope to have the gymnasium open before the end of the year and we are engaging a physio to work there."
"People who use the gym will also be able to use the park for fitness work. It used to that Winton Park was only used for 90 minutes on a Saturday but we are much more than a football team but are part of the community."
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.