Ross is primed for Prem project
New Medda boss aims for quickfire return to top flight
IRVINE MEADOW manager Ross Wilson has outlined his hopes to take the club back to the Super Premier Division. The 28-year-old took over at Meadow Park earlier this month following the resignations of Gareth Turner and Michael Wardrope.
The Medda achieved a respectable top-half finish un- der the duo last season, coming sixth in the Super First Division. However, Wilson says he is aiming to take the club back to the summit of junior football with the long-term aim being a return to the top flight.
He said: “Irvine Meadow is the type of club that should be playing in the Super Premier Division and I’m aiming to make that happen.
“I’m not going to make any predictions about the season ahead but I want to bring success back to this club.
“I know the team have struggled a bit in recent years but they’re still a big club and I want to keep it that way. In the short-term I want us to start winning games but in the longterm I want to take this club back to where they belong.”
Wilson was in charge of Kello Rovers last season and steered the club to promotion from the Ayrshire District League to the Super First Division.
He admits he enjoyed his time at Kello, but insists the offer to take over at Irvine Meadow was something he couldn’t refuse.
He said: “Meadow are a massive club so to have the opportunity to be their managers was something I had to do.”
Wilson has retained nine players from last season while bringing in two new faces.
Eddie McTernan has joined from Arthurlie while Ryan Carnwath arrived at Meadow Park from East Kilbride Thistle.
Wilson has already ruled out a wholescale revamp at Meadwo Park. He added: “I don’t believe in changing the whole squad just because a new man- ager is in charge. I will only be bringing in new players if I feel they are good enough to improve the squad, I won’t sign players just for the sake of it.”
WHILE Ross Wilson prepares for his debut season as Irvine Meadow boss his namesake Stevie Wilson is gearing up for another season in charge of Irvine Victoria.
The Westenders will be playing in the Ayrshire District League this season following their recent relegation from the Super First Division.
Wilson says he’s aiming to gain promotion this season but insists going straight back up won’t be easy. He said: “I’m not one for making excuses as the table doesn’t lie but we weren’t that bad last season.
“We ran a lot of teams close and should have won more games than we did but we just didn’t take our chances when it mattered. We just have to accept our relegation and try to bounce right back up.”
Stevie added: “Promotion is the aim this season but I’m under no illusion how tough it will be to go straight back up.
“There are a lot of strong teams in the Ayrshire League but I’m confident we will be up there challenging.”