AMATEUR FOOTBALL SPECIAL LEAGUE TITLE IS THE No1 AIM FOR CARLE

St Johns manager aiming high as he looks to build on promising year by challenging for championship

St Johns manager Jimmy Carle is clear about his ambitions for the season ahead — he wants to lift the title.

But he knows his players will need to consistently be at the top of their game throughout the campaign in order to hold off stiff competition.

Reigning Division One champions Letham, who went through last season without suffering a league loss, will be the team with a target on their back.

Carle has been pleased with how his squad is coming together ahead of the competitive action getting under way this weekend.

The North Inch-based side begin with a Smith League Cup match against Kettins on Saturday before the Division One fixtures kick-off.

“We’re looking fit. We had a decent finish to last season and we’re looking to kick on from that,” Carle said.

“We’ve made a few decent signings. It’s taken a few games but, after last Saturday, it looks like we are starting to click now.

“We got two cups and second in the league last season. We want to progress from that and the only way to progress from second is to win the league.

“That is what we are pushing for and hopefully we can do it. I think we have the team to do it but only time will tell.

“We have a few ex-Letham boys in the team so they have a bit of an incentive as well.

“I think Letham have had the pick of players.

“Last season was my first full season at St Johns and I picked a team that I thought could challenge.

“We weren’t that successful in the league but this season we’ve added six or seven players, and that has made a difference.

“St Johns weren’t in a very good place when I came here so, to me, it was about keeping them in the league at first.

“We did that and in the second season we finished second. And, as I said, we’re looking to progress from there. We’re looking to kick on.

“It could be a bit ambitious but all of the boys have big ambitions. I’ve always been a winner and have never taken very well to losing.”

Club coaches and committee members have been busy through the summer making sure everything is in place for the season start.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the coaches,” Carle said.

“Plus you have all of the guys on the committee. A few of the new boys have mentioned how good a set-up it is.

“A lot of teams wait and see what numbers they get at training before they set-up. But we set-up the same way whether we get five or 15.

“Numbers at the start weren’t great but now we’re ranging between 16 and 18 every Tuesday and Thursday. We’ve played a lot of friendlies now too.

“Last Saturday, we had a tournament and I noticed the difference with it being more competitive. I’m hoping that carries on when the season starts.

“It’s the way were are playing football that has made the difference, keeping the ball on the deck.”

Win, lose or draw there is something about turning up on a Saturday which keeps Carle coming back for more.

He said: “Before St Johns I was at Luncarty, a new team that was started up. I went to the Juniors and it didn’t work out.

“The difference with the amateurs is that the guys play to play football. There is no money involved. You turn up to win games of football.

“I think you get the best out of the players that way.”

We had a decent finish last year, so we want to kick on