Bellshill Athletic boss revamps his squad

Jun 25 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

WITH a first full season under his belt, Tam McDonald is revamping the Bellshill Athletic squad that secured Super Premier League status for this season.

Three players with Premier League experience look set to join the ranks when the new season kicks off at an upgraded Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre in August.

The facility has passed the initial SJFA inspection and club officials are confident that once dressing room facilities are upgraded they will get the official green light to make that their temporary home for the 2009-10 campaign.

To make way for the new crop of players McDonald is talking to, attacking left-back Anton Franchetti is on the transfer list while goalkeeper Scott McNab, defender Paul McAnenay and midfielders Barry Nicholls and Matt McCuish have been released.

Striker Paul McBride has moved to Petershill.

Blantyre Vics, with 12 of last season’s Second Division promotion-winning squad already re-signed, have added two more experienced campaigners to their squad – with the possibility of a third to come.

Manager Willie Harvey has signed defender Paul McAnenay from Bellshill, while striker Colin Boylan returns to Vics from Rutherglen Glencairn.

Carluke Rovers, who were pipped for promotion on the last day of the season, have re-signed striker Steven Ferguson, who left Rovers for Forth Wanderers last season.

Manager Whitey Moffat said: “Stevie has strength and height, which are valuable assets for a striker, and hopefully he will prove to be a good target man for Stewart Arnott to cash in on.

“The two of them combined well the season before last.

“His addition to the squad will provide competition for places and that will give us four strikers battling for the two front places.”

Pre-season training starts on Saturday when Moffat will check out a number of players who are hoping to earn deals.

Following a very encouraging season, Royal Albert have moved to re-sign 14 of their squad on new deals.

But midfielders Barry Murdoch and Jamie Nisbet are holding out to test interest from other clubs.

Manager Iain McCluskie hopes to add up to five new players before pre-season training gets underway on Saturday, July 4.

James Nelson was presented with the Player of the Year trophy last Friday. The John McMillan Supporters’ Award – in memory of a young striker who died a few weeks ago with leukaemia – was presented to striker Scott McLachlan by John’s wife and father.